Explore every episode of the podcast Truth For Life - Alistair Begg

"What's it like to work just one day a week?" While many pastors find themselves on the receiving end of such questions, the reality is that as Gospel workers, pastors know their jobs are never really finished. As Alistair Begg notes, Paul's instructions to his protégé Timothy make clear that the church is always in need of pastors who will study God's Word diligently so they can remind their congregations of the essentials of the faith and present themselves to God as ones approved.

In Mark 14, we read that as the time for Jesus' crucifixion drew near, a woman came to Him and anointed His head with an alabaster flask of precious oil. While this heartfelt act of worship provoked the disciples' disapproval, Jesus celebrated her for doing "a beautiful thing." Alistair Begg surveys the woman's action, the disciples' reaction, and Jesus' commendation, helping us to see that the only true pathway to lasting honor is to honor Christ.

On the verge of the release of his new book The Man on the Middle Cross, Alistair Begg sat down with Jonathan Carswell, CEO of publisher 10ofThose, to talk about the viral sermon clip that inspired it and how he hopes it can help the church evangelize the lost. Join Alistair and Jonathan as they cover where the book's central illustration came from, why it focuses on the biblical stories it does, and Alistair's hopes for how God might use it.

The sin of jealousy is often tolerated in Christian circles—but our lenience doesn't make it any less serious. The Bible is clear: Jealousy is a grave matter. In this talk to seminary students, Alistair Begg surveys jealousy's characteristics, consequences, and cure, reminding us that, as with all sin, the key to victory lies in acknowledging our transgression before God and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

In a church context that held great potential for apostasy, Timothy faced the task of leading through the example of his lifestyle and work. Faithful ministry, Paul explained to him, flows from godly character—speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity—and from wholehearted devotion to Scripture, exhortation, and teaching. Alistair Begg considers Paul's guidance to Timothy, which can help today's pastors, too, as they seek to watch themselves and their doctrine closely and see themselves and their hearers saved.

Timothy, the apostle Paul's protégé, was not only to be alert to the dangers that lay before the people under his care; he was also to make sure that they understood God's truth. Alistair Begg unpacks Paul's instructions in 1 Timothy 4:6–10, which focus on the importance of ministering well, being nourished in the faith, training for godliness, and, ultimately, placing hope in "the Savior of all people."

In the concluding verse of 1 Timothy 4, Paul instructs Timothy, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." What did he mean by these words? Alistair Begg begins an examination of the answer by looking at the chapter's opening verses, which outline the apostacy Paul warned about, how it would happen, by whom it would happen, and what its teaching would involve.

Peter wrote to the believers of his day to encourage them to hold to the Gospel they had received while living as "sojourners and exiles" in a pagan world. In this series, Alistair Begg walks us through 1 Peter, helping us to see that its vital message remains relevant today.

After declaring the indicatives of what was true of them in Christ, Peter laid out several imperatives for the first-century readers of his first letter to take to heart. As Alistair Begg points out, his instructions—to prepare their minds, be sober-minded, set their hope on Jesus, be holy, live in reverent fear, love earnestly, and obey the truth—remind us today of our need for grace and of the abiding truth of God's Word.

In anticipation of the release of his new book The Man on the Middle Cross, Alistair Begg sat down with Jonathan Carswell, CEO of publisher 10ofThose, for a wide-ranging conversation on the relationship between evangelism and pastoring. Listen in as the two discuss such topics as how to start evangelistic conversations, how to balance self-critique with self-forgetfulness, the use of humor in preaching, and more.

Above all things, God exalts His name and His Word. This became evident to Moses when, feeling inadequate, he questioned God's choice of him as a spokesman. In response to these doubts, God assured Moses of His presence and identified Himself as the great "I AM." In his final sermon at Parkside Church, Alistair Begg focuses on this unique encounter found in Exodus 3. God met Moses's need with assurance of His "isness" as well as His presence—spiritual realities that remain reliable and trustworthy for believers still today.

After failing in his first attempt as Israel's deliverer, Moses spent the next forty years living the routine life of a shepherd. During these "silent" years, God was preparing Moses to shepherd His people. In this study in Exodus 3, Alistair Begg walks us through God's appearance in the burning bush, His assurance of His sovereignty, and His assignment for Moses. Whether our lives seem out of control or stuck in humdrum routines, God is still in charge, and His promises remain trustworthy.

The Bible clearly teaches that God created the universe, orchestrates all of life's events, and knows us intimately. In this sermon on Exodus 2, Alistair Begg explains how God's providence shaped the early life of Moses in particular. Before the burning bush, the plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea, Moses murdered an Egyptian and, fearing retribution from Pharaoh, fled to Midian. There, however, instead of judgment, he found God's favor. As with Moses, our lives unfold beneath the unseen hand of God, who promises to forget our sins, which He forgives in Christ.

