New Geneva Theological Seminary

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...

Is the world remaking you in its image? In Romans 12, Paul warns believers not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of the mind. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this crucial choice between conformation and transformation. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why is conformity dangerous? Because the world is always pressing us to adopt its priorities and values, shaping u...

How does the book of Genesis end? In Genesis 50:15-26, the first book of the Bible closes — not in a garden, but with a coffin in Egypt. Dr. Toby Holt traces the whole sweep of Genesis and its two great themes: human sin and God's grace. After Jacob dies, Joseph's brothers fear revenge. Instead Joseph weeps and forgives them, summing up the whole book in one sentence: what they meant for evil, God...

Can God bring good out of the worst things? In Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph finally reveals himself to the brothers who sold him into slavery. Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the meaning of "providence" — God's hand at work even through hardship and evil. After years of slavery and prison, Joseph stands as second-in-command of Egypt, with his brothers at his mercy. He could have taken revenge. Instead he weeps,...

In this sermon on Genesis 41:37-57, Gardner Fish preaches "Joseph's Rise To Power" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: We are continuing this morning in our study of Genesis and still in the life of Joseph. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: And that's what we'll see this mor...

Where is God when life seems unfair? In Genesis 40, Joseph sits in an Egyptian prison for a crime he never committed — yet "God was with him." Dr. Toby Holt shows how God works in the dark seasons when life seems most unfair. Falsely accused and forgotten, Joseph meets Pharaoh's imprisoned cupbearer and baker, and God enables him to interpret their dreams: one restored, one executed. Joseph asks t...

Why did Joseph's brothers hate him? In Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers hate him enough to sell him into slavery. Dr. Toby Holt asks where God is when calamity strikes — even though God's name never appears in the chapter. Jacob plays favorites with a special coat, and the brothers' jealousy turns to hatred when Joseph shares his dreams of ruling over them. They plot to kill him, then sell him to tra...

Who did Jacob wrestle with all night? In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestles a mysterious "Man" through the night and walks away with a limp and a new name. Dr. Toby Holt explains this strange and pivotal encounter. Returning home after twenty years, Jacob is terrified of meeting Esau. Left alone at the river, he wrestles until daybreak with One he realizes is God Himself — a pre-incarnate appearance...

What was Jacob's ladder, really? In Genesis 28:10-22, the fleeing deceiver Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. Dr. Toby Holt reveals what that ladder truly was. Running from Esau, Jacob sleeps with a stone for a pillow and sees a ladder joining heaven and earth, angels going up and down, and God above it renewing His promises. Every person senses a gap between earth and heaven,...

Can God use a broken family? In Genesis 27, a blind old father, a scheming mother, and a deceiving son all sin their way through one chaotic day. Dr. Toby Holt shows how God works His good plan even through a deeply broken family. Isaac plans to bless Esau, ignoring God's choice of Jacob. Rebekah schemes, and Jacob lies to his father's face to steal the blessing. Every major figure does wrong — ye...

Why did God choose Jacob over Esau? In Genesis 25, before twin brothers are even born, God declares that "the older shall serve the younger." Dr. Toby Holt explores one of the Bible's clearest teachings on God's electing choice. As Isaac's line continues, Rebekah gives birth to Esau and Jacob, and God announces His choice of Jacob before either has done good or bad. Quoted by Paul in Romans 9, thi...

Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? In Genesis 22, God gives Abraham the hardest command imaginable: offer your son Isaac as a sacrifice. Dr. Toby Holt walks through this famous test and the gospel it foreshadows. Abraham obeys, traveling three days to Mount Moriah as Isaac carries the wood up the hill. At the last moment God stops him and provides a ram as a substitute. Abraham truste...

In this sermon on Genesis 20, Gardner Fish preaches "Abraham: Old Sin, Same Grace" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: Today in Genesis, we again find ourselves studying an episode in the life of Father Abraham. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: Now, if you're just joining u...

Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? In Genesis 18:22 through 19, God rains down judgment on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Dr. Toby Holt examines a sobering account of both God's wrath and His mercy. Before judgment falls, Abraham pleads with God, who agrees to spare the cities for ten righteous people — but not even ten are found. Two angels rescue Lot's family as fire destroys the...

Is anything too hard for God? In Genesis 18:1-15, the Lord promises ninety-year-old Sarah a son — and she laughs. Dr. Toby Holt asks whether anything is truly too hard for God. Three visitors come to Abraham, one of them the Lord Himself in human form. As Abraham serves a lavish meal, the Lord renews His promise: Sarah will have a son within the year. Sarah, far past childbearing age, laughs at th...

What does it mean to be a friend of God? In Genesis 12, God calls Abraham out of a pagan land with a staggering set of promises. Dr. Toby Holt opens the life of the man the Bible calls "the friend of God." Abraham came from Ur, steeped in idol worship, yet God chose him — not for his merit but by grace. God told him to leave his country and family for a land he had never seen, and he obeyed. God p...

Why did God confuse the world's languages? In Genesis 11:1-9, humanity unites to build a tower to the heavens — and God scatters them by confusing their language. Dr. Toby Holt explains what really happened at Babel. God had told mankind to spread out and fill the earth, but the people gathered to build a city and tower "to make a name for ourselves" — pride and rebellion. God came down, confused...

Was Noah's flood about more than animals? In Genesis 6, the world has grown so corrupt that God sends a flood — yet "Noah found grace." Dr. Toby Holt shows that the flood is far more than a children's story. As humanity's wickedness fills the earth, God resolves to judge it with a flood — a picture of His wrath on sin. But Noah finds grace, and God provides the ark as the one means of rescue, poin...

Why did Cain kill his brother? In Genesis 4:1-12, the first child ever born grows up to commit the first murder. Dr. Toby Holt shows how Cain and Abel reveal the deep reality of sin in every human heart. Both bring offerings, but God accepts Abel's and not Cain's — because of the heart behind it. Instead of repenting, Cain grows furious and murders his brother. There was no bad upbringing to blame...

How did one sin change everything? In Genesis 3, a single act of disobedience plunges the whole world into ruin. Dr. Toby Holt explains the fall of mankind — and the first promise of a Savior. The serpent tempts Eve by twisting God's word and questioning His goodness, and both Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. Shame, blame, and death follow, and the curse spreads to all creation. Yet even in t...

Did God really create everything? In Genesis 1, the Bible opens with five world-shaping words: "In the beginning, God created." Dr. Toby Holt shows why how we understand creation shapes everything else we believe. Genesis declares God made the heavens and earth out of nothing, by His word, and made human beings in His image. This is the foundation of all right thinking about God and ourselves — "t...

In this sermon on Genesis 17:1-14, Gardner Fish preaches "The Sign Of The Covenant (Genesis 17:1-14)" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: His name is Abraham, or as he's known at this time, Abram. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: And there's really nothing at this point rea...

Is there real evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? In Luke 24, the resurrection is presented with witnesses, proofs, and eyewitness testimony. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt considers the empty tomb and why so much hangs on whether it is true. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why were the disciples anxious at first? Because the news seemed too good to believe — even those closest to Jesus strug...

Why did John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God"? In John 1, as the people prepared for Passover, John pointed to Jesus and called Him "the Lamb of God." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores why Jesus is the true Lamb, and what that means for our salvation. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why call Jesus a "Lamb"? Because the Passover lamb was slain so that judgment would pass over God's p...

Why does God allow His children to suffer trials? In 1 Peter 1, the apostle writes to suffering believers, reminding them that this world is not their home. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings encouragement for Christians facing hardships and trials. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What did Peter say to the suffering? That their trials are temporary, and that a living hope and an imperishable i...