Video: "Abner, the Kingmaker – Part One" by Alistair Begg
Second Samuel 3 relates a story charged with ambition, sex, power, and politics. Arrogantly fancying himself the kingmaker, Saul’s army commander, Abner, defected to David’s expanding dynasty. Yet David’s imperfect, convoluted path to the throne wasn’t the result of human calculation or manipulation. Rather, God was accomplishing His plan despite, and even through, the messy circumstances. As Alistair Begg points out, only when God’s love is revealed and we believe in Jesus can we take our place on the right side of history.
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Sermons on the End Times
When will Jesus Christ return? What are the signs of the end of the world? What will the end times be like? Alistair Begg looks at passages in the Bible that speak of the end times and reminds us that God is in control even in the chaos.
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Video: “David Anointed and Opposed — Part Two” by Alistair Begg
Second Samuel 2 provides an example of how the political endeavors of our world will inevitably disappoint us. When David’s nephew Asahel fell into conflict with Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, it became clear that Israel would only be united when they came under their true king. Likewise, Alistair Begg reminds us that the unity and peace our world longs for will be found not in a political system but under the kingly reign of Jesus Christ.
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Video: “David Anointed and Opposed — Part One” by Alistair Begg
In sharp contrast to the divisive tactics that often dominate politics, as David ascended to his role as God’s chosen king, he did so prayerfully and humbly. Like Jesus, he extended love to his enemies, invited them to follow him, and promised his faithfulness. Nonetheless, opposition soon followed. While placing hope in worldly power will inevitably disappoint us, Alistair Begg assures that when we come to know and trust Jesus, we will find Him to be the true leader for which we long.
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Sermons on False Teachers
Download or listen to 5 sermons by Alistair Begg from the Bible on false teachers.
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Video: “Love, Loss, Lamentation” by Alistair Begg
David’s lament over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan invited Israel to feel their grief and provided direction for their sorrow. As Alistair Begg explains, David buried Saul’s past offenses, choosing instead to focus on the good that had been lost. His poem highlighted the bravery Saul and Jonathan displayed, the unity they enjoyed, and the prosperity Saul created. At the same time, his deep anguish over Jonathan’s death points us to Jesus as the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Video: “How the Mighty Have Fallen” by Alistair Begg
Following Saul and Jonathan’s death, David cried out for silence in the streets and for a curse to descend on the mountain where the mighty of Israel had fallen. Although David’s lament was personal, he led all of Israel in mourning the nation’s calamity. As Alistair Begg explains, his sorrowful grief was a biblical response to death. When we take time to mourn, we show a watching world that death is indeed the last great enemy, even as we look forward to the return of Christ, who alone conquered death.
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Video: “A Grave Miscalculation” by Alistair Begg
David learned of Saul’s death from a young man who inserted himself into the story of the king’s defeat. His grave miscalculation quickly became apparent, however, as David questioned him. Instead of celebrating, David and his men mourned—and instead of receiving commendation, the young man was executed. He had failed to reckon with the anointed king’s character, explains Alistair Begg. To enjoy the rewards of God’s kingdom, we must, like David, fear, love, and obey the Lord’s Anointed.
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Video: “Two Days in Ziklag” by Alistair Begg
Saul’s defeat and death paved the way for David’s reign—which also eventually crumbled. So why should we spend time considering Israel’s Old Testament kings in the first place? Alistair Begg pauses to answer this question at the outset of a new study in 2 Samuel. Since David’s story points forward to Christ, it’s an essential part of the whole Bible, which in turn contains the great story at the very center of world history: that of Christ and His eternal kingship.
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Video: “Under the Tamarisk Tree” by Alistair Begg
King Saul, who began his reign with great promise and potential, was brutally and disgracefully defeated by the Philistines. His tragic story is a warning to all of us, cautions Alistair Begg. The Bible teaches that death is not the end of existence; therefore, placing hope in human power is folly. Confronted by political chaos, social disintegration, and our own mortality, we are reminded that our hope and refuge is Jesus, the only King who triumphed over death and hell.
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