New Geneva Theological Seminary

What proof is there that Jesus rose? In John 20:1-18, Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and meets the risen Lord. Dr. Toby Holt walks through the evidence that Jesus truly rose from the dead. Mary comes while it is still dark and finds the stone rolled away. Peter and John find the grave clothes lying in place and the face cloth folded by itself — not what robbers would leave. Two angels sit where the body had lain. Then Mary, weeping, mistakes Jesus for the gardener — until He speaks her name. Questions this study answers: 1. What is the evidence for the resurrection? The empty tomb, the neatly folded grave clothes, the angelic witnesses, and the appearances of the risen Jesus all point to a real resurrection, not a stolen body. 2. Why does it matter that Mary first thought Jesus was the gardener? It shows the resurrection caught even His friends by surprise. She knew Him the instant He spoke her name. 3. What did Jesus tell Mary? He sent her to tell the others He was ascending to "My Father and your Father" — making His people part of God's family. "Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him, 'Rabboni!' (which is to say, Teacher)." — John 20:16 (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.

What did Jesus mean, "It is finished"? In John 19:25-37, Jesus speaks His final words from the cross: "It is finished." Dr. Toby Holt explains why those three words are the heart of the gospel. From the cross, Jesus entrusts His mother to John. Then, having borne the full weight of God's judgment against sin, He cries, "It is finished," and gives up His spirit. The debt is paid in full — nothing left for us to add — and the Old Testament sacrifices are complete. To confirm His death, a soldier pierces His side, and blood and water flow out, fulfilling Scripture. Questions this study answers: 1. What was "finished"? The full payment for sin. Jesus bore God's judgment in the place of His people, so nothing more needs to be added to be saved. 2. Why does it matter that Jesus' bones were not broken? It fulfilled Scripture about the Passover lamb, showing Jesus is the true Lamb of God whose death rescues His people. 3. How do we know Jesus really died? A soldier pierced His side and blood and water came out — clear proof of death, witnessed and recorded by John, who was there. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." — John 19:30 (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 call a crucified man a king? In John 19:14-24, Pilate fixes a sign above the dying Jesus: "The King of the Jews." Dr. Toby Holt shows how the cross is the true throne of the King. Jesus is handed over on the day the Passover lambs were prepared — the true Lamb dying at the appointed hour. He carries the crossbar to Golgotha and is crucified between two criminals. Pilate writes the charge in three languages and refuses to change it. The soldiers gamble for His seamless robe, unknowingly fulfilling Scripture written a thousand years earlier. Questions this study answers: 1. Did Jesus really have to die? Yes. His death was God's plan to rescue sinners, foretold long before in Scripture. He died willingly as the true Passover Lamb. 2. Why was Jesus called a king? Pilate meant it as mockery, but it was the truth. Jesus reigns as King — and the cross, not a palace, is where He won His people. 3. What prophecies were fulfilled at the cross? Details like the soldiers casting lots for His clothing fulfilled Scripture written centuries earlier, showing God's hand over every moment. "And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." — John 19:19 (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.

What is truth? "What is truth?" Pilate asked Jesus that question and walked away without waiting for the answer. In John 18:28-40, Dr. Toby Holt examines the trial of Jesus before the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders bring Jesus to Pilate because only Rome could carry out an execution. Pilate questions Him about being a king, and Jesus answers, "My kingdom is not of this world." The two talk past each other — one of eternal truth, the other of politics. Finding no guilt, Pilate offers to release a prisoner, but the crowd demands Barabbas. The guilty goes free; the innocent is condemned. Questions this study answers: 1. Who was Pilate? The Roman governor of Judea, responsible for order. He found no crime in Jesus but lacked the courage to release Him. 2. Why did the leaders bring Jesus to Pilate? Only Rome could authorize an execution, and a quiet stoning was too risky at Passover. So they needed Pilate's verdict. 3. Why did the crowd choose Barabbas? They chose a guilty criminal over the innocent Jesus. In that exchange we see the gospel: the guilty go free because the innocent takes their place. "My kingdom is not of this world… but now My kingdom is not from here." — John 18:36 (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.

