Anxiety: Recent Episodes
Anxiety
When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, where is God? And what would He have us do? Listen to hear what the Bible has to say about anxiety.
This world is not our home.
We live out our earthly days in the ‘shadowlands.’
All around us is a mixture of darkness and light.
However, we still have a choice.
Will we be agents of the light or the dark?
That will be the focus of today’s study in 1 Thessalonians 5.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What were the Thessalonians anxious about?
B) How did the Apostle Paul address that anxiety?
C) What were the implications for how they were to live?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt
In John 21, Jesus talked about His ‘return.’
He would leave.
In due time, He would come back.
But for what purpose? And at what point?
That will be the focus of today’s study.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Jesus suggest that John would remain?
B) How do the events of 70AD relate to this passage?
C) How does John’s gospel conclude?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt
How many times had Peter ‘denied’ Jesus?
Three.
How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he ‘loved’ Him?
Three.
In today’s study of John 21, we’ll see the forgiveness of Christ, and the commissioning of Peter.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What caused Peter to recognize Jesus on the beach?
B) What did Jesus mean by ‘feed My sheep?’
C) How does this passage apply to our own lives and leadership?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Skepticism is NOT a fruit of the Spirit.
In John 19, Jesus died.
In John 20, He was resurrected.
And after that, He appeared to His apostles in the Upper Room.
However, one was missing. And he didn’t believe the other ten.
The ‘doubts’ of Thomas will be the focus of today’s study.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What are the proofs of Christ’s resurrection?
B) What else do we know about ‘Doubting Thomas?’
C) What does this text teach us about ‘faith?’
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
He Is Risen!
In John 19, Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead.
In John 20, He rose from the tomb (just as He said He would)!
And in doing so, He made possible our own resurrection.
That will be the focus of today’s study in the Gospel of John.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What are the proofs / evidences of the resurrection?
B) Why were two angels sitting on either side of the grave slab?
C) What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene at this time?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
It. Is. Finished.
Just three words – yet, the most significant ever spoken.
On Calvary, Jesus declared ‘it is finished.’
The question for us is: what was He referring to?
What was ‘finished,’ and what value does it have for us?
That will be the focus of today’s study in John 19.
Other Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Jesus have to die? Was it really necessary?
B) Why did the sky grow dark, and why was the temple veiled ripped?
C) What proofs are there of the crucifixion and resurrection?
Dr. Toby Holt is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, in Gulfport MS.
It is finished.
Three simple words – three words, on which your fate rests.
On Calvary, Jesus completed the work that He was sent to do.
What was that work? And what does it mean for you?
That will be the focus of today’s study from John 19.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Did Jesus really have to die? And if so, why?
B) What did Christ’s death actually accomplish?
C) What prophesies were fulfilled on the cross?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt
“What is truth?”
That was Pilate’s question.
It was a great question – too bad he didn’t wait for an answer.
Pontius Pilate asked Jesus a number of things in John 18 – and was befuddled by Christ’s responses. We will consider their unique conversation in today’s study.
Questions We’ll Address:
A) Who was Pilate, and what was his background?
B) Why did the Jewish leaders take Jesus to Pilate?
C) Why did the people demand the release of Barabbas?
Peter said that he loved Jesus.
Peter said that he’d die for Jesus.
But on the night of Christ’s betrayal, Peter denied Him three times.
So, what do we make of Peter’s failure? What do we make of his weakness?
And how did Christ respond?
That will be the focus of today’s study in John 18.
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
Lanterns, torches and weapons.
The men who sought Jesus were heavily armed!
That’s what rebels do – they arm themselves for battle.
Meanwhile, Jesus waited patiently.
In a sense, the events of John 18 are a microcosm of mankind’s history.
Specifically, our ‘armed rebellion’ against a loving and patient God.
We’ll consider that rebellion (and Christ’s response) in today’s study of John 18.
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
You are not alone.
You have a divine ‘intercessor.’
And when life gets hard, the Son pleads your case to His Father.
But what does He say? What does He ask for?
That will be the focus of today’s study in John 17.
Jesus, 1. The World, 0.
It wasn’t even close.
Herod, Pilate, the devil, and all the Pharisees could not stop Christ’s victory.
They didn’t even delay it.
In John 16, Jesus said He had overcome the world – but what does that mean for you and I as believers?
That will be the focus of today’s study.
Some believe the world is a ‘neutral’ place.
But they’re wrong.
The world is filled with light and shadow; good and evil, angels and demons.
The world is not neutral. It is spiritually polarized.
And that’s just what Jesus told His disciples in John 15.
Picture a branch.
If that branch is on the ground, it’s dead.
A severed branch bears no fruit.
However, if that same branch is connected to a tree or vine, it’s alive.
In John 15, Jesus says that the same is true of us.
Specifically, He tells us to ‘abide’ in Him (as a branch on a vine).
But what does the word ‘abide’ really mean? That will be the focus of today’s study.
Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do?
In John 14, Jesus promised that the ‘Holy Spirit’ would appear after His departure.
“I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth.” – John 14:16
Jesus also said that this ‘Spirit’ would be of great blessing to His disciples.
So, what kind of blessing would that be?
That will be the focus of today’s study in John 14.
Fear overwhelmed the disciples.