God makes all things beautiful in His time—even if His timing isn't always our ideal! When the Hebrews were enslaved and treated harshly in Egypt, one Hebrew infant was spared. Nurtured in the faith by his own mother, Moses also enjoyed the privileged life of an Egyptian prince. While little is known of Moses's first forty years, Alistair Begg explores two tragic events—and the resulting disgrace and delayed deliverance—that occurred when Moses imposed his own will instead of relying on God's providential hand.

Amid trials and hardships, have you ever wondered where God was? When life's difficulties seem random and apparently pointless, it's vitally important to know what we believe about God. In this message on the opening of Exodus, Alistair Begg reminds us that even when heaven is silent, our heavenly Father is still at work behind the scenes. The same power that provided a way for Moses to become a redeemer for his people is at work in the vast array of details of our lives today.

The Joseph story is well-known, but the hit musical's "technicolor dream coat" may have more influence than many realize. The challenge of this brilliant narrative is to bring out both moral lessons and the richness of the Gospel grace it proclaims as the plot illustrates much about the Lord's redeeming patterns. The Tron Church's Willie Philip helps us think through how to preach Christ from these chapters, not just using it as a springboard to Jesus but actually mining the richness of the text—which is about far more than Joseph!

The story of our earthly pilgrimage is not a straight line—yet when our lives twist and turn and we face unanswered questions, hardship, and sorrow, there is hope for all who trust in Christ. Beginning with the transition from the end of Genesis to the opening of Exodus, Alistair Begg reminds us that God's providence underpins everything, as He is sovereign over all things, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. What was true for the Israelites is true for us today: We can trust that the unseen controller of history is working out His purposes in His way, making everything beautiful in His time.

In the moments before He died, Jesus saw His mother, Mary, standing with John and tenderly commended them to one another's care. In this Mother's Day message, Alistair Begg ponders the history and heart of Mary, reminding us that Jesus' loving and temporal provision for her in this moment is an emblem of a far greater reality—the eternal provision Christ makes for all who believe in Him. With this act of loving grace, Jesus establishes a whole new category, fashioning a family of faith that finds both forgiveness and fellowship in the work of the cross.

Most pastors have experienced a Sunday (or many!) when they aren't on the same page as the praise musicians. This disconnect can result in discontinuity between the pulpit and music ministry, frustrating both the pastor and the worship team. In this breakout, Parkside Church's Jonathan Albright considers several practical music ministry scenarios and identifies key principles that lead to unified, intentional ministry between the pastor and praise team.

Between 2020 and 2023, over 400,000 Americans died drug-related deaths, with another 560,000 succumbing to deaths related to alcohol. The statistics are just as bad in Scotland. For the past eight years, Hope for Addiction UK has been seeking to make a difference in this arena. In this breakout session, Terry McCutcheon shares what the organization has been doing and learning as it seeks to minister in a culture of addiction.

In a world in which opposition to Christianity seems to be rising, what does it mean to echo the apostle Paul's stirring claim that he was "not ashamed of the gospel"? Thirdmill's Richard Platt helps us see that the answer lies in remembering the words that follow: "It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." The good news of Jesus, he reminds us, doesn't just have a strong arm; it also has a long reach. How can we be anything but eager to preach it?

In the final section of his first epistle, the apostle Peter issued a series of challenging exhortations to the elders of the churches to which he wrote. In the concluding message of Basics 2025, Alistair Begg shows how Peter's words remain relevant to today's pastors and church leaders, reminding them of the key imperatives of Gospel ministry. The only hope we have, he reminds us—in ministry and in life—is in the God of grace, who provides support so that we won't topple, strength so that we won't collapse, and a foundation so that we won't be blown away.

In this Basics 2025 question-and-answer session, Parkside Church's Matt Ross poses attendees' questions to Alistair Begg and fellow speakers Willie Philip and Richard Pratt. How do prospective ministers discern their sense of calling? How can pastors preach the Old Testament Christologically and still remain faithful to the text? What particular dangers does the church face in our politically divisive cultural climate? Hear answers to these questions and others as you listen in on the conversation.

Abuse is often a confounding issue for pastors and ministry leaders to navigate—and identifying abusive and oppressive behaviors in marriage can feel especially overwhelming. In this session, Fieldstone Counseling founder Jonathan Holmes discusses some core principles for caring for the abused well and understanding how abuse goes against God's intended designs and purposes for husbands and wives.

What are the plus sides of ministering in a society that seems to have moved on from Christianity? How important is cultural awareness when ministering internationally? Is American Christianity in decline—and if so, where might we be headed in the future? Join Basics 2025 conference speakers Willie Philip, Richard Pratt, and Alistair Begg as they answer these questions and more in this spirited and Gospel-affirming conversation.

