As Christians, we often remember the things that Jesus has done. With that said, have you ever wondered: what is He doing now? Among other things, Jesus is interceding on behalf of His people. You have a divine advocate that is (even now) seeking your welfare! And that should be an encouragement during these difficult days. Questions That We'll Answer: A) Why is John 17 referred to as the 'high priestly prayer?' B) Who did Jesus pray for in this text? And what did He say? C) In what way is Jesus...
Jan 07, 2024•27 min
"Renewed By The Lord" Rev. Gardner Fish First Presbyterian Church Gulfport, Mississippi
Dec 31, 2023•34 min
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
Dec 24, 2023•32 min
"Good Tidings Of Great Joy" Rev. Gardner Fish First Presbyterian Church Gulfport, Mississippi
Dec 17, 2023•31 min
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...
Dec 03, 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...
Nov 26, 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...
Nov 19, 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...
Oct 29, 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...
Oct 22, 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...
Oct 15, 2023•29 min
This was a very wicked region. In the time of Christ, Caesarea Phillipi 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 08, 2023•34 min
"Matthew: The Parable Of The Sower" Rev. Gardner Fish First Presbyterian Church Gulfport, MS
Oct 01, 2023•34 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) ...
Sep 24, 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 17, 2023•29 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...
Sep 10, 2023•31 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 03, 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...
Aug 27, 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...
Aug 20, 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 first 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:...
Aug 13, 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 06, 2023•26 min
"The Prodigal Son" Rev. Gardner Fish First Presbyterian Church Gulfport, MS
Jul 30, 2023•36 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 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: www.fpcgulfport.o...
Jul 23, 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...
Jul 16, 2023•28 min
God told the people to go outward - to be fruitful and to multiply across the globe. Instead, the people decided to go upward - to build a tower into the heavens. In today's study, we'll consider the construction of the "Tower of Babel" in Genesis 11, and see why God came down to deal with its builders. Questions That We'll Answer: A) Why was God angered by the building of this particular tower? B) Why did God confuse the language of the builders? C) What relationship does Genesis 11 have with A...
Jul 09, 2023•31 min
In Romans 10, Paul asks 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 02, 2023•29 min
"Who Is This Man?" Rev. Gardner Fish First Presbyterian Church Gulfport, Mississippi
Jun 25, 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 18, 2023•30 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...
Jun 11, 2023•29 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 04, 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...
May 21, 2023•34 min
