Theology

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?

Web: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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

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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

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How much time do you have left?

In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul answered that question this way - not much. Specifically, Paul said that "the night is far spent, the day is at hand." Paul wanted his readers to understand the value of today. He wanted them to live as if their time was both short and precious.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What other passages refer to 'night and day' in a similar manner?

B) What are the concepts of 'inner peace' and 'inner war?'

C) What is holding us back? What's keeping us from living in the 'day?'


www.fpcgulfport.org

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Should preachers teach only the easy parts of the Bible?

No. In Acts 20:17-38, the Apostle Paul charges the Ephesian elders to preach the whole counsel of God — not just the comfortable parts. Dr. Toby Holt explains why every truth of Scripture matters. Meeting the elders one last time, Paul reminded them how he served through tears and trials, holding nothing back. He warned that "savage wolves" would come — even from within the church — twisting the truth. His answer was not less Bible, but all of it, faithfully taught.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is the "whole counsel of God"? The entire message of Scripture — every doctrine, command, and warning, not only the popular parts. Paul held none of it back.

2. Why did Paul warn about "wolves"? Because false teachers would rise, even from within the church, twisting God's Word to lead believers astray. Faithful elders must guard the flock with truth.

3. Why does Paul address "elders" rather than one leader? The church was led by a group of elders together, not a single ruler. Shared, accountable leadership helps protect the church from error.

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." — Acts 20:27 (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.

What is Jesus doing for you right now?

In this study, Dr. Toby Holt turns from what Christ has done to what He is doing at this very moment: interceding for His people. In John 17 — the "high priestly prayer" — Jesus prays not only for His disciples but for all who would believe through their word. That includes every believer today.

Dr. Holt shows that this praying did not end at the cross. Risen and ascended, Christ "ever lives to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25); He is our Advocate before the Father, pleading His own finished work on our behalf (Romans 8:34). In discouraging days, the believer is not left alone — the Son Himself is praying for you, and His intercession cannot fail.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why is John 17 called the "high priestly prayer"? Because in it Jesus, as our great High Priest, consecrates Himself and intercedes for the people the Father has given Him.

2. Whom did Jesus pray for in John 17? His immediate disciples and, explicitly, all who would later believe in Him through their message — which includes believers today.

3. How is Jesus interceding for you now? Ascended to the Father's right hand, He lives to plead His finished work as our Advocate, securing our standing in grace. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word." — John 17:20 (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.

What is the 'Magnificat?'

The 'magnificat' is the name that we give to Mary's song in Luke 1, in which she declares that her soul 'magnifies the Lord.' In today's study, we will see that this is one of the most counter-cultural songs ever written.

Questions That We'll Answer:

1) What news did the Angel give Mary? What was her response?

2) Why was it necessary that the Messiah be born of a 'virgin?'

3) What makes the 'magnificat' so counter-cultural?


Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Victory is at hand - your story ends well!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the capstone of the entire Gospel, but it secures your great future. You see, if the grave didn't hold Him, then it won't hold you. And if death can be defeated, then so can all the other hardships that you're undergoing right now. Today may be difficult, but take heart - your story ends well!

Questions That We'll Answer In Today's Study:

1) What really happened on the Sunday after Christ's death?

2) Who were the eyewitnesses to Christ's resurrection?

3) What supernatural events rocked Jerusalem on that great day?



Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Darkness. An earthquake. A shock in the temple.

And on top of that, a cry - 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'

What really happened on the cross? What do we make of all the supernatural events that transpired? And what do we make of Christ's final words? In today's study, we will consider our Savior's final moments on Calvary.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did the sky grow dark at 12PM? What did the darkness signify?

B) Did the Father really turn His face away from the Son?

C) What hope do we find even in the hardest chapter in Scripture?

www.fpcgulfport.org

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In Matthew 26, Jesus sat down. His betrayer joined Him.

In today's study, Jesus sat down for what we call the 'Last Supper,' with His betrayer seated just a few feet away. Our Lord had come to celebrate the Passover with His disciples, knowing this would be their last opportunity to do so. But He also knew the heart (and pending actions) of a man named Judas Iscariot. 

In today’s study, we’ll consider the high stakes of Matthew 26.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Judas betray Christ? What was his purpose and reward?

B) What doctrines did Jesus emphasize during the 'Last Supper?'

C) What was about to happen next? What did Jesus expect to occur?

www.fpcgulfport.org

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