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RUF UWM

RUF UWM

By Nick Bratcher

Sermons from Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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“Relating to the Local Church” (1 Cor. 12:4–31; 13:1)

RUF UWMOct 21, 2021

00:00
33:59
Summer Conference Seminar: Ethics, Pt. 2

Summer Conference Seminar: Ethics, Pt. 2

Nick Bratcher discusses how the Gospel provides us an opportunity for an ethical life.
Jun 03, 202249:43
Summer Conference Seminar: Ethics Pt. 1

Summer Conference Seminar: Ethics Pt. 1

Nick Bratcher discusses the current ethical crisis in the post-Christian West.
Jun 03, 202258:51
“Ski Lift Debacles and Singing the Mercy of God” (Exodus 5:1–2; 7:1–13; 9:13–17)

“Ski Lift Debacles and Singing the Mercy of God” (Exodus 5:1–2; 7:1–13; 9:13–17)

Part seven of our series in Exodus, “Being Known and Living Free.”
Mar 16, 202228:39
“The Grief of False Gods and the Grace of the Living God” (Exodus 5 & 6)

“The Grief of False Gods and the Grace of the Living God” (Exodus 5 & 6)

Part six of our series in Exodus, “Being Known and Living Free”
Mar 09, 202233:29
SEMINAR: “Let’s Get Ethical!”

SEMINAR: “Let’s Get Ethical!”

Fundamentally, the study of ethics aims to answer the question, how ought we to live? You and I, tragically, live in a moment of severe ethical poverty. We went looking for freedom and found ourselves enslaved to an ethical system that provides more outrage than answers, more pain than promise, and more gray than guidance. How do we get out of this mess? Campus Minister Nick Bratcher leads a one-hour seminar on Saturday morning of RUF’s Midwest Winter Conference to explore the hope found in Christian ethics.
Feb 26, 202249:48
“John Knox and Gourmet Dominoes Pizza” (Exodus 4:1-17)

“John Knox and Gourmet Dominoes Pizza” (Exodus 4:1-17)

Part four of our series in Exodus, “Being Known and Living Free”
Feb 16, 202235:07
“A Game Changing Moment” (Exodus 3:1-17)

“A Game Changing Moment” (Exodus 3:1-17)

Part three of our series in Exodus, “Being Known and Living Free”
Feb 09, 202233:36
“Suffering and the Weeping Lion” (Exodus 1:22-2:25)

“Suffering and the Weeping Lion” (Exodus 1:22-2:25)

Part two of our series in Exodus, “Being Known and Living Free”
Feb 04, 202231:08
“The Sandlot God” (Exodus 1:1-21)

“The Sandlot God” (Exodus 1:1-21)

Just as Smalls in the movie, “The Sandlot,” is freed to play the game of baseball by the strength and faithfulness of another, so also were the Israelites freed—and us, by extension. Hear more about how we find joy and freedom in the midst of oppression as Nick Bratcher preaches on Exodus 1.
Jan 27, 202232:25
“Marriage, Jesus, and Joshua Bassett’s Treachery” (Ephesians 5:21–33)

“Marriage, Jesus, and Joshua Bassett’s Treachery” (Ephesians 5:21–33)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher unpacks the “Distinctive Drama of Marriage” and the “Deeper Destiny of Marriage” as part of our ongoing series on relationships.
Dec 07, 202135:42
“The One about Dating” (1 Corinthians 7:1-40)

“The One about Dating” (1 Corinthians 7:1-40)

Campus minister Nick Bratcher unpacks why we should bother with dating or marriage in the first place, what the biblical category for dating is, and how to date as a Christian.
Nov 03, 202140:19
“The Good Gift of Singleness” (1 Corinthians 7:1, 7-9, 25-38)

“The Good Gift of Singleness” (1 Corinthians 7:1, 7-9, 25-38)

If many of us were to describe what it means to be “single,” we’d probably describe it as a lack of relationship.

But singleness is more than just the first step toward romantic connection. That’s why Paul needed to tell the Corinthian church what it truly means to be single in the eyes of God. Campus minister Nick Bratcher unpacks God’s wisdom to singles in 1 Corinthians 7:1, 7-9, and 25-38.
Oct 31, 202134:38
"God, Sex, and the Human Body" (1 Cor. 6:12-20)

"God, Sex, and the Human Body" (1 Cor. 6:12-20)

God telling us to forgive people, to work hard for our employers, to love our neighbors. This all seems well and good.