Huddled in the Upper Room, Jesus had talked about His coming death, the presence of a betrayer, and of the dark days to follow.
The men were shaken.
But, sensing their anxiety, Jesus gathered them close, saying “let not your heart be troubled.” Dark days would soon give way to hope and victory.
If your heart is troubled today, then be encouraged by this study of John 14.
Unthinkable.
In John 13, the Creator washed the feet of people that He created.
And moments later, one went out to betray Him.
The Lord Supper was filled with several shocking moments like these.
We’ll consider two of them in today’s study of John 13:1-17.
God’s voice boomed from Heaven.
Did the people listen and obey?
No. They dismissed it as ‘thunder.’
Many say they’re waiting for proof of God and His plan, asking for a clearer revelation from on high. Yet when He answers, guess what? They ignore Him.
What about you?
This will be the focus of today’s study in John 12.
Jesus wept on Palm Sunday.
While others shouted ‘Hosanna’ and laid down palm branches, Jesus wept.
But why?
Because He knew something the others did not.
In today’s study, we’ll consider what that was.
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt
Text: John 12:12-19
Motives matter.
For example, some people pursued Christ with good, positive intentions.
But others (like Judas Iscariot) had selfish or wicked motives.
What are your own motives in coming to Christ?
Is it for His glory and interests, or for yours?
That will be the focus of today’s study in John 12.
He let him die.
That’s what the people were thinking.
Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, and rather than go to him, He let him die.
But that’s not what happened, was it?
Instead, Jesus permitted a difficult situation in order to bring about a miraculous outcome. We will consider that outcome in today’s study of John 11.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Jesus wait so long to go to Lazarus?
B) Where is Jesus when His people need Him?
C) How does God bring good out of evil?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
What makes a ‘good’ shepherd?
He doesn’t run when the wolves come.
In John 10, Jesus faced all sorts of ‘wolves.’ From Pharisees, to Romans, to the Devil himself, Jesus was always in grave danger.But so were His sheep! And so, instead of running, Jesus faced the evils of this world on their behalf. Then, He drank down the cup of God’s wrath on Calvary. Truly, there has never been a Shepherd like Jesus of Nazareth – the One who gave His life to save His flock.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What two jobs do shepherds have?
B) Why did Jesus refer to ‘sheep not of this fold?’
C) What are the implications of being a ‘sheep?’
website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
She was guilty. No doubt about it.
As the woman stood before Jesus, no one defended her actions – not even her. She was guilty.
So what would Jesus do?
That’s what they all wondered.
The Pharisees had set this whole encounter up to trap Jesus. How would He deal with her sin and her guilt? Would He condemn her and risk the wrath of Rome? Would He free her and reject the law’s demands? What would He do? They were not ready for His answer.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What is the ‘divine dilemma?’
B) What was the trap set in John 8?
C) How can a holy God forgive sinners?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Some things are hard to believe. Others are hard to accept.
At the start of John 6, thousands pursued Jesus. By the end, few remained. What happened to the rest?
The short answer: they heard Jesus talk, and they didn’t like what He said. They could not accept His difficult teachings, and so they left.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What drew people to Jesus initially?
B) What caused His disciples to remain?
C) What does this say about us?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org
It was late. The people were hungry.
Thousands had followed Jesus out of desperation. They were sick, hurting, and now starving. And as Jesus looked out at the crowds, He had compassion. In today’s study, we’ll see how He responded.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did the people follow Jesus?
B) Why didn’t they bring food?
C) What sign did Jesus perform, and why?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org
“Do you want to be made well?”
That was Christ’s question of the sick man.
It is also Christ’s question of you.
Do you want to be made well? And what do you want to be made well from?This will be the focus of today’s sermon from John 5.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What was Christ’s objective?
B) Why did He enter the ‘Sheep Gate?’
C) Who did He seek out, and why?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Surprising. Shocking. Scandalous.
Jews and Samaritans were NOT supposed to interact. Their mutual hatred went back generations. And yet, here Jesus was, not only talking with this woman in John 4 – but asking her for water. What was this encounter all about?
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What was the history of the Samaritans? Who were they?
B) What had the woman done to be ostracized by her own people?
C) What did Jesus tell the woman – and why was it so encouraging?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
To Nicodemus, it seemed like crazy talk.
But to Jesus, this was serious business. If God’s people are to be saved, we must first be ‘born again.’ So what does that term mean? And how does it happen? In today’s study, we’ll dive into the critical topic of regeneration.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Who was Nicodemus, and why did he go to Jesus?
B) Why did Jesus say Nicodemus must be ‘born again?’
C) What are the implications for the rest of us?
web: fpcgulfport.org
It wasn’t just a miracle – it was a sign.
In John 2, Jesus attended a wedding. And at this wedding He performed His first recorded miracle (turning water into wine). So, what was this miracle really about? As we’ll see, it pointed forward to the cross – even if no one knew it at the time.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Jesus tell Mary that His ‘hour had not come?’
B) In what way(s) did this miracle point forward to Calvary?
C) How is John 2 a ‘bookend’ with John 19?
web: www.fpcgulfport.org
John the Baptist had one job.
