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

Why does God allow His children to suffer trials? In 1 Peter 1, the apostle writes to suffering believers, reminding them that this world is not their home. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings encouragement for Christians facing hardships and trials. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What did Peter say to the suffering? That their trials are temporary, and that a living hope and an imperishable inheritance await them in Christ. 2. Why does God allow testing? To prove and refine genuine faith — like gold tested by fire — so that it results in praise and glory at Christ's appearing. 3. How can we be sure our story ends well? Because our hope rests not in this "valley," but in the risen Christ who guarantees our future. "...now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith... may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 1:6-7 (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.

Why is love greater than faith and hope? In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul declares that the greatest of faith, hope, and love is love. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores what makes love supreme — and how it reflects the very heart of God. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why was Corinth given a "primer on love"? Because the church was divided and immature. They needed to learn that gifts without love are worthless. 2. Why is love greater than faith and hope? Because faith and hope belong to this life, but love endures forever — and love is what God Himself is. 3. What does true love look like? It is patient, kind, self-giving, and sacrificial — the love supremely shown in Christ. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (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.

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

Does God pursue the outsider? Yes. In Acts 8:26-40, God sends Philip into the desert to reach one searching foreigner — an Ethiopian official. Dr. Toby Holt shows how far God will go to save the people the world overlooks. On a lonely desert road, Philip meets an Ethiopian official reading aloud from Isaiah 53 but unable to understand it. Philip climbs into the chariot and, beginning from that passage about the suffering servant, "preached Jesus to him." The man believes and is baptized on the spot — the fruit of God-arranged appointments. Questions this study answers: 1. Why does God care for outsiders and rebels? Because His salvation reaches beyond Israel to people of every nation. Here He pursues a foreigner most would overlook, showing the wideness of His grace. 2. What was the Ethiopian reading? Isaiah 53, the passage about the suffering servant, without understanding who it described. Philip showed him it pointed to Jesus. 3. What hope does Acts 8 give for the lost people in our lives? God arranges "divine appointments" and uses ordinary believers to reach searching hearts. We were once like the eunuch; now we can be like Philip. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." — Acts 8:35 (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.

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--

Why do people rage against God? In Psalm 2, the nations and their rulers conspire against the Lord — a rebellion as old as the human heart. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this psalm's picture of human defiance and God's enthroned King. The kings of the earth plot to throw off God's rule, but God in heaven is unmoved. Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm pointing to Christ, God's appointed King, who will one day rule the nations. For now, God shows patience, calling rebels to "kiss the Son" before judgment comes. "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Questions this study answers: 1. Why does God "laugh" at earthly rulers? Because their rebellion against the Almighty is futile. Nothing they plot can shake His throne. 2. How is this psalm both political and prophetic? It speaks to real rulers who oppose God, and points ahead to Christ, the King God has installed over all nations. 3. How should we respond to God's King? By trusting and submitting to the Son rather than resisting Him. Those who take refuge in Him are blessed. "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" — Psalm 2:1 (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.

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

What kind of love makes sinners into God's children? In 1 John 3, the apostle marvels that God calls us His children. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the astonishing love that brings believers into God's family — not as servants, but as sons and daughters. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What does it mean that God is our Father? That salvation makes us family. God has no "peons" — those He saves He adopts as beloved children. 2. Why was John so amazed? Because the gift is staggering: that rebels and sinners should be called the very children of God. 3. How does God see you now? As His own child, dearly loved — not merely ticketed for heaven, but welcomed into His household as family. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" — 1 John 3:1 (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.

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