Victory is at hand – your story ends well! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the capstone event of the Gospel, but it secures our 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 t...
Dec 28, 2023•30 min
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? And what did it signify? B) Did the Father really turn His face away from the Son? C) What hope...
Dec 13, 2023•33 min
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...
Dec 07, 2023•29 min
Jesus was walking into a trap. Several traps, actually. When Jesus entered the Temple in Matthew 21, the Pharisees, Sadducees and others planned to ask Him questions that might trap or make our Lord look bad before others. They wanted to destroy or hurt His credibility. In today’s study, we’ll see how Jesus responded. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the irony about the questions that Jesus was facing? B) What was the point of Christ’s parable about the wedding feast? C) What happened to...
Nov 30, 2023•35 min
In Matthew 21, Jesus was angry. Now, how could this be? What could possibly make gentle, loving, patient Jesus so upset? What could cause Him to flip tables and to make a scene? In today’s study, we’ll consider both the circumstances and reasons for Christ’s anger. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Who were the money-changers in the temple? What were they doing? B) How does this event relate to the time Jesus cursed a fig tree? C) What does it mean for God’s temple to be a ‘house of prayer?’ Websi...
Nov 20, 2023•33 min
Jesus, Moses, and Elijah met on the mountaintop. One’s face radiated with divine light. The others did not. Moses and Elijah were no slouches – these were titans of Jewish history, the very embodiment of the law and the prophets. And yet, when standing next to Jesus, they paled. It was Christ alone that the Father referred to, saying “This is my Son, listen to Him” in Matthew 17. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the ‘transfiguration,’ and why did Jesus undergo it? B) Why did Moses and El...
Nov 07, 2023•29 min
This was a very wicked region. In the time of Christ, Caesarea Philippi was the ‘red light district.’ It was filled with pagan people doing pagan things. And yet, this is where Jesus took His disciples in Matthew 16. Why? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did Jesus travel to the region known as Hell’s gates? B) What did He teach His disciples when they got there? C) Why did Jesus say “on this rock I will build my church?” Church Website: www.fpcgulfport...
Oct 27, 2023•34 min
It is the most famous sermon ever preached. In Matthew 5, Jesus starts the ‘Sermon On The Mount’ with a series of blessings (or beatitudes). What were these blessings all about? And how were they received by hurting, downtrodden people who were used to the legalism of the Pharisees? Questions That We’ll Answer: A) How do the blessings of Matthew 5 contrast to the woes of Matthew 23? B) Who was Christ’s audience for this particular sermon? C) What does it mean to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in the worl...
Oct 20, 2023•31 min
Who were the 12 Apostles? Well, they weren’t the sort of men you would expect. They weren’t the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas – from an earthly perspective, this was a most unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose these men to be His friends and ambassadors. What can we learn from their service? Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What is the difference between a ‘disciple’ and an ‘apostle?’ B) What warnings did Jesus give to His apostles about the world? C) ...
Oct 07, 2023•31 min
Pharisees hated Jesus. This Roman Centurion did not. Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior. They accused and berated Him at every turn. Conversely, there were seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament – and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be? Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did Jesus ‘marvel’ at the faith of the Centurion? B) What stood out about the Centurion’s request? C) What warning did Jesus give the Jews in Matthew 8? Website: htt...
Sep 29, 2023•29 min
Does the devil think that he can win? In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil. What did the devil think he was going to accomplish? And what was the Father’s purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this? Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the object of each of the three temptations? B) Why did Jesus refer to Scripture at each opportunity? C) How was Christ’s temptation related to Adam’s in Genesis 3? Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby H...
Sep 22, 2023•31 min
If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized? In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John’s mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around – that Christ needed to baptize him! John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, and no need to be ‘washed clean.’ So why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That will be today’s focus. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What sort of baptism was John doing by the Jordan River? B) Were John’s baptism the...
Sep 11, 2023•24 min
The God who MADE YOU wants to be WITH YOU. Think on that. The pagan gods didn’t work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm’s length. But our God wants to be close. He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. He came to earth in the form of a babe. Our God is “Emmanuel” – He is “God With Us.” Join us for Part 2 of our study in the Book of Matthew. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What is the difference between being ‘with’ or ‘for’ someone? B) What di...
Sep 01, 2023•24 min
Who was Matthew? What is the Book of Matthew all about? In Part 1 of our new study, we will introduce this Gospel and talk about the audience that it was originally written to – the Israelites. While Matthew contains truth and wisdom for all people, it was intended to explain the person and work of Jesus to Matthew’s Jewish contemporaries.In addition to introducing the Book of Matthew, we’ll also talk about the ‘intertestamental age’ that preceded its writing. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why...
Aug 25, 2023•29 min
Throughout the Old Testament, God made a series of incredible promises – promises that defied His people’s expectations. And, in His time, He fulfilled every last one of them. In today’s study of 1 Kings 8, we’ll consider the God who always ‘keeps His promises’ – including those that He has made to you and I. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What are some of the most amazing promises God has ever made? B) What promises has He made to you for your own future? C) Why did 1 Kings 8 represent such a ...
Aug 16, 2023•26 min
On many occasions, Moses went up a mountain to meet with God. In Deuteronomy 34, he would do so once again – but this time, he would not return. What can we learn from the death and final days of Moses? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) How old was Moses when he died? What was his health like? B) Who buried Moses? And where is he buried to this day? C) What did Moses see from the mountain prior to his death? Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt Church Website: ww...