John came to prepare people to meet Jesus. Specifically, he would ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah had foretold. But the people wouldn’t listen. John would be a voice crying in the wilderness. He would be misunderstood, and eventually killed. And the same would happen to the Messiah.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why was John ‘baptizing’ people? What kind of baptism was this?
B) Why did John say ‘behold the Lamb’ when he saw Jesus approach?
C) What’s the difference between ‘appeasement’ and ‘atonement?’
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
Christianity: rooted in history, backed by eyewitnesses.
In John 1, the author skips the greetings and goes straight to the heart of the matter: he and others saw, heard, and observed the Messiah. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” he declared. In today’s study, we’ll consider the historical facts that support our faith.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did John refer to Jesus as ‘the Word?’
B) In what way is Jesus also ‘the light’ that came into the world?
C) What are the implications of Christ’s incarnation to you and I?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Jericho had massive walls. It didn’t matter.
There are no walls that can deter God’s Wrath. And there is no army that can stop those who serve Him. In Joshua 6, we will study both points in one of the most famous (and faith-building) passages in Scripture.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) How big was Jericho’s outer wall? Did it have an inner wall as well?
B) What tool or weapon was used to bring the walls down?
C) What can we learn from the battle at Jericho that applies to us?
web: www.fpcgulfport.org
No. Other. Name.
As he felt the Sanhedrin’s angry gaze, Peter stood firm. There’s no other name, there’s no other door, there’s no other way by which fallen sinners can be reconciled to God. Not two. Not ten. Just one, Peter declared. Jesus Christ is the singular means of salvation.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What are the implications of this statement to other religions?
B) What were the implications to Peter’s original audience?
C) What sort of opposition does such an exclusive claim create?
web: www.fpcgulfport.org
The world is trying to remake you in its image.
Will you let it?
In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers that the world is intent on creating worldly people. That’s what it does. It wants to conform you and I to its own priorities. However, Paul tells Christians that we are NOT to be conformed – instead, we are to be transformed through the ‘renewing of our minds.’
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why is conformity bad (and dangerous)?
B) How does transformation occur?
C) What does it mean to ‘renew’ your mind in God’s Word?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Genesis started in a GARDEN.
It ended in a COFFIN.
In Genesis 1, things were looking great. God had created the world, and said that all He had created was good. But things got dark in Genesis 3.
Following man’s sin in Genesis 3, a roller coaster of depravity followed. In Genesis 4, Cain killed his brother, and things didn’t improve through the end of the book.In today’s sermon, we will consider Genesis 50 (the final words of the last chapter).
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What does Genesis tell us about mankind?
B) What does Genesis tell us about God?
C) How does Genesis set the stage for the rest of Scripture?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
They meant it for evil. But God used it for good.
In Genesis 45, Joseph’s brothers stood before him – brothers that had once sold him off to slave traders, and then told their father that he was dead. They had acted wickedly! And in a ‘twist of fate,’ their lives were now in his hands. But was it really a ‘twist of fate?’ Was their encounter just an amazing coincidence? That will be the focus of today’s study.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What is ‘providence,’ and how does that word apply to Gen. 45?
B) Why didn’t Joseph exact revenge, when given the opportunity?
C) What was God’s purpose in all the events of Joseph’s life?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
In Genesis 40, Joseph was in prison.
Now, he did not deserve to be there. He’d done nothing wrong. And he must have wondered what part his shackles played in God’s plans. Hadn’t God given him a dream of a great and glorious future? Well, in today’s text, two other men would have dreams – and their interpretation would play a huge role in Joseph’s story.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What were the dreams of the Butler and Baker all about?
B) Did these men deserve to be in jail? If so, what had they done?
C) What did their dreams mean for them (and for Joseph)?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
Joseph’s story started poorly.
Within moments of being introduced in Scripture, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. And not long after, he found himself in prison. So, where was God when calamity struck? That will be the focus of today’s study in Genesis 37.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him so much?
B) Why did God allow Joseph to face so many hardships?
C) Where is God when our own circumstances grow dark?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
In Genesis 32, Jacob was ready for a fight.
Jacob was no stranger to conflict, but this time was different. In Genesis 32, as darkness closed in, he prepared for a confrontation with his brother Esau. However, the figure who grabbed him that night was not who he expected.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Who was it that Jacob wrestled with in Genesis 32?
B) What was the point of this wrestling match?
C) How was Jacob changed forever as a result?
web: www.fpcgulfport.org
In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamed of a ladder.
The ladder reached all the way from Heaven to Earth.
So, what was this dream all about? For centuries, no one knew. For centuries, it remained a mystery. But then, in the first chapter of John, the answer was finally provided.Join us as we consider ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ in today’s study of Genesis.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why was Jacob all alone, using a rock for a pillow?
B) What was the nature of his dream – and what exactly did he see?
C) What was Jacob’s response (after waking from this dream)?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Jacob must have been one rotten kid!
In spite of God’s clear direction, and although his other son was a numskull, Isaac did not want Jacob to receive his blessing. If it were up to Isaac, it would be Esau who would carry the family line forward. Jacob was not an option. However, God’s decree would not be thwarted, would it? That will be the focus of today’s study in Genesis 27.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Isaac prefer Esau? What were his reasons?
B) Was the ‘ruse’ of Jacob and his mother Rebecca actually a sin?
