Month: October 2023

Eternity: Levels Of Reward Or Punishment

Eternity: Levels Of Reward Or Punishment

Are there levels of reward (or punishment) in eternity?

In Dante’s Inferno, the poet described Hell as having ‘nine circles.’ Each circle corresponded with a different sin and degree of punishment. But is this a Biblical understanding? Does the Bible teach that different sins merit different punishments in Hell? And what does it say about ‘rewards’ in Heaven?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) If our works don’t save us, then what eternal affect can they have (if any)?

2) When Jesus referred to ‘treasures in Heaven,’ what was He talking about?

3) Why did Jesus say that the people of Capernaum would face a more tolerable judgment than the people of Sodom (who were poster-children for God’s wrath)?

 

00:02   Welcome (This Is Radio 3:16)

01:03   Chapter 1: Introduction

06:00   Chapter 2: Different Sins, Different Punishment

13:07   Chapter 3: Earthly Deeds, Eternal Rewards

19:53   Chapter 4: Closing Thoughts

24:22   Closing / Outro

25:00   Broadcast End

 

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Web: R316.org

Matthew: The Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail

Matthew: The Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail

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.org

Matthew: The Sermon On The Mount

Matthew: The Sermon On The Mount

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 world around us?

 

www.fpcgulfport.org

Does God Ever Change His Mind?

Does God Ever Change His Mind?

Does God ‘change’ His mind?

It seems unlikely. Why would a perfect, all knowing God change His mind? On the other hand, there are several verses that suggest He does. In Jonah 3, the Bible said God ‘relented’ from destroying Nineveh. In 1 Samuel, God himself said He ‘regretted’ making Saul king. If God doesn’t change His mind, then why do these verses make it sound like He does? Is there an answer?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) Is God’s nature subject to change, growth, or development?

2) Can God ever ‘regret’ His own choices, or ‘repent’ from His prior actions?

3) What is ‘anthropomorphic’ language? How does that term apply to this topic?

Site: www.r316.org

Remnant: The Church In 2023

Remnant: The Church In 2023

How big do you think the church really is?

It depends on how you define it.

In Matthew 7, Jesus warned that there were many professing believers who did not know Him. In Christ’s own day, there were hundreds of thousands of Israelites who claimed to know God, but who were in danger of severe judgment. The same may be true in our day (2023). The ‘true’ church may be a small fraction of what it appears. And historically, the Bible has two words to describe this group of believers: THE REMNANT.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How big is the church? What do the statistics and numbers tell us?

2) What is the difference between the ‘visible’ and ‘invisible’ churches?

3) Are we living in the days of a ‘remnant?’ How can we know?

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cremation: What Does The Bible Say

Cremation: What Does The Bible Say

Is cremation biblical?

In 1960, only 4% of Americans were cremated. As of 2023, that number is over 52%. Given the popularity of cremation, many Christians want to know if the Bible ever refers to it, and if there is any Biblical precedent for pursuing it. That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) What does the Bible say about cremation? Does it accept the practice?

2) How were bodies dealt with in Biblical days, and is there a precedent for us?

3) Does any of this matter? Does the disposition of one’s physical body really matter in eternity?

Today’s episode ends with a listener question on the topic of ‘tattoos.’

 

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Depression: What Does The Bible Say

Depression: What Does The Bible Say

Depression can be more than just ‘feeling sad.’

Yes, depression involves sadness. But clinical (or major) depression is not limited to a particular ‘mood’ or emotional state. Clinical depression is a persistent, recurring condition that may stem from our nature or physiology – and not just our circumstances. It can strike when things are going poorly, but it can also strike when they’re going well.

In today’s study, we’ll see what the Bible has to say about depression. Is there hope for the hurting?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How does a feeling of ‘sadness’ differ from ‘clinical depression?’

2) Did any of the men and women of the Bible suffer from depression? Who?

3) What encouragement does Christ offer for the depressed? What does He say?

 

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew: The Calling Of The 12 Apostles

Matthew: The Calling Of The 12 Apostles

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) What unique responsibilities were the apostles given?