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 was God ‘silent’ for over 400 years?

B) What differentiates Matthew from the other Gospel accounts?

C) Why are there two different genealogies (in Matthew and Luke)?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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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 high point in Israel’s history?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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 what way is the devil like a ‘roaring lion,’ seeking to devour us?

C) How can we protect ourselves from that which we cannot see?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt
Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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. And now, guess what? You’ve been sent to share that same gospel with others.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Paul’s heart break for his Jewish contemporaries?

B) What did Israel need? Is God done with His covenant people?

C) Why is the Gospel called the “power of God unto salvation?”

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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,’ and what was their reputation?

C) What does ‘mercy ministry’ look like to those in need?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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 tumble into sin so frequently?

B) What does a biblical ‘revival’ look like? How can we be sure?

C) What would a reformation of your own practices involve?

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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 Corinthians 4.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What is the difference between what’s ‘eternal’ and ‘temporal?’

2) What does it mean to be a good ‘spiritual’ investor?

3) What did Christ say about laying up treasures in Heaven?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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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 permitted to enter into the Tabernacle? C) Ultimately, what did the Tabernacle point toward?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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 this? Why did they need God’s presence?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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