C) What can we learn from the brokenness of this patriarchal family?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Meet Abraham. Isaac. Jacob.
These men, hailed as the ‘patriarchs’ of the Old Testament, helped shape the entire narrative of our faith.They were also sinners. Big, big sinners. In today’s sermon, we’ll see that the patriarchs needed God’s grace every bit as much as we do. And God gave it to them! His providential care is seen in every part of Genesis 25.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) In what way are the patriarchs the ‘Mt. Rushmore’ of the OT?
B) Why them? In other words, why did God choose these three men?
C) What does this text tell us about the doctrine of ‘predestination?’
website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
In Genesis 22, God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. Why?
For many, this event is one of the most confusing in all of Scripture – why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? What was His purpose? And then, why would He tell Abraham to stay his knife? In today’s study, we will study this difficult and heartrending event.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
1) What was God’s purpose here? Was He testing Abraham?
2) What did Abraham think would happen on Mt. Moriah?
3) How does this event foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary?
website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons
Sodom and Gomorrah are the poster children for God’s wrath.
In Genesis 19, we read of a cautionary tale to a world hellbent on offending a holy God. Specifically, Genesis 19 describes the destruction of these two cities. The destruction was horrific. It was severe. And yet, in Matthew 10, Jesus says that an even worse judgment will befall those places that reject the Gospel.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
1) What was the sin (or sins) of Sodom and Gomorrah?
2) Why was God willing to relent if 10 righteous were found there?
3) What did Jesus mean in Matthew 10 (when He referred to Sodom)?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
In Genesis 18 made a promise so outrageous that Sarah laughed.
The promises that He has made you are bigger.
Throughout Scripture, God has promised to save and sanctify you, to wipe away all your tears, and to dwell with you in Paradise for eternity. Now those are promises! But how can we be sure they apply to us (and that they will be fulfilled)? That will be the focus of today’s sermon.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
1) Who were the three men that appeared to Abraham in the desert?
2) What promises did One of the men make to Abraham and Sarah?
3) Why did Sarah laugh, and what was God’s reaction to that laughter?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
God made Abraham mind-boggling promises. Abraham believed Him.
In Genesis 12, Abraham was introduced with little fanfare. He was a man from a pagan family and a pagan background. And yet, God was going to make this nobody a series of incredible promises – promises that Abraham believed in, and then acted accordingly.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What were these amazing promises? And how many were there?
B) Who are the true children of Abraham? Are you one of his children?
C) What does it mean to be called a ‘friend’ of God?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
The wrong question: how did all the animals fit in the ark?
The most crucial question of Genesis 6 is NOT about the animals. Not at all. Rather, it is this: why was an ark needed in the first place? In other words, why was God willing to flood the entire globe, only six chapters after creating it? Seems drastic. So why did God do it, and what does it tell us about the future?
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) In what way did the flood typify the wrath of God ‘poured out?’
B) In what way did the ark typify Jesus Christ? Is Jesus in this text?
C) Why did Christ refer to future days as being ‘like the days of Noah?’
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
That didn’t take long, did it?
You might have thought Genesis 4 couldn’t go worse than Genesis 3 – that mankind would have learned its lesson. Surely man would do better! Surely he’d turn away from sin! However, before Genesis 4 was over, a blood soaked corpse proved otherwise.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why did Cain kill his brother? What was wrong with his sacrifice?
B) Why did God warn Cain that ‘sin lay at his door?’
C) Is it possible that sin is at our door as well? What should we do?
www.fpcgulfport.org
One sin. That’s all it took.
In our day, sin is treated casually – as a marketing device (think ‘Sin City’) and rarely as a spiritual anchor. But one sin is all it took for man to be thrown out of the garden, and for chaos to sweep the created realm. This tells us two things: 1) sin must be really bad, and 2) God must be really holy.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What ‘tool’ did the serpent use to attack Eve in the garden?
B) What is the purpose of the fiery sword at the garden’s edge?
C) Why are the words ‘Genesis 4’ the best words in any language?
web: www.fpcgulfport.org
There is a God, and you are not Him.
The starting point for all correct theology or philosophy is found in Genesis 1, which declares God’s existence and transcendence over that which He has made. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why do people argue for ‘evolution’ or the ‘big bang’ instead?
B) Are those theories consistent w/ the Bible’s teaching on creation?
C) How do we explain the apparent age of rocks, stars, and so forth?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Witnesses, proof, evidences – it was all there.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most heavily reported, historically verified events of antiquity. And that’s a good thing, since the fate and future of billions hangs in the balance. Today, we’ll consider the implications of the empty tomb.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why were the apostles so anxious in Luke 24?
B) Why is the best news often the hardest to believe?
C) If Jesus is alive, then what is He doing right now? Do we know?
Web: http://www.fpcgulfport.org
On the day the people were looking for a perfect lamb for their Passover celebration, the ‘lamb of God’ approached. It wasn’t a coincidence.
In today’s study, we will consider the events of Palm Sunday through an unusual set of eyes – those of John the Baptist. Why did John call Jesus the ‘lamb of God?’ Why didn’t anyone else see Him that way?
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What is the connection between the Passover and ‘Palm Sunday?’
B) What is the difference between appeasement and atonement?
C) Can you be saved by appeasing God? Why or why not?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
You won’t find ‘utopia’ in a warzone.
