Temptation Battleship: The 3 Temptations of Jesus in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

Before miracles, before crowds, before the cross—Jesus enters the wilderness for a decisive battle. Alone, hungry, and under pressure, He faces three confrontations that reveal far more than we might first expect.

Join Pastor J.B. in this powerful, fresh look at the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4 and uncover how these ancient encounters mirror the battles we face today. When temptation comes, what’s really being tested? What does Jesus know about resisting temptation that we desperately need today?

Let Jesus Take Over (Matthew 3:13-17) | The Gospel of Matthew

What changes when you stop trying to run your own life, and let Jesus lead?

In this message from Matthew 3:13–17, Thrive Preaching School Student Carmen Lam explores the baptism of Jesus and why this moment matters far more than we might realize. It isn’t just the launch of Jesus’ public ministry, it’s a picture of what it looks like when God begins something new in us.

If you’re wrestling with identity, longing for a fresh start, or wondering what surrender actually looks like, this message will help you see:

Why Jesus chooses to identify with us

How God’s love comes before our performance

What it means to let Jesus take over, one step at a time

If you’ve been waiting for a new beginning, this message is for you.

Heaven, Hell, and the Proof of God's Love (Matthew 3:1-12) | The Gospel of Matthew

Is hell real—and if so, what does that say about a loving God?

In this message from our Gospel of Matthew series, we walk through Matthew 3:1–12 and the bold, unsettling ministry of John the Baptist. Set in the wilderness, John calls people to repentance, confronts spiritual complacency, and prepares the way for the coming Messiah. His message forces us to wrestle with eternal realities that many would rather avoid.

From there, we address one of the most challenging and emotionally charged topics in Christianity: hell. Rather than relying on caricatures or fear-based rhetoric, this teaching asks honest questions and offers thoughtful, biblically grounded answers:

Why should we trust what Jesus says about life after death?

What did Jesus actually teach about hell?

Is eternal punishment unjust or overkill?

Why doesn’t God simply forgive everyone and take us all to heaven?

Ultimately, this message reframes hell not as a contradiction of God’s love, but as a sobering consequence of human freedom—and the cross as God’s definitive act to rescue us from it.

If you have ever struggled with the idea of hell, questioned God’s justice, or wondered how love and judgment can coexist, this message is for you.

Positioned on Purpose (Matthew 2:13-23) | The Gospel of Matthew

Ever notice how some people can take what’s old, broken, or discarded and turn it into something beautiful?

It’s remarkable, and what's more remarkable is how God does the same with our lives. He repurposes pain, mistakes, and setbacks into purpose.

This week, preaching student Raúl Mazariego draws powerful lessons from the book of Matthew, showing how God is writing a greater story through your life.