These, we think, are societal matters. They affect everyone. They are part of what it means to be a good person.

But why does God care about our sexuality? Campus minister Nick Bratcher seeks to answer that question from 1 Cor. 6:12-20.

Oct 21, 202136:13
“Relating to the Local Church” (1 Cor. 12:4–31; 13:1)

“Relating to the Local Church” (1 Cor. 12:4–31; 13:1)

The church. Love it or hate it, it's Christ's body. How do we relate to this body with our various experiences of it? Some full of skepticism and pain. Others tell tales of healing and growth. Sill others, apathy and confusion. What is the local church and what does it mean for how we know Jesus? Campus minister Nick Bratcher touches on this and more from 1 Cor. 12:4–31; 13:1.

Oct 21, 202133:59
"Friendship, Part III: God's Forgiveness and Ours" (Matt. 18:21-35)

"Friendship, Part III: God's Forgiveness and Ours" (Matt. 18:21-35)

True friendship can be awfully messy. We hurt one another and struggle to love those who sin against us. How much are we supposed to take before hitting the proverbial "eject" button on a friend? Campus Minister Nick Bratcher unpacks this issue as part of our series on Relationships.

Sep 30, 202137:37
“Friendship, Part II: Whom are we to befriend?” (Luke 10:25-37)

“Friendship, Part II: Whom are we to befriend?” (Luke 10:25-37)

The third sermon of the relationship series for RUF at UWM by its campus minister, Nick Bratcher.
Sep 22, 202132:58
"Friendship, Part I: What is friendship?" (Proverbs 18:24; 27:10; 16:28; 27:5-6, 9, 17)

"Friendship, Part I: What is friendship?" (Proverbs 18:24; 27:10; 16:28; 27:5-6, 9, 17)

God has said that it is not good for humans to be alone (Gen 2:18). Friendship is vital in meeting our need for relationship, but what does a healthy friendship look like? What are its challenges? What are its benefits? Campus Minister Nick Bratcher touches on this and more as he seeks to answer the question, "What is friendship?" from the book of Proverbs.

Sep 15, 202133:11
“The Strain on Relationships” (Gen 2:9-17; 3:1-3:27)

“The Strain on Relationships” (Gen 2:9-17; 3:1-3:27)

As we seek our own happiness and fulfillment, we seem to make quite a mess of it sometimes. The Bible calls this mess, “sin.” In this episode, Campus Minister Nick Bratcher unpacks what sin is and how it works in us.
Sep 09, 202131:28
"Why are we here?" (Gen. 1:1-2:3)

"Why are we here?" (Gen. 1:1-2:3)

Origins—the stories of our world—are important for making sense of the present and what ought to come next. We understand the reason for Peter Parker’s crime fighting as Spiderman better when we know about the death of Uncle Ben at the hand of criminals Peter should have stopped. Getting the start right enables us to view the present through the correct lens, with the proper worldview, so to speak.

As part of our Spring 2021 sermon series, Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches from Gen. 1:1-2:3, seeking to understand our origin story. We answer the question: why are we here?

Feb 03, 202132:02
"Not That Long Ago, in a Manger Not So Far Away" (Matthew 1:1-17)

"Not That Long Ago, in a Manger Not So Far Away" (Matthew 1:1-17)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches at Christ Church Milwaukee on 11/29/20 as part of their advent series. He unpacks Matthew's genealogy which tells us at least three things about how Jesus came to us on the first Christmas:

1) Jesus came as a king (v. 1)

2) Jesus came with a past (vv. 2-16)

3) Jesus came as planned (v. 17)

Dec 01, 202031:28
"God’s Love and Our Love" (1 John 4:7-12)

"God’s Love and Our Love" (1 John 4:7-12)

In our pain, we often decide that we are only going to love ourselves and those who are enough like ourselves to not be too difficult. We love when it is convenient. Yet God is clear: we are to love one another without exception. So, how do we love our enemies? How are we to love one another, without exception? Campus minister Nick Bratcher unpacks this and more from 1 John 4:7-12 as part of our sermon series, “That You May Know.”

