This week at Movement Church, we look at one of Jesus’ most sobering parables — the story of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25. Jesus tells a story about bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom — five wise, five foolish — and the moment everything is revealed when he unexpectedly arrives. The difference between them isn’t how religious they look, but whether they were actually prepared. In the same way, Jesus calls His followers not to a passive belief, but to a life that stays awake, watchful, obedient, and ready for His return. This teaching digs into what true spiritual preparation looks like: building a life of daily discipleship, killing sin, leading our homes, staying rooted in Scripture, living out our faith, and not settling for a version of Christianity that’s only active on Sundays. It also confronts some of the modern habits that quietly leave us unprepared — and offers a hopeful path forward for anyone who needs a fresh start. Whether you’re feeling strong in your faith or realizing you’ve drifted, this message calls all of us to repent, follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and run the race with endurance. As J.C. Ryle once wrote, “At the beginning of life Satan says, ‘it’s too soon;’ at the end he says, ‘it’s too late.’” Jesus says it’s neither — it’s time to get ready. Join us as we explore what it truly means to keep watch, stay ready, and live prepared for the return of our King.

In this episode, we dive into one of Jesus’ most intense teachings — Matthew 24. It’s full of big questions about destruction, the end times, and what it really means to follow Jesus when the world feels chaotic. But instead of stirring fear, Jesus gives His followers a clear and practical roadmap: endure in your faith and share the good news. He reminds us that no one can predict His return, but every one of us can live ready for it. We explore how Jesus’ words were fulfilled in history, what they mean for us today, and why the “faithful servant” is the model for how to live right now.

This week at Movement Church, we continue our Matthew series. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers one of His most direct confrontations with the Pharisees — calling out their hypocrisy, exposing empty religion, and inviting all of us into authentic faith. Just like the warning light on a car’s dashboard, Jesus reveals the spiritual warning signs the Pharisees ignored. They looked holy on the outside but were spiritually broken on the inside — obsessed with image, rules, and reputation while missing the heart of God. Through a series of seven “woes,” Jesus warns that hypocrisy doesn’t just damage us; it keeps others from experiencing God’s grace. Yet even in His strongest rebuke, Jesus’ heart breaks with compassion. He grieves over Jerusalem, longing to gather His people like a loving parent gathering children close. It’s a reminder that God’s heart is never to condemn but to restore. This message challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we wearing masks? Are we performing religion instead of pursuing relationship? Jesus isn’t asking for perfection — He’s asking for honesty, humility, and a willingness to be transformed from the inside out. Whether it’s taking off the mask of performance or trusting Jesus for the first time, this week’s message is a powerful invitation to move from appearance to authenticity — to stop ignoring the spiritual “check engine light” and let Jesus do the deep work of grace within us.

What if following Jesus could be summed up in two simple, life-changing commands? In this week’s message, “Cliff Notes,” we look at Jesus’ famous words that cut through religious complexity and reveal the very heart of our faith: Love God completely and love people genuinely. As the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question about the greatest commandment, He reframed everything — moving the conversation from rules to relationship. Loving God means wholehearted devotion — with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s not partial or passive; it’s plugging our whole life into the true source of power. And that kind of love naturally overflows into loving others — not just the people who are easy to love, but every neighbor God places in our path. This message reminds us that the entire law, the whole story of Scripture, and the purpose of our lives hinge on these two hinges of love. In a noisy and divided world, Jesus calls us back to the main thing — to be people who reflect His heart through real, thoughtful, genuine love.

In this week’s message, we unpack one of Jesus’ most politically charged moments — when He’s asked whether it’s right to pay taxes to Caesar. What looked like a trap between two opposing political groups becomes a timeless teaching about allegiance, image, and identity. Jesus’ response reframes everything: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” This conversation forces us to wrestle with our own loyalties. Are we honoring authority without surrendering our worship? Are we allowing our politics, preferences, or culture to shape our hearts more than Jesus does? The truth is — whatever image we bear determines whose kingdom we serve. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live with tension: to engage with the world responsibly while keeping our ultimate allegiance fixed on God. We can vote, serve, and lead in our communities, but our hearts belong to a higher Kingdom. The question we all must ask is — Whose image do I bear? This episode challenges us to be people marked not by division or earthly kingdoms, but by the image and character of God — reflecting His love, humility, and justice in a world desperate for both truth and grace.

What if heaven isn’t just a future destination but a party that starts now — and you’re already on the guest list? In this message, we unpack Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast, a story that reveals the heart of God’s invitation to every person. Through a powerful mix of humor and conviction, we’re reminded that while everyone’s invited to the celebration, not everyone will respond. This episode challenges us to consider: Are we ready for eternity? Are we living daily in the reality of God’s Kingdom? And do we care enough to help others find their way to the party? You’ll walk away encouraged to live in the power of the resurrection now, not later — to get ready, stay ready, and bring others along for the greatest celebration of all time.

In this message, we explore two parables in Matthew 21 that expose the gap between words and obedience. Through the stories of two sons and a group of rebellious tenants, Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy and calls His followers to genuine repentance and surrender. God isn’t impressed by lip service or appearance—He desires hearts that are transformed by obedience. Real faith produces real fruit, not empty promises. The first parable contrasts words and actions—one son said “no” but obeyed, while the other said “yes” but didn’t follow through. Jesus teaches that obedience, not talk, reveals true love for God. The second parable reveals that rejecting the Son means losing the Kingdom, reminding us that God’s patience is purposeful but not endless. The Kingdom will continue to bear fruit through those who surrender to Him. The message ends with a challenge: • Repent if you’ve said “no” to God. • Return if you’ve drifted from obedience. • Repeat if you’re already bearing fruit—stay rooted and surrendered. Faith isn’t proven by religious activity, but by a heart that abides in Jesus and produces fruit that lasts.