Of all the chapters in Genesis, few are as challenging to understand, much less preach, as chapter 38, which recounts a sordid series of events involving Judah and Tamar. As the Tron Church's Willie Philip helps us see, however, this passage demonstrates that while God's arm is strong, it is also long. If He can work into His wonderful story of grace and mercy even people like those in this story, then surely there can't be any darkness or misery so great as to keep Him from doing the same today.

Those serving in ministry can easily lean too far toward idealism on the one hand or pragmatism on the other. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul strikes a perfect balance between the hope that is ours in Christ and the necessity of speaking the truth in love to a lost and wandering world. Richard Pratt of Third Millennium Ministries walks us through this vital passage, helping us understand how we can live in a manner that is worthy of our high and holy calling.

All Christian leaders, and especially those who minister the Word of God, must be sure that they remain firmly rooted in Christ. This is especially true when the world around us challenges the Christian faith in new ways. As Third Millennium Ministries' Richard Pratt explains, the apostle Paul experienced this in his own life—and in 1 Corinthians, he wrote how he was able to stay firmly rooted but also relevant in his changing world.

To some extent, we all hope for a world of harmony, hope, and peace. But how is such a world supposed to come about? In this conference message, Alistair Begg explains how the church is intended to allow a fallen humanity to catch a glimpse of the eternal reality described throughout Scripture. The Gospel brings a piece of the future into the present when local churches demonstrate a unity that transcends earthly boundaries, drawing people together in and under Christ's lordship.

The Old Testament presents us with many passages that are challenging to preach—but some are especially disgraceful and disturbing. Genesis 19 is one such passage, detailing a troubling incident involving Lot and the men of Sodom, who sought to commit a wicked act against those in his house. Willie Philip from the Tron Church, Glasgow, leads us through this difficult chapter, demonstrating how even passages revealing the horror and darkness of human sin can be preached in a way that points hearers to the Gospel.

The great distinctive of Christianity is the hope it offers in a hopeless world. Through an act of perfect redemption, Jesus has dealt with our sinful predicament, and God's wrath has been satisfied. In this Communion message, Alistair Begg reminds us of the believer's security in Christ, which is fixed in the completed work at the cross. Because of Jesus, we can confidently draw near to God, holding fast to the hope found in Him and considering "how to stir up one another to love and good works."

Failing to grasp that Jesus would be raised to life, Mary found her grief matched by confusion when she saw His tomb was empty. Until He called her by name, she didn't even recognize that it was Jesus Himself who asked, "Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" In this Easter message, Alistair Begg walks us through the historical reality and universal impact of Jesus' resurrection. Tears give way to joy once we recognize that Jesus is who He claims to be—the risen Christ.

As His death drew near, Jesus cried out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" To many onlookers on that day, Christ's crucifixion was just a routine execution. To grasp the significance of what was happening, we need to understand the message of the cross as revealed in Scripture. In this Good Friday sermon, Alistair Begg explains how God displayed and satisfied His perfect justice at the cross and pardons those who believe in His Son. Because He was forsaken, we can be forgiven.

"What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" Faced with a riled-up crowd and an accused Jesus, the Roman governor Pilate wrestled with this question as he determined whether to do what was right or what was popular. In this Palm Sunday sermon, Alistair Begg examines Pilate's investigation, frustration, and eventual capitulation to the Jewish leaders' false accusations and the people's demand to crucify Jesus. Every single one of us must answer for ourselves the same question that plagued Pilate. What will you do with Jesus?

When a crowd led by Judas came to the garden of Gethsemane to arrest Him, Jesus wasn't blindsided. At first glance, it may appear He was the victim, but He was actually masterfully in control, deliberately and providentially fulfilling the Father's will at just the right time. Alistair Begg walks us through the scene of Jesus' arrest in Luke 22, exploring the revealing questions He asked His betrayer, His bewildered disciples, and His religious opponents.

In 1 Corinthians 10:12, the apostle Paul warns his readers, "Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." We find one poignant example of such a fall in Paul's fellow apostle, Peter, who on the night of Jesus' arrest thrice denied even knowing his Lord and Master. Peter's denial, recorded in each of the Gospels, flashes out like a beacon in the night, a warning and reminder to the church that Jesus' death—the same death that Peter had sought to prevent!—is the very basis for our forgiveness, atonement, and joy.

In Gethsemane, Peter disobediently cut off the ear of Malchus, one of the soldiers sent to arrest Jesus. After healing him, Jesus asked Peter, "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" Alistair Begg considers Jesus' words. As the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, Jesus needs no protector; He is the protector—the only substitute who can take the cup of God's wrath so that all who trust in Him may drink the cup of God's blessing.

