Apologetics

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