In a quiet olive garden outside Jerusalem, the most important decision in history was made.
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” – and the plan of redemption moved from promise to reality.
In this message from Matthew 26:30–56, Pastor Mike Neglia teaches on three key moments in the garden:
The failure of self-confidence
The example of honest prayer
The mystery of substitutionary love
Gethsemane shows us what happens when human strength collapses, divine love perseveres, and redemption begins to flow.
Listen and be reminded: The proud fell asleep, but the Saviour stayed awake for you.
Scripture: Matthew 26:30–56
Preacher: Mike Neglia
From: Calvary Cork
Listen in as Mike and Rachel recall some of the early challenges and lore of church planting in Cork and reflect on lessons learned over the past two decades!
In Matthew 26:17–30, Jesus transforms the Passover into a new covenant meal, revealing Himself as the true Lamb of God. Communion is more than remembrance — it’s a return to the source, a reorientation of our hearts toward the One who gives us life.
Join us as we reflect on how the Lord’s Table invites us to confession, forgiveness, and hope, reminding us that Jesus remains the centre of our worship and the source of our renewal.
By God’s grace, Calvary Cork will be a healthy church home that creates life-giving environmentsfor spiritual growth and meaningful connections.By God’s grace, Calvary Cork’s Women’s Ministry will seek to support this vision by encouragingand equipping the women of Calvary Cork to flourish in their faith, identity, and purpose asdaughters of the King.Our goal is to serve the women of Calvary Cork by creating opportunities for spiritual growthand meaningful connection that are intentionally created to minister to the unique needs ofwomen.Here are a few ways we’re doing that:*Saturday Morning Brunch and Bible StudyEvery third Saturday of the month, we meet here at the church for pancakes and our Bible study.We arrive, we hang out and eat, and then we sit down in table groups for our study. Then wediscuss the lesson together and then end with prayer. So we have good food, biblical teaching,prayer, and a chance to get to know each other in a much deeper way than is often possible on aSunday morning.This year, we’ve started a new video series called Now and Not Yet, which focuses on thefaithfulness of God no matter what our current circumstances are. We’re being encouraged tosee that God is profoundly present, how He wastes nothing, how He’s active and using this exactmoment in our lives for His good purposes.So ladies, whether you come every month, or whether you’ve never been before, we encourageyou to come along next Saturday at 10 am and be encouraged and built up as women in thebody of Calvary Cork.Katie: For those of you who want to continue deeper in the themes of this study, we have astudy book available.The cost is 15 euro, we have one left. Otherwise have a look on Amazon UK as they arerestocking them one at a time.*Mums and Toddlers GroupOur team recognises the benefit of walking with one another through similar seasons, and soKari and Erin, who are both mums of young children, are starting up a mums and toddlers groupwhich will meet every few months for a time of fellowship, connection, and play.Kari: First meet up is on November 8th, Conclusion:Speaking of WhatsApp groups, we have one for general events too, like Christmas parties andmore, so please sign up! We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our events. Being aChristian woman in this world is hard, so let’s be women who walk together and support oneanother and encourage each other to be women of God.
What others called waste, Jesus called beautiful. In Matthew 26:1-16 we watch treachery gather at the edges while a woman pours out costly love at the centre. This episode explores how true worship shines in a broken world and how even betrayal is woven into God’s redeeming plan.
Big idea: When others scheme or sell Him out, pour yourself out in devotion to the One who poured Himself out for you.
Text outline
Treachery – v. 1-5
Treasuring – v. 6-13
Traitorous – v. 14-16
Marks of true worship
Costly – Mark 14:5
Humble – John 12:3
Perceptive – Matthew 26:12
Timely – Matthew 26:11
Fruitful – John 12:3
Listen in to be encouraged toward heartfelt, grace-fuelled devotion to Jesus.
If you want alternates for the title, here are two more in the same vein:
Between Plots and Perfume – Worship and Betrayal in Matthew 26:1-16
A Beautiful Thing Before the Cross – Matthew 26:1-16
In this message from CEF Teen Camp, Mike Neglia continues exploring Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. Moving from “Blessed are those who mourn” to “Blessed are the meek”, Mike shows how true strength comes through surrender and how deep comfort is found in godly sorrow.
