Theology

'To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven.'

- Ecclesiastes 3:1

In life, there is a time to be born and a time to die.

There is a time to kill and a time to heal.

There is a time of war and a time of peace.

In today's study, we'll consider the various cycles of our existence.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Who wrote this famous passage, and why?

B) Why is life futile 'under the sun?'

C) What makes things different 'under heaven?'

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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What is your 'finish line?'

Your life and choices are taking you somewhere.

One decision at a time, you are closer to a destination.

The question is: what sort of destination is it?

That will be the focus of today's study in Philippians 3.

Other Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What does our past have to do with our future?

B) What did Paul say about his own history?

C) What does it mean to 'press toward the prize?'

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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Why?

It is the most basic of all questions.

As humans, we want to know why things happen.

Especially when those things are painful.

That was Job's problem.

Job couldn't understand how God could allow his suffering.

We'll explore this further in today's study of Job 10.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was Job's struggle? What couldn't he understand?

B) Is God indifferent to our hurts or pains?

C) What are the implications to your own life?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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This world is not our home.

We live out our earthly days in the 'shadowlands.'

All around us is a mixture of darkness and light.

However, we still have a choice.

Will we be agents of the light or of the dark?

That will be the focus of today's study in 1 Thessalonians 5.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What were the Thessalonians anxious about?

B) How did the Apostle Paul address that anxiety?

C) What were the implications for how they were to live?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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What did Jesus mean when He said one disciple would remain "till I come"?

In this study, Dr. Toby Holt concludes the Gospel of John by examining Jesus' enigmatic word to Peter about the apostle John: "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?" A rumor spread that John would never die. Dr. Holt untangles the passage, showing what Jesus did and did not promise, and how the earliest Christians understood His return. He distinguishes Christ's final, bodily second coming from His coming in judgment against Jerusalem in AD 70, and lets John's own epilogue frame the certainty of Christ's return. The point presses on every hearer: the question is not merely what our parents or grandparents believed, but whether we ourselves believe — and whether that belief is shaping our choices in light of His coming.

Questions this study answers:

1. Did Jesus promise that the apostle John would never die? No. He only said, "If I will that he remain," and John himself records that the resulting rumor misunderstood His words; Jesus made no such promise.

2. What happened in AD 70, and how does it relate to this passage? Jerusalem and its temple fell under God's judgment — a "coming" of Christ in judgment anticipated in the New Testament, distinct from His final, visible return.

3. How does John's Gospel conclude? With an epilogue affirming the truthfulness of his eyewitness testimony and pointing every reader to ongoing faith in the risen and returning Christ.

"Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'" — John 21:22 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Listen and go deeper: This study is part of New Geneva Theological Seminary's teaching on systematic theology and the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

How many times had Peter 'denied' Jesus?

Three.

How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he 'loved' Him?

Three.

In today's study of John 21, we'll see the forgiveness of Christ, and the commissioning of Peter.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What caused Peter to recognize Jesus on the beach?

B) What did Jesus mean by 'feed My sheep?'

C) How does this passage apply to our own lives and leadership?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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Skepticism is NOT a fruit of the Spirit.

In John 19, Jesus died. In John 20, He was resurrected.

And after that, He appeared to His apostles in the Upper Room.

However, one was missing. And he didn't believe the other ten.

The 'doubts' of Thomas will be the focus of today's study.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What are the proofs of Christ's resurrection?

B) What else do we know about 'Doubting Thomas?'

C) What does this text teach us about 'faith?'

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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He Is Risen!

In John 19, Jesus died. But He didn't stay dead.

In John 20, He rose from the tomb (just as He said He would)!

And in doing so, He made possible our own resurrection.

That will be the focus of today's study in the Gospel of John.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What are the proofs / evidences of the resurrection?

B) Why were two angels sitting on either side of Christ's grave slab?

C) What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene at this time?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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It. Is. Finished.

Just three words - yet, the most significant ever spoken.

On Calvary, Jesus declared 'it is finished.'

The question for us is: what was He referring to?

What was 'finished,' and what value does it have for us?

That will be the focus of today's study in John 19. 

Other Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus have to die? Was it really necessary?

B) Why did the sky grow dark, and why was the temple veiled ripped?

C) What proofs are there of the crucifixion and resurrection?

Dr. Toby Holt is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, in Gulfport MS.

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It is finished.

Three simple words - three words, on which your fate rests.

On Calvary, Jesus completed the work that He was sent to do.

What was that work? And what does it mean for you?

That will be the focus of today's study from John 19.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Did Jesus really have to die? And if so, why?

B) What did Christ's death actually accomplish?

C) What prophesies were fulfilled on the cross?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

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