Aug 10, 2023•26 min
In 1 Peter 2, the Apostle talked about a ‘war’ waged against the soul of believers. When we think of ‘war,’ we tend to think of external enemies that are coming against us. But that’s not the sort of war that Peter was talking about. Rather, Peter was talking about a war that is going on within our own body (even as Christians). He was talking about a war between our flesh and our spirit. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did Peter (and other apostles) use military terms so frequently? B) In w...
Aug 02, 2023•28 min
In Romans 10, Paul asked a series of important questions. Specifically, he asked this: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” If you have come to a saving faith, it is because someone shared God’s Word with you. Maybe it was a pastor. Maybe it was a parent. But someone told you about Jesus, and you responded in faith...
Jul 17, 2023•29 min
Who is your neighbor? That was the question that Jesus asked the proud, arrogant lawyer. The man said that he’d kept the law. The man said that he’d loved his neighbor as himself. But Jesus knew better. Jesus knew that was only true if he neutered the word of any meaning. And so Jesus asked him, “who is your neighbor?” Join us as we consider the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan.’ Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did the lawyer try to test or trap Jesus in Verse 25? B) What was a ‘Samaritan,’ an...
Jul 10, 2023•29 min
Does the church need revival? Does it need reformation? Throughout history, there have been a number of ‘revivals’ when God’s people have increased in size, health, and ministry. And in every single case, these revivals involved a renewed emphasis on God’s Word. In today’s study of 2 Kings 23, we’ll see that one of the most famous revivals in history came about after the ‘rediscovery’ of the law during the reign of King Josiah. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did the ancient Israelites tumbl...
Jun 30, 2023•30 min
Life is short. Act accordingly. In today’s study, we consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians, in which he referred to our mortal bodies as “earthen vessels.” In other words, Paul likened our human bodies to pottery – easily broken, and not built to last. Now, is that a depressing thought? Well, it would be, except that Paul said that these “earthen vessels” house an eternal treasure, which can never be lost or destroyed. Join us as we consider this treasure further, in today’s study of 2 Corint...
Jun 20, 2023•27 min
When Exodus began, God’s people were laboring over a building project – Pharaoh’s. But by the time Exodus ends, an entirely different building project is in view (the Tabernacle). In our final study of the Book of Exodus, we consider the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a game changer for the people of Israel. With that said, what was this tent designed for? What was its purpose? Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why was God so specific about the Tabernacle’s construction? B) Why was Moses not...
Jun 12, 2023•33 min
Are you and I able to look upon God’s face? Why or why not? What about when we’re in Heaven – will we be able to look upon God then? In today’s text, we’ll consider Moses’ request to see God’s face. And we’ll also consider God’s response, and how He safely tucked Moses into the ‘cleft in the rock.’ Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What did the ‘cleft in the rock’ typify? What was it all about? B) Why did God say He would not go with the Israelites in Exodus 33? C) Why was Moses so concerned by th...
Jun 05, 2023•37 min
The ‘golden calf’ incident is a dark blot in Israelite history. While coming down the mountain, Moses heard the sound of warfare from below. But he soon found that it wasn’t warfare – it was singing and adulation toward an idol. The people had broken God’s law. Terribly. Egregiously. And to demonstrate what they’d done, Moses shattered the 10 Commandments before their eyes. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What were the people thinking? And why did Aaron help? B) Were the people trying to replace...
May 25, 2023•35 min
Does God care how we worship Him? According to Exodus 28, the answer is YES. In the last fifteen chapters of Exodus, we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. In these chapters, God gave the people some meticulous, specific details for the Tabernacle’s components and design. He also gave specific details for the clothing of the priests – including a phrase they were to wear on their foreheads, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the significance of God meetin...
May 08, 2023•30 min
What was the Ark Of The Covenant? In Exodus 25, God told the Israelites to construct an ‘ark,’ and to place the ark in the Tabernacle. But what was the purpose of the Ark? And what was the significance of the ‘mercy seat’ that was on its top? These questions will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What do we know about the ark’s construction and origins? B) What was the ark’s history as it was moved from place to place? C) And finally, where is the ark today? Egypt? E...
May 01, 2023•32 min
The Israelites had seen ‘animal sacrifices’ before. On many occasions, they’d seen blood on the altar. However, they’d never been sprinkled by that blood (the way that Moses did in Exodus 24). Why did Moses do this? And what was the point of this “blood oath” or covenant that the people had entered into with God? That will be the focus of today’s study.
Apr 13, 2023•27 min
Did you know that Jesus Christ appears throughout the Book of Exodus? From the Red Sea to their arrival in the Promised Land, Jesus Christ makes multiple appearances in this part of the Old Testament. In Exodus 23, we see one of these – an occasion when He is referred to as the “Angel of the Lord.”
Apr 06, 2023•30 min
God’s law can teach, it can restrain, and it can disciple. But it cannot save. That was the problem of the Israelites as they looked at the burning mountain. When they heard the ten commandments, they realized this – as significant as those commandments were, they only condemned, and did not redeem. The fire on the mountain was a reminder that the people still could not approach God, even with the law in hand. So what was their hope? We’ll consider that in our continuing study of the Book of Exo...
Mar 25, 2023•31 min
The people were out of Egypt. They’d gone through the wilderness. Now, they had arrived at the mountain of God. “There were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.” – Exodus 19:16-17
Mar 16, 2023•33 min
