New Geneva Theological Seminary

Why is love greater than faith and hope? In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul declares that the greatest of faith, hope, and love is love. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explores what makes love supreme — and how it reflects the very heart of God. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why was Corinth given a "primer on love"? Because the church was divided and immature. They needed to learn that gifts without lov...

Does God pursue the outsider? Yes. In Acts 8:26-40, God sends Philip into the desert to reach one searching foreigner — an Ethiopian official. Dr. Toby Holt shows how far God will go to save the people the world overlooks. On a lonely desert road, Philip meets an Ethiopian official reading aloud from Isaiah 53 but unable to understand it. Philip climbs into the chariot and, beginning from that pas...

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...

What kind of love makes sinners into God's children? In 1 John 3, the apostle marvels that God calls us His children. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the astonishing love that brings believers into God's family — not as servants, but as sons and daughters. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What does it mean that God is our Father? That salvation makes us family. God has no "peons" — those He...

How does the kingdom of God grow? In Matthew 13, Jesus compares the kingdom to a mustard seed — tiny at first, but destined to grow great. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the parable and what it reveals about the church's growth. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What is the point of the mustard seed? That the kingdom begins small and unimpressive but grows into something vast — far beyond i...

Is there hope after losing someone you love? In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul comforts grieving believers — not by denying their sorrow, but by anchoring it in hope. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings tender, biblical encouragement to grieving hearts. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Is it wrong for Christians to grieve? No. Grief is natural and right. But Paul says we "do not sorrow as others who ha...

How much time do you really have left? In Romans 13, Paul urges believers to wake up and live, for "the night is far spent, the day is at hand." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt calls us to treat today as short and precious, living in the light of Christ's coming. Questions this sermon answers: 1. What did Paul mean by "the night is far spent"? That the present age is passing and Christ's day is near...

Should preachers teach only the easy parts of the Bible? No. In Acts 20:17-38, the Apostle Paul charges the Ephesian elders to preach the whole counsel of God — not just the comfortable parts. Dr. Toby Holt explains why every truth of Scripture matters. Meeting the elders one last time, Paul reminded them how he served through tears and trials, holding nothing back. He warned that "savage wolves"...

What is Jesus doing for you right now? We often remember what Jesus has done — but in John 17, we see what He continues to do: intercede for His people. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt opens the "high priestly prayer" and the comfort of having a divine Advocate. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why is John 17 called the "high priestly prayer"? Because in it Jesus prays as our great High Priest, int...

In this sermon on Isaiah 40:27-31, Gardner Fish preaches "Renewed By The Lord (Isaiah 40:27-31)" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: And of course, with every new year, we do turn over a new page, right along with the fireworks, if you partake in that, and the moon pie drops and black-eyed peas, co...

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...

In this sermon on Luke 2:8-20, Gardner Fish preaches "Good Tidings Of Great Joy (Luke 2:8-20)" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. The sermon then frames the listener's atte...

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," th...

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 of His peo...

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 — never "L...

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 children shouted...

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, "You are the Chris...

In this sermon on Matthew 13:1-23, Gardner Fish preaches "Matthew: The Parable Of The Sower (Matt. 13:1-23)" with attention to the passage's setting, argument, and pastoral application. The transcript shows the message opening with this concern: And he told them many things in parables, saying, A sower went out to sow. The sermon then frames the listener's attention this way: I mean, so many thing...

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 soldiers, he...

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...

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 perfect life: forgi...