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 same as our modern baptisms?

B) Why did Jesus say His baptism would ‘fulfill all righteousness?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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 did the Angel tell Joseph about Jesus?

C) What comfort do the Angel’s words have to the hurting?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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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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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 Acts 2 (Pentecost)?

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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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