So many people misunderstand their reality. They think that this world is their home, irrespective of how little time they’ll spend here. They think this world is great, irrespective of the landmines going off around them. Conversely, the Bible says that this world is filled with trials and hardships. And so, our hope is not found in this ‘valley of death,’ but in the Shepherd that leads us to someplace better.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What words of encouragement did Peter have to the suffering?
B) Why does God allow His children to be tested and tried?
C) How do we know that our story ends well? How can we be sure?
Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
What makes ‘love’ greater than faith or hope?
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul said “now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” So, why is ‘love’ superior? Well, for starters, it is the only one of those three words that applies to God. God does not have ‘faith.’ God does not hope. But HE DOES LOVE – in fact, HE IS LOVE!
Questions That We’ll Consider:
A) What mess was Corinth in, that they needed a primer on love?
B) How does love motivate us in ways that no other emotion can?
C) What sets love apart (both now and on Heaven’s shores)?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
The desert is home to some of the Bible’s most fascinating stories.
In Acts 8, there was a caravan traveling in the desert of Judea. At its head was a pagan eunuch – someone well outside of the covenant community, but not outside of God’s plan of salvation. And in order to reach this man, God sent an evangelist into the wasteland. His name was Phillip, and this is his story.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why does God care for rebels, pagans, and sinners?
B) What book was the Ethiopian reading when Philip found him?
C) What hope does Acts 8 give for the ‘lost people’ in our lives?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
Rebellion. Rejection. Disdain.
The nations have long rejected God’s rule in favor of their own. But why? What causes the nations to rage against God, and to plot so many vain things? In today’s sermon, we’ll consider mankind’s ongoing rebellion and God’s response.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) How do nations and leaders foment their insurrection?
B) What does it mean that God ‘sits’ in Heaven and laughs at them?
C) In what way is Psalm 2 a ‘Messianic’ Psalm?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
God does not have any ‘peons’ in Heaven. He has family.
Your salvation accomplishes so much more than just ‘punching your ticket’ to Heaven. Rather, it includes this wonderful outcome: you are treated as family when you get there! God has no peons in Heaven, but He does have sons and daughters. “Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called children of God.”
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What does it mean for God to be our Heavenly ‘Father?’
B) Why was John so amazed that we are called God’s ‘children?’
C) What is your value in God’s eyes? How does He see you now?
www.fpcgulfport.org
Mustard seeds are small. But they don’t stay that way!
In Matthew 13, Jesus shared the parable of the ‘mustard seed’ in describing the kingdom’s growth. Mustard seed start small. But in time, they grow upward and outward. Now, who did Jesus share this parable with? He shared it with a smattering of disciples on the shoreline. They were few. But fast forward to our day, and the kingdom now fills the entire planet (2.38 billion professing believers).
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What can local churches learn from the ‘mustard seed’ parable?
B) Is growth the church’s objective? What about transformation?
C) What should the church focus on in a time of cultural upheaval?
Web: fpcgulfport.org
If you have lost someone that you love, it is natural to grieve.
With that said, GRIEF is NOT the same as DESPAIR.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, the Apostle Paul makes this distinction. Specifically, he says that although it is OK to lament the loss of a loved one, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. Reunions are coming. And because of that, our ‘grief’ is tinged with expectation.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) Why were the Thessalonians so confused about life after death?
B) Will Christians see (and recognize) our loved ones in eternity?
C) How can we be sure of this? What is the basis of our hope?
Web: www.fpcgulfport.org
If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized?
In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John’s mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around – that Christ needed to baptize him! John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, and no need to be ‘washed clean.’ So why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That will be today’s focus.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What sort of baptism was John doing by the Jordan River?
B) Were John’s baptism the same as our modern baptisms?
B) Why did Jesus say His baptism would ‘fulfill all righteousness?’
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
The God who MADE YOU wants to be WITH YOU. Think on that.
The pagan gods didn’t work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm’s length. But our God wants to be close. He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. He came to earth in the form of a babe. Our God is “Emmanuel” – He is “God With Us.” Join us for Part 2 of our study in the Book of Matthew.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What is the difference between being ‘with’ or ‘for’ someone?
B) What did the Angel tell Joseph about Jesus?
