Truth For Life with Alistair Begg Sermons
185 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsTruth For Life is the Bible-teaching ministry of Alistair Begg. The ministry's mission is to teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established and local churches will be strengthened. Join us as Alistair helps us apply the Scripture to our daily lives.
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Episodes
September 26, 2022: The Great Commandment — Part One
September 26, 2022 05:00 - 19.7 MBWhen Jesus issued the Great Commandment—to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself—He wasn’t reducing the Ten Commandments to two. Rather, He was teaching that all of God’s law hangs on those two concerns. Alistair Begg walks us through the role of the law in the believer’s life, explaining that when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God’s love, then we’ll follow His rules—not to receive rewards or avoid penalties but because we love Him.
September 19, 2022: The Great Commission
September 19, 2022 05:00 - 20.8 MBBefore His ascension, Jesus established one of the church’s main priorities, which is to share the Gospel so that people will be converted, be baptized, grow in faith, and tell others the good news of salvation. Unfortunately, some churches have replaced this call to mission with a comfortable “maintenance” approach. Challenging all Christians to embrace Jesus’ Great Commission, Alistair Begg takes a closer look at the claim that only Christ can make, the command that only Christ can give, an...
September 12, 2022: Death of the King — Part Two
September 12, 2022 05:00 - 19.4 MBWith the royal succession plan settled, the aged King David issued a commandment to his son Solomon, directing him to act on unfinished matters of the kingdom—with kindness for some and with justice for others. Was David’s decree simply a matter of personal vengeance? Or did God’s anointed king bear the responsibility to administer justice? Alistair Begg considers how the Bible’s answer points forward to the fixed day when Jesus, as King, will judge the world with fairness and finality.
September 12, 2022: Death of the King — Part One
September 12, 2022 05:00 - 19.5 MBGod promised that a king from David’s line would reign eternally; and so, facing imminent death, David established his son Solomon as his successor. Aware of his own failings but confident in the Lord's promises, David advised Solomon to walk in God’s ways. The Lord’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on our obedience, teaches Alistair Begg—but the enjoyment of His blessings does. Any success, whether great or small, always comes by God’s grace alone.
September 9, 2022: ‘Seasons of Sorrow’: A Conversation with Tim Challies, Alistair Begg, and Bob Lepine
September 09, 2022 05:00 - 18.8 MB<p>On November 3, 2020, Tim and Aileen Challies received the shocking news that their twenty-year-old son Nick had died. Tim, an author and blogger, began to process his loss through writing, which eventually led to the book ‘Seasons of Sorrow.’ During this launch event, Tim reads a brief excerpt from the book and then has a discussion with Alistair Begg and Bob Lepine about God’s purpose in and through our sorrows, reminding us that lasting comfort is something that only He can provide.</p> ...
September 6, 2022: The Main Things Are the Plain Things
September 06, 2022 05:00 - 19.6 MBKing David called for a census that he imagined would bring pleasure, but instead, it brought pain and God’s wrath. Seeking to intervene on behalf of his people, David built an altar, offered sacrifices, and asked that he alone would bear the punishment. While much remains unexplained in this passage, Alistair Begg points out that God’s sovereign plan is revealed in His mercy as well as His wrath. Ultimately, only Jesus’ intervention can save us from ourselves, our sin, and God’s wrath.
August 15, 2022: Paul’s Last Words — Part Two
August 15, 2022 05:00 - 8.48 MBEvery relationship has its last goodbye. In the closing verses of 2 Timothy, Paul sent his final greetings to several people who encouraged him during his ministry. Alistair Begg briefly examines Paul’s words to Priscilla, Aquila, Onesiphorus, and a handful of others, explaining how these men and women served Paul and in turn all future believers. In the same way today, every life lived for Christ—no matter its reach—can be eternally significant in Gospel ministry.
August 15, 2022: Paul’s Last Words — Part One
August 15, 2022 05:00 - 17.4 MBWith his final written words, the apostle Paul left both personal instructions for his protégé, Timothy, and greetings to his fellow believers. Alistair Begg considers these words, explaining how the mighty apostle was strengthened and encouraged by the individual giftings of fellow believers. As we survey the men and women whose lives intersected with Paul’s ministry, we find warnings to heed, examples to follow, and a poignant reminder of the interdependence of God’s people in every age and...