Nov 11, 202035:12
"Overcoming Antichristian Deception" (1 John 4:1-6)

"Overcoming Antichristian Deception" (1 John 4:1-6)

All around us, there are voices with conflicting messages about what our identity is. Is it how much money we have, our sexual preferences, what we look like, or even the opinions of our friends? Into this cacophony of voices, 1 John 4:1-6 advocates the truth that Jesus is the Christ who has come in the flesh. Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches that we should believe this truth because of the worldliness of the false teaching and the godliness of the truth's audience.

Nov 04, 202035:36
"Loved by God, Loving One Another" (1 John 3:11–24)

"Loved by God, Loving One Another" (1 John 3:11–24)

The marker of Christians is not just how they negatively abstain from sin. They are also known by their love for one another. From 1 John 3:11–24, campus minister Nick Bratcher argues that because God has shown us such great love, we ought to love one another. How are we to do that?

John’s provides three ways we are to love one another:

vv. 11-15- inwardly

vv. 16-18- outwardly

vv. 19-24- confidently

Nov 04, 202033:18
“Living as the Children of God” (1 John 2:28-3:10)

“Living as the Children of God” (1 John 2:28-3:10)

We are all born into a world in rebellion against God. The Bible calls this sin. To our own detriment, we put our own desires ahead of God’s. But by God’s grace, we can be reborn into a new family if we place our faith in Jesus. What does it mean to be part of this family? As part of RUF’s Fall 2020 sermon series, “That You May Know,” Campus Minister Nick Bratcher unpacks from 1 John 2:28-3:10 that children of God have a different disposition toward their old rebellion and sin. This is because of their optimism, orientation, and operation.
Oct 21, 202034:59
“Persevering in the Last Hour” (1 John 2:18-27)

“Persevering in the Last Hour” (1 John 2:18-27)

Because Jesus has risen and will return a second time to earth at the end of all things, we are living in the last hour of human history. In this time, forces arise to oppose Christ. How are we to persevere in the midst of these antichrists? As we continue in our series in 1 John, “That You May Know,” Campus Minister Nick Bratcher reminds us that because it is the last hour, we must reject antichristian theology and abide in Christ instead.
Oct 14, 202034:26
“Choosing What To Love” (1 John 2:15-17)

“Choosing What To Love” (1 John 2:15-17)

To love is to be human, but our loves also shape our identities. This is the human dilemma. We long to be “good enough” but our great loves like relationships, careers, and social acceptance are fragile. Campus Minister Nick Bratcher advocates for ultimately loving God instead of the things of the world in this sermon on 1 John 2:15-17.
Oct 08, 202038:34
“God’s Nature, Our Sin, and Our Advocate” (1 John 1:5-2:2)

“God’s Nature, Our Sin, and Our Advocate” (1 John 1:5-2:2)

We all have standards that we try to live up to—some sense of morality and some understanding of living the good life as a good person. But where does our understanding of “the good life” eventually lead us, and what do we do when we find ourselves in the dark? Campus Minister Nick Bratcher tries to answer these questions from 1 John 1:5-2:2 as part of our series, “That You May Know.”
Sep 27, 202032:08
“Pursuing True Happiness” (1 John 1:1-4)

“Pursuing True Happiness” (1 John 1:1-4)

As part of our Fall 2020 Sermon Series, “That You May Know,” campus minister Nick Bratcher teaches from 1 John 1:1-4. From it, we learn that true happiness is found in the good news of the person Jesus and the community it creates.
Sep 16, 202029:00
“Exclusive Truth in an Open-Minded World” (1 John 5:13-21)

“Exclusive Truth in an Open-Minded World” (1 John 5:13-21)

As part of our Fall 2020 Sermon Series, “That You May Know,” campus minister Nick Bratcher teaches from 1 John 5:13-21. From the text, we learn that if we have placed our faith in Jesus, we know the truth about ourselves and about the world.
Sep 16, 202030:30
"A Song for Frustration" (Psalm 33)

"A Song for Frustration" (Psalm 33)

We become frustrated when our plan does not line up with God’s plan, and the cure for that frustration is to know the heart of God.
Apr 22, 202022:56
"A Song for Protection" (Psalm 121)

