Pastor Matt Sturdevant began a new sermon series on the book of Acts, examining Acts 1:1-11 and establishing that Jesus continues his mission through the Holy Spirit-empowered church. He made five key points from this passage: Jesus's work is both finished (redemption) and unfinished (mission), we need the Holy Spirit rather than just more human effort, believers must stay focused on the mission instead of getting distracted, the mission is clear according to Acts 1:8, and Jesus's ascension means the mission continues through his disciples. The central verse, Acts 1:8, reveals that power comes from the Holy Spirit, the purpose is to be witnesses (not experts), and the plan extends from local to global - Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Matt also presented two helpful charts during the sermon: the "JAR" chart showing how John, Acts, and Romans fit together in answering key questions, and a structure chart breaking Acts into three sections with Peter (chapters 1-7), Philip (chapters 8-12), and Paul (chapters 13-28) as central figures. He concluded with three applications: we cannot experience God's power without surrendering to Jesus, Jesus's mission is now our mission as disciples, and we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength but need the Holy Spirit as our helper and guide. The passage ends with Jesus's ascension and angels redirecting the disciples from gazing into heaven to getting moving on their mission.

Pastor Matt began a comprehensive 16-week journey through the Book of Acts, which is part of a larger "Bible in a Jar" series covering John, Acts, and Romans. He explained that while John shows us who to trust, Acts reveals how to live out our faith, demonstrating that Jesus' mission didn't end with His ascension but continues through His Holy Spirit-empowered church.

Focusing on Acts 1:1-11, Pastor Matt highlighted a crucial distinction: Jesus' work is both finished and unfinished. The work of redemption is complete—as Jesus declared "It is finished" (John 19:30)—but the work of ministry and proclamation continues. The disciples were instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit because "God's work cannot be accomplished with human strength alone." The key verse, Acts 1:8, provides both the summary and outline for the entire book, showing how the gospel would spread geographically from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and ultimately to the ends of the earth. Pastor Matt connected this historical foundation to Hope Church's Vision 2028, emphasizing that understanding the early church's methods and dependence on the Holy Spirit is essential preparation for their future ministry expansion.

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Matt Sturdevant concluded Hope Church's series through the book of John by examining the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His big idea was clear: "The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest turning point in history, and as such, it demands a response." Matt highlighted four transformative truths from the resurrection account in John 20-21.

First, the resurrection turns despair into hope, as demonstrated through Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Lord. Her tears of grief became a proclamation of joy as she ran to tell the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" Second, the resurrection transforms fear into mission. When Jesus appeared to His frightened disciples, He commissioned them with the words, "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you" (John 20:21). Third, the resurrection confronts our doubts, which Pastor Matt illustrated through Thomas's story. Rather than condemning Thomas for his skepticism, Jesus graciously provided the evidence Thomas needed, showing us that honest doubts can lead to stronger faith. Finally, the resurrection restores broken people, powerfully demonstrated in Jesus's tender restoration of Peter after his three denials. Through three affirmations of love, Jesus not only forgave Peter but recommissioned him to "feed my sheep."

Pastor Matt emphasized that this hope is real, no one is beyond restoration, and the resurrection demands our personal response. We live in a post-resurrection world, and like the airport security changes after 9/11, this reality shapes everything about how we must live.

Pastor Matt delivered an Easter message focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from John chapters 20-21, declaring that "the resurrection of Jesus is the greatest turning point in history and demands a response." He began by explaining how certain events in history divide time into "before" and "after," with Jesus' resurrection being the ultimate example that changed everything about everything.

Pastor Matt walked through four key truths about the resurrection found in these chapters. First, the resurrection turns despair into hope, as demonstrated when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb in grief but encountered the risen Jesus who spoke her name. Second, it transforms fear into mission, shown when the disciples moved from hiding behind locked doors in fear to boldly proclaiming the gospel. Third, the resurrection confronts our doubts, illustrated through Thomas who moved from skepticism to declaring "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Finally, the resurrection restores broken people, evidenced by Jesus' restoration of Peter after his three denials, giving him three opportunities to affirm his love.

Pastor Matt concluded that the resurrection matters for three reasons: hope is real because Jesus defeated sin and death, no one is beyond restoration since "the worst thing in life doesn't have to be the final thing," and the resurrection demands a response because we all must decide what we will do with Jesus. He ended with a clear presentation of the gospel, explaining that God created us for relationship, sin separates us from God, Jesus came to save us, and we must respond by trusting in Him as Savior and Lord.

In this episode of the Sunday Extra podcast, Pastor Matt Sturdivant and the Hope Church pastoral team dove deeper into the sermon covering John chapters 17 through 19, focusing on Jesus's final hours. The message highlighted three key episodes: Jesus's high priestly prayer in John 17, where He prayed for Himself, His disciples, and future believers; the betrayal, arrest, and trials before both Jewish and Roman authorities in John 18; and the crucifixion, death, and burial in John 19.

Pastor Matt emphasized that Jesus was never a victim but remained in complete control throughout His passion. The discussion explored the political context surrounding Pilate's difficult position, caught between Roman authority and Jewish pressure. The team also examined the brutal reality of crucifixion, noting that the English word "excruciating" literally means "out of the cross," showing how this became the benchmark for ultimate suffering. The conversation concluded with encouragement for Easter invitations, using the "three T's" (tension, transition, trouble) and "four nots" (not doing well, not from around here, not prepared, not in church) to identify spiritually open people.

Pastor Matt walks through Jesus's final 12-18 hours before His resurrection, covering three key movements in John 17-19. First, Jesus's high priestly prayer reveals His heart as He prays for Himself, His disciples, and future believers, asking for their protection, joy, and sanctification through God's truth. Second, the betrayal and trials show Jesus willingly going to His arrest—even choosing the garden where Judas knew to find Him—and standing before Pilate while Peter denies Him three times. Third, the crucifixion demonstrates Jesus as the King on the cross, where He declares "it is finished" (tetelestai)—a Greek word meaning the work is completely and permanently accomplished.

Pastor Matt emphasizes that Jesus chose the cross out of love, that salvation's work is fully finished with nothing left to add, and that every person must decide what to do with Jesus. He challenges believers to invite others to Resurrection Sunday, noting that one invitation could change someone's eternity. The sermon concludