RADIO FPC

Do your thoughts control you, or do you control them? In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul calls believers to take charge of their thought life — to dwell on what is true and good rather than on fear or what tears us down. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows how the focus of your thoughts shapes the direction of your life. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Why do our thoughts matter so much? Because...

A man 'reaps' what he 'sows.' As Paul wrapped up his letter to the Galatians, this was his emphasis. The things that you do and the things that you say will produce some sort of harvest - the question is, what kind will it be? Are you sowing good seeds, or are you sowing the spiritual equivalent of "gummy bears" that won't last the test of time? Click to listen to this final sermon in ou...

What does a changed life look like? In Galatians 5:16-26, the Apostle Paul describes what God's Spirit produces in a believer's life — the "fruit of the Spirit." Dr. Toby Holt explains how this fruit grows and why it matters. Our good works do not save us, but they show that we have been saved. Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" — anger, jealousy, selfishness — with the &q...

Abraham had two sons. These sons had different mothers, and a very different future. In this eye-opening episode, we consider the story of Abraham's two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, and their connection to the theological argument of 'works' and 'faith.' We'll see how Paul refers to these biblical figures in Galatians 4 to challenge the Judaizers about their reliance on works for salvation. Questions...

Is God your father? Does He love you like a father loves a child, and pursue what is best for you? Or are you outside of His family? In the Bible, there is a doctrine called the "doctrine of adoption," and it is one of the most encouraging teachings in the entire book. Click to learn more in our study of Galatians 4. Questions That We'll Answer: A) What does it mean to have God for a fat...

If the law can't save us, why did God give it? In Galatians 3:19-25, the Apostle Paul explains why God gave His law, even though no one is saved by keeping it. Dr. Toby Holt walks through what God's commands are really for. If we are saved by faith, why have rules at all? Paul answers that the law was never meant to save us; it shows us our sin, restrains evil, and points us to Jesus. He calls it...

Can your good works add to your salvation? No. In Galatians 3:1-14, the Apostle Paul asks a sharp question: "Who has bewitched you?" Dr. Toby Holt explains why adding works to faith is not a small mistake but a dangerous one. The Galatians had started well, trusting Jesus alone, but were now being talked into adding rules, as if their effort could finish what Jesus began. Paul reminds th...

Paul was angry with Peter. Peter had done something very wrong. And so, Paul rebuked him to his face. But do you remember why? The reason that Paul rebuked Peter is important. We'll learn more about this 'crisis' in the early church, in today's sermon from Galatians 2 . Questions That We'll Answer: A) Does God make a difference between Jewish and Gentile believers? B) Why did Peter not want to eat...

Israel and the Gentile nations had been fighting for a very long time. As you may recall, Gentile nations (like Rome) had oppressed the Israelites for centuries. There was bad blood there. And yet, in God's time, these same Gentiles were to be engrafted into His holy family. This was AMAZING GRACE! But it wouldn't come easy. Click to listen to Week 3 of our series in Galatians. Questions That We'l...

When people don't like the message, they attack the messenger. When our predecessors didn't like the Biblical message, they critiqued and rebuked those that had brought it. Prophets, apostles, even Christ himself - all died because of what they had to say. That will be the focus of today's study in Galatians. Questions That We'll Answer: A) What was Paul's greatest frustration about the Galatians?...

What is the Book of Galatians all about? The Book of Galatians is a letter that was written by the Apostle Paul. This letter contains some of the STRONGEST and MOST CRITICAL STATEMENTS in all of Scripture. Click to learn why Galatians is so important (and so relevant) in our own day. Questions That We'll Answer: A) What was going wrong in Galatia? What was the church doing? B) Why were the people...

When Exodus began, God's people were laboring over a building project - Pharaoh's. But by the time Exodus ends, an entirely different building project is in view (the Tabernacle). In our final study of the Book of Exodus, we consider the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a game changer for the people of Israel. With that said, what was this tent designed for? What was its purpose? Other Questions Tha...

Is God's presence really with you? In Exodus 33, Moses pleads for the one thing that matters most: God's own presence. Dr. Toby Holt shows why nearness to God is the believer's greatest treasure. After the golden calf, God says He will give Israel the land but warns His presence will not go in their midst, lest He consume a stubborn people. Moses refuses to go without God, and God relents: "M...