What kind of mourning does Jesus bless? Not self-pity or despair, but the grief that leads to repentance, renewal, and intimacy with God. And what is meekness? Far from weakness, it’s power under control — a steady, humble trust in the King who brings justice in His time.
Drawing from Scripture, culture, and real-life stories, this episode invites listeners to embrace a Kingdom posture of dependence and gentleness. In a world obsessed with self-expression and power, Jesus calls us to mourn what’s wrong and to trust God with gentle strength.
Jesus, Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek, Mike Neglia, Calvary Cork, CEF Teen Camp, Christian humility, discipleship, spiritual formation, gospel, mourning, meekness, comfort, strength through surrender, Sermon on the Mount podcast, Kingdom of God
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In this message from CEF Teen Camp, Mike Neglia unpacks the opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Discover how the Beatitudes reveal the King’s manifesto – not a checklist of virtues, but a portrait of those transformed by His grace.
Mike explains why humility is the gateway to blessing, why God fills only empty hands, and what it means to live as citizens of an upside-down kingdom. Featuring insights from Spurgeon, F.B. Meyer, and Emmanuel Asante, this episode challenges us to move from self-sufficiency to full dependence on Christ.
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Jesus, Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, Blessed are the poor in spirit, CEF Teen Camp, Mike Neglia, Calvary Cork, Christian humility, Kingdom of God, discipleship, youth ministry, spiritual formation, gospel, sermon podcast
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In this short episode Peter Daunt, Elder and Trustee at Calvary Cork, challenges the modern obsession with self-fulfilment and invites believers to develop spiritual resilience rooted in maturity and dependence on God. Drawing on insights from Matthew’s gospel and Ephesians 4, Peter explores how to move from fitting God into a busy life to reorienting everything around Him. A timely call to grow up in Christ and align our lives with His purposes rather than our own.
Jesus paints a stark portrait of final judgment: the One crucified will one day reign as Judge, and our treatment of “the least” reveals where we stand. In this message, Pastor Mike Neglia unpacks the parable of the sheep and goats, reminding us that in Christ we are saved by grace, and our lives bear witness to that truth.
In this engaging conversation, Mike and Victor dive deep into their current teaching series "The End of the World According to Jesus", exploring Biblical perspectives on Christ's return and the critical concept of spiritual resilience. They discuss eschatological expectations, the importance of maintaining faith during both challenging and comfortable seasons of life, and practical ways Christians can prepare their hearts for Jesus' return.Key Topics Discussed:
Misunderstandings about the Rapture
Biblical signs of Jesus' return
The danger of "zeal without knowledge"
Spiritual resilience: What it means and how to develop it
Maintaining faith in good times and bad
Different theological perspectives on end-times events
Memorable Quotes:
"The time to prepare isn't when it's happening. The time to prepare is beforehand."
"We're on the welcoming committee, not the party planning committee."
Parable of the Talents explained – Matthew 25:14–30 sermon. What are you doing with the life God has entrusted to you? In this passage, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents – a story about servants, responsibility, reward, and the danger of wasting what the Master has given.
In this sermon, Pastor Mike Neglia unpacks the meaning of the parable and applies it to our lives today. You’ll hear why saving faith is also serving faith, how God entrusts different gifts and opportunities to each of us, and why comparison and sloth are deadly traps. Most importantly, you’ll see the hope of the gospel – that we don’t serve a harsh taskmaster, but a gracious Saviour who gave Himself for us and who delights to commend His people with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Whether you are new to faith, curious about Christianity, or a mature believer longing to hear Christ’s commendation, this message will encourage you to use what God has given – not out of fear, but out of love, gratitude, and joy.
Finn asks his dad two questions about Genesis and seventeen questions about Exodus!
Jesus told two parables about servants and bridesmaids caught unprepared when the Master returned. In this message, we see why His return changes how we live now, how we use authority, and why personal faith cannot be borrowed.
In this message from Matthew 24:29–51, Pastor Mike Neglia continues our series The End of the World According to Jesus and explores what it really means to live ready for the return of Christ. Jesus promises that His coming will be visible, unmistakable, and certain – and He calls His followers not to speculation or fear, but to faithfulness.
