"Do What It Says"
The Christian is called not only to mere intellectual assent to the Word of God, but to saving union with Christ. In this sermon from the opening chapter of James, Alistair Begg challenges us not to be hearers of the Word only, but also doers. If we simply listen, there will be no change of the heart and no personal relationship with Jesus. Instead, we must learn to run to God in obedience in all we do.
"I Want to See"
When blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy, Jesus' followers rebuked him. Like the disciples, we too can become exclusive in our Christianity, hindering the advancement of the Gospel. Alistair Begg teaches us that by nature, we are all blind to the truth. God’s willingness to open our spiritual eyes is not tied to our social status.
"I Want to See"
When blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy, Jesus' followers rebuked him. Like the disciples, we too can become exclusive in our Christianity, hindering the advancement of the Gospel. Alistair Begg teaches us that by nature, we are all blind to the truth. God’s willingness to open our spiritual eyes is not tied to our social status.
"Listen to This"
When the stone was rolled in place at the entrance of Jesus’ tomb, hopes and dreams were crushed and the story appeared to end. The disciples were disheartened—and yet shortly after, Peter was boldly proclaiming that Christ was Lord and had defeated death. How do we make sense of this about-face? According to Alistair Begg, the only credible explanation is that Jesus rose from the dead. This evidence, though, can’t compel faith; it can only challenge unbelief. It is our responsibility, in the end, to receive the salvation Christ offers.
"This is About Us!"
The message in Jesus’ parable of the tenants was very clear to the Jewish leaders: they were the ones who had rejected Jesus, and because of their unbelief, they would be destroyed. In telling this parable, Jesus introduced the new Israel, which is made up of all those who possess faith–both Jews and Gentiles. Alistair Begg uses this parable to remind us that we, too, have rejected God, and that eternal life can only be found by believing in the promised Messiah.
"This is About Us!"
The message in Jesus’ parable of the tenants was very clear to the Jewish leaders: they were the ones who had rejected Jesus, and because of their unbelief, they would be destroyed. In telling this parable, Jesus introduced the new Israel, which is made up of all those who possess faith–both Jews and Gentiles. Alistair Begg uses this parable to remind us that we, too, have rejected God, and that eternal life can only be found by believing in the promised Messiah.
20/20 Hindsight
When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey, even His disciples did not know the meaning at the time. Alistair Begg explains, though, that Jesus was doing something very purposeful. As the prophets foretold, He entered the city amid the celebration of the people and the consternation of the religious leaders. His entrance demonstrated that He was gentle, humble, and approachable—the embodiment of the perfect King to whom all must bow their knee in submission.
9 Marks of a Healthy Church
Speaking to pastors, Mark Dever outlined the characteristics that distinguish a healthy church from an unhealthy church. He detailed what he has termed “the 9 Marks” of differentiation: expositional preaching, the Gospel, biblical theology, a biblical understanding of conversion, evangelism, church membership, discipline, concern for promoting discipleship and growth, and a biblical understanding of church leadership.
A Baptismal Sermon
Acts Chapter 8 records Phillip’s meeting with the Ethiopian Eunuch, a man who was interested in Judaism, but had not yet come to know the Savior to whom the Scriptures pointed. Alistair Begg reminds us that once God opened the man’s heart to the good news of the Gospel, he immediately responded by being baptized. Like that man, every person who has come to faith in Christ should confess Him as King through baptism, because in doing so we declare that in Christ, we have died to sin and have been raised to new life.
A Baptismal Sermon
Acts Chapter 8 records Phillip’s meeting with the Ethiopian Eunuch, a man who was interested in Judaism, but had not yet come to know the Savior to whom the Scriptures pointed. Alistair Begg reminds us that once God opened the man’s heart to the good news of the Gospel, he immediately responded by being baptized. Like that man, every person who has come to faith in Christ should confess Him as King through baptism, because in doing so we declare that in Christ, we have died to sin and have been raised to new life.
A Basic Plan for Protecting the Truth and the Flock... Most of the Time
Continuing our focus on the basics, Thabiti Anyabwile explains the nature of the pastor's spiritual warfare from 1 Timothy 4. What is at stake in our spiritual warfare battle is that some will abandon the faith and fall into apostasy. Systematically moving through a series of thought provoking questions, Thabiti reminds the pastor that the cosmic struggle between God and Satan isn't through the sensational and dramatic, but is fought on the battlefield of truth as it is revealed in God's Word.
A Basic Plan for Protecting the Truth and the Flock... Most of the Time
Continuing our focus on the basics, Thabiti Anyabwile explains the nature of the pastor's spiritual warfare from 1 Timothy 4. What is at stake in our spiritual warfare battle is that some will abandon the faith and fall into apostasy. Systematically moving through a series of thought provoking questions, Thabiti reminds the pastor that the cosmic struggle between God and Satan isn't through the sensational and dramatic, but is fought on the battlefield of truth as it is revealed in God's Word.
A Basic Prayer Life... Most of the Time
A survey of pastors recently revealed that a scant 16% were satisfied with their prayer life. Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile takes us to Paul's first letter to Timothy to show us the basic, yet oft ignored Christian discipline of prayer. With a pastor's heart, Thabiti uses 1 Timothy 2 to discuss what we are to pray, why we pray, and how we are called to pray. For all pastors, the gentle reminder that before we talk to men about God, we should be talking to God about men is a basic which we can never tire of hearing.
A Basic Prayer Life... Most of the Time
A survey of pastors recently revealed that a scant 16% were satisfied with their prayer life. Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile takes us to Paul's first letter to Timothy to show us the basic, yet oft ignored Christian discipline of prayer. With a pastor's heart, Thabiti uses 1 Timothy 2 to discuss what we are to pray, why we pray, and how we are called to pray. For all pastors, the gentle reminder that before we talk to men about God, we should be talking to God about men is a basic which we can never tire of hearing.
A Biblical Approach to Anxiety
In the midst of great anxiety, how are we to respond? Alistair Begg answers this question with hope from the assurance God has given us in His Word. Christians are not to dismiss or ignore our worries, but we are to cast our anxiety on Christ, knowing that He cares for us personally.
A Biblical Perspective on the Events in Waco
The 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas raised important questions about the influence of cults: As Christians, how do we recognize cults? How can we guard against false teaching? The book of Jude discusses the danger false teachers pose and encourages the Church to walk faithfully in the truth of the Gospel. Alistair Begg guides us through Jude’s short letter, defining what cults are, describing their common characteristics, and explaining how we can confront their influence biblically.
A Biblical Perspective on Wisdom & Wealth
Wisdom is necessary for right conduct in this life. In this message, Alistair Begg reminds us that God generously gives us wisdom if we ask for it with sincerity. As we consider wealth through the eyes of wisdom, we need to seek right priorities and to remember that our circumstances must be viewed in light of eternal certainties.
A Biblical Self-Image
Magazines and self-help books overflow with clever suggestions to help us feel better about ourselves, but the Bible has a different message. Pride and self-importance cause division in the Church, robbing God of His glory. Alistair Begg teaches that biblical self-image admits that we are merely sinners saved by grace, and therefore, boasting is foolishness.
