This was a very wicked region.

In the time of Christ, Caesarea Philippi was the ‘red light district.’ It was filled with pagan people doing pagan things. And yet, this is where Jesus took His disciples in Matthew 16. Why? That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus travel to the region known as Hell’s gates?

B) What did He teach His disciples when they got there?

C) Why did Jesus say “on this rock I will build my church?”

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

It is the most famous sermon ever preached.

In Matthew 5, Jesus starts the ‘Sermon On The Mount’ with a series of blessings (or beatitudes). What were these blessings all about? And how were they received by hurting, downtrodden people who were used to the legalism of the Pharisees?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) How do the blessings of Matthew 5 contrast to the woes of Matthew 23?

B) Who was Christ’s audience for this particular sermon?

C) What does it mean to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in the world around us?

www.fpcgulfport.org

Does God ‘change’ His mind?

It seems unlikely. Why would a perfect, all knowing God change His mind? On the other hand, there are several verses that suggest He does. In Jonah 3, the Bible said God ‘relented’ from destroying Nineveh. In 1 Samuel, God himself said He ‘regretted’ making Saul king. If God doesn’t change His mind, then why do these verses make it sound like He does? Is there an answer?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) Is God’s nature subject to change, growth, or development?

2) Can God ever ‘regret’ His own choices, or ‘repent’ from His prior actions?

3) What is ‘anthropomorphic’ language? How does that term apply to this topic?

Site: www.r316.org

How big do you think the church really is?

It depends on how you define it.

In Matthew 7, Jesus warned that there were many professing believers who did not know Him. In Christ’s own day, there were hundreds of thousands of Israelites who claimed to know God, but who were in danger of severe judgment. The same may be true in our day (2023). The ‘true’ church may be a small fraction of what it appears. And historically, the Bible has two words to describe this group of believers: THE REMNANT.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How big is the church? What do the statistics and numbers tell us?

2) What is the difference between the ‘visible’ and ‘invisible’ churches?

3) Are we living in the days of a ‘remnant?’ How can we know?

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is cremation biblical?

In 1960, only 4% of Americans were cremated. As of 2023, that number is over 52%. Given the popularity of cremation, many Christians want to know if the Bible ever refers to it, and if there is any Biblical precedent for pursuing it. That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) What does the Bible say about cremation? Does it accept the practice?

2) How were bodies dealt with in Biblical days, and is there a precedent for us?

3) Does any of this matter? Does the disposition of one’s physical body really matter in eternity?

Today’s episode ends with a listener question on the topic of ‘tattoos.’

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Depression can be more than just ‘feeling sad.’

Yes, depression involves sadness. But clinical (or major) depression is not limited to a particular ‘mood’ or emotional state. Clinical depression is a persistent, recurring condition that may stem from our nature or physiology – and not just our circumstances. It can strike when things are going poorly, but it can also strike when they’re going well.

In today’s study, we’ll see what the Bible has to say about depression. Is there hope for the hurting?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How does a feeling of ‘sadness’ differ from ‘clinical depression?’

2) Did any of the men and women of the Bible suffer from depression? Who?

3) What encouragement does Christ offer for the depressed? What does He say?

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who were the 12 Apostles? Well, they weren’t the sort of men you would expect. They weren’t the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas – from an earthly perspective, this was a most unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose these men to be His friends and ambassadors. What can we learn from their service?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is the difference between a ‘disciple’ and an ‘apostle?’

B) What warnings did Jesus give to His apostles about the world?

C) What unique responsibilities were the apostles given?

Pharisees hated Jesus. This Roman Centurion did not. Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior. They accused and berated Him at every turn. Conversely, there were seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament – and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus ‘marvel’ at the faith of the Centurion?

B) What stood out about the Centurion’s request?

C) What warning did Jesus give the Jews in Matthew 8?

Website: http://www.fpcgulfport.org

Does the devil think that he can win? In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil. What did the devil think he was going to accomplish? And what was the Father’s purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this? Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the object of each of the three temptations? B) Why did Jesus refer to Scripture at each opportunity? C) How was Christ’s temptation related to Adam’s in Genesis 3? Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt Website: 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