It’s commonly assumed: If you become a Christian, all your anxieties and problems will go away. As we navigate the challenges of a disease that threatens lives in our communities and even in our own families, we're reminded that suffering is part of the Christian journey. Moreover, life’s trials can be further compounded as we face persecution for the hope we have in Jesus. Alistair Begg addresses the topic of suffering and sickness in this series of messages keenly relevant to the illness that has swept across our planet. Listen to refocus your priorities and gain fresh confidence in God during the dark seasons of life.
Suffering in the Believer's Life (Lamentations 2:20) — Listen (Free) | Download MP3 (Free)
We may not understand God’s specific purposes for the suffering we face. As Alistair Begg points out, however, ignoring suffering does not work, nor does suffering in and of itself bring us closer to God. Instead, the right way to deal with suffering is to bow under the sovereignty of God’s purposes and see our circumstances through the lens of the cross. Only then can we trust God’s plan amidst difficulty, even without seeing the whole picture.
Why Suffering? (Job 16:7-17) — Listen (Free) | Download MP3 (Free)
The Christian is not immune to the human experience of pain, suffering, and evil. In this study of Job 16:7-17, Alistair Begg examines the various reasons why God allows suffering, the human responses to life's difficulties, and the provisions God makes for His people in the midst of such trials.
If Anyone is Sick... — Part One (James 5:14-18) — Listen (Free) | Download MP3 (Free)
What are we to do when faced with serious illness? James instructs us to make prayer a matter of great importance, asking leaders of the church for their prayers of faith. Alistair Begg stresses that the power in prayer comes directly from God and He will heal as He desires. Recognizing God’s sovereignty in sickness or in health will bring us comfort. Listen to Part 2
Suffering: A Biblical Perspective (1 Peter 4:12-19) — Listen (Free) | Download MP3 (Free)
Suffering is real, and it is painful. We do our best to avoid it, but the certainty of suffering in this life is a reality that we cannot avoid. Given that reality, how should we think biblically about suffering? In this sermon, Alistair Begg, with a pastor’s heart and gentle care, encourages us to live with perseverance and faith and to consider God’s purposes in our suffering.
My Times Are in Your Hands (Psalm 31:15) — Listen (Free) | Download MP3 (Free)
It is easy to trust God when the sun is shining and all seems right with the world. But is He just as trustworthy when the bottom falls out of life? Where is God then? Hear the answer, as you listen to a message that was preached at Parkside Church's Cancer Survivor Support dinner.