In the concluding phrase of His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, Jesus speaks of God's love, praying that the Father's love toward Him would also reside in His followers. As Alistair Begg examines this phrase, we see that the immense, unchangeable, and irreversible love of God is known fully only through Christ. Once this love finds a home in the believers' hearts, it transforms us, providing peace amid the trials of this life and security in knowing that in Christ, we are kept for all eternity.

When Jesus concluded His High Priestly Prayer saying that He had made the name of the Lord known to His followers, this wasn't an insignificant detail. God jealously guards His name, by which He declares Himself to be self-existing, self-determining, and sovereign. In this message on the final verse in John 17, Alistair Begg reminds us that reverence for God's name matters, as it is much more than a title; it is a declaration of His very character.

What is it that keeps people from knowing God? As created beings bearing the divine imprint, we are made for a relationship with God—yet because of our sin, we choose to live without reference to Him, finding our identity and security in other things. In this message on John 17, Alistair Begg examines the prayerful words of Jesus in verse 25 and their encouragement for the believer. Although the world does not know the Father, Jesus does, and through Him, we are graciously invited to meet God as Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and King.

2025 marks the thirtieth anniversary of Truth For Life, the fiftieth year of Alistair Begg's ordained ministry, and his final year serving as the senior pastor at Parkside Church. In this special interview, Alistair sits down with host Bob Lepine to look back over the last three decades of radio ministry and forward to his hopes for himself and Truth For Life in the future. Listen in, celebrate God's blessings over the years, and discover what may be in store during Truth For Life's fourth decade!

What did Jesus desire? What was it that motivated His life, ministry, and sacrifice while on earth? We get a window into the answer in John 17:24, where Jesus explicitly prays for those whom the Father has given Him. In this selfless, specific request to God, ultimately sourced in the love of the Father for the Son, we see that Christ longs for us to be with Him and to see His glory—a glory that will give us light and life for all of eternity.

As he drew his first epistle to a close, the apostle Peter turned his focus to the elders of the churches to which he wrote, urging them to lead their people with godliness. Elders and pastors are shepherds over God's flock, Alistair Begg reminds us—ones who should lead by example, cultivating humility, entrusting God with their anxieties, preparing to face adversity, and resting in the security of God's grace.

In the fourth chapter of his first epistle, in light of all that he'd written up to that point, Peter continued to unpack how the reality of Christ's sacrifice should shape the day-to-day of the Christian life. Living under the shadow of the cross, Alistair Begg explains, means thinking properly, living differently, and being prepared to face abuse, even as we keep our eyes fixed on the end and endure the path of suffering laid before us.

The believers of Peter's day, transformed by God's grace, faced inevitable accusations from the world around them. In response, Peter urged them to defend themselves not by arguing for their position but by living honorable lives. Alistair Begg walks us through the apostle's teaching on Christian conduct in the realms of submission to civil government, servants' duty to their masters, and marriage, helping us to see that the strongest missionary force in the world is not a method or a movement but a Christ-filled, grace-centered, attractive life.

Having urged the readers of his first letter to "love one another earnestly from a pure heart," Peter went on to explain what such brotherly love would entail. Alistair Begg unpacks the apostle's instructions, which clarify that fellowship demands action. In their new life together, Christians must be prepared to feed themselves on God's Word, establish themselves on the foundation of union with Christ, and stand as witnesses to God's goodness and glory before a watching world.

The initial readers of Peter's first epistle were an eclectic group, comprised of both Jews and gentiles dispersed throughout a broad geographical region and facing various trials and persecutions. Even so, they were unified by the shared reality of having been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Alistair Begg examines the opening verses of 1 Peter, which describe this great salvation and the hope it offers to all who are in Christ.

We are living today between two advents: We look back on the first advent, the incarnation of Christ who came in humility to seek and save the lost; and we look forward to the second advent, when, in fulfillment of God's promises, Jesus will return in glorious triumph and majesty to execute judgment and reign forever over all. Looking to Jesus' words in Mark 13, Alistair Begg considers what Scripture reveals about Christ's return and how we are to trust God's promises and prepare for that day.

Jesus was born to die to save sinners. The baby in the manger is the creator of the universe and the same one who, within hours of His death, prayed for His disciples. He displayed His glory through perfect obedience to the Father—which culminated in His sacrificial death. Examining John 17:22–23, Alistair Begg considers the glory given to Christ. This same glory is extended to believers so that we may reflect in our words and actions a supernatural unity grounded in the Gospel and share in His love.

Christmas is a popular time of year for gift giving. Sometimes our efforts to find the ideal gift hit the mark; other times, they fall woefully short of expectations. In this Christmas Eve service, Alistair Begg reflects on how Jesus is the only truly perfect gift. He alone fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart for genuine happiness, abiding peace, and everlasting love. But like any present, salvation in Christ can only be enjoyed by those who actually accept the gift.