Truth For Life - Alistair Begg

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.

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.

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!

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.

When the angels announced the birth of Jesus, although they were observers and participants, they could not know firsthand the joy salvation brings. In the incarnation, God the Father did something that was truly unique and unmistakable: He sent His Son, Jesus, to save from their sin all those who would trust in Him. At the center of the Christmas story is not a cradle but a cross—the emblem of the extent to which God went to show His love for us.

All who trust in Jesus are united in Him with fellow believers. Looking to Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, Alistair Begg explores the foundation and distinctiveness of Christian unity. When the Holy Spirit applies the Gospel's truth to our hearts, the resulting unity is supernatural in origin, doctrinal in substance, evangelical in expression, and pastoral in focus. Believers worldwide are called to come together rather than isolate, so that the good news of the Gospel will be attractively showcased before a watching world.

Before His earthly mission came to an end, Jesus prayed for the disciples as they were being commissioned to serve the Lord. Focusing on John 17:18, Alistair Begg considers what God the Father has done, what Jesus has done, and where believers fit into God's eternal plan. Because God loves the world, He sent Jesus to redeem those who are perishing. In turn, Jesus calls the redeemed—empowered by the Holy Spirit—to proclaim the wondrous Gospel throughout the nations.

"Jesus loves me, this I know." This simple refrain from a children's song puts words to a life-altering biblical truth. In this message rooted in John 17:19, Alistair Begg emphasizes the great love Jesus shows to His own—a love demonstrated through His consecration of Himself for suffering on the cross. That agonizing sacrifice, which Jesus willingly entered into, provides justification and, ultimately, sanctification for believers.

In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus asked God the Father to sanctify His disciples in the truth of His word. In this study of John 17:17, Alistair Begg takes a look at how the doctrine of sanctification is defined biblically, displayed progressively, and discovered submissively. When we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, we're considered holy, set apart by and for God. Through the lifelong process of sanctification, God's Spirit works through God's Word to make believers like Jesus.

Over five hundred years ago, Christianity was buried under layers of superstition, immorality, and biblical illiteracy—yet questions about life and death, knowledge and authority, and how sinful men and women could be made right with God remained. In this Reformation Day message, Alistair Begg recounts how the church of medieval Europe came to rediscover the Gospel message found in Jesus' life and death. Through Martin Luther and others, the true significance and sufficiency of Christ's death was recovered, bringing reform to the church and the promise of salvation to all who trust in Him.

Jesus asked God the Father to keep believers from the Evil One while they remain in the world. Focusing on verse 15 of Christ's High Priestly Prayer, Alistair Begg investigates the identity and strategy of the devil, Jesus' victory over evil, and the Gospel-grounded security and resulting activity of the Lord's followers. We're engaged in a spiritual battle—and although Satan is crafty and unrelenting, Jesus has ultimately dealt with the sin and fears of all who are united in Him.

As he drew his first letter to a close, Peter focused in on the reality of suffering that his recipients would endure and the need for leaders to shepherd their flocks well. Like every caring pastor, Peter realized that the people to whom he was writing needed to know God and live in the light of His truth. In this message, Alistair Begg examines Peter's instructions to embrace humility, receive God's exaltation, and rest in God's promise to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish His own.

Hearing and believing Christ's words radically changed His disciples—which provoked the surrounding culture's hostility. Alistair Begg explains that the unbelieving world hates biblical truth and Christlike living because they expose humanity's lostness, immorality, and need of a Savior. Ultimately, Christian conviction ignites a life of conflict, because the same grace that reconciles us to God antagonizes us to the Evil One. Yet Jesus prayed not for God to remove believers from the world but to keep us from evil as we remain in the battle.

Knowing that after His imminent arrest, His disciples would soon scatter in fear, the Son of God prayed for their spiritual preservation, unity, and joy. Unpacking verses 11–13 of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, Alistair Begg points out how God's care for His children supersedes our greatest self-concerns. Not everyone experiences God's blessings, though! The inexpressible joy of salvation can only be known by the truly penitent who rest entirely on Christ's atoning work.

If Jesus offered to pray on your behalf, what would you ask Him to pray for? In His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples, distinguishing them from the world, declaring them to be agents of His glory, and asking the Father to keep them in His name. Alistair Begg unpacks how over two thousand years later, that same prayer is still being answered for all those who follow Christ, in whom we are securely, eternally kept.

In His High Priestly Prayer, recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed for Himself and all His followers—including believers today. Alistair Begg examines the eternal nature of Jesus' request for glory and the victorious report He shared as He prayed to the Father. Because of His immense love for sinners, God the Father planned the work of salvation, God the Son accomplished it on the cross, and God the Spirit applies the reality of redemption to all who believe and trust in Christ.

