Truth For Life - Alistair Begg

Latest Episodes:

A Death Predicted, a Disciple Restored Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

After His resurrection, Jesus reappeared to His disciples several times. One such encounter involved a hard but necessary conversation in which Peter, who'd previously denied knowing Jesus, affirmed his love for Him. Christ then disclosed Peter's future death and restored him to the mission of "fishing" for men and shepherding God's people. Alistair Begg points out that the disciple's previous denial of Christ didn't disqualify him from ministry, because with Jesus, failure is never final.

Go and Tell: The Word One to One May 17, 2024

Show notes

In this practical session, Rico Tice and Richard Borgonon share resources for evangelism in a world with increasing barriers to Christianity. Despite these obstacles, currently one-third of people are open to a conversation about the faith. Two foundational convictions should inform our evangelism: that the Lord is actively at work in the lives of non-Christians, preparing them to be open to the Word, and that God's Word is powerful to save. Christians must be effectively equipped to take God's Word to nonbelievers.

One Mother’s Day May 12, 2024

Show notes

Chapter 7 of Luke's Gospel records the story of a widow who encountered Jesus during the funeral procession for her son. When Jesus saw her, He spoke to her and then raised her son from the dead. In this message, Alistair Begg reminds us of Jesus' vast love and compassion, emphasizing that this picture of Jesus triumphing over death is a sign and a promise of all that awaits believers in the age to come. Only Jesus can bring the dead to life, and He invites us to come and trust in Him to save us from our sin and to restore all things.

Panel Question Time (Basics 2024) May 08, 2024

Show notes

In this Q and A session, Rico Tice, Alistair Begg, and Sinclair Ferguson respond to questions from the attendees of the Basic Conference. Listen to these men laugh and teach together as they offer a gold mine of practical wisdom. Among other topics, they discuss their individual callings to pastoral ministry, the advantages and disadvantages to denominational ties, plagiarism, corporate worship, and words of concern and advice for the upcoming generation of pastors.

Preaching the Holy Gospel May 08, 2024

Show notes

"Him we proclaim." Prolific theologian and author Sinclair Ferguson challenges pastors and church leaders to take this simple statement as their "motto text," informing every element of their preaching as it did for the apostle Paul himself. In order to do so, we must preach Jesus Christ from the totality of Scripture and in concert with the wisdom of the church fathers. We must also remember that when we preach Christ, He preaches Himself, meeting every need of everyone who truly hears the message.

Come and Hear: Hope Explored May 07, 2024

Show notes

To "do the work of an evangelist," as Paul urged his protégé Timothy to do, is often seen as an individual project—particularly, the specific work of individual pastors. However, as Rico Tice argues, the world needs the entire church body to engage in evangelism. In this talk, he surveys tools and techniques for accomplishing this task while making clear that God is the one who opens blind eyes and transforms lives.

Gospel Partnerships May 07, 2024

Show notes

Relationships are a precious and weighty influence on a pastor's ministry. Even the apostle Paul could not fulfill his calling alone and felt vulnerable to the affections of those around him. In this message, Alistair Begg teaches from the end of Paul's letters to Timothy, admonishing us to value our co-laborers and be mindful of our greetings and farewells. Every pastor will benefit from loyal and useful friendships, which serve as channels of God's love and affection from one to another.

Preaching Difficult Texts May 07, 2024

Show notes

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable. So why do preachers skip over some parts? If the Holy Spirit inspired and included genealogies, border descriptions, Levitical offerings, and narratives that offend modern sensibilities, shouldn't pastors preach them? And shouldn't preachers be able to capture and hold a congregation's attention even in such passages? In this breakout session, Hershael York, dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, teaches preachers how to preach these notoriously difficult texts in a manner that both reveals their purpose in God's revelation and holds a listener's interest.

Developing Holy Affections May 07, 2024

Show notes

Can faithful biblical interpretation without affection lead to life transformation? Theologian Sinclair Ferguson argues that it is possible for people to be correctly instructed without being well-nourished and that holy affection is a key to effective pastoral ministry. As Jesus loves and yearns for us, so a pastor ought to live as an example and expresser of Christ's love. God's truth comes with power on the wings of warm care and friendship.

Derek Prime: Father, Grandfather, Man of God May 06, 2024

Show notes

Derek Prime, Alistair's mentor and coauthor of 'On Being a Pastor,' has gone home to be with the Lord, but his legacy continues to impact pastors throughout the world. In this breakout session, pastors Jonathan and Andy Prime—Derek's son and grandson respectively—illustrate how Derek Prime was first a disciple of Jesus before being a pastor and consider how his way of life and faith in the Lord Jesus can be imitated for greater Gospel impact.