August 8, 2022: David’s Last Words
August 08, 2022 05:00 - 19.1 MBNearing the end of his life, King David wrote his final words as the “sweet psalmist of Israel.” Yet they were not a chronicle of personal achievements; rather, he prophesied concerning God’s promise to one day send a King who would rule humanity in perfect justice and righteousness. As Alistair Begg explains, God’s preservation of David’s kingdom stands as historical testimony to His covenant. Our hope rests in the promise that Jesus is that perfect King, that He will one day return, and tha...
August 8, 2022: David's Last Words
August 08, 2022 05:00 - 19.1 MBNearing the end of his life, King David wrote his final words as the “sweet psalmist of Israel.” Yet they were not a chronicle of personal achievements; rather, he prophesied concerning God’s promise to one day send a King who would rule humanity in perfect justice and righteousness. As Alistair Begg explains, God’s preservation of David’s kingdom stands as historical testimony to His covenant. Our hope rests in the promise that Jesus is that perfect King, that He will one day return, and tha...
August 8, 2022: Lessons from the List
August 08, 2022 05:00 - 16.1 MBAs 2 Samuel comes to a close, David provides the reader with a list of his mighty men, whose deeds were recorded for all eternity in the preceding chapters. As Alistair Begg explains, this record now serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness. Further, the account of David’s imperfect kingship directs us to the one perfect King, who records the names of His followers in the Book of Life.
August 1, 2022: “This God—His Way Is Perfect”
August 01, 2022 05:00 - 19.6 MBWhen King David reviewed his life, his focus was on the Lord as the source of his strength and victories. Alistair Begg points out that the same God who provided for David—the only true and living God—continues to provide for us today. His ways are perfect, even when our lives are sad and stormy. His provision, however, won’t be enjoyed by everyone. Salvation is only promised to those who trust in His Son, Jesus, the ultimate and everlasting King.
July 5, 2022: “Sojourners and Exiles”
July 05, 2022 05:00 - 18.6 MBChristians increasingly understand what it means to be sojourners and exiles in a Western world that, not long ago, commonly gave those with biblical convictions a seat at the table. Drawing from Peter’s first letter to the early, scattered church, Alistair Begg explains how to live faithfully in a world that has turned its back on God. By reminding ourselves—and each other—that we’re God’s children and foreigners in this place, we can live according to God’s will, stand firm in His grace, an...
June 27, 2022: Refuge in Him
June 27, 2022 05:00 - 16.4 MBWhile David was called a man after God’s own heart, he was neither a perfect man nor a perfect king. So how can we account for David rejoicing that he was righteous and clean before a holy God? Examining 2 Samuel 22, Alistair Begg explains that David was not claiming sinlessness. Rather, David was expressing his trust in God’s promise to blot out his transgressions. The righteousness David experienced was an imputed righteousness that all who put their faith in Jesus enjoy.
June 20, 2022: David’s Song of Salvation
June 20, 2022 05:00 - 17.5 MBOur lives are not a series of haphazard events. Rather, God is sovereign over every detail. In 2 Samuel 22, we read King David’s song of praise to God, which testifies to David’s personal experience of God’s intervention throughout his life. Alistair Begg explains how David’s poetic description of God’s sovereign activity reflects David’s theology—a true understanding of God and His purposes that we, too, need in order to properly understand ourselves and our place in time and history.
May 31, 2022: “There Was War Again”
May 31, 2022 05:00 - 16.8 MBGod promised that through King David, He would save Israel from the Philistines. Second Samuel 21 recounts four incidents when an older, battle-weary David relied on his mighty warriors to strike down the Philistine giants. Alistair Begg compares and contrasts David’s reign as described in these verses to Jesus’ ultimate, victorious, and eternal reign. Just as God granted victory to David’s men in battle, Christ’s followers can be assured of victory over the giants of Satan, sin, and death.
May 23, 2022: You May Not Want to Look!
