CD Individual Messages

Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Lord’s temple acknowledged that no earthly dwelling could hold the God of creation. The wonder of the incarnation, Alistair Begg explains, is that an uncontainable God took on flesh and became Immanuel, “God with us.” God's plan has always been a person, not a place. Jesus’ glory ... Continue Reading 

Approaching Christmas as just a sugary holiday “for the kids” leaves us without an answer to our greatest need—reconciliation with God. Alistair Begg encourages us to instead view Christ’s birth in light of His historical, victorious work on the cross. At the heart of the incarnation is a profound mystery: in the fullness of time ... Continue Reading 

Closing his letter to the Ephesians similarly to how he opened it, Paul blessed his readers with the peace, love, and grace of God. Alistair Begg considers each of these elements in turn, pointing out that only God’s grace and love provide a lasting solution to man’s restlessness. When we faithfully believe and trust in ... Continue Reading 

Although Paul’s background and accomplishments were impressive, none of that mattered to him by the time he wrote to the Ephesians. In his letter’s closing, we glimpse a humble, tenderhearted servant who turned the spotlight on Tychicus, an unsung hero who delivered Paul’s letters and encouraged the church. United by the Gospel, these men ... Continue Reading 

Just when it seemed Philip’s preaching was becoming useful, God sent him to the desert. Philip obeyed—and as a result, he met an Ethiopian eunuch with pressing questions about Jesus. If we believe that God directs our steps, will we view every situation as an opportunity to share the Gospel? Challenging us to make the ... Continue Reading 

It’s hard to imagine a more effective minister than Paul­–yet even he was no superhero. While we may assume that the spiritually mature need less prayer, Paul exemplified the exact opposite, earnestly requesting prayer for both the words and the boldness to preach the Gospel. Demonstrating how Paul’s humble acknowledgement of his vulnerability made ... Continue Reading 

Throughout his sermons and letters, the Apostle Paul attested to prayer’s power and importance not only by exhortation and example, but also by requesting it for himself. As he reached the end of his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul’s specific prayer requests as an ambassador for Christ in chains affirmed his desire to freely proclaim ... Continue Reading 

Unless we first understand God’s identity, we will never make sense of our own. So who is God? Psalm 8 proclaims that He is the Lord, the ruler of all things who created mankind in His image. Our inherent dignity, however, has been tarnished by sin. Contrasting God’s greatness with humanity’s frailty, Alistair Begg ... Continue Reading 

Christians know that prayer is essential, but we often struggle with knowing how to pray best. As Paul instructed the Ephesians in wielding the spiritual weapon of prayer, he both exemplified and explained how to pray, when to pray, and what to pray for. Walking us through Paul’s imperatives on prayer, Alistair Begg helps us understand ... Continue Reading 

Why bother to pray if God has already determined what He will do? Can we change God’s mind? Alistair Begg considers these questions as he examines the mystery, necessity, and activity of prayer. A powerful weapon in spiritual battles, prayer should be framed by the Word of God and prompted, enabled, and guided by the Holy ... Continue Reading