What does it mean to be A WATCHMAN?

In Chapter 3 of Ezekiel, the prophet was called to be a 'watchman' over God's people, and that involved these two things: 1) identifying spiritual danger, and 2) warning the people. Are there any watchmen in our day? If so, then they have the same basic responsibilities. Click to listen to Part 3 in our 10 part series on Ezekiel.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) Why did God commission Ezekiel as a 'watchman' over Israel?
B) What would happen if Ezekiel didn't do his job? Would he be held responsible?
C) What would happen if the people didn't listen to the prophet's warnings?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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In Week 2 of our study, we consider Ezekiel's call to be a prophet. This was not an easy job - because Israel had a  history of rejecting (and even killing) its prophets. 

With that said, how would this young man respond to God's call? What would he say to his rebellious people? And would his words have any application to our own day and age, all of these centuries later?

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) Who was Ezekiel, and why did God call this young priest to be a prophet?
B) What was the content of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry? What did he say?
C) How would the people respond to his words (spoiler alert: not well).

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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In Ezekiel 1, the prophet had an amazing vision.

Specifically, the prophet saw a fiery whirlwind approach, and within the whirlwind was a CHARIOT OF FIRE - a chariot that was carried by angels, who flew amidst the chariot's fiery wheels. What was this vision all about? Click for Part 1 of our new 10 Part series in the Book of Ezekiel.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) What was Ezekiel doing in Babylon? How did he get there?
B) What was the 'chariot of fire?' Was this a real object, or a symbol?
C) What is the book of Ezekiel about? What is an outline for its pages?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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HOW LONG, O LORD? That was the cry of the prophets. That was the cry of the apostles. That was the cry of the martyrs. They all wanted to know 'how long?'

When we're going through tough seasons, we wonder when they will end. When we're suffering, we want it to stop. When we see injustice in the world, we want God to intervene. And when those things don't happen on our time table, we ask Him 'how long' until they do. In today's study (of Psalm 113) we'll consider this question further.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) Is there a purpose behind all the hardship or pain that we've encountered?
B) How can God allow these sorts of terrible things if He loves us?
C) When will things get better? And how can we be sure?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

In Daniel 8, the prophet recorded visions of events that would happen in the centuries to come. And in today's study, we see that those prophesies line up perfectly with the historical record.

"Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great. And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes." - Daniel 8:3-5

Click to hear about Daniel's vision of the 'goat' and the 'ram.'

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) What did the 'goat' and the 'ram' represent? How can we be sure?
B) What was the point of these visions - why was Daniel given them?
C) Which future events were anticipated in Chapter 8?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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In Daniel 7, the prophet watched as four beasts climbed out of the water - four violent, hideous creatures. But what were they? And what did they come to do?

In today's sermon, we will consider the four beasts of Daniel's dream, and we'll try to identify who (or what) they represent.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) What was the purpose of Daniel's vision?
B) What were the identities of the creatures that he saw? How can we be sure?
C) What does this chapter tell us about our past and our future?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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"The Devil is like a prowling lion, seeking who he can devour."

This statement from 1 Peter 5 makes for an interesting contrast with the prophet's experience in the lion's den in Daniel 6.  In both cases, God's people are exposed to a creature that desires to eat them alive. And in both cases, God intervenes to prevent this from happening. Click on this sermon link to hear more.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) Why was Daniel thrown into the lion's den in the first place?
B) How did he survive? What happened to keep the lions at bay?
C) How is this narrative instructive or encouraging to us all these years later?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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The King was terrified. A hand had appeared out of nowhere, and had written a series of words on the far wall. And nobody knew what these words meant - nobody except the prophet Daniel.

So, what did these words say? Click to learn the answer in this fascinating sermon from Daniel 5.

Questions That We'll Answer:
A) What was the 'hand' that appeared on King Belshazzar's wall?
B) Why did the hand write the words 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN?'
C) What was the King's response to these words, and what was his fate?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was a bad man. As villains go - he was one of the worst. And yet, he was still a candidate for grace!

In today's sermon, we'll consider the apparent "regeneration" and "conversion" of this pagan king, and consider what it means for us.

Questions That We'll Answer:
1) Why Nebuchadnezzar? Was he really 'saved?' How do we know?
2) Why was the king compelled to act like a beast of the field?
3) When the king eventually praised God, was he being sincere?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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"There is a God, and you are not Him."

It should go without saying, but 'created beings' do not outrank the Creator. Nor does any ruler or governor outrank the King of Kings. Babylon, for all of its riches and all its glory, was still subject to the transcendent rule of the Most High. And in today's text from Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar was going to learn that lesson the hard way.

Questions That We'll Answer:
1) What was King Nebuchadnezzar's primary sin?
2) What does it mean for God to be 'sovereign' over all that He has made?
3) Why would God raise up a guy like Nebuchadnezzar in the first place?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.