May 23, 2022 05:00 - 20.7 MBPrompted by prolonged famine, King David sought the Lord for an explanation. Once he received it, though, he sought human counsel for the cure. The result was heartbreaking devastation, particularly for one family. Alistair Begg explains that while the world we live in is beautiful, it can also be harsh and cruel—a fact that, as Christians, we must confront. King David’s endeavors to deal with sin and brokenness were totally inadequate, as are our own. In Jesus, however, we have a perfect Kin...
May 16, 2022: A Pre-Conference Conversation with Tony Merida
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 17.7 MBIn this Basics 2022 preconference interview, Bob Lepine chats with one of the main speakers, Tony Merida. He discusses church planting, the blessings and burdens of adoption, the importance of evangelism and community involvement from local churches, and much more. Merida is pastor for preaching and vision of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, the dean of Grimké Seminary, and the director for theological training for Acts 29.
May 16, 2022: Faithful in Affliction
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 16.7 MBPastors and church leaders have always faced conflict and criticism. How do we maintain our integrity in the face of these challenges? Pastor and author Tony Merida points to the apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, as a model to follow—one marked by the pursuit of holiness, love for others, and, above all, consistent proclamation of Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be an afflicted yet faithful minister of the Gospel.
May 16, 2022: “Is It Because There Is No God?”
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 20.4 MBIt’s no secret that some parts of the Old Testament can be confusing or even tedious. Careful studying of these passages, however, can produce real insight to guide us today. Biblical scholar John Woodhouse illustrates this principle using the story of Ahaziah, who made the same mistake so many in our world make today: he traded the glory of God for idols and as a result became foolish. As Christians, our call is to help our world discover the wisdom, light, and life that only God provides.
May 16, 2022: “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 23.8 MBWhile pastors have the ministry of preaching the Gospel, men can talk about the cross in ways that empty it of its power. In this message, Alistair Begg explains how the apostle Paul embraced his weakness as a vehicle for the Gospel and encourages pastors to pray for the gift of studied simplicity. True salvation and redemption for sinners can only be found in one place: the cross of Christ. Therefore, it must be the central message from the pulpit.
May 16, 2022: One God in All the Earth
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 19.5 MBWith an eye on preaching Old Testament narrative, John Woodhouse examines the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. A prominent man suffering leprosy, Namaan visited God’s prophet in Israel, Elisha, laden with treasure to purchase healing—and was instead humbled when Elisha instructed him simply to wash in the Jordan. God’s word, Woodhouse reminds us, always seems unreasonable to the proud: “Wash and be healed. Believe and be saved. Repent and be forgiven.” Yet those who do not receive what is promis...
May 16, 2022: Preaching from the Old Testament: Particularly Narratives
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 23.1 MBPreaching from Old Testament narratives can be a daunting task. It is all too easy to miss Christ and the Gospel in the details of the narrative or, conversely, to leave the narrative in the name of focusing on Christ. In this conference session, biblical scholar John Woodhouse lays out a strategy for aligning the purposes of one’s sermon with the purposes of the Old Testament narrative, proclaiming Christ in such a way that all who hear will be profoundly affected by the Gospel’s power.
April 18, 2022: “Then They Were Glad”
April 18, 2022 05:00 - 16.2 MBIn the days after Christ’s crucifixion, His disciples hid behind locked doors, broken, confused, and convinced that Jesus’ death was the end of the story. But the grave could not hold Him! Jesus appeared in His resurrected body, showing the disciples His hands and His side and speaking peace into their troubled hearts. As Alistair Begg explains, no idea, philosophy, or code of ethics can transform our broken world. True restoration is found in Jesus alone.
April 18, 2022: How Deep the Father’s Love
April 18, 2022 05:00 - 10.5 MBGod the Father has unmeasured love for His people. The supreme manifestation of this love is displayed at the cross of Christ. In that provision, teaches Alistair Begg, the Father arranged for our atonement, and the Son willingly laid down His life. And still today, the Spirit opens the eyes of our hearts to the salvation that was procured—a salvation that is for all rebels who turn from their sinful ways and trust Christ.
April 11, 2022: “Who Is This?”