C) What comfort do the Angel’s words have to the hurting?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org
Who was Matthew? What is the Book of Matthew all about? In Part 1 of our new study, we will introduce this Gospel and talk about the audience that it was originally written to – the Israelites. While Matthew contains truth and wisdom for all people, it was intended to explain the person and work … Continue reading Matthew: Introduction And Intertestamental Age →
Throughout the Old Testament, God made a series of incredible promises – promises that defied His people’s expectations. And, in His time, He fulfilled every last one of them. In today’s study of 1 Kings 8, we’ll consider the God who always ‘keeps His promises’ – including those that He has made to you and … Continue reading The God Who Keeps His Promises →
On many occasions, Moses went up a mountain to meet with God. In Deuteronomy 34, he would do so once again – but this time, he would not return. What can we learn from the death and final days of Moses? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) How … Continue reading The Death And Final Days Of Moses →
In 1 Peter 2, the Apostle talked about a ‘war’ waged against the soul of believers. When we think of ‘war,’ we tend to think of external enemies that are coming against us. But that’s not the sort of war that Peter was talking about. Rather, Peter was talking about a war that is going … Continue reading The War Against Your Soul (And How To Fight It) →
God told the people to go outward – to be fruitful and to multiply across the globe. Instead, the people decided to go upward – to build a tower into the heavens. In today’s study, we’ll consider the construction of the “Tower of Babel” in Genesis 11, and see why God came down to deal … Continue reading The Tower Of Babel: What Really Happened →
In Romans 10, Paul asked a series of important questions. Specifically, he asked this: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they … Continue reading Faith Comes By Hearing, And Hearing By The Word →
Who is your neighbor? That was the question that Jesus asked the proud, arrogant lawyer. The man said that he’d kept the law. The man said that he’d loved his neighbor as himself. But Jesus knew better. Jesus knew that was only true if he neutered the word of any meaning. And so Jesus asked … Continue reading The Good Samaritan: Who Is Your Neighbor? →
Does the church need revival? Does it need reformation? Throughout history, there have been a number of ‘revivals’ when God’s people have increased in size, health, and ministry. And in every single case, these revivals involved a renewed emphasis on God’s Word. In today’s study of 2 Kings 23, we’ll see that one of the … Continue reading Revival And Reformation: What It Looks Like →
Life is short. Act accordingly. In today’s study, we consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians, in which he referred to our mortal bodies as “earthen vessels.” In other words, Paul likened our human bodies to pottery – easily broken, and not built to last. Now, is that a depressing thought? Well, it would be, except … Continue reading Eternity And Earthen Vessels (2 Cor. 4) →
When Exodus began, God’s people were laboring over a building project – Pharaoh’s. But by the time Exodus ends, an entirely different building project is in view (the Tabernacle). In our final study of the Book of Exodus, we consider the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a game changer for the people of Israel. With that … Continue reading Exodus: The Last Words Of The Book →
Are you and I able to look upon God’s face? Why or why not? What about when we’re in Heaven – will we be able to look upon God then? In today’s text, we’ll consider Moses’ request to see God’s face. And we’ll also consider God’s response, and how He safely tucked Moses into the … Continue reading Exodus: Moses In The Cleft Of The Rock →
The ‘golden calf’ incident is a dark blot in Israelite history. While coming down the mountain, Moses heard the sound of warfare from below. But he soon found that it wasn’t warfare – it was singing and adulation toward an idol. The people had broken God’s law. Terribly. Egregiously. And to demonstrate what they’d done, Moses shattered the 10 Commandments before their eyes.
Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What were the people thinking? And why did Aaron help? B) Were the people trying to replace Jehovah altogether? C) What was the immediate punishment that they received?
Does God care how we worship Him? According to Exodus 28, the answer is YES. In the last fifteen chapters of Exodus, we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. In these chapters, God gave the people some meticulous, specific details for the Tabernacle’s components and design. He also gave specific details for the clothing of the priests – including a phrase they were to wear on their foreheads, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the significance of God meeting with His people in the tabernacle? B) In what way did the Tabernacle reflect or anticipate Heaven? C) How are you and I considered “priests” as NT believers?
What was the Ark Of The Covenant? In Exodus 25, God told the Israelites to construct an ‘ark,’ and to place the ark in the Tabernacle. But what was the purpose of the Ark? And what was the significance of the ‘mercy seat’ that was on its top? These questions will be the focus of today’s study.
Questions That We’ll Answer:
A) What do we know about the ark’s construction and origins?
B) What was the ark’s history as it was moved from place to place?
C) And finally, where is the ark today? Egypt? Ethiopia? Where?
The Israelites had seen ‘animal sacrifices’ before. On many occasions, they’d seen blood on the altar. However, they’d never been sprinkled by that blood (the way that Moses did in Exodus 24). Why did Moses do this? And what was the point of this “blood oath” or covenant that the people had entered into with God? That will be the focus of today’s study.
Did you know that Jesus Christ appears throughout the Book of Exodus? From the Red Sea to their arrival in the Promised Land, Jesus Christ makes multiple appearances in this part of the Old Testament. In Exodus 23, we see one of these – an occasion when He is referred to as the “Angel of the Lord.”
God’s law can teach, it can restrain, and it can disciple. But it cannot save. That was the problem of the Israelites as they looked at the burning mountain. When they heard the ten commandments, they realized this – as significant as those commandments were, they only condemned, and did not redeem. The fire on the mountain was a reminder that the people still could not approach God, even with the law in hand. So what was their hope? We’ll consider that in our continuing study of the Book of Exodus.
The people were out of Egypt. They’d gone through the wilderness. Now, they had arrived at the mountain of God.
“There were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.” – Exodus 19:16-17
Ordinarily, bread doesn’t come from Heaven. Ordinarily, water doesn’t come from rocks. But in Exodus 16, they did! God provided for His people using the most unexpected means. Click to hear Part 7 of our new series on the Book of Exodus.
Across the course of the first nine plagues, all of Egypt’s gods had proven worthless – the God of Israel had brought plagues upon the very things those gods were supposed to protect. And yet, Pharaoh had learned nothing. His heart had only grown harder. However, the 10th plague would break his spirit and take his son. Following the events of the Passover night, God’s people would be set free. And in the implementation of the Passover meal, a neon arrow would point forward to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Click to listen to today’s sermon on the “passover” from Exodus 12.
