What is the Book of Matthew about?

In Part 1 of our new study, we will introduce this Gospel and talk about the audience that it was originally written to - the Israelites. While Matthew contains truth and wisdom for all people, it was intended to explain the person and work of Jesus to Matthew's Jewish contemporaries.

Beyond introducing Matthew, we'll also talk about the 'intertestamental age' that preceded its writing.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why was God 'silent' for over 400 years?

B) What differentiates Matthew from the other Gospel accounts?

C) Why are there two different genealogies (in Matthew and Luke)?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

That's what the word 'Emmanuel' means - 'God with us.'

The pagan gods didn't work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm's length.

But our God wants to be close.

He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple.

And He came to earth in the form of a babe.

Join us for Part 2 of our study in the Book of Matthew.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What is the difference between being 'with' or 'for' someone?

B) What did the Angel tell Joseph about Jesus? Why was it so important?

C) What comfort do the Angel's words have to those of us who are hurting?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John's mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around - that Christ needed to baptize him!

John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, and no need to be 'washed clean.'

So why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That will be today's focus.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What sort of baptism was John doing by the Jordan River?

B) Were John's baptism the same as our modern, church age baptisms?

B) Why did Jesus say His baptism would 'fulfill all righteousness?'

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil.

What did the devil think he was going to accomplish?

And what was the Father's purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this?

Other Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the object of each of the three temptations?

B) Why did Jesus refer to Scripture at each opportunity?

C) How was Christ's temptation related to Adam's in Genesis 3?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

But the Roman Centurion did not.

Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior.

They accused and berated Him at every turn.

Conversely, there are seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament - and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus 'marvel' at the faith of the Centurion?

B) What stood out about the Centurion's request?

C) What warning did Jesus give the Jews in Matthew 8?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

Well, they're not the sort of men you would expect.

They weren't the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas - from an earthly perspective, this was an unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose them to be His friends and ambassadors.

What can we learn from their service?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What is the difference between a 'disciple' and an 'apostle?'

B) What warnings did Jesus give to His apostles before sending them out?

C) What unique responsibilities were the apostles given?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

In Matthew 5, Jesus starts this sermon with a series of blessings (or beatitudes).

What were these blessings all about?

And how were they received by hurting people who were used to the legalism of the Pharisees?

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) How do the blessings of Matthew 5 contrast to the woes of Matthew 23?

B) Who was Christ's audience for this particular sermon?

C) What does it mean to be 'salt' and 'light' in the world around us?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

In the time of Christ, Caesarea Phillipi was the 'red light district.'

It was filled with pagan people doing pagan things.

And yet, this is where Jesus took His disciples in Matthew 16.

Why? That will be the focus of today's study.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus travel to the region known as Hell's gates?

B) What did He teach His disciples when they got there?

C) Why did Jesus say "on this rock I will build my church?"

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

One's face radiated with light. The others did not.

Moses and Elijah were no slouches - these were titans of Jewish history, the embodiment of the law and the prophets.

And yet, when standing next to Jesus, they paled.

It was Christ alone that the Father referred to, saying "This is my Son, listen to Him" in Matthew 17.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the 'transfiguration,' and why did Jesus undergo it?

B) Why did Moses and Elijah appear, and what did they talk about?

C) What was Peter's mistake, and what forgiveness did he receive?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

Now, how could this be?

What could possibly make gentle, loving, patient Jesus so upset?

What could cause Him to flip tables and to make a scene?

In today's study, we'll consider both the circumstances and reasons for Christ's anger.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Who were the money-changers in the temple? What were they doing?

B) How does this event relate to the time Jesus cursed a fig tree?

C) What does it mean for God's temple to be a 'house of prayer?'

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

When Jesus entered the Temple in Matthew 21, the Pharisees, Sadducees and others planned to ask Him questions that might trap or make our Lord look bad before others.

They wanted to destroy or hurt His credibility.

In today's study, we'll see how Jesus responded.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) What was the irony about the questions that Jesus was facing?

B) What was the point of Christ's parable about the wedding feast?

C) What happened to the improperly dressed 'wedding guest?'

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

His betrayer joined Him.

In today's study, Jesus sat down for what we call the 'Last Supper,' with His betrayer seated just a few feet away. Our Lord had come to celebrate the Passover with His disciples, knowing this would be their last opportunity to do so.

But He also knew the heart (and pending actions) of a man named Judas Iscariot.

In today’s study, we’ll consider the high stakes of Matthew 26.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did Judas betray Christ? What was his purpose and reward?

B) What doctrines did Jesus emphasize during the 'Last Supper?'

C) What was about to happen next? What did Jesus expect to occur?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

And a cry - 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'

What really happened on the cross?

What do we make of all the supernatural events that transpired?

And what do we make of Christ's final words?

In today's study, we will consider our Savior's final moments on Calvary.

Questions That We'll Answer:

A) Why did the sky grow dark at 12PM? What did the darkness signify?

B) Did the Father really turn His face away from the Son?

C) What hope do we find even in the hardest chapter in Scripture?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the capstone of the entire Gospel, but it secures your great future. You see, if the grave didn't hold Him, then it won't hold you.

And if death can be defeated, then so can all the other hardships that you're undergoing right now.

Today may be difficult, but take heart - your story ends well!

Questions That We'll Answer In Today's Study:

1) What really happened on the Sunday after Christ's death?

2) Who were the eyewitnesses to Christ's resurrection (and what did they see?)

3) What supernatural events rocked Jerusalem on that great day?

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.

Support New Geneva: To support Dr. Holt's ministry, please visit: newgeneva.org/give