Apologetics

Can anyone stay neutral about Jesus? No one is truly neutral about Jesus. In John 15:18-27, Jesus warns His followers that the world will hate them as it hated Him. Dr. Toby Holt explains why there is no spiritual middle ground. Because they belong to Christ, the disciples no longer belong to the world, which will treat them as it treated their Master. Holt takes apart the idea that people are bor...

Can a skeptic become a follower of Jesus? In John 1, Nathanael scoffs, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" — until he meets Jesus. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows how Christ meets honest doubters and turns them into devoted disciples. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why was Nathanael skeptical? He doubted that the Messiah could come from lowly Nazareth. His was an honest, rea...

Is Jesus really the only way to be saved? In Acts 4:1-13, Peter stands before the rulers who killed Jesus and makes a bold claim: there is salvation in no one else. Dr. Toby Holt explains why the name of Jesus is the one name that saves. After Peter and John healed a lame man and preached the resurrection, the authorities arrested them — yet thousands believed. Asked by what power they acted, Pete...

Why do people rage against God? In Psalm 2, the nations and their rulers conspire against the Lord — a rebellion as old as the human heart. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this psalm's picture of human defiance and God's enthroned King. The kings of the earth plot to throw off God's rule, but God in heaven is unmoved. Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm pointing to Christ, God's appointed King, who will one day ru...

How does saving faith begin? In Romans 10, Paul shows that no one believes in a Savior they have never heard of — "faith comes by hearing." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt traces how the gospel reaches the lost, and why every believer is now sent to share it. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Where does faith come from? From hearing God's Word. If you have come to faith, it is because some...

Who is shaping the way you think? In Colossians 2, Paul warns the church not to be taken captive by hollow, deceptive teaching, but to stay rooted in Christ. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt presses a pointed question: who, and what, are you and your family really listening to? Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why does it matter who we listen to? Because everyone is being shaped by someone. The voic...

What does it really mean to be "born again"? In John 3, a religious leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and hears that he must be "born again." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains the doctrine of regeneration — the real, inward change God works when someone comes to Christ. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Is being "born again" just a figure of speech?...

Are people basically good, bad, or neutral at birth? In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul explains that sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, and spread to all. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks the doctrine of original sin — and why it matters for understanding ourselves and our need for Christ. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What is "original sin"? The biblical teachin...

Could you give a reason for what you believe? In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are told to be ready to give a reason for the hope within them. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt considers some of the reasons for faith in God and His Word — and why every believer should be able to give an answer. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Are we required to defend our faith? Peter says to "always be ready"...

Why do people see the world so differently? In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul contrasts the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God, which only His Spirit reveals. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt examines the clash of worldviews and why God's truth is foolishness to the natural mind. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why do worldviews collide? Because the world's wisdom and God's wisdom are fundamentally...