In Week 4 of our new series, we review the ‘ten plagues of Egypt. ‘Why did God send these plagues? Why did it take more than one (let alone ten) before Pharaoh let God’s people go? And what was God’s reason for ‘hardening Pharaoh’s heart?’ Click to learn more.
In Exodus 5, God was not messing around. He was clear in His decree to Pharaoh – “let My people go.” However, Pharaoh resisted. He ignored God’s messenger (Moses) and he rejected God’s demand. In fact, He began to oppress the people even worse. This was not going to end well for Pharaoh!
In Exodus 3, God met Moses in the form of a ‘burning bush. ‘What are we to make of this theophany? And what did God tell Moses at this time? In this week’s sermon, we consider the great “I AM” statement and the commission that God gave to Moses (to rescue His people from bondage).
This is Week 1 in our new 10 Week Series on Exodus. Join us as we learn about the birth of Moses, the death of the Israelite children, and the hope for future deliverance (from the evil hands of Pharaoh).
Darkness hates the light.
If you turn on the lights in a dark room, everything becomes visible. That’s what light does – it reveals things. With that said, when Jesus Christ (the light of the world) came into this world, the world rejected Him. The world did not want the light that He brought. In today’s sermon from Matthew 4, we’ll consider some of the reasons why.
2023 is here. Last year is gone. Act accordingly.
In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul said that he was going to forget the past, and push forward to what lay ahead. Paul saw life as a ‘race,’ one that he was committed to running well. What about you? What is your objective for the new year? And how will you reach it? In this sermon, we will consider Paul’s exhortation to the church in Philippi – that they grow stronger and more sanctified in the time to come.”I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
When the TRAIN is coming, get off the TRACKS. In Ezekiel’s day, the Israelites were standing on the train tracks of God’s wrath, and were about to get run over. But why? What had they done? Why was God so angry? Click for Week 4 of our new series.
What does it mean to be A WATCHMAN? Ezekiel was called to be a ‘watchman’ over God’s people, and that involved two things: identifying spiritual danger, and warning the people. Are there any watchmen in our day? Click to learn more.
Ezekiel had A VERY HARD JOB – he was sent to TELL PEOPLE things that they DIDN’T WANT TO HEAR. In Week 2 of our study, we consider Ezekiel’s call to be a prophet. Israel had a long history of rejecting (and even killing) its prophets. So how would this young man respond? What would … Continue reading Ezekiel: The Prophet And The Scroll (Week 2) →
In Ezekiel 1, the prophet had A VISION. In this vision, he saw a fiery whirlwind approach, and within the whirlwind was a CHARIOT OF FIRE – carried by angels, who flew amidst the chariot’s fiery wheels. What was this vision all about? Click to learn more.
The Gospel is NOT toothless. The Gospel is NOT weak. In Scripture, we see that the Gospel is the “power of God” unto salvation. We should treat it that way – as a lion to be let out, not as something to hide, package or subjugate. Just preach it!
For a Christian, is church OPTIONAL? In other words, do you really NEED the church? Why or why not? Spoiler alert: you do need the church. According to Scripture, the church is not optional, but essential. Click to learn why.
Your suffering is NOT forever. There are BETTER DAYS ahead. How do we know? Well consider God’s servant, Job. Yes, Job cried a lot of tears. Yes, Job hurt. But in time, all those tears and pains were wiped away. Join us for the final encouraging chapter in our short study of Job.
Job was HURTING and CONFUSED. He asked God a lot of questions – and that was OK. But what’s NOT OK is questioning God’s wisdom, as if God is doing the wrong thing. Well, in Job 28, God responded to Job. Click to learn more.
Friends should COMFORT us, right? Friends should ENCOURAGE us! But what happens when our friends accuse us or make us feel worse? In Job 3, that’s just what Job’s friends did. They made him feel worse. Join us for this sermon as we consider Job’s response.
WHY did something terrible happen to you? WHY are you hurting? WHY is life going the way it is going, if a GOOD GOD is in charge? These are timeless questions – in fact, they were the very questions that Job asked centuries ago. But are there answers? Click to be encouraged.
Job was GOOD. Job was RIGHTEOUS. And yet, Job suffered HORRIBLY. What is the Book of Job all about? Why did God permit this godly man to go through so many trials? And what does this mean for us? Click to learn more in this intro to our new series.
HOW LONG, O LORD? That was the cry of the prophets. That was the cry of the apostles. That was the cry of the martyrs. How long? When we see injustice or suffering, it offends our sense of right and wrong. And so we wonder WHEN IT WILL END. Click to learn more.
God is ALWAYS THERE. There is NO PLACE YOU CAN GO where God is not present. That’s part of the job description of being God – His jurisdiction has no bounds. Join us for Week 3 of a three week series on God’s attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.
God is ALL KNOWING. He knows EVERYTHING. God knows everything that is, and everything that could be. He does not learn new information successively – He knows it all simultaneously. Join us for Week 2 of a three week series on God’s attributes.
God is ALL POWERFUL. That means NO ONE OUTRANKS HIM. No one can frustrate His purposes. Not me, not you, and not the kings or corporations of this age. Join us for Week 1 of a new three week series on God’s attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.
