This message has struck me personally, so I post it here for you too.
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Reformed Theological Seminary Commencement Address
Rev. Alistair Begg (May 16, 2008)

“Steady As You Go” – 2 Timothy 4: 1-8

We hear the Word of God again; this time in Second Timothy and in chapter 4. “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Amen.

I have been afforded a great privilege in being invited to participate in this event. First allow me to congratulate all of the graduates upon the successful completion of their studies, and also to offer my word of congratulations to the faculty for their selfless endeavor in preparing another graduating class for this day.

Someone has observed that on an occasion such as this, the key to a good address is to have a good beginning, and then a good end, and try and keep the two of them as close together as possible. Continue reading →