New Geneva Theological Seminary

In this sermon on John 9:1-5, Gardner Fish preaches "Light In The Darkness" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: You will remember last week that we ended in John chapter 8 with the Pharisees picking up stones to stone Jesus. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: And what we're going to see in John chapter 9 in the first seven verses is that only Jesus can bring light in the darkness because he is the light of the world. As the sermon develops, it presses the passage toward Christian faith and obedience: Well, this morning we're going to continue our study in John's Gospel in chapter 9. Questions this sermon helps answer: 1. What does John 9:1-5 teach about the central issue raised in "Light In The Darkness"? 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 9:1-5. This sermon is part of New Geneva's Bible-teaching archive; find more teaching from Dr. Toby Holt and New Geneva at newgeneva.org.

How can a holy God forgive the guilty? In John 8:1-11, religious leaders drag a guilty woman before Jesus and demand she be stoned — hoping to trap Him. Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus answers, and how the gospel solves an impossible problem. God is just and must punish sin, yet how can a just Judge forgive the guilty? The leaders think they have cornered Jesus, but He says, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone first." One by one they leave. He tells her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." The dilemma is answered at the cross. Questions this study answers: 1. What was the trap set for Jesus? Either answer seemed to doom Him — condemning her broke Roman law, freeing her seemed to ignore God's law. Jesus escaped both without compromising truth. 2. What is the "divine dilemma"? God is perfectly just and cannot ignore sin, yet He desires to forgive sinners. How He does both is the heart of the gospel. 3. How can a holy God forgive the guilty? Justice is not waived but satisfied — at the cross, where Jesus bears the punishment so sinners can go free. "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." — John 8:11 (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.

Why did so many walk away from Jesus? In John 6:60-71, a large crowd that had eagerly followed Jesus suddenly turns and leaves. Dr. Toby Holt examines the hard teaching that thinned the crowd to a faithful few. The people loved Jesus' miracles, but when His teaching grew hard, many grumbled and left. What drove them off was His teaching that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them — salvation is God's gracious work. When Jesus asks the Twelve if they will leave too, Peter answers for them. Questions this study answers: 1. What first drew the crowds to Jesus? Mostly His miracles and the benefits they hoped to gain — not His teaching or His person. 2. Why did so many walk away? Because Jesus' teaching was hard to accept, especially that salvation is God's gracious work and not something we achieve. 3. Why did the Twelve stay? Because, as Peter said, there is no one else to go to. Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." — John 6:68 (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.

Did the crowd want Jesus, or just His bread? In John 6:1-15, Jesus feeds thousands from a boy's lunch of five loaves and two fish. Dr. Toby Holt shows the miracle is a sign — and a test of what the crowd really wanted. Jesus tests Philip, then takes the loaves and fish, gives thanks, and feeds everyone with twelve baskets to spare — the giving of thanks pointing ahead to the Lord's Supper. When the crowd tries to make Him king by force, He withdraws. Questions this study answers: 1. Why did the people follow Jesus? Mainly to see His miracles and receive His benefits, not yet to know Him as Lord. 2. What did the miracle point to? It was a sign that Jesus is the true Bread of Life, foreshadowing the supper He would give His people. 3. Why did Jesus withdraw when they tried to crown Him? Because they wanted a king to meet their physical needs, not the Savior who came to give Himself. They wanted the bread, not the Baker. "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." — John 6:14 (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 doing good ever break the Sabbath? In John 5:1-18, Jesus heals a man unable to walk for thirty-eight years — and the leaders are furious, because He did it on the Sabbath. Dr. Toby Holt contrasts Christ's mercy with man-made rules. At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals the man with a word: "Rise, take up your bed and walk." The leaders object that carrying a mat breaks the Sabbath — one of dozens of extra rules. The deeper offense: Jesus calls God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Questions this study answers: 1. Why were the leaders angry about the healing? Because Jesus healed on the Sabbath and told the man to carry his mat, breaking their man-made rules — though not God's law. 2. Is it ever right to "work" on the Sabbath? Yes. Works of mercy and necessity — like caring for the sick — have always been lawful. Jesus showed mercy, not lawlessness. 3. Why did this healing stir such opposition? Because Jesus called God His own Father, claiming equality with God — a claim that drives the conflict through the rest of John. "Rise, take up your bed and walk." — John 5:8 (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 the "living water" Jesus offers? In John 4:1-26, Jesus crosses deep social barriers to meet a Samaritan woman at a well — and offers her "living water." Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus seeks and satisfies thirsty souls. Jews and Samaritans despised each other, and this woman came alone at midday, an outcast. Yet Jesus asks her for a drink and offers water that ends all thirst, gently exposes her past, and reveals Himself as the Messiah. Questions this study answers: 1. Who were the Samaritans? A despised, mixed people whom the Jews avoided. That Jesus would speak with a Samaritan — and a woman — was shocking. 2. What is the "living water"? It is the eternal life and satisfaction Jesus gives, which truly quenches the thirst of the soul that no earthly thing can. 3. Why is this story so encouraging? Because Jesus sought out an outcast and offered her everything. No one is beyond the reach of His grace. "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst… a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." — John 4:14 (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 does it mean to be "born again"? In John 3:1-17, a respected leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and hears puzzling words: "You must be born again." Dr. Toby Holt explains the new birth — and why we cannot do without it. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler, yet Jesus tells even him he must be born again. We are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life — the new birth is God's own work. Out of this talk comes the most famous verse in the Bible. Questions this study answers: 1. Who was Nicodemus? A Pharisee and respected member of the ruling council, who came to Jesus by night with sincere questions. 2. What does it mean to be "born again"? It is a new spiritual birth that only God can give — a heart made alive, not a self-improvement project. 3. Why can't we save ourselves? Because we are born spiritually dead and cannot give ourselves new life. Salvation is God's gift, received by faith in Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." — John 3:16 (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.

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

Why was Jesus' first miracle at a wedding? In John 2:1-12, Jesus performs His first miracle — turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Dr. Toby Holt shows why this quiet "sign" points all the way to the cross. When the wine runs out, Mary brings the problem to Jesus. He says, "My hour has not yet come" — a phrase that in John always points to the crucifixion — then turns water in six stone jars into the finest wine. John calls it a "sign," revealing His glory and pointing to the new covenant. Questions this study answers: 1. Why did Jesus say "My hour has not yet come"? In John, "His hour" always points to the cross. Even at a wedding, Jesus' eyes were on why He came. 2. Why does John call this a "sign"? Because it points beyond itself — revealing Jesus' glory and pointing ahead to the new covenant in His blood. 3. What does this first miracle reveal? That Jesus is the Son of God, who brings abundant new life — the best saved for last. "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." — John 2:11 (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.

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