YOUTH is fleeting, but IMMATURITY can last forever. If you’re still swimming in the shallows of your faith, it is time to dive deeper. It is time to take ownership of what you believe. It is time to stand on your faith and act accordingly. Click to learn more.
HOW WE WORSHIP MATTERS. God cares about worship. He’s told us how to do it. He’s given us instructions. And so it’s silly (and dangerous) to approach Him on our terms with our methods.
Have you ever asked God for a “sign?” Sometimes life gets cloudy, and we want God to show us a sign. Perhaps we want Him to demonstrate His presence (or His plan) to us. How does God respond? Click to learn more in this sermon from Matthew 12.
What does the Bible say about making plans for the future? In the book of James, we see that it’s OK to make plans for tomorrow – but not to be presumptuous. Not to be arrogant. Instead, planning and praying should go hand in hand. Click to learn more.
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. And at first, both MOCKED Him. Then one stopped mocking. “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” this thief said. And Christ’s response was, “truly, this day, you will be with Me in paradise.” Click to be encouraged about the future that awaits after death.
The man DID NOT believe. In his mind, there was NO WAY that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.
That was until he met Jesus. And at that moment, Jesus convinced this skeptic that He was indeed the Messiah – the very Son of God.
If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized?
Even John the Baptist didn’t understand this one. John told Jesus that he needed to be baptized by Him, not the other way around. So why did Jesus do it? In this podcast, we learn the answer.
Have you ever been angry with God?
In Jonah 4, the prophet was angry at God. He couldn’t believe what God had done. It didn’t seem good or fair. And he insisted that his own anger was right and appropriate! Click to hear God’s gracious response.
One sermon. Eight words. Over a hundred thousand people repented.
There’s no other sermon like this. There’s no sermon ever preached that had as wide-spread a response among those that it was originally preached to. So what happened in Nineveh? Click to learn more from our series on Jonah.
Alone. Scared. Anxious. Is that you? Have you felt that way?
No one has ever felt as alone as Jonah – sitting by himself in the belly of the beast. But the prophet wasn’t really alone, and this wasn’t the end of the line. Click to listen and be encouraged.
You can RUN from God. But you can’t HIDE from God.
Has God every placed a call on your life that you’ve run away from? Has God ever called you – and instead of responding to His call, you ran? That’s what Jonah did. Click to learn more.
Today may be terrible. But that doesn’t mean that tomorrow will be. In Chapter 1 of Ruth, things couldn’t have been worse for Ruth and Naomi. Death in the desert awaited. But God had a better plan. Listen to this sermon and be encouraged.
Are you depressed? Are you beaten down? Do you wonder where God is in the middle of your hurts? Then here’s some encouragement: God is near, and He cares. In Psalm 139, we see that although we travel through some dark valleys, we’re never alone. God is with us and has ordained good on our … Continue reading Depressed? Remember, You Matter To God! →
-The Lord is my shepherd- I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures- He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul- He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will … Continue reading The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) →
When the storm hit, the sailors were exactly where Jesus had told them to go. But how can that be if He loved them so much? Storms happen. And sometimes God puts you right in their midst. But He does not leave you alone! Click to listen to this encouraging study of Matthew 14.
Does it feel like you are drowning? For many of us, our present circumstances are so hard or unpleasant, that it feels like we’re drowning. We can’t seem to escape the situation that we’re in! If that’s you today, then click for this encouraging sermon from Jonah 2.
Life is hard. Pain is real. And yet, God is there. No matter how hard life may get, God will not abandon you over to it. He walks side by side with His children, hand in hand. Click to hear more in this encouraging sermon from Matthew 4. A new MP3 sermon from First Presbyterian … Continue reading God Has Not Abandoned You →
A new MP3 sermon from First Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Hope: Your Story Ends Well Subtitle: Depression Speaker: Dr. Toby B. Holt Broadcaster: First Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 2/22/2020 Bible: Psalm 113, Psalm 113:1 Length: 27 min. Overview: Are you ready to give up? Are … Continue reading Hope: Your Story Ends Well (Be Encouraged) →
A new MP3 sermon from First Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio.com with the following details: Title: Are You Anxious About Eternity (Death & Beyond) Subtitle: Depression Speaker: Dr. Toby B. Holt Broadcaster: First Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/17/2019 Bible: John 13:33, John 14:1 Length: 26 min. Overview: What happens when you … Continue reading Are You Anxious About Eternity (Death & Beyond) →
A new MP3 sermon from Christ Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio.com with the following details: Title: Christ’s Invitation To The Overwhelmed Subtitle: Worry & Anxiety: Overcoming It Speaker: Rev. Toby B. Holt Broadcaster: Christ Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 10/30/2016 Bible: Matthew 11; Matthew 11:28,30 Length: 32 min. (64kbps)
A new MP3 sermon from Christ Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio.com with the following details: Title: Christ’s Words To The Down, Depressed, Despairing Subtitle: Depression Speaker: Dr. Toby B. Holt Broadcaster: Christ Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/30/2018 Bible: Matthew 4; Matthew 5 Length: 31 min. Overview: God cares about what you’re … Continue reading Christ’s Words To The Down, Depressed And Despairing →