In Matthew 24:10–13, Jesus reveals that persecution wasn’t merely something the early church endured—it was something Christ used. The birth pangs preceding Jerusalem’s destruction would expose false disciples, purify the visible church, and reveal those whose faith was genuine. This message explores the intentional connection between Matthew 24 and the Parable of the Soils, showing […]
Matthew 24:9 The Birth Pangs of the Kingdom: The Persecution of the Church
Jerusalem was headed for judgment—but Jesus’ next warning was even more personal. Before the Temple fell, His disciples would be arrested, beaten, & killed, at the hands of Jews and Gentiles alike because they confessed His name. A few questions beg for answers. Why would that confession provoke such opposition? Would such persecution remain a […]
Matthew 24:4-8- What the Sign Isn’t: Three Distractions the Disciples Must Avoid
Wars. False messiahs. Famines. Pestilences. Earthquakes. For generations, Christians have pointed to these events as signs that the end of the world must be near. But Jesus says something very different: “See that you are not frightened…that is not yet the end.” Before telling His disciples what the sign would be, Jesus first warned them […]
Matthew 24:3- The Unsettled Dilemma: When Will These Things Happen?
Jesus has declared that the Temple will be utterly destroyed. The disciples know what is coming. Their unsettled dilemma is when. “Tell us, when will these things happen, & what will be the sign of Your coming, & of the end of the age?” — Matthew 24:3 These are not the speculative questions of prophecy-chart […]
Matthew 24:1-2 The Unceremonious Departure
Matthew 24 is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible, often treated as a detached prophecy about events far removed from its immediate context. But before Jesus speaks of wars, tribulation, signs, and the end of the age, Matthew first shows us something quiet but thunderous: Jesus leaves the Temple. In Matthew 24:1–2, […]
Matthew 23:37-39 The Sentence: The Desolation of the Temple
In Matthew 23:37–39, Jesus brings His final public indictment against Jerusalem to its devastating conclusion. The city of peace had become a city of blood. The city that was supposed to receive the prophets murdered them. The city that was supposed to teach the Law to the nations rejected the messengers who called her back […]
Matthew 23:34-36 When God Gives the Rope- Patience That Ripens Judgment
We tend to think of patience & grace as basically synonyms. But biblically speaking, that is not always the case. Sometimes God delays judgment in order to display mercy. But sometimes He delays judgment in order to expose rebellion, harden the self-righteous in their chosen path, and vindicate the justice of His wrath. In Matthew […]
Matthew 23:29-33- Woe Unto You Who Disguise Your Dishonor
Matthew 23:29-33 serves as the capstone on this series of seven woes—these covenantal indictments against national Israel. Central to understanding this ‘woe’ is a right understanding of the fifth commandment; honor your father and mother. The scribes a Pharisees said ‘If we’d been living in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partners […]
Matthew 23:27-28 Woe to Those Who Beautify that Which Defiles
It’s one of those uber-familiar texts: Mt. 23:27 You’re like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they’re full of dead men’s bones. But most people are not familiar with its Old Testament roots in the book of Ezekiel. Listen as Pastor Matt explains how Ezekiel used the analogy of whitewash to […]
Matthew 23:25-26 Cleaning the Wrong Side of the Cup
From the outside looking in, the scribes and Pharisees performed all the external shows of righteousness imaginable; with lengthened tassels, broadened phylacteries, scholarly robes, prominent seats, & respectful greetings in the marketplace. But they neglected the internal holiness that God requires; justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Listen as Pastor Matt warns against cleaning only the externals (the […]
