Time to Grow Up (Archived)

www.truthforlife.org || By: Alistair Begg - How important is it for believers to be involved in a local church? Teaching from Ephesians 4, Alistair Begg shows that it is the only way to grow to Christian maturity. We develop a stable understanding of doctrine and grow in Christlikeness as we hear God speak through faithful preaching. The unique, supernatural nature of our fellowship shines forth when everyone joins in for effective Gospel ministry.
* Purchase Alistair Begg's entire study (83 sermons) in Ephesians on USB for $5 at www.truthforlife.org/ephesians

[@glock4121]

We left a church that I went to for years. We had excellent leadership, excellent teaching. We had reverance for God. Our music worship was literally Psalms 150. We hosted guests pastor to preach at our church, Rev. Chuck Swindoll, Dr. Ravi Zacharias to name a few. Then something changed. Not sure what happend. They hired a comedian for a pastor, or at least he thought he was a comedian. His sermons were littered with jokes. Joke after joke, constantly. Our church fell into the trap of the "seeker friendly" church. The last straw for me was when we started to sing songs by Heuy Lewis and News and Rod Stewart as our worship songs. I gave up. Our services started to resemble going to a motivational speaker at some convention center with lights and very loud music. Over exaggerated fake joy. Positive thinking... I had enough, we left the church. I will take a 1000 messages that are convicting to the soul. Where it draws me to beat my chest and say Forgive me Father for I haved sinned and to receive His Mercy from His unfailing love then 10 minutes in a "seeker friendly" fake service.

[@almamoore8446]

Acts 5:29

[@micahshively2831]

Having Ravi visit your church isn't exactly a good thing, man.

[@glock4121]

@@micahshively2831 At the time it was great to hear Ravi. However, with that said... your right. It crushed my heart what Ravi did.

[@nccognito2324]

@@glock4121 Me too. I loved him and called him one of my heroes. It is a terrible thing to have heroes who fail.

[@bonnietimm8343]

First car garage door

[@katiefaith5381]

I love this Brother...very few teach the TRUTH...♡

[@jeffcoleman7019]

Please pray for America. Pray our country turns to Jesus.

[@justinc2167]

Good sermon! Thank you, Pastor & everyone who make this possible for me to watch online. Soli Deo Gloria!

[@louisezeiger3390]

The messages names always seem aimed straight for me. This one hit the spot perfectly 😂 👌 Right on target. Thank You Jesus!

[@wcmauldin81]

Amazing revealing of Scripture. So true today the church has been tossed to and fro. We all need to be grounded by God’s Word.

[@colsomemiah6095]

I wish I could hear sermons like Pastor Begg preaches at my church; Bible based and interpreted with clarity, well read, droll wit, interspersed with fitting 60's poetic lyrics. I do wonder how young males especially can. be attracted to church with virtually no peer group with whom to merge. While multigenerationalism exists, the novice Christian needs to interact with kindred spirits WITHOUT compromising Holy Writ.

[@themcooke1477]

That was so aptly put, thank you. Completely agree.

[@Tac2cool556]

colsome miah wow, well spoken

[@Tac2cool556]

Meg what you said

[@patrickhenson7566]

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[@annekeohane8895]

Hope He forgives me

[@sassy_girl]

Thank you, I needed to hear this! God intended that I hear this msg, again thanks for this truth.

[@dorriejames534]

Have recently been introduced to your ministry…so delighted! You have an unflinching adherence to God’s word and a whimsical and gravely serious delivery. Getting everyone I can to listen! Thank you for your faithfulness to use the gifts God has given you.

[@tialovingbeautifulbutterfl6262]

Just 💓 Christ .... strengthen me in continuing to follow Him and His ways.

[@paulajones6306]

Loved this Word - how sad that we no longer "stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene". Tragic thanks to my Redeemer.

[@sirstan808]

Amazing stuff! Brilliant, too! Thanks brother.

[@jomanning1015]

I love this man

[@eddieyoshida9627]

Thank you Pastor👏👏👏🇮🇱🇮🇱

[@bbasevic]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2094">34:54</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2147">35:47</a> Please Help us and Guid us to Your Truth, Almighty Yahweh Creator of all in Jesus name i pray

[@TheKnightsAlliance]

Great message, thank you

[@annmcrath536]

Haha! Weebles! Weebles wabble but they don't fall down. 😊

[@charlottewhitmore7503]

Amen 👏👏

[@theobjectivebeliever]

I don't believe "online church" is a be-all-end-all alternative. But just like in every other sphere of discussion (philosophy, politics, etc) social media has given even ground to Bible teachers. And what we are finding is some of these guys have a lot of good things to say, but due to politics in the church, or some other issue, never made it to the "big time." And for that, I'm grateful I can still find and listen to them.

[@observersnt]

This sermon was broadcast on line. And like all of his others that are, I find them enormously encouraging, challenging and edifying. If I was house bound Gods ministry through this man would be invaluable but his point must surely be that there is a real danger in “ forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is,” and replacing it with and depending on online communication.

[@xanziggy5851]

I must find a place to fellowship

[@srpdesigns]

xan ziggy Good morning xan ....I think the exact same thing Every day...I have such a hunger for Our Fathers word and to be around like minded Brothers & Sisters. I have so many churches around my town of every conceivable denomination and have probably been to 5 different ones and not one felt right ..I couldn't get to the door fast enough to leave in One of them that happens to be right in the center of my town.... Everything about it felt like some kind of cult ....I really don't think I'm going to find a church ....I truly feel that we are very very close to Our Lord's return and I keep praying that he will guide me to the right place soon...and like I said I don't think it's going to be in a church but instead at someone's house or small Hall of some kind and when we find it we will know the minute we walk in...Good Luck and God Bless you and yours.