Why do people make idols? In Exodus 32, while Moses is on the mountain with God, the people below melt their gold into a calf and worship it. Dr. Toby Holt examines the human heart's pull toward idols. Impatient for Moses, the people pressure Aaron to "make us gods," and he fashions a golden calf, even calling it a feast to the Lord. An idol's appeal: a god you make yourself, who demands...

What was the Ark of the Covenant for? In Exodus 25, God gives the plans for the Ark of the Covenant — the most sacred object in Israel. Dr. Toby Holt explains what the ark was really for, and what it pointed to. God asks for the people's finest materials, and the ark is the first item described — because His glory would rest on it. The true focus is the "mercy seat" on top, between two g...

Can the blood of animals take away sin? In Exodus 24:1-8, Moses seals God's covenant with Israel by sprinkling the people with blood. Dr. Toby Holt explains why the Bible speaks so much about blood — and where it all points. After the people vow, "All that the LORD has said we will do," Moses offers sacrifices and sprinkles half the blood on the altar and half on the people. Animal blood...

Does Jesus appear in the Old Testament? In Exodus 23:20-33, God promises to send "an Angel" before Israel to guard and guide them. Dr. Toby Holt makes the case that this Angel is the pre-incarnate Christ. God says of this Angel, "My name is in him" — a clue that this is no ordinary messenger but the Son of God before His birth in Bethlehem. Holt traces His appearances through E...

Why did God give the Ten Commandments? In Exodus 20, God speaks the Ten Commandments aloud from Mount Sinai. Dr. Toby Holt explains the purpose of God's law — and why it cannot save us. The first commandments govern our relationship to God, the rest our relationship to one another; Jesus summed them up as loving God and loving neighbor. Sin is a matter of the heart, not just outward acts — so all...

Why did God come in fire and thunder at Sinai? In Exodus 19, God descends on Mount Sinai in fire, smoke, and thunder, and the whole mountain trembles. Dr. Toby Holt explores this terrifying display of God's holiness. Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel reaches Sinai, where God meets them in fire and trumpet blasts. No one may touch the mountain and live; the people must consecrate themselves...

How does God provide when there's nothing left? In Exodus 16-17, a hungry, thirsty Israel grumbles in the desert — and God rains bread from heaven and brings water from a rock. Dr. Toby Holt shows how God provides and tests His people in the wilderness. With no food, the people accuse Moses of leading them out to die, and God sends manna each morning — enough for each day, to teach them to trust H...

Across the course of the first nine plagues, all of Egypt's gods had proven worthless - the God of Israel had brought plagues upon the very things those gods were supposed to protect. And yet, Pharaoh had learned nothing. His heart had only grown harder. However, the 10th plague would break his spirit and take his son. Following the events of the Passover night, God's people would be set free. And...

Why did God send ten plagues on Egypt? In Exodus 7-11, God strikes Egypt with ten devastating plagues. Dr. Toby Holt explains that the plagues were far more than natural disasters — they were a contest between God and Egypt's false gods. Each plague struck at a specific Egyptian deity, exposing them as powerless before the living God. Through it all, God set His own people apart — Goshen was spare...

What happens when obeying God makes life harder? In Exodus 5, Moses confronts Pharaoh with God's command — "Let My people go" — and things immediately get worse, not better. Dr. Toby Holt explores what to do when obedience seems to backfire. Pharaoh sneers, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him?" and makes Israel's slavery harsher — bricks without straw. The people's faith c...

What is God's name? In Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses from a bush that burns but is not consumed. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this holy encounter and the name by which God reveals Himself. Moses, now an eighty-year-old shepherd, turns aside and meets God on holy ground. God says He has seen Israel's suffering and will rescue them through Moses. When Moses asks who sent him, God answers, "I AM WHO I...

How did Israel end up enslaved in Egypt? In Exodus 1-2, the family of Israel has grown into a nation — and into slavery. Dr. Toby Holt opens the book of Exodus and shows that its story is, in a sense, our story too. Generations after Joseph, "a new king arose who did not know Joseph" and enslaved the Israelites, even ordering their baby boys killed. Yet God was at work: a Levite child na...