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Alistair Begg, a prominent voice in conservative Evangelical circles, recently concluded his tenure as senior pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, delivering his final sermon with a focus on divine sufficiency. His message, rooted in a biblical narrative, emphasized the perennial presence of God through life’s varied seasons.
On June 8, the 73-year-old pastor used his concluding sermon to explore the biblical account of Moses at the burning bush, underscoring human limitations and God’s enduring strength. He remarked, “You may say that it’s not just an unfinished series, but tonight was an unfinished sermon, and I say that not for your discouragement, but actually, hopefully, for your encouragement,” referencing Exodus 3:11–22.
Begg’s final address was not a farewell but a continuation of a series on Moses, aiming for a service marked by routine rather than sentimentality. “My hope and prayer for today is that the services will be ordinary, and by that I mean doing what is routine,” Begg shared. He navigated the congregation through Moses’ inquiries, such as “Who am I that I should go?” and “What is his name?” highlighting that God’s assurance lay in His presence rather than Moses’ self-worth.
“God doesn’t say, ‘Oh, you’re terrific.’ No, you’re perfect for this. No, what does he say? You see it in the text, he says, ‘I will be with you,'” Begg noted. He stressed that understanding God is through His revelation, not self-reflection. “We come to know God by revelation,” he stated. “He makes himself known.”
The sermon concluded in a solemn silence and a song, echoing the words engraved at Parkside’s entrance: “You have exalted above all things your name and your word.” Begg emphasized God’s supremacy stating, “Moses needs to know that God has exalted above all things, His name and His Word.”
Begg’s legacy includes his role as the voice behind the radio and online teaching ministry, Truth for Life, and his significant influence over 40 years at Parkside Church. Announcing his retirement in September 2024, he ensured a smooth transition, saying, “It’s not driven by anything of which I am personally aware, other than my ambition to pass the baton safely into the hands of my successor.”
In recent remarks at the Getty Music Sing! Conference in Nashville, Begg expressed concerns over declining biblical literacy, warning that, “Expositional preaching gives way to inspirational talks, which gives way to therapeutical endeavors.”
Throughout his career, Begg has not been without controversy. He faced criticism for advising attendance at a wedding involving a trans-identified individual, responding, “I’m not ready to repent over this. I don’t have to.”
In his parting words, Begg reflected on life’s uncertainties, quoting a hymn from the church bulletin: “I do not know how many days of life are mine to spend, but one who knows and cares for me will keep me to the end.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
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