In this week's sermon on Matthew 27:11-44, Ricky walks through Jesus's trial before Pilate. The crowd chooses to release Barabbas the criminal, and Jesus is handed over to be flogged and crucified. Through these verses, we see Pilate, the Self-Serving; the Religious Leaders/Crowd, the Swayed/Cruel; and Barabbas, the Spared. We learn that Jesus didn't just die *for* me, but he died *instead of* me. Praise God for Jesus's sacrifice on the cross!

This week, Citylight Youth Ministry Resident Matt Reed spoke on Matthew 26:47—27:10, when Jesus is arrested and brought to trial before the Sanhedrin. Peter then denies Jesus, and Judas dies in grief over his betrayal. Through these verses, we learn that because God is always in control, then we can have certainty in our circumstances. While God's plans aren't always our preferences, they are for our good and His glory. Like Peter, we can come to him in repentance and be welcomed!

In this week's sermon, Ricky teaches on Matthew 26:31-46: Jesus predicts Peter's denial, then prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. Ricky walks through the agony of Jesus, the aloneness of Jesus and finally the answer of Jesus. Through these verses, we see Jesus prepare for his upcoming death and resurrection for our sins.

In his sermon this week on Matthew 26:17-30, pastor Alex walks through the passage of betrayal during the Passover. We learn about the significance of the Jewish Passover and its representation of the Old Covenant,  how Judas betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees and how Jesus fulfills the New Covenant for us. Most importantly, we learn that by Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, we are offered the the ultimate forgiveness for our sins under the New Covenant of his body and blood.

In this week's sermon on Matthew 26:1-13, Ricky walks through the beginning narrative leading up to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. While in Bethany, Mary—the sister of Lazarus—anoints Jesus's head with oil to prepare him for his impending death. Ricky shares how she did this by pouring out everything she had, because she perceived the true value of Jesus and positioned herself at his feet. We are challenged by the question: does my worship of Jesus match his true worth?

In this week's sermon on Matthew 25:31-46, pastor Alex walks through Jesus's parable of the sheep and the goats. We learn how God's preparation of His kingdom leads to our participation in His body. Jesus separates the sheep and the goats as people who know him and cared for his body, or people who never really knew him. Alex teaches that we are made for a heavenly kingdom, therefore we should see sure signs of our citizenship while here on earth.

In his sermon this week on Matthew 25:14-30, pastor Ricky walks through Jesus's parable of the talents, when the master calls his servants to him and gives them each a number of talents to use wisely while he is away. Ricky challenges us to recognize what you've been entrusted with, redefine success and recognize the master. God has given abundantly to each of us, and it is our responsibility and goal to use what he has given us to glorify him.

In his sermon on Matthew 25:1-13, pastor Alex walks us through Jesus's parable of the ten virgins. Five of the virgins were wise in their preparation for the groom, while five were foolish. Alex discusses how this lack of preparation can apply to believers and unbelievers alike, by masking our activity, a lack of urgency, unhealthy codependency and misunderstanding our assurance. He asks the question: are you prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ?

In his sermon this week on Matthew 24, Alex walks through Jesus's prediction of the destruction of the temple, as well as signs of the end of the age. As believers, we don't shy away from these difficult passages; we lean into them as we wrestle with God's Word. While there are different schools of thought on what the end times will look like, we can be confident in the chaos. The world will pass away, Jesus Christ will return, and we are called to be His people in the midst of it all.

In his sermon this week on Matthew 23:13-39, pastor Ricky walks through Jesus's sermon of woes against the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. Ricky challenges us and asks how we often behave like the Pharisees by hindering others, justifying ourselves and fooling others and ourselves. But praise God! When we trust in Jesus Christ, his grace covers our pride and hypocrisy.