When "the hour had come" for the fulfillment of Jesus' earthly ministry, He turned to God the Father in prayer. Alistair Begg explores this pivotal historical moment by taking a closer look at what Jesus asked, the work He was assigned to do, and the way He assured believers of the nature of eternal life. While the world may view the cross of Christ as an emblem of defeat, Scripture reveals how it's at Calvary that God's ultimate power, love, mercy—and glory—were displayed.

A "Live for today!" attitude is widely embraced by our contemporary culture—and it leads to endless restlessness. In sharp contrast, Scripture teaches that the past and future are also important, because God has appointed a day of judgment. To be prepared to face that day, we need to understand history through the lens of the Bible. Alistair Begg walks us through the real human predicament, God's costly intervention, and the divine promise made to those who come to His Son in repentance and faith: "You will find rest for your souls."

Why are we, as saved sinners, given the privilege of feasting at the Communion table before a holy God? Because He has provided an atonement for our rebellion! Alistair Begg traces man's search for a substitutionary sacrifice throughout Scripture, starting with Isaac, who asks his father, "Where is the lamb?" The ultimate answer, of course, comes centuries later, when John the Baptist introduces Jesus as the unblemished Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. By becoming sin for us on the cross, Christ Jesus provides perfect redemption—and perfect communion—for all who believe.

By nature, men and women act self-reliant, often burdened by the futility of trying to make sense of their existence or attempting to please God through self-effort. Jesus invites all sinners to come and find rest in Him. While His call is universal, it's also very personal. Those who accept His invitation are expected to learn from Him. Encouraging us to become Christ's pupils, Alistair Begg considers who Jesus is, what He does for believers, and what He's like as a teacher.

After extending an invitation to His followers to come to Him to find rest, Jesus commanded them, "Take my yoke upon you," promising them that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Examining the responsibility inherent in Jesus' call, Alistair Begg underscores that this obligation is a call to live in actual freedom. Such freedom is not the illusory kind that the world offers, with no apparent rules or boundaries, but the true liberty found in Christ alone.

Every invitation calls for a response—including Jesus' call in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Alistair Begg walks us through Christ's gracious invitation, demonstrating how it is a timeless, personal, and universal call to all who are weary, burdened, lost, or sad. It is an offer not for the self-sufficient but for the broken and empty-handed. Yet while respite is promised, it's not automatic; we first must respond to His invitation to "come."

Prayer had a high priority in Jesus' life. After teaching His disciples and preparing them for His departure, He prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers for all time. Beginning a study of John 17, Alistair Begg walks us through Christ's straightforward yet deeply profound High Priestly Prayer. In an overview of this sacred passage, we get a taste of the mystery, security, sanctity, unity, and glory that Jesus prayed for—and that Alistair will explore in depth as this study unfolds.

When the resurrected Jesus appeared to Peter, recommissioned him, and told him what the future held, the restored disciple had to confront the task before him. Initially, his attention was focused on his friend John—perhaps in empathy or concern, or perhaps in jealousy. Yet Jesus redirected Peter and echoed His initial invitation to follow Him. While Peter and John were different men with different instincts and convictions, they shared the same hope: that one day, after He had gone, Jesus would return to bring His people home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

In a complicated world, Paul's charge to Timothy was simple: "Preach the Word." The same charge has been laid on today's pastors and church leaders, who minister in a world that is no less complicated. As such, Alistair Begg calls upon them to do as Timothy did: to take their solemn call seriously, to face the hostilities and difficulties that stand before them, and to "do the work of an evangelist" for a culture that sorely needs the Gospel.

Paul exhorted Timothy and all ministers of the Gospel to nurture their God-given gifts, not to be ashamed of the Gospel, and to devote themselves to the life-giving Word of God. Teaching from 2 Timothy 1, theologian Sinclair Ferguson helps pastors and church leaders appreciate the pastorate's holy calling. As he walks through Paul's exhortation to Timothy and the pastoral pattern he sets forth, he unpacks key aspects of Timothy's ministry worth considering and emulating, including the humbling impact of suffering and the necessity of sincere faith.

Since Jesus' disciples didn't yet grasp the reality of His upcoming death and resurrection, they struggled to understand what He meant when He said, "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." In answer to their confusion, Jesus prepared them for His departure by comparing the cross to the agony and joy of childbirth. Alistair Begg walks us through Jesus' declaration, illustration, and explanation, clarifying how, like the apostles, we, too, can be assured and rejoice.

Jesus' claims are exclusive; salvation is found in Him alone. At the same time, He extends salvation to all who believe in Him and points out that those who follow Him will do the works that He did, and "greater than these." What did Jesus mean by this phrase? In this study in John 14, Alistair Begg explores the relationship between Christ's miraculous works of redemption and regeneration and the ongoing work of believers. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we're called to point others to the love and grace of the one true Savior.