April 11, 2022 05:00 - 16.9 MBWho is Jesus? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Alistair Begg describes three pictures that show how Christ fulfilled prophecy and revealed important aspects of His identity. The illustrations depict Jesus as the humble messianic King entering Jerusalem on a donkey, as the Prophet weeping over His unbelieving hometown, and as the Priest cleansing the temple of empty rituals and hypocrisy. Alistair explains that it’s only in light of the Gospel message that these pictures give significance to Palm S...
January 4, 2022: Jesus—Always, Only
January 04, 2022 05:00 - 17.2 MBIn the midst of chaos and confusion that just doesn’t seem to end, how do we stay strong in the faith? The answer, teaches Alistair Begg, is to steadily focus on the one who is unchanging. According to Hebrews 13:8, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This simple fact gives us confidence to face uncertainties about the future with the assurance that He will never leave us. Are you trusting in Him as your Savior, Shepherd, Friend?
December 27, 2021: “This Thing That Has Happened” — Part Three
December 27, 2021 05:00 - 19.7 MBFollowing Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph took the twelve-year-old Jesus to the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. When they started home, they assumed Jesus was with their relatives—but Jesus had actually stayed behind in His Father’s house. As Alistair Begg explains, Jesus’ understanding of the Old Testament and of His own messiahship governed His decision. This glimpse into Jesus’ boyhood underscores His full divinity and humanity as the Son of God and Son of Man who came to bear our sins.
December 27, 2021: “He Shall Be Their Peace”
December 27, 2021 05:00 - 11.7 MBIn the eighth century BC, as Israel faced oppression, humiliation, and apparent abandonment by God, the prophet Micah foretold the coming of one who would bring victory, security, and peace. Two thousand years after Christ’s birth, our circumstances aren’t much different: for many, life is still marked by unfulfilled longings, deep-seated dreads, and the fear, ultimately, of death. As Alistair Begg reminds us, such fears cannot be met from within ourselves. We must look away from ourselves to...
December 20, 2021: “This Thing That Has Happened” — Part Two
December 20, 2021 05:00 - 20.7 MBAfter a prolonged period of silence, God’s word came to His people through a devout Jewish man named Simeon. In accordance with the law, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. When Simeon beheld Jesus, he took Him in his arms and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, declared that he could die in peace because his eyes had seen God’s salvation. As Alistair Begg explains, our only hope for peace with God is to receive the deliverance He provides.
December 13, 2021: “This Thing That Has Happened”
December 13, 2021 05:00 - 19.8 MBJesus’ birth is no myth; it’s the wondrous, supernatural entry of the eternal God into a specific time and place in history. Examining Luke chapter 2, Alistair Begg notes that the angel’s message to the shepherds was the very word of God, compelling them to go and see all that had happened just as the angel said. God’s Word does not demand blind faith but encourages us to consider and declare the historical reality of the baby in a manger—a baby born to be the Savior of the world.
December 13, 2021: “This Thing That Has Happened” — Part One
December 13, 2021 05:00 - 19.8 MBJesus’ birth is no myth; it’s the wondrous, supernatural entry of the eternal God into a specific time and place in history. Examining Luke chapter 2, Alistair Begg notes that the angel’s message to the shepherds was the very word of God, compelling them to go and see all that had happened just as the angel said. God’s Word does not demand blind faith but encourages us to consider and declare the historical reality of the baby in a manger—a baby born to be the Savior of the world.
December 6, 2021: “Your Kingdom Come” — Part Two
December 06, 2021 05:00 - 11.8 MBSin always has consequences. Few people knew that better than David, whose once robust kingdom declined into a shadow of its former self, marked by instability and injustice. Focusing on the final verses of 2 Samuel 20, Alistair Begg draws a line between David’s sin with Bathsheba and the ultimate failure of his dynasty. But as we consider David’s failure, we also turn our eyes to the one perfect King, Jesus, who promises to restore what sin destroys.
