Alistair Begg

[upbeat music] Did you know it's possible to turn the blessings of God into burdens? The religious leaders in Jesus' day were particularly good at this with all their rules and regulations.

So how can we avoid such burdens and embrace God's blessing? We consider that question today on Truth For Life.

Alistair Begg examines the controversial teaching of Jesus that provoked the Pharisees and continues to provoke legalists today.

Mark chapter two, we'll read from verse 18.

It was a r- it was fantastic.

It would have been highly inappropriate, wouldn't it? And if the father of the bride had said, "You know, I hope you enjoy these Ritz crackers," [laughs] "and, uh, help yourself to a second glass of water," people would have said, "What kind of party is this?" And justifiably so, which is what Jesus is saying.

[Instrumental music] You're listening to Truth For Life.

That is Alistair Begg with a message he's titled Christ the Controversialist.

These issues remain prevalent in our day.

So has God given up? Do you ever find yourself tempted to join the prophet in questioning God's tolerance of wickedness? On Truth For Life Weekend, Alistair Begg walks us through God's response to the prophet's questions.

We're looking at Habakkuk chapter two.

This revelation, which is the answer to, uh, Habakkuk's question, uh, God tells him, is marked by four things.

But in His own appointed time, He will accomplish His purposes.

So let us learn with Habakkuk to wait on Him.

You're listening to Truth For Life Weekend with Alistair Begg.

Alistair returns in just a moment to close today's program.

[upbeat music] Is it possible to be too bad to come to church? You think you need to clean up your act or get your life together before you can come to Jesus? Today, on Truth for Life, Alistair Begg looks at what Jesus had to say about assumptions like these.

Let's open our Bible to Mark 2, beginning with verse 15.

Now, the incident that we're considering here as recorded by Mark clearly made a strong impact on the early Christians.

Join us on Monday when we'll learn how it's possible to turn the blessings of God into burdens.

We'll see how we can avoid the burdens and embrace the blessings.

The Bible teaching of Alistair Begg is furnished by Truth For Life, where the learning is for living.

[outro music]

Well, in the same way, there's a critical distinction between being near God's kingdom and being in His kingdom.

So what's the difference? Today on Truth for Life, Alistair Begg answers that question as he continues our study in the Gospel of Mark.

We're in chapter 2.

Notice both the brevity and the authority of this word from Jesus.

So let me ask you, what would prevent you from acceding to Christ's call and becoming a Christian today? And if that describes you as a follower of Jesus, can we take the challenge together to be graciously, increasingly bold in risking all in terms of reputation by just saying to some of our friends, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved." And then to ask them, "Would you like to be saved?" We might be very surprised by how many yeses we get, but the only way we will ever get a response is if we're prepared to risk it all to ask the question.

But why would we be concerned when the stakes are so high?

[gentle music] You're listening to a message titled Grace and Forgiveness on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg.

Alistair returns to close today's program in just a minute.

[theme music] What kind of people do you think Jesus calls to follow him? The religious, the morally upright, the kindhearted, people who are eager to serve? Today on Truth For Life, Alistair Begg examines the unexpected calling of a most unlikely person.

Our scripture reading this morning is in Mark chapter 2, beginning at verse 13.

Mark chapter 2 and verse 13.

Follow me.

And Levi got up and he followed him.

[gentle guitar music] You're listening to Truth For Life with Alistair Begg.

We'll hear more about grace and forgiveness tomorrow.

Today's message is a reassuring reminder that nobody who ever wanted to be a follower of Jesus was turned away.

He became sin so that we could be righteous.

A Scottish pastor and teacher, Alistair Begg, tells this really cool story, gives this perspective on this.

And he says, hey, when we get to heaven and someone asks, I don't know, maybe it's Peter at the pearly gate.

We'll just go with that narrative because everybody seems to believe that Peter lives at the pearly gate to decide if we get in or not.