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Genesis: A Murder East Of Eden May 16, 2024

Show notes

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; Cain's sin came from his own fallen nature. God had warned, "sin lies at the door."

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did God reject Cain's offering? Because of the heart behind it. The problem was not merely what Cain brought, but the attitude with which he brought it.

2. What did God mean that "sin lies at the door"? That sin was crouching, ready to master Cain — and that he needed to rule over it. It is a warning to every heart.

3. Is sin "at our door" too? Yes. The same fallen nature is in all of us. Like Cain, we must recognize sin's pull and turn from it to God.

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door…" — Genesis 4:7 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Genesis: The Temptation And The Fall May 08, 2024

Show notes

What does Genesis 3 teach us in The Temptation and the Fall?

In this sermon on Genesis 3, Dr. Toby Holt of New Geneva Theological Seminary teaches that the fall of Adam is the cataclysm modern people no longer understand: one sin was enough to expel our first parents from God's presence and to curse the whole created order, because the wages of sin is death. From a Reformed and Westminster perspective, Holt exposes the serpent's method of attacking God's word and motives, traces how sin still deceives us today, and shows that Adam's guilt is imputed to all humanity as our federal head. Yet the passage ends in hope: God promises the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, whose imputed righteousness is received by faith alone.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is the main issue in this passage? In this sermon on Genesis 3, Dr.

2. How does this text point us to Christ? It shows the need for God's grace and the hope fulfilled in the gospel.

3. How should Christians respond? With faith, repentance, and renewed trust in the Lord's Word.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

Genesis: In The Beginning (Creation) Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

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 — "there is a God, and you are not Him." As Creator, He sets the purpose of everything; and because we bear His image, every life carries dignity.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why do people prefer theories like evolution or the Big Bang? Because they remove a Creator to whom we are accountable. Genesis insists a personal God made everything on purpose.

2. What does it mean that we are made "in God's image"? That every person carries God-given dignity and worth. This grounds the sanctity of human life.

3. Why does the doctrine of creation matter so much? Because it establishes who God is and who we are. If God is Creator, He has authority over our lives and gives them meaning.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." — Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

He Is Risen: Witnesses To The Resurrection Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

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 struggled to grasp that He was truly alive.

2. What evidence does Luke give? Witnesses, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ appearing in the flesh to many — a heavily attested event.

3. Why does it matter? Because the fate of every person hinges on it. If Christ is risen, death is conquered and our hope is secure.

"He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee." — Luke 24:6 (NKJV)

Behold The Lamb: Why Jesus Was The Lamb Of God Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

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 people — a picture fulfilled in Christ, who takes away sin.

2. Why didn't others see Him this way? Many wanted a conquering king, not a sacrificial Lamb. John, taught by God, saw Christ's true mission.

3. What is the difference between appeasement and atonement? We cannot appease God by our works; only Christ's atoning sacrifice — the Lamb of God — takes away sin.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" — John 1:29 (NKJV)

What Is Love: A Story Of Passion And Sacrifice Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

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 love are worthless.

2. Why is love greater than faith and hope? Because faith and hope belong to this life, but love endures forever — and love is what God Himself is.

3. What does true love look like? It is patient, kind, self-giving, and sacrificial — the love supremely shown in Christ.

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

The Desert: Salvation Comes To The Wasteland Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

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 passage about the suffering servant, "preached Jesus to him." The man believes and is baptized on the spot — the fruit of God-arranged appointments.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God care for outsiders and rebels? Because His salvation reaches beyond Israel to people of every nation. Here He pursues a foreigner most would overlook, showing the wideness of His grace.

2. What was the Ethiopian reading? Isaiah 53, the passage about the suffering servant, without understanding who it described. Philip showed him it pointed to Jesus.

3. What hope does Acts 8 give for the lost people in our lives? God arranges "divine appointments" and uses ordinary believers to reach searching hearts. We were once like the eunuch; now we can be like Philip.

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." — Acts 8:35 (NKJV)

Why Do The Nations Rage Against God Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

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 rule the nations. For now, God shows patience, calling rebels to "kiss the Son" before judgment comes. "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God "laugh" at earthly rulers? Because their rebellion against the Almighty is futile. Nothing they plot can shake His throne.

2. How is this psalm both political and prophetic? It speaks to real rulers who oppose God, and points ahead to Christ, the King God has installed over all nations.

3. How should we respond to God's King? By trusting and submitting to the Son rather than resisting Him. Those who take refuge in Him are blessed.

"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" — Psalm 2:1 (NKJV)

Behold What Manner Of Love! Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

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 saves He adopts as beloved children.

2. Why was John so amazed? Because the gift is staggering: that rebels and sinners should be called the very children of God.

3. How does God see you now? As His own child, dearly loved — not merely ticketed for heaven, but welcomed into His household as family. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" — 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

Mustard Seed (This Is How The Church Grows) Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

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 its humble start.

2. How was this fulfilled? Jesus spoke to a handful of disciples on a shoreline; today the church spans the entire globe across every nation.

3. What can the church learn? To be faithful in small beginnings and to trust God for the growth, even in times of cultural upheaval.

"...The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed... which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree." — Matthew 13:31-32 (NKJV)

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