"A Song for Protection" (Psalm 121)

This sermon from Psalm 121 centers around the question, "From where does our help come?"
Apr 15, 202022:52
"A Song for Work and Rest" (Psalm 92)

"A Song for Work and Rest" (Psalm 92)

This sermon from Psalm 92 centers around the question, "How are we to work and rest?"
Apr 14, 202019:01
"A Song for Anxiety" (Psalm 23)

"A Song for Anxiety" (Psalm 23)

This sermon from Psalm 23 centers around the question, "Why is it good news that God is in control?"
Apr 03, 202025:01
"A Song for Depression" (Psalm 88)

"A Song for Depression" (Psalm 88)

This sermon from Psalm 88 explores two topics: what feels true in depression and what is true in depression.
Mar 16, 202039:46
"A Song for Praise" (Psalm 8)

"A Song for Praise" (Psalm 8)

This sermon from Psalm 8 examines why the God of the Bible is so much better than any other god we can worship.
Mar 16, 202037:58
"A Song for Justice" (Psalm 59)

"A Song for Justice" (Psalm 59)

This sermon from Psalm 59 centers around the question, "How are we to seek this justice?""
Mar 04, 202034:28
"A Song for Repentance" (Psalm 51)

"A Song for Repentance" (Psalm 51)

This sermon from Psalm 51 centers around the question, "How are we to repent?"
Feb 26, 202032:17
"A Song for When God Feels Distant" (Psalm 42)

"A Song for When God Feels Distant" (Psalm 42)

This sermon from Psalm 42 centers around the question, "How do we experience distance from God?"
Feb 19, 202032:44
"How do we satisfy our need for significance?" (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

"How do we satisfy our need for significance?" (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

We are all searching for something to give us a sense of worth. What will meet that need?
Feb 13, 202039:19
"A Song for Doubt" (Psalm 34)

"A Song for Doubt" (Psalm 34)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches about "doubt" from Psalm 34.
Feb 12, 202030:40
"A Song for Despair" (Psalm 13)

"A Song for Despair" (Psalm 13)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher answers the question, "How are we to despair?" from Psalm 13
Feb 05, 202030:29
"The Two Paths" (Psalm 1)

"The Two Paths" (Psalm 1)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher explains why the blessed path is one that submits to God's authority.
Jan 22, 202036:43
"How can you be found?" (Luke 15:11-32)

"How can you be found?" (Luke 15:11-32)

This sermon from Luke 15:11-32 centers around the question, how can you be found?
Nov 20, 201933:48
"Tasting the Kingdom Banquet" (Luke 14:12-24)

"Tasting the Kingdom Banquet" (Luke 14:12-24)

This sermon from Luke 14:12-24 centers around the parable of the Great Banquet.
Nov 15, 201937:11
"What is our identity?" (Luke 7:36-50)

"What is our identity?" (Luke 7:36-50)

This sermon from Luke 7:36-50 centers around the question, what is our identity?
Nov 15, 201933:25
"Why do we pray and not lose heart?" (Luke 18:1-8)

"Why do we pray and not lose heart?" (Luke 18:1-8)

This sermon from Luke 18:1-8 centers around the question, why do we pray and not lose heart?
Oct 30, 201930:48
"What is greatness?" (Luke 16:19-31)

"What is greatness?" (Luke 16:19-31)

This sermon from Luke 16:19-31 centers around the question, what is greatness?
Oct 23, 201935:03
"What's the condition of your heart?" (Luke 8:4-15)

"What's the condition of your heart?" (Luke 8:4-15)

This sermon from Luke 8:4-15 centers around the question, "What is the condition of your heart?"
Oct 17, 201937:38
"How does your ordinary life fit into God's extraordinary plan?" (Genesis 1:28; 2:15-25)

"How does your ordinary life fit into God's extraordinary plan?" (Genesis 1:28; 2:15-25)

Nick teaches about work, relationships, and God's supremacy from Genesis 1:28 and 2:15–25.
Oct 07, 201934:45
"How to Become a Poor Fool" (Luke 12:13-21)

"How to Become a Poor Fool" (Luke 12:13-21)

Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the Parable of the Rich Man from Luke 12:13-21.
Oct 02, 201931:49