Why do Christians experience both glory and grief?

In Romans 8, Paul describes the tension of the Christian life — a glorious future secured, yet present suffering not yet ended. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains the "already, but not yet" reality believers live in.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why does all creation "groan"? Because the world was subjected to futility through sin and now awaits its redemption — a brokenness we feel deeply.

2. How can we be sure of a brighter tomorrow? Because of Christ. Our future glory is guaranteed by His resurrection and the Spirit given to us as a pledge.

3. How do we endure the "not yet"? By fixing our hope on the coming glory, which far outweighs our present sufferings.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." — Romans 8:18 (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

Is the world remaking you in its image?

In Romans 12, Paul warns believers not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of the mind. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this crucial choice between conformation and transformation.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why is conformity dangerous? Because the world is always pressing us to adopt its priorities and values, shaping us away from God without our even noticing.

2. How does transformation happen? Not by willpower alone, but by "the renewing of your mind" — having our thinking reshaped by God's truth.

3. What does it mean to renew the mind? To saturate our thinking in God's Word until we see and value things as He does.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." — Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

How much time do you 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 — so believers should live with urgency and purpose.

2. What are we to cast off? "The works of darkness" — putting on instead "the armor of light," living as those who belong to the day.

3. What holds us back? Spiritual drowsiness and the pull of the night. Paul calls us to awake and number our days.

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." — Romans 13:12 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

How does saving faith begin?

In Romans 10, Paul shows that no one believes in a Savior they have never heard of — "faith comes by hearing." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt traces how the gospel reaches the lost, and why every believer is now sent to share it.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Where does faith come from? From hearing God's Word. If you have come to faith, it is because someone shared the gospel with you.

2. Why is preaching so important? Because people cannot believe in One they have not heard of, and they cannot hear without someone proclaiming the message.

3. What does this mean for us? That we are now the ones sent to tell others. Having received the gospel, we pass it on.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Should we soften the gospel? No!

In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul declares, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." In this Reformation Sunday sermon, Dr. Toby Holt calls the church to proclaim the gospel boldly and unashamedly, without watering it down.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why was Paul "not ashamed" of the gospel? Because it is "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." The message itself saves, so there is no reason to hide or soften it.

2. What is the danger of watering down the gospel? It robs the message of its power and leaves sinners without the truth they need. To appease people at the cost of truth is to fail them.

3. What does the Reformation remind us? That the gospel of grace, recovered by men like Luther, is worth proclaiming plainly and courageously in every age.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." — Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Does your mind need renewing?

In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds rather than conformed to the world. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt shows why the Christian mind must be renewed — and how God does it.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why does the mind need renewing? Because even a remarkable mind is affected by sin — forgetful, selective, prone to error. It needs to be reshaped by God's truth.

2. What does it mean not to "be conformed to this world"? To stop being pressed into the world's mold of thinking, and instead let God reshape how we think and live.

3. How are we transformed? By the renewing of the mind through God's Word, so we can discern and do His good and acceptable will.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." — Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Why is the world so full of disasters?

Pandemics, hurricanes, earthquakes — in Romans 8, Paul explains why creation itself seems broken, and where it is all heading. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings hope from the "groaning of creation."

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why is the world broken? Because of sin, creation was "subjected to futility." The disasters around us are signs of a world out of joint, awaiting repair.

2. Will it stay this way? No. Paul says creation itself will be "delivered from the bondage of corruption" — God will one day make all things new.

3. What hope is there now? That our present sufferings are not the end of the story. Creation groans, but it also hopes, awaiting redemption.

"For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." — Romans 8:22 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Are people basically good, bad, or neutral at birth?

In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul explains that sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, and spread to all. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks the doctrine of original sin — and why it matters for understanding ourselves and our need for Christ.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is "original sin"? The biblical teaching that we are born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam — not innocent or neutral, but fallen from the start.

2. Why does this doctrine matter? Because if we are merely "basically good," we don't need a Savior. Scripture says we do; our problem is deep and requires Christ.

3. Is there hope? Yes. Paul's point is that what came through one man, Adam, is overcome by another — the grace that comes through Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned..." — Romans 5:12 (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