Five Reasons Why We Suffer
Why did God create a world in which suffering exists?
You don’t have to be a philosopher or a doubter of God’s goodness to ask such a question. Look around: everyone suffers, and everyone tries to explain why. Some may say pain is an illusion. Others may reject God, saying that suffering disproves His existence. Still others may try to redefine God, saying that suffering proves His limitations. Yet each of these explanations for suffering is, in its own way, inadequate.
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How Alistair Begg Prepares a Sermon
The following material was adapted from On Being a Pastor by Derek J. Prime and Alistair Begg (©2013). Published by Moody Publishers. www.MoodyPublishers.com. Used by permission.
Preparing a sermon or a talk is a very personal process, and the reason we (Alistair and Derek) share our own approach is that we have been helped over the years as we have asked others how they set about the task. Whatever our method, prayer and personal obedience to the Word of God must come first. The very spirit in which we prepare should express our dependence upon God and our personal willingness to be obedient to what He reveals to us to pass on to His people.
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What Gospel Ministers Do
In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, we find Paul making a series of great declarations concerning the ministry of the Gospel—declarations that stand to encourage today’s pastors in their vital work:
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What Gospel Ministers Don't Do (Part 4 of 4)
In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, we find Paul making a series of great declarations concerning the ministry of the Gospel—declarations that stand to encourage today’s pastors in their vital work:
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What Gospel Ministers Don't Do (Part 3 of 4)
In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, we find Paul making a series of great declarations concerning the ministry of the Gospel—declarations that stand to encourage today’s pastors in their vital work:
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What Gospel Ministers Don't Do (Part 2 of 4)
In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, we find Paul making a series of great declarations concerning the ministry of the Gospel—declarations that stand to encourage today’s pastors in their vital work:
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What Gospel Ministers Don't Do (Part 1 of 4)
For pastors, the Gospel ministry is not always smooth sailing. Jesus said we should anticipate hardship, and when we look at the lives of the apostles, we discover that is exactly what they faced. In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, however, we find Paul making a series of great declarations concerning the call to ministry—declarations that stand to encourage today’s pastors in their vital work:
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Four Myths about Forgiveness
Many of us are very familiar with the Lord’s Prayer, a series of verses in both Matthew and Luke in which Jesus provides His disciples with an example of prayer to use in their own lives. In this prayer, Jesus reminds us how important it is not only to seek from God our most basic physical requirements but also to cry out to Him for our primary spiritual necessity—namely, forgiveness:
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Insights for Dark Days from Alistair Begg: God Hears Our Cries (Part 7 of 7)
“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.”
Exodus 2:23–25Topics: Begg's Blog, Articles
Insights for Dark Days from Alistair Begg: Casting All Your Cares (Part 6 of 7)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:6–9Topics: Begg's Blog, Articles