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)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

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 birth, fulfilling prophecy.

2. What does Mary's song celebrate? A God who exalts the lowly and humbles the proud, who fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty.

3. Why is it counter-cultural? Because it locates all greatness in God, not self — magnifying the Lord rather than human status, power, or wealth.

"And Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.'" — Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Who is your neighbor?

In Luke 10, a lawyer tries to justify himself by asking Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks what real love for neighbor looks like.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why did the lawyer ask the question? To justify himself — to narrow "neighbor" down to a manageable few. Jesus widened it instead.

2. Why was a Samaritan the hero? Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Making one the example exposed the lawyer's prejudice and redefined neighborly love.

3. What does Jesus call us to do? To show mercy to whoever is in need, crossing the lines we would rather not cross.

"Go and do likewise." "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?... And Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" — Luke 10:36-37 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Listen and go deeper: This study comes from New Geneva Theological Seminary, a confessionally Reformed seminary teaching fully online. Find more Bible teaching at newgeneva.org, or begin your own studies at newgeneva.org/apply.

More from Dr. Holt: Matthew Explained · John Explained · Acts Explained · Galatians Explained

Can someone be saved at the very last moment?

In Luke 23, one of the criminals crucified beside Jesus turns to Him in faith — and receives an astonishing promise. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt opens this scene at the cross and what it reveals about grace, repentance, and salvation.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What changed in the dying thief? He stopped mocking, acknowledged his guilt and Jesus' innocence, and simply asked, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

2. How did Jesus respond? With immediate assurance: "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." No works, no time to earn it — only grace received by faith.

3. What does this teach us? That salvation is by grace alone, available even at the last hour to anyone who turns to Christ in faith.

"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" — Luke 23:43 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Listen and go deeper: This study comes from New Geneva Theological Seminary, a confessionally Reformed seminary teaching fully online. Find more Bible teaching at newgeneva.org, or begin your own studies at newgeneva.org/apply.

More from Dr. Holt: Matthew Explained · John Explained · Acts Explained · Galatians Explained

Why did only one of ten healed men come back?

In Luke 17, ten lepers are cleansed, but only one returns to give thanks.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What did Jesus do for the ten? He healed all ten of a disease that left them broken and outcast — an astonishing mercy.

2. Why does it matter that only one returned? Because nine received the gift and forgot the Giver. Ingratitude is a deeper sickness than leprosy.

3. What does this teach us? To examine our own thankfulness, and to return to Christ with grateful hearts for all He has done.

"So Jesus answered and said, 'Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?'" — Luke 17:17-18 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Listen and go deeper: This study comes from New Geneva Theological Seminary, a confessionally Reformed seminary teaching fully online. Find more Bible teaching at newgeneva.org, or begin your own studies at newgeneva.org/apply.

More from Dr. Holt: Matthew Explained · John Explained · Acts Explained · Galatians Explained

Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem?

In Luke 19, as He approaches Jerusalem, Jesus weeps — knowing its coming destruction. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains why the Lord mourned over the city, and what it reveals about His heart and His warnings.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why did Jesus weep? Because Jerusalem had rejected Him and did not recognize "the time of your visitation" — and judgment would follow.

2. What happened to the city? Within a generation its walls were broken and its temple burned, just as Jesus foretold.

3. What does this mean for us? That Christ takes no pleasure in judgment; He grieves over the lost — and calls us to recognize the day of His visitation.

"Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 'If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'" — Luke 19:41-42 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Listen and go deeper: This study comes from New Geneva Theological Seminary, a confessionally Reformed seminary teaching fully online. Find more Bible teaching at newgeneva.org, or begin your own studies at newgeneva.org/apply.

More from Dr. Holt: Matthew Explained · John Explained · Acts Explained · Galatians Explained

Who were the wise men, and what was the Christmas star?

In the nativity accounts, magi follow a star to find the newborn King — while a villain named Herod plots against Him. In this sermon (Luke 2; Matthew), Dr. Toby Holt opens the lesser-understood corners of the Christmas story.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Who were the wise men? Gentile seekers from the East who recognized the significance of the King's birth and came to worship Him.

2. Who was Herod? A ruthless and paranoid king who, fearing a rival, sought to destroy the Christ child — the dark shadow over the nativity.

3. What was the star? A God-given sign that led the magi to Christ, testifying that even the heavens declared the coming of the King.

"...saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'" — Matthew 2:2 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Why does the world love the baby but not the King?

At Christmas, even a secular world finds "baby Jesus" appealing. In Matthew 2 and Luke 2, Dr. Toby Holt shows that the child in the manger is the King — and that changes everything. A baby, a teacher, even a healer the world will accept. But Jesus as King, Jesus as God, is another matter — the wise men sought "He who has been born King of the Jews," while Herod plotted to kill Him. Holt presses past the sentiment of the season to the real identity of Christ: the divine King who calls for our allegiance, not just our admiration.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why is the world comfortable with "baby Jesus"? Because a harmless infant makes no demands. It is Jesus as King and God — with authority over our lives — that the world resists.

2. Who sought the newborn King, and who opposed Him? Wise men came from afar to worship Him, while King Herod sought to destroy Him. The newborn King drew both worship and hostility.

3. What does Christmas really call us to? Not just sentiment, but submission. The child of Bethlehem is the King of kings, worthy of our worship and our lives.

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." — Matthew 2:2 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt