Products related to Suffering

Discouragement, adversity, and suffering often mark ministers’ lives. Sometimes we feel like the psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43, alone in the desert and forgotten by God. Drawing on the psalmist’s experience, Derek Thomas offers encouragement by pointing to God’s sovereignty and commitment to our good, demonstrated ultimately in the cross of Christ. While we ... Continue Reading 

Although Scripture provides moral absolutes for human behavior and denounces sexual immorality, Christians should imitate Christ by showing compassion toward those suffering from AIDS. Jesus taught that when we care for marginalized and outcast members of society, it is as if we are caring for Jesus Himself. Alistair Begg reminds us of the hope we have in ... Continue Reading 

Daily commitment and devotion are essential to our step-by-step journey toward heaven. The Apostle Paul compares our daily lives to conditioning for a marathon. Such preparation entails strain and difficulty. When we are not prepared for sacrifice, we will never know the joy of the prize. In this message on 1 Corinthians 9, Alistair Begg instructs us ... Continue Reading 

If we want to follow Christ faithfully, we must be prepared to face animosity and persecution. Such hatred, Alistair Begg explains, shouldn’t be provoked by obnoxious behavior on our part, which rightfully causes people to recoil. Instead, it arises in response to our allegiance to Christ. The Beatitudes assure us that while some will see believers ... Continue Reading 

When we consider what it might look like to live a life that is committed to the cause of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul is an excellent example. As Alistair Begg explains, what set Paul apart was not that he didn’t value the ordinary experiences of life, but that he viewed them all in relationship to ... Continue Reading 

When we consider what it might look like to live a life that is committed to the cause of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul is an excellent example. As Alistair Begg explains, what set Paul apart was not that he didn’t value the ordinary experiences of life, but that he viewed them all in relationship to ... Continue Reading 

Expecting power, glory, and triumph, many were initially eager to follow Jesus, but they quickly turned away when His teaching predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection. Even Peter rebuked Jesus because His teaching was inconsistent with their expectations. As Alistair Begg points out, many Christians today also trivialize the message of Jesus in favor of what appeals ... Continue Reading 

Expecting power, glory, and triumph, many were initially eager to follow Jesus, but they quickly turned away when His teaching predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection. Even Peter rebuked Jesus because His teaching was inconsistent with their expectations. As Alistair Begg points out, many Christians today also trivialize the message of Jesus in favor of what appeals ... Continue Reading 

Although Jesus spoke very clearly about His impending death and resurrection, His disciples struggled to understand because Christ’s words were incompatible with their preconceived notions of the Messiah. Instead, their focus was marked by rivalry and selfish ambition. Alistair Begg teaches us that it is not our accomplishments that earn us salvation, but the sacrifice of ... Continue Reading 

Although Jesus spoke very clearly about His impending death and resurrection, His disciples struggled to understand because Christ’s words were incompatible with their preconceived notions of the Messiah. Instead, their focus was marked by rivalry and selfish ambition. Alistair Begg teaches us that it is not our accomplishments that earn us salvation, but the sacrifice of ... Continue Reading 

What did it mean when Jesus refused the gall He was offered on the cross? Based on the biblical context, Alistair Begg reasons that Jesus’ rejection of this narcotic drink is significant: when He turned it down, He ensured that He could hear the scorn aimed at Him, pray for His offenders, care for His mother, and ... Continue Reading