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What has God called His people to do? In Matthew 9-10, Jesus sees the crowds, has compassion, and sends out laborers into the harvest. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores the directions Christ gives His disciples — and the tasks He entrusts to us.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is the harvest field? The world full of lost people. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

2. Why did Christ send the disciples without provisions? To teach them to depend on God's provision rather than their own resources as they served.

3. What responsibilities do we have? God doesn't need us, yet He invites us into work of great importance — to pray, to go, and to bear witness to Christ.

"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" — Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Elisha was bald. Very bald.

In 2 Kings 2, the youth noticed – and mocked him for it.

How did Elisha respond?

Well, not in a way that you might expect.

He cursed the youth – and two bears came out to maul them.

So, what’s the deal with that? For some, it seems like an overreaction.

Other Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What was so sinful about the youth’s actions?

B) Why was Elisha justified in the response?

C) What do these events tell us about God?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

‘To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven.’

– Ecclesiastes 3:1

In life, there is a time to be born and a time to die.

There is a time to kill and a time to heal.

There is a time of war and a time of peace.

In today’s study, we’ll consider the various cycles of our existence.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Who wrote this famous passage, and why?

B) Why is life futile ‘under the sun?’

C) What makes things different ‘under heaven?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

What is your ‘finish line?’

Your life and choices are taking you somewhere.

One decision at a time, you are closer to a destination.

The question is: what sort of destination is it?

That will be the focus of today’s study in Philippians 3.

Other Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What does our past have to do with our future?

B) What did Paul say about his own history?

C) What does it mean to ‘press toward the prize?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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.