In Matthew 21:18–27, Jesus curses a fig tree that looks healthy but bears no fruit—an unforgettable image that reveals how appearance without transformation leads to emptiness. In this message, “Following = Fruit,” we learn that true followers of Jesus don’t just look the part; they trust His authority and allow His Spirit to produce lasting fruit in their lives. Through this passage, we’re reminded that faith without obedience is hollow, and real growth begins when we surrender control and let Jesus change us from the inside out. The call is simple but profound: spend time with Jesus, be changed by Jesus, and live like Jesus—because following always produces fruit.

When James and John angle for the seats of honor, Jesus flips the script on greatness. This episode traces how Jesus redefines leadership as sacrificial service—“drinking the cup,” staying humbly in your lane, and using authority for the good of others. We contrast worldly power plays with Kingdom leadership, then watch Jesus model it on the road from Jericho as He stops to heal two blind men. The call is clear: authority isn’t for ego; it’s for lifting people. Big Idea: Good leaders use their authority for the sake of others. In this episode: • Ambition vs. the cross: why greatness requires sacrifice, not status. • “Among you it will be different”: servant leadership that actually leads. • Three marks of Christlike leadership: available, effective, and directed. • Practical next steps for families, teams, and everyday influence. Key Verse: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Reflection Questions: 1. Who are “your people,” and how will you use your authority to serve them this week? 2. Where do you need to take responsibility instead of waiting for someone else?

In this message from Matthew 20:1–16, we explore The Parable of the Vineyard Workers and the upside-down generosity of God. Jesus tells a story that flips our expectations of fairness on their head and reveals that the Kingdom of God runs on grace, not merit. Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for decades or are just starting to seek Him, His invitation and reward are the same—life with Him. Together, we’ll see why God’s grace is a gift, not a wage; how comparison can rob us of joy; and why in God’s Kingdom the last become first. This message challenges us to receive God’s shocking generosity, stop keeping score, and extend His grace to others in tangible ways.

In this message, we see Jesus welcome children—those with no status or achievements—and declare that the Kingdom belongs to people who come with childlike faith and dependence. Then, we encounter the rich young ruler who asked the right question but missed the heart of it. His self-reliance and attachment to wealth kept him from fully surrendering to Jesus. The lesson is clear: the Kingdom of God isn’t earned by what we can do, but received by grace when we trust and follow Jesus. True life begins when we depend on Him like a child, detach from whatever holds us back, and once again depend—not on ourselves, but on His grace.

Matthew 19:1–13 Big Idea: Jesus calls His followers to honor God’s design for marriage as a covenant, to see divorce as a concession to human sin, and to embrace singleness as a calling for the sake of the kingdom. Episode Summary: This week we step into a tough but necessary conversation: marriage, divorce, and singleness. In Matthew 19, Jesus reminds us that marriage is God’s design—a covenant, not a contract—reflecting His faithful love. Divorce, while permitted because of human sin, was never God’s original intent. And singleness, often overlooked, is lifted up as a meaningful calling for the sake of the Kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to treat marriage as sacred, to pursue reconciliation over escape, and to honor singleness as a gift—not a lesser path. Whether you’re married, divorced, or single, this passage challenges us to submit to God’s design and live holy lives that glorify Him.

What does forgiveness really look like in God’s Kingdom? In Matthew 18:21–35, Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive someone, and Jesus’ answer changes everything. Forgiveness isn’t about tally marks—it’s about living out the restoration we’ve already received in Christ. In this teaching, we explore how Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant reveals the depth of our own forgiven debt and why we’re called to extend that same grace to others. Forgiveness means leaving the offense with the Judge and choosing restoration over resentment. If Jesus is our King, then our behavior should reflect His heart. Join us as we learn how forgiveness is not only personal but also part of God’s greater plan to restore all things. Big Idea: We restore others because Jesus has restored us.

BIG IDEA: Jesus calls us to pursue restoration with love, humility, and His authority. Life in God’s Kingdom is lived in community—and community can get messy. Jesus teaches us that when sin or conflict arises, our goal is not punishment, but restoration. In Matthew 18:15–20, He lays out a path for loving correction: start privately, invite community when needed, and always keep restoration as the goal. True fellowship is more than just “hanging out”—it’s sharing life deeply in Christ, sharpening one another in love, and pointing each other back to Him. Correction may feel uncomfortable, but humility and grace open the door for healing, reconciliation, and growth. Where Jesus is present, peace is possible. Reflection Questions: • Do I avoid correction because of pride or unrepentant sin? • Am I more concerned with my comfort than with someone’s restoration? • Do I live in community where others can lovingly confront me? • Is my posture humble, loving, and restorative like Jesus? Key Truths: • Reconciliation is the way of Jesus. • Humble hearts bring healing. • Love restores what sin breaks. • Where Jesus is present, peace is possible.

The greatest in the Kingdom are humble and understand their place in God’s world.

Jesus faced suffering, trusted the Father’s provision, and laid down His rights so nothing would block the gospel. In Death and Taxes, discover how His example can reshape how we live, love, and trust God in everyday life.

Because of the truth of the Bible, the stories of other believers, and our own experiences with Jesus, we can have faith.

Recognizing Jesus as King means listening, understanding, and acting in obedience.

Jesus expects who we say he is to be different from who the world says he is.

In a world of noise and distraction, Jesus calls us to see Him clearly, trust Him deeply and stay grounded in His truth.