Bible Study

How does saving faith begin? In Romans 10, Paul shows that no one believes in a Savior they have never heard of — "faith comes by hearing." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt traces how the gospel reaches the lost, and why every believer is now sent to share it.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Where does faith come from? From hearing God's Word. If you have come to faith, it is because someone shared the gospel with you.

2. Why is preaching so important? Because people cannot believe in One they have not heard of, and they cannot hear without someone proclaiming the message.

3. What does this mean for us? That we are now the ones sent to tell others. Having received the gospel, we pass it on.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

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.

Who is your neighbor?

In Luke 10, a lawyer tries to justify himself by asking Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks what real love for neighbor looks like.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why did the lawyer ask the question? To justify himself — to narrow "neighbor" down to a manageable few. Jesus widened it instead.

2. Why was a Samaritan the hero? Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Making one the example exposed the lawyer's prejudice and redefined neighborly love.

3. What does Jesus call us to do? To show mercy to whoever is in need, crossing the lines we would rather not cross. "Go and do likewise."

"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?... And Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" — Luke 10:36-37 (NKJV)

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.

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 most famous revivals in history came about after the ‘rediscovery’ of the law during the reign of King Josiah.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did the ancient Israelites tumble into sin so frequently?

B) What does a biblical ‘revival’ look like? How can we be sure?

C) What would a reformation of your own practices involve?

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 that Paul said that these “earthen vessels” house an eternal treasure, which can never be lost or destroyed. Join us as we consider this treasure further, in today’s study of 2 Corinthians 4.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What is the difference between what’s ‘eternal’ and ‘temporal?’

2) What does it mean to be a good ‘spiritual’ investor?

3) What did Christ say about laying up treasures in Heaven?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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 said, what was this tent designed for? What was its purpose?

Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why was God so specific about the Tabernacle’s construction? B) Why was Moses not permitted to enter into the Tabernacle? C) Ultimately, what did the Tabernacle point toward?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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 ‘cleft in the rock.’

Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What did the ‘cleft in the rock’ typify? What was it all about? B) Why did God say He would not go with the Israelites in Exodus 33? C) Why was Moses so concerned by this? Why did they need God’s presence?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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.