Readiness for Jesus’ return is not about predicting dates or obsessing over timelines, but about living each day with eyes open to God’s word, hearts awake to His presence, and hands faithfully engaged in His mission. Drawing on Old Testament prophecy, the teaching of Jesus, and the hope of the gospel, we are reminded that the same Saviour who bore our sins will come again in glory to make all things new.
Whether you are anxious about the future, curious about end-times teaching, or simply in need of encouragement to persevere, this sermon will help you anchor your hope in Christ and look forward with joy to His coming.
This week’s Leader’s Corner devotional comes from Keith Mutabazi, who serves on the Care Team and as a Trustee at Calvary Cork. Keith and his wife Andrѐa live in Tallow, Co. Waterford with their three children.
In this reflection, Keith shares how worship at a Christian festival brought Revelation 7:9 to life - the vision of a great multitude from every nation, gathered before the throne of God. He reminds us that every Sunday we taste a glimpse of heaven as we worship together, and points us to the hope of our eternal future with Christ.
Listen in and be encouraged by this reminder that our story ends not in despair, but in joy before the Lamb.
What does the Bible really say about the end of the world? In Matthew 24:15–28, Jesus speaks plainly about a future period of great tribulation - a time of unparalleled suffering, global distress, deception, and persecution that will take place before His return. Far from being a topic for speculation or fear, these words from Jesus are given to prepare His followers to stand firm, live ready, and hold fast to hope.
In this message, Victor walks through Jesus’ teaching on the Great Tribulation, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments to explain:
What the Tribulation is: a seven-year period of unprecedented testing, pressure, and suffering in which God’s people are refined and the world is shaken.
When it happens: beginning with a false peace and climaxing in the “abomination of desolation” in the rebuilt temple, leading into the second half of this period that Jesus Himself calls “great tribulation.”
Global signs and events: wars, famine, disease, natural disasters, and violence on a scale never seen before.
The rise of the Antichrist and the false prophet: political and religious leaders who will demand worship, unify nations, control economies, and deceive many.
The persecution of believers: a time of costly discipleship, where following Christ may mean suffering, betrayal, or even martyrdom.
God’s sovereign hand: even in tribulation, Jesus says the days will be “cut short for the sake of the elect,” reminding us that nothing happens outside of God’s control.
Judgment and hope: the pouring out of God’s wrath against sin and rebellion, yet also the assurance that Christ will return in power and glory.
Victor also shows how these truths speak to our lives today. Jesus’ teaching is not meant to create fear but faith. He gives His disciples clear instructions:
Don’t be deceived – stay anchored in Scripture, not swayed by false prophets, signs, or date-setters.
Don’t be shaken – remember that God is sovereign, even in chaos, and He sets the limits of suffering.
Don’t be passive – live ready for Christ’s return by sharing the gospel, walking in holiness, and enduring faithfully.
Don’t live in fear – live in hope, fixing your eyes on the blessed hope of Christ’s coming.
This episode invites listeners to consider how Jesus’ teaching on the end times shapes the way we live right now. Instead of avoiding the topic of the end of the world, we are called to face it with confidence, courage, and readiness, knowing that our Saviour has already overcome the world.
Whether you are new to studying prophecy or have heard many messages on the end times, this sermon will encourage you to see Jesus at the centre of it all - the One who warns us, prepares us, and promises to come again in power and glory.
Listen in as Victor unpacks Matthew 24:15–28 and helps us understand what it means to live faithfully in light of Christ’s return.
In this week’s message, Pastor Mike Neglia preaches through Matthew 24:1–14—Jesus’ own words on the end times. From the temple’s destruction to the “beginning of birth pains” (wars, famines, deception), Jesus lays out what to expect before His return—and how His people are called to respond.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
Why Jesus’ dramatic departure from the temple signals deeper judgment and divinity (echoing Ezekiel and Leviticus 14’s imagery).
What “birth pains” mean for Christians today—not signs of the end yet, but growing intensity and purpose.
A solid framework for spiritual resilience: sobriety, stability, and tenacity—how to stay sharp in truth, calm under pressure, and faithful under fire.