How could Peter deny Jesus three times? In John 18:12-27, the bold disciple Peter denies even knowing Jesus — three times in one night. Dr. Toby Holt shows how quickly confidence can collapse, and how grace meets us in failure. After Jesus is arrested, Peter follows at a distance and warms himself at the enemy's fire. Three times he is asked if he knows Jesus, and three times he says no. Then the rooster crows. Holt contrasts the faithful Rock, Christ, with the faltering Peter — yet this same Peter would later be restored and used mightily. Questions this study answers: 1. Why did Peter deny Jesus? Fear. Surrounded by hostile strangers, the same Peter who had promised to die for Jesus crumbled under pressure. 2. What did the rooster's crow mean? It marked the exact moment Jesus had predicted Peter's denial — a wake-up call that broke his heart and led to repentance. 3. What can we learn from Peter's fall? That self-confidence is fragile and we all need grace. Peter's story does not end in failure but in restoration. "Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed." — John 18:27 (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 didn't Jesus resist arrest? In John 18:1-12, a small army comes to seize one unarmed man in a garden — and Jesus steps forward to meet them. Dr. Toby Holt shows that Jesus went to the cross willingly. Judas leads soldiers to Gethsemane. When Jesus says, "I am He," the armed party draws back and falls to the ground — a glimpse of His true power. He could have walked free, but asks only that His disciples go. When Peter cuts off a servant's ear, Jesus heals it and says, "Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" Questions this study answers: 1. Why didn't Jesus fight back or flee? Because He came to die for His people. He surrendered willingly, even protecting His disciples in the process. 2. What did "I am He" reveal? It echoes God's own name, and the soldiers fell back at the words. Even at His arrest, Jesus was in control. 3. What is "the cup" Jesus speaks of? The cup of God's judgment against sin. Jesus chose to drink it fully so that those who trust Him never will. "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" — John 18:11 (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.

In this sermon on John 17:20-26, Gardner Fish preaches "The Love Of God In Us" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: So that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you loved me. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: Our Lord, He spent three years with His disciples, living with them, discipling them, teaching them, and now we have zoomed in on His parting words right before His passion. As the sermon develops, it presses the passage toward Christian faith and obedience: I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, That they may all be one just as you, Father, are in me and I in you. Questions this sermon helps answer: 1. What does John 17:20-26 teach about the central issue raised in "The Love Of God In Us"? 2. How does this passage expose human need and direct listeners toward the grace of God? 3. How should Christians respond in worship, repentance, faith, and everyday obedience? Speaker: Gardner Fish. Scripture: John 17:20-26. This sermon is part of New Geneva's Bible-teaching archive; find more teaching from Dr. Toby Holt and New Geneva at newgeneva.org.

What did Jesus pray for you? On the night before He died, Jesus prayed for His people — including those who would believe through the ages. In John 17:1-19, Dr. Toby Holt opens what is called the High Priestly Prayer. As the true and greater High Priest, Jesus prays first for the Father's glory, then for His disciples — not that they be taken out of the world, but kept from evil and "sanctified" by God's truth. The comfort: Jesus says He has kept all whom the Father gave Him, losing none. Questions this study answers: 1. What is the High Priestly Prayer? Jesus' great prayer in John 17, where He intercedes for His followers just before the cross, like a priest praying for his people. 2. What did Jesus ask for His people? That they be protected from evil and made holy by God's truth, while remaining in the world as His witnesses. 3. What comfort does this prayer give? Jesus loses none whom the Father gives Him. Our security rests on His faithfulness, not the strength of our own. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." — John 17:17 (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.

How can we have peace in a hard world? In John 16:25-33, on the night before His death, Jesus promises His followers peace — even as He warns them trouble is coming. Dr. Toby Holt shows where lasting peace is found. Jesus tells the disciples plainly they will soon scatter and abandon Him, yet He does not leave them in despair: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The victory was already secured. Holt recalls Horatio Spafford, who lost his children at sea yet wrote, "It is well with my soul." Questions this study answers: 1. How can Christians have peace in a troubled world? Not by escaping trouble, but by trusting the One who has already won. Jesus promises peace in Him in the middle of hardship. 2. Did Jesus hide the cost from His followers? No. He told them honestly they would face trouble and scatter, preparing them for hard days rather than promising an easy life. 3. What does "I have overcome the world" mean? The outcome is already settled. Christ's victory is sure, so His people can take heart no matter what they face. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace… be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 (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.

Can anyone stay neutral about Jesus? No one is truly neutral about Jesus. In John 15:18-27, Jesus warns His followers that the world will hate them as it hated Him. Dr. Toby Holt explains why there is no spiritual middle ground. Because they belong to Christ, the disciples no longer belong to the world, which will treat them as it treated their Master. Holt takes apart the idea that people are born neutral "free agents"; the Bible says we are by nature turned from God until He changes our hearts. But Jesus promises the Helper, who testifies of Him. Questions this study answers: 1. Is anyone spiritually neutral? No. The Bible teaches we are naturally turned from God until He changes us. Everyone is on one side or the other. 2. Why does the world resist the gospel? Because believers are fundamentally different, and that difference provokes hostility. Jesus said the world hated Him first. 3. What hope is there for those who face hostility? Jesus sends the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who bears witness to Christ and strengthens His people to stand. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." — John 15:18 (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.