Bible Study

What makes Mary's song one of the most counter-cultural ever written? In Luke 1, a young woman responds to astonishing news with a song of praise — the Magnificat. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores why this humble hymn turns the world's values upside down. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What news did Mary receive? That she would bear the Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit — a virgin bir...

Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Yes — and it changes everything. In Matthew 28:1-15, the tomb is found empty and the risen Jesus meets His followers. Dr. Toby Holt shows why the resurrection is the believer's greatest hope. At dawn, two women came expecting to anoint a dead body. Instead an angel rolled back the stone as the ground shook and the guards fell like dead men. "He is not here...

What really happened when Jesus died? Far more than a Roman execution. In Matthew 27:45-56, the sky goes dark, the temple veil tears, and the earth shakes as Jesus dies. Dr. Toby Holt explains the meaning behind these signs. From noon to three, darkness covered the land — a sign of judgment. Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" In that moment the Father laid the sins...

Why did Judas betray Jesus? In Matthew 26:1-30, one of Jesus' own followers sells Him out for thirty pieces of silver. Dr. Toby Holt shows that even this betrayal was part of God's plan to save His people. While a devoted woman poured costly perfume on Jesus to prepare Him for burial, Judas slipped away to deal with the chief priests. At the table Judas calls Jesus only "Rabbi," teacher...

Can anyone trap Jesus with a trick question? In Matthew 22:1-33, Israel's leaders try to corner Jesus with loaded questions — and fail every time. Dr. Toby Holt walks through Jesus' answers and the warning behind them. Jesus first tells a parable about a king's wedding feast: the invited guests refuse, so the invitation goes out to everyone — a picture of the gospel reaching beyond Israel. But one...

Why did Jesus flip the tables in the temple? In Matthew 21:12-22, Jesus drives out the money changers and calls the temple "a den of thieves." Dr. Toby Holt explains why this anger was holy, not sinful. The temple was meant to be a house of prayer, but merchants had turned it into a marketplace, gouging worshipers. Jesus overturned their tables and healed the blind and lame while childre...

Why did Jesus shine like the sun? In Matthew 17:1-9, Jesus is transfigured before three disciples, His face shining with glory. Dr. Toby Holt explains what this glimpse of Christ's majesty reveals. On a high mountain, Jesus' appearance changed: light shone from within Him, and Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Him. Peter, overwhelmed, offered to build three shelters — putting Jesus on the l...

Can the gates of hell defeat the church? No. In Matthew 16:13-28, Jesus promises that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks Peter's great confession and Christ's bold promise. Jesus led His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a center of pagan worship with a cave called "the gates of hell." There He asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered...

Who does Jesus call blessed? Not who you might expect. In Matthew 5:1-16, Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by blessing the poor in spirit, the mourning, and the persecuted. Dr. Toby Holt explains the surprising heart of the Beatitudes. Many in the crowd were ordinary, hurting people pushed aside by the religious leaders. Instead of more rules, Jesus offered blessing. The Beatitudes lift up the...

What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle? In Matthew 10:1-23, Jesus chooses twelve ordinary men, gives them His authority, and sends them out. Dr. Toby Holt explains what set the apostles apart and what Jesus warned them to expect. Moved with compassion for crowds like sheep without a shepherd, Jesus called twelve unlikely men — fishermen, a tax collector, even Judas. Holt distingu...

Whose faith amazed Jesus? A Roman soldier's. In Matthew 8:5-13, a Gentile centurion shows greater faith than anyone in Israel, and Jesus marvels. Dr. Toby Holt explains what real faith looks like. A Roman officer came on behalf of his paralyzed servant. He did not ask Jesus to come — he simply said, "Speak a word, and my servant will be healed." As a man under authority who commanded sol...

How did Jesus stand up to temptation? With Scripture. In Matthew 4:1-11, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where the devil tempts Him three times. Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus, the second Adam, stood where the first Adam fell. After forty days without food, Jesus faced three temptations: to satisfy His hunger, to prove Himself by a spectacular leap, and to seize the world's kingdoms by...

Why was the sinless Jesus baptized? In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus comes to be baptized by John — though He had no sin to wash away. Dr. Toby Holt explains what Jesus meant by "fulfilling all righteousness." John objected, knowing Jesus needed no repentance, but Jesus insisted it was proper "to fulfill all righteousness." Holt explains our salvation needs both Christ's death and His...

What does the name "Emmanuel" mean? "God with us." In Matthew 1:18-25, an angel tells Joseph that Mary's child will be Emmanuel — God come to dwell with His people. Dr. Toby Holt explains the comfort packed into that name. Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit while only engaged to Joseph. He planned to end it quietly until an angel explained the child was from God, givi...

Why was God silent for 400 years? In this opening study of Matthew 1:1-17, Dr. Toby Holt explains the roughly 400 silent years between the Old and New Testaments — and why Matthew begins with a long family tree. After Malachi, God sent no new word for about four centuries — the calm before the storm. Empires rose and fell, from the Greeks under Alexander to the Romans. Then Matthew, a former tax c...

Does God actually keep His promises? In 1 Kings 8, Solomon dedicates the temple and declares that not one of God's good promises has failed. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt celebrates the God who keeps His word — including the promises He has made to you. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What is the high point of 1 Kings 8? The temple is finished, God's glory fills it, and Solomon praises the God w...

What can we learn from how a great man died? In Deuteronomy 34, Moses climbs a mountain one last time — not to return, but to die within sight of the Promised Land. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt reflects on the death of Moses and what it teaches about faith, leadership, and God's faithfulness. Questions this sermon answers: 1. How did Moses die? At 120, still strong, God Himself showed him the Pro...

What is the war being waged inside you? In 1 Peter 2:11-12, the Apostle Peter warns of a war — not against outward enemies, but within: the flesh waging war against the soul. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains this inner battle and how the believer is to fight it. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What "war" is Peter describing? Not a battle with external foes, but the conflict insid...

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 your neighbor? In Luke 10, a lawyer tries to justify himself by asking Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks what real love for neighbor looks like. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why did the lawyer ask the question? To justify himself — to narrow "neighbor" down to a manageable few. Je...