December 6, 2021: “Your Kingdom Come” — Part One
December 06, 2021 05:00 - 18.4 MBFollowing Absalom’s death, King David returned to Jerusalem—but his homecoming was not marked by joyous celebration. Instead, all the men of Israel withdrew their allegiance to David to follow Sheba the Benjaminite. As Alistair Begg explains, while David used his military might to crush Sheba’s rebellion, he could not establish an enduring kingdom. Only Jesus will reign forever in perfect righteousness when He returns to usher in His kingdom.
November 22, 2021: The Return of the King
November 22, 2021 05:00 - 21.6 MBAs King David returned to his kingdom after Absalom’s defeat, tragedy overshadowed triumph. His grief over the death of his enemy-son impacted those around him: foolish arguments erupted between the tribes of Judah and Israel, and lives changed as people scrambled to align themselves with the victor. Shimei sought clemency, Mephibosheth declared his loyalty, and Barzillai faced his mortality while recognizing God’s providential purpose. Alistair Begg compares and contrasts David’s fragile, di...
November 8, 2021: A Grief Observed
November 08, 2021 05:00 - 21 MBKing David’s son Absalom was also his enemy. So should love have set aside justice? Should justice have prevailed at love’s expense? David strategized to defeat his enemies while preserving his son’s life—yet the message of victory was accompanied by the announcement of Absalom’s death, and the king was consumed with guilt-laden grief. Examining God’s providential role in tragedy as well victory, Alistair Begg points us to the one place where perfect love and perfect justice meet: at the cros...
November 1, 2021: Faith in Jesus
November 01, 2021 05:00 - 19.6 MBThe Reformation marked a pivotal event in church history—namely, a return to the apostolic Gospel. In this Reformation Day message, Alistair Begg examines the good news of salvation as proclaimed in Romans 3: that a right standing with God is not something that we are called to produce but something which God has chosen to provide to us as a gift by faith in Jesus. Only the cross of Calvary can bring undeserving sinners into a living relationship with a holy God.
October 25, 2021: The Divine Fulcrum
October 25, 2021 05:00 - 20 MBAfter rebelling against his father, King David, Absalom sought counsel from David’s former servant, Ahithophel. A traitor to the crown, Ahithophel entreated Absalom to grant him permission to kill David himself. But the Lord had ordained to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel by causing Absalom to seek secondary advice. This interplay between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility, notes Alistair Begg, is the divine fulcrum upon which life hinges, showing us that God is at work in everything...
October 25, 2021: According to Plan
October 25, 2021 05:00 - 16.7 MBGod’s providence is often fulfilled in unexpected ways and with seemingly insignificant people. Looking to 2 Samuel 17, Alistair Begg explains how the actions of two spies and a quick-thinking woman at a well helped save David’s kingdom. Strange as it may seem, God used their bravery as well as their deception—and even the suicide of the defector Ahithophel—to fulfill His plan for King David. As believers in Christ, we can rest on the promise that nothing, not even our sin, can thwart God’s p...
October 13, 2021: The Christian’s Devotional Life (Interview)
October 13, 2021 05:00 - 14.5 MBFor those who are in Christ, God’s Word in Scripture is the ultimate authority for worship and conduct. So what role do devotional books play in a Christian’s spiritual growth? In anticipation of the release of the first volume of his devotional Truth For Life, Alistair Begg sits down with Bob Lepine to discuss his devotional practices, the value of “quiet time” with the Lord, and why the best devotional reading is always that which turns us back to the Bible.
October 11, 2021: Living on a Prayer — Part One
October 11, 2021 05:00 - 18 MBForsaken and opposed by those closest to him, including his traitorous son Absalom, King David sought refuge in the wilderness. But evil pursued him. David was deceived by a trusted servant and then cursed by Shimei, a relative of Saul. As Alistair Begg explains, David understood Shimei’s cursing in light of Nathan’s prophecy that God would discipline David for his sin—though He would also never remove His steadfast love and mercy. God does not offer grace begrudgingly. Rather, it is freely g...
October 11, 2021: Living on a Prayer — Part Two
October 11, 2021 05:00 - 12.4 MBGod uses all things for His glory—even as He used Absalom’s insurrection against His anointed king, David. In this sermon from 2 Samuel 16, Alistair Begg explains how Hushai the Archite, David’s loyal friend and spy, and Ahithophel, a traitor to the king, both acted under God’s sovereign hand. A thousand years later, Jesus would face a similar betrayal, and in His death, God’s ultimate plan—our redemption—would be fulfilled.