Historical examples like the Millerite “Great Disappointment,” the 2011 billboards (“You can know… Judgment Day”), and pandemic-era speculation to show how easily we’re tempted to false timelines—and why Jesus warns us instead to endure.
The hope that despite deception, hatred, and cold love, the gospel will go to all nations (v.14)—culminating in global worship: “Praise the Lord, ye heavens… let the whole earth praise Him.”
Why listen?
If the world feels like it’s falling apart, this sermon brings clarity, conviction, and mission. Jesus doesn’t leave us in chaos—He gives us truth, calm, and a marching order to proclaim His kingdom until He returns.
Keywords for the Spotify algorithm:
Matthew 24 sermon, end times, biblical prophecy, Olivet Discourse, premillennial, sermon podcast, gospel mission, Calvary Cork.
Links & Next Steps:
Visit calvarycork.com for pastor bios, sermon transcripts, and resources.
Join us next Sunday as Pastor [Name] continues the series with Matthew 24:15–28.
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Are you looking for hope, peace, or a fresh start in life? In this message from Matthew 23:33–39, we explore how Jesus longs to gather us under His wings, offering safety, love, and mercy.
Whether you are in Cork or anywhere else, this is a reminder that true faith is not about self-righteousness or striving to prove yourself. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about finding refuge, forgiveness, and rest in Him.
If you are seeking God, curious about Christianity, or just exploring spiritual questions, this message invites you to discover the compassion of Christ and the life He offers to all who believe.
In this episode, Mike speaks with Luke Ebrahim, who leads the Life Group ministry at Calvary Cork. Luke shares how God used home groups during his time in Abu Dhabi and how that experience shapes his vision for Life Groups in Cork city and county.
Life Groups are more than midweek meetings - they are designed to be local expressions of the church where believers can love Jesus, grow in faith, care for each other, and reach their communities. Luke and Mike talk about how smaller gatherings provide space for bearing one another’s burdens, treasuring God’s Word together, and intentionally pursuing both discipleship and mission.
If you’ve ever wondered why Life Groups matter, or how they fit into the bigger picture of Calvary Cork’s vision to be a Jesus-centred, Bible-treasuring, humility-pursuing church, this conversation will encourage you to step deeper into community and into God’s calling for His people.
In this sermon, Pastor Mike Neglia teaches from Matthew 23:29–33, where Jesus delivers one of His most sobering warnings to the religious leaders of His day. The Pharisees built tombs and monuments to honour the prophets of the past, but at the very same time they were plotting to reject the living Word of God standing before them. Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and shows how honouring the past without obeying in the present always shapes a dangerous future.
Drawing on history, culture, and Scripture, Pastor Mike illustrates the timeless relevance of Jesus’ words. From the story of Cork’s toppled statue of King George II, to reflections on the global removal of monuments, to insights from Edmund Burke and C.S. Lewis, this message demonstrates how every generation is tempted to say “we would never” while repeating the very same sins as those before us. We often admire past heroes and prophets once their voices are silent, but resist the challenging words of those God places in front of us today.
This sermon is about more than history lessons. It is about the human heart. We are quick to condemn the failures of past generations, but Jesus calls us to humility, repentance, and obedience in the present. Hypocrisy is not only a Pharisee problem – it is our problem too. We honour dead prophets but silence living ones; we imagine we would have stood firm in the past, yet excuse ourselves in the present. Jesus warns that this kind of self-deception shapes a dangerous legacy for the future.
But the gospel gives us hope. Jesus exposes hypocrisy not to destroy us but to call us to repentance and life. He offers us a new family line – not the brood of vipers aligned with the serpent, but adoption into the family of God. Even among the Pharisees, there was grace for Nicodemus and Saul of Tarsus. In the same way, there is grace for us. No hypocrite is beyond the reach of Christ’s transforming power.
Big Idea: Honouring the past without obeying in the present shapes a dangerous future.
Whether you have been hurt by religious hypocrisy, wrestle with generational patterns, or simply want to understand Jesus’ words more deeply, this sermon points you to the hope found in Him. Christ alone can break the cycle of empty tradition, present rebellion, and future judgment, and instead give us a legacy of grace, truth, and new life.
