Truth For Life - Alistair Begg

The Joseph story is well-known, but the hit musical's "technicolor dream coat" may have more influence than many realize. The challenge of this brilliant narrative is to bring out both moral lessons and the richness of the Gospel grace it proclaims as the plot illustrates much about the Lord's redeeming patterns. The Tron Church's Willie Philip helps us think through how to preach Christ from these chapters, not just using it as a springboard to Jesus but actually mining the richness of the text—which is about far more than Joseph!

Most pastors have experienced a Sunday (or many!) when they aren't on the same page as the praise musicians. This disconnect can result in discontinuity between the pulpit and music ministry, frustrating both the pastor and the worship team. In this breakout, Parkside Church's Jonathan Albright considers several practical music ministry scenarios and identifies key principles that lead to unified, intentional ministry between the pastor and praise team.

Between 2020 and 2023, over 400,000 Americans died drug-related deaths, with another 560,000 succumbing to deaths related to alcohol. The statistics are just as bad in Scotland. For the past eight years, Hope for Addiction UK has been seeking to make a difference in this arena. In this breakout session, Terry McCutcheon shares what the organization has been doing and learning as it seeks to minister in a culture of addiction.

In the final section of his first epistle, the apostle Peter issued a series of challenging exhortations to the elders of the churches to which he wrote. In the concluding message of Basics 2025, Alistair Begg shows how Peter's words remain relevant to today's pastors and church leaders, reminding them of the key imperatives of Gospel ministry. The only hope we have, he reminds us—in ministry and in life—is in the God of grace, who provides support so that we won't topple, strength so that we won't collapse, and a foundation so that we won't be blown away.

Of all the chapters in Genesis, few are as challenging to understand, much less preach, as chapter 38, which recounts a sordid series of events involving Judah and Tamar. As the Tron Church's Willie Philip helps us see, however, this passage demonstrates that while God's arm is strong, it is also long. If He can work into His wonderful story of grace and mercy even people like those in this story, then surely there can't be any darkness or misery so great as to keep Him from doing the same today.

All Christian leaders, and especially those who minister the Word of God, must be sure that they remain firmly rooted in Christ. This is especially true when the world around us challenges the Christian faith in new ways. As Third Millennium Ministries' Richard Pratt explains, the apostle Paul experienced this in his own life—and in 1 Corinthians, he wrote how he was able to stay firmly rooted but also relevant in his changing world.

Those serving in ministry can easily lean too far toward idealism on the one hand or pragmatism on the other. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul strikes a perfect balance between the hope that is ours in Christ and the necessity of speaking the truth in love to a lost and wandering world. Richard Pratt of Third Millennium Ministries walks us through this vital passage, helping us understand how we can live in a manner that is worthy of our high and holy calling.

Abuse is often a confounding issue for pastors and ministry leaders to navigate—and identifying abusive and oppressive behaviors in marriage can feel especially overwhelming. In this session, Fieldstone Counseling founder Jonathan Holmes discusses some core principles for caring for the abused well and understanding how abuse goes against God's intended designs and purposes for husbands and wives.

The Old Testament presents us with many passages that are challenging to preach—but some are especially disgraceful and disturbing. Genesis 19 is one such passage, detailing a troubling incident involving Lot and the men of Sodom, who sought to commit a wicked act against those in his house. Willie Philip from the Tron Church, Glasgow, leads us through this difficult chapter, demonstrating how even passages revealing the horror and darkness of human sin can be preached in a way that points hearers to the Gospel.

To some extent, we all hope for a world of harmony, hope, and peace. But how is such a world supposed to come about? In this conference message, Alistair Begg explains how the church is intended to allow a fallen humanity to catch a glimpse of the eternal reality described throughout Scripture. The Gospel brings a piece of the future into the present when local churches demonstrate a unity that transcends earthly boundaries, drawing people together in and under Christ's lordship.