[@Tac2cool556]

Steve P hope everything is going well with you, thank you for sharing it story.

[@Tac2cool556]

xan ziggy hope all is well with you since you posted this..

[@josedopwell9645]

Brother Begg's observations concerning the trend towards being merely online/KZbin viewers of sermons rather than active members of a local church are spot on. Jesus started restoring me about 4 years ago and for a while l watched sermons online as a means of getting much needed spiritual nourishment. Initially this helped me greatly after essentially 2 decades plus of living in rebellion against God. But l knew that l needed to be a living and active member in a church. Not just being a body in a pew but someone serving Christ AND my brothers and sisters in Christ. There are over 50 "one another" verses in the New Testament (e.g. love one another, forgive one another, encourage one another). They are commands I'm called to obey, not merely ideals or strong suggestions. They can't be done in a lonely vacuum. After much prayer and going to several churches, Jesus led me to a church where the pastors preach the gospel in season and out of season. One of my first bible studies was about suffering in Christ. The pastor was a very recent cancer survivor and he spoke of how his suffering caused him to draw nearer to God and he used scripture to back it up. It is not God's will that we go to church and just be spectators, consumers with a "What's in it for me?" mentality. That attitude leads to constant critiquing, unthankfulness and grumbling of a type which is no different than when someone is dissatisfied with a movie or a play or a concert. We're not happy with the performers. We're engaged as consumers instead of living the gospel and building up the body of Christ. Which is quite the opposite of the message of this Holy Spirit-led sermon by brother Begg. Jesus said it's more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). IT'S TIME TO SPIRITUALLY GROW UP!!

[@louisezeiger3390]

Call Moody Radio.

[@JoshuaHults]

Its the waking up in the morning part i do not like, i work the night shifts.

[@miriamfrohriep3239]

I'm at work right now. I work 8pm-8am, and then I meet my 3 and 4 year old daughters at church. I've been doing this for 2.5 years, but it is thankfully near an end as I am finishing up my Bachelor's - I've been feeling God call me to volunteer at church, even though I'm exhausted in the morning. I hope you are able to have your work-and-church schedule work!

[@glock4121]

I am in law enforcement, I agree. Shift work is tough. I pray a lot in my car when driving to work, or when working. It is hard to have dedicated consistant time. After a 10hr shift I am completely exhausted. But i will not give up. I believe God understands that we work shift work. Any time with God is a good time. I don't believe it matters, so long we make the time.

[@alfredgomez3906]

he's a great preacher. What is the denomination of his church?

[@alfredgomez3906]

Valpurgis Tachyon many will interpret the scriptures to their own destruction.

[@tomgrissom5677]

The Devil loves Denominations

[@alfredgomez3906]

Tom Grissom the devil loves lies. This gentleman speaks a lot of truth. So, I have no doubt the Holy Spirit is speaking through him.

[@sirstan808]

Sorry Alfred, that's totally irrelevant.

[@alfredgomez3906]

sirstan808 I disagree

[@observersnt]

So disappointing that this lasts only 37 minutes. I could listen to ministry like that for another hour and still be sorry it ended. A complete vindication of the notion he quotes that God lives through the mouths of preachers. Ironic that six years ago Alistair Begg referred to Stotts “ Truth Gang “ but in 2024 he himself became a victim of the hypocrisies of the truth gang. One after another they are chomping at the bit, not to go to a brother in private if you think he is overtaken with a fault, but whose nostrils became inflamed with the demonic desire to ridicule and defame this lovely, faithful man of God, world wide through the internet because of one comment of his they disagreed with. These modern day, self appointed Pharisees and Sadducees were salivating under the pretence of truth seeking, to assassinate Alistair for it. What they did is expose the reality of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Masquerading as conscientious, bible believing Christians, they raced to the internet. Sad to see how quickly so many agreed with these who have only “a form of Godliness.” These that would have condemned Jesus, God manifest in the flesh for dwelling in earth amongst publicans, sinners, paedophiles, sexual deviants, murderers, thieves, liars, adulterers Beware of the false prophets and false teachers Give thanks to God for the ministry of the word of God through this faithful man and for the privilege of listening to him all over the world.

[@tecomaman]

like all preachers he doesn't speak specifically how to be different or anything

[@katiefaith5381]

He told us to be "grounded in the scriptures" not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine...cautioned us on deception..take notes sir as he teaches you'll be amazed at the list of Biblical instruction....Lord BLESS you

[@jameshigginson8397]

It all starts with the foundation and a personal relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

[@tecomaman]

@@jameshigginson8397 He did not say that and what that means

[@jameshigginson8397]

@@tecomaman Listen to the message of the preaching of the cross by Allistair Beggs and you will be left in no doubt. "The man on the middle cross said I could come" God bless Neil

[@samzee6187]

There is only one god (Allah) and Muhammad peace be upon him is Allah’s last prophet. Jesus peace be upon him is Allah’s true prophet.

[@nccognito2324]

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Muhammad was a false prophet. There is only one God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit of God. These Three are One. They created man in Their image, after Their likeness. The Scriptures are witness to Jesus Christ throughout. Those who have believed in Him have everlasting life. Those who don't believe are already condemned and the wrath of God abides on them. I pray you see the truth and repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and salvation of your soul. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

[@samzee6187]

@@nccognito2324 then why don’t you follow the teachings of Jesus Peace be upon him?

[@nccognito2324]

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5

[@nccognito2324]

@@samzee6187 I believed Him and love God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength, and my neighbor as myself. Have you considered Him, Whom to know is life everlasting?

[@nccognito2324]

@@samzee6187 Do you know: "My sheep hear My voice; I know them and they follow Me?" Doesn't that sound like Psalm 23?