October 4, 2021: Dark Days — Part One
October 04, 2021 05:00 - 19.9 MBAfter some measure of reconciliation with King David, Absalom began to build his public image. For four years he sowed a spirit of discontent among the Israelites and offered himself as their hope for resolution. Absalom’s persona fed his political objective—namely, to usurp David’s throne. In response to his son’s rebellion, David fled Jerusalem—a decision, notes Alistair Begg, made not out of fear but in the wisdom and knowledge that no manmade plot can overturn God’s steadfast love and fai...
October 4, 2021: Dark Days — Part Two
October 04, 2021 05:00 - 12.3 MBFacing Absalom’s betrayal, David and his company fled Jerusalem and ascended the Mount of Olives. Alistair Begg explains how David’s suffering and exile anticipate and illuminate the later anguish and steps of Christ. There’s one key difference, though: David’s hardship was a result of his own sin, while Jesus, who never sinned, suffered for our transgressions to reconcile us to God.
September 27, 2021: A Royal Shambles
September 27, 2021 05:00 - 18.6 MBIntervening on behalf of David’s kingdom, Joab conspired with a wise woman to resolve the conflict between the king and his son Absalom. When David acquiesced, Absalom returned to Jerusalem unpunished, unforgiven, and unashamed—and the saga of alienation and disruption within David’s family and kingdom continued. Reminding us that sin always ends in tears, Alistair Begg directs our gaze forward to the cross, where, with open arms, King Jesus graciously welcomes believers out of the chaos and ...
September 20, 2021: Amnon Is Dead and Absalom Fled
September 20, 2021 05:00 - 18.4 MBIn the latter part of his reign, David became easily manipulated, and sin’s corrosive effects continued to erode his kingdom. Two years after Amnon violated Tamar, her brother Absalom took matters into his own hands by vengefully killing him. Examining the tragic events of 2 Samuel 13, Alistair Begg reminds us that just like David’s sons, we’re all sinners, and judgment and vengeance belong to God alone. Jesus is the only King who can truly set things right. In Him, mercy and justice are perf...
September 13, 2021: “What a Tangled Web”
September 13, 2021 05:00 - 20.7 MBSin wreaks havoc in human lives. In 2 Samuel 13, we see the ripple effects of King David’s sin extending to the next generation of his lineage. Consumed with lust, David’s son Amnon schemed to have his way with Tamar, his half sister. Alistair Begg looks at the lessons we learn from this disastrous event that devastated many lives. Although David let down his family and kingdom, his story points forward to a perfect kingdom full of sinful people whose lives have been wiped clean by Jesus.
August 23, 2021: The Christian Family — Part Five
August 23, 2021 05:00 - 18.1 MBThe Christian father has a special, God-given role within his family to lead his wife and children. This responsibility, explains Alistair Begg, involves not provoking one’s children but instead reflecting the unmerited love and grace that our heavenly Father displays to us in Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Christian fathers can lead and discipline with grace in order that the beauty of the Gospel may captivate their children and be shown to a watching world.
August 16, 2021: The Christian Family — Part Four
August 16, 2021 05:00 - 95.3 MBGod created men and women to flourish within the family structure. As those who are in Christ, we are called to live in a way that is pleasing to Him—and part of God’s design for family life, explains Alistair Begg, is parents’ responsibility to instruct their children in the Word of God and to accompany this teaching with discipline motivated by love. When children respond in obedience, the Christian family adorns the Gospel before a watching world.
August 10, 2021: The Christian Family — Part Three
August 10, 2021 05:00 - 19.3 MBThe lordship of Christ should be on display in a Christian marriage. But how can spouses live this out? Expounding on the husband’s leadership role in a godly marriage, Alistair Begg explains how a bridegroom should love his bride sacrificially, exclusively, and gently. This kind of selfless love is critical for a healthy marriage. Not only that, but it is also an example to a watching world of Christ’s perfect love for His own bride, the church.