Why does the gospel stir up so much trouble?

In Acts 17:1-15, the message of Jesus turns whole cities upside down. Dr. Toby Holt explains why the good news unsettles the world — and why that is exactly what it is meant to do. In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths that Jesus is the Christ who had to die and rise. Some believed, but jealous opponents stirred up a mob, accusing the missionaries of proclaiming "another king — Jesus." Holt notes the real opposition is spiritual, and contrasts the angry crowd with the fair-minded Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the gospel cause such an uproar? Because it announces "another king, Jesus," and challenges the world's idols and power. A message calling for full allegiance to Christ always unsettles the way things are.

2. What was the real source of the opposition? Holt points beyond the angry crowd to a spiritual enemy. The struggle over the gospel is ultimately not against people but against spiritual darkness.

3. What made the Bereans different? Instead of reacting with anger, they searched the Scriptures daily to test whether Paul's teaching was true — showing us how to weigh everything by God's Word.

"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." — Acts 17:6 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

How is the story of David and Goliath really about the gospel?

In 1 Samuel 17, a shepherd from Bethlehem defeats a giant who defied the living God. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows how this famous account foreshadows Christ — the Gospel in Old Testament clothing.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. How was Goliath like the serpent? He was a defiant enemy of God's people — a "proxy" for the evil one, calling for a champion to defeat him.

2. How does David point to Christ? Like David, Jesus is the unlikely Champion from Bethlehem who goes out alone to crush the enemy and win deliverance for His people.

3. How do Genesis 3 and 1 Samuel 17 connect? Both anticipate the promised One who would crush the serpent's head — fulfilled finally in Christ. "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" — 1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why do Christians experience both glory and grief? In Romans 8, Paul describes the tension of the Christian life — a glorious future secured, yet present suffering not yet ended. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains the "already, but not yet" reality believers live in.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why does all creation "groan"? Because the world was subjected to futility through sin and now awaits its redemption — a brokenness we feel deeply.

2. How can we be sure of a brighter tomorrow? Because of Christ. Our future glory is guaranteed by His resurrection and the Spirit given to us as a pledge.

3. How do we endure the "not yet"? By fixing our hope on the coming glory, which far outweighs our present sufferings. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." — Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why is worship hard for so many people? For many, worship feels unnatural — and in 2 Chronicles 7, we glimpse why true worship matters so much. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows that genuine worship grows from knowing the character of God.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why is worship difficult? Because we are used to glorifying ourselves. Worship redirects our hearts to glorify Someone infinitely greater.

2. What happened when the temple was dedicated? God's glory filled the house, and the people bowed in worship, praising His goodness and enduring mercy.

3. How do we grow in worship? By studying God Himself. The more we understand His character, the more natural and joyful worship becomes.

"...they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: 'For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.'" — 2 Chronicles 7:3 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Can God's promises really be trusted?

The Bible is full of promises — some made by men, many made by God. In this sermon (Deuteronomy), Dr. Toby Holt contrasts our flimsy, often-broken promises with the iron-clad faithfulness of God's covenant word.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is a covenant? A binding promise or relationship. God repeatedly bound Himself to His people by covenant, pledging His faithfulness.

2. How reliable are God's promises? Utterly. Unlike human promises, His word never fails — He keeps covenant and mercy across generations.

3. What promises has God made to us? In Christ, God promises forgiveness, His abiding presence, and eternal life to all who trust Him — and He will keep every one. "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." — Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Will God really provide for His children? In 1 Kings 17, God feeds the prophet Elijah by ravens and sustains a starving widow through a famine. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows how the God who provided then will look after His people now.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What was Elijah's situation? He was in hiding from wicked Ahab and Jezebel, and God provided for him in the wilderness — even using ravens to bring him food.

2. What happened with the widow of Zarephath? Down to her last meal, she trusted God's word through Elijah, and her flour and oil did not run out through the famine.

3. What does this teach us? That God cares for His own and provides what they need. The God of the ravens and the widow's jar will look after you. "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'" — 1 Kings 17:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What has God called His people to do? In Matthew 9-10, Jesus sees the crowds, has compassion, and sends out laborers into the harvest. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores the directions Christ gives His disciples — and the tasks He entrusts to us.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is the harvest field? The world full of lost people. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

2. Why did Christ send the disciples without provisions? To teach them to depend on God's provision rather than their own resources as they served.

3. What responsibilities do we have? God doesn't need us, yet He invites us into work of great importance — to pray, to go, and to bear witness to Christ.

"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" — Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What really happened with Elisha and the bears? In 2 Kings 2, a crowd of youths mocks the prophet Elisha, and two bears maul them — a passage many find puzzling. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains what was actually happening and what it teaches us about God.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What was so sinful about the mocking? This was no harmless teasing. A gang of young men contemptuously rejected God's appointed prophet — and, through him, God Himself.

2. Why was the judgment so severe? Because the offense was against the LORD's messenger and message. To despise God's prophet was to despise God.

3. What does this reveal about God? That He is holy and not to be mocked. He takes seriously the honor of His word and those who bear it. "So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths." — 2 Kings 2:24 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why would a God this great care about you?

In Psalm 8, David looks at the night sky and asks, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" Dr. Toby Holt shows how God is both towering above all things and tender toward each of us. David is overwhelmed by God's majesty — the heavens, moon, and stars, all the work of His fingers. Against that vastness, people seem tiny. Yet the wonder is that this towering God stoops to care for us, crowning humanity with honor and dignity. We bear His image, and the God who set the stars in place is mindful of you.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is so striking about Psalm 8? That the God who made the vast heavens also cares about small, sinful people. His greatness and tenderness meet here.

2. Why does David focus on the "name" of God? Because God's name carries His nature and majesty. To praise His name is to praise who He truly is.

3. What proof do you have that God loves you? That the towering Creator stoops to be mindful of you and crowns you with dignity.

"What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" — Psalm 8:4 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Is there really "a time for everything"? In Ecclesiastes 3, the Preacher reflects on the seasons of life — a time to be born and a time to die, a time for war and a time for peace. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores the rhythms of our existence and where lasting meaning is found.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Who wrote this passage, and why? Traditionally Solomon, reflecting on life's fleeting seasons and the search for meaning "under the sun."

2. Why does life seem futile "under the sun"? Because apart from God, everything passes and nothing satisfies — life feels like chasing the wind.

3. What changes "under heaven"? When God is at the center, the seasons gain purpose. He makes everything beautiful in its time and sets eternity in our hearts.

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What is the finish line of your life?

Every choice we make moves us toward some destination. In Philippians 3, Paul presses on toward the goal of knowing Christ. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt asks where your life is heading, and how to run toward the right finish line.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What does our past have to do with our future? Paul refused to be defined by his past — neither his failures nor his achievements. He pressed forward toward Christ.

2. What was Paul's aim? To "press toward the goal for the prize" — to finish the race well, with Christ as his ultimate prize.

3. What does it mean to "press toward the prize"? To live with purpose and perseverance, running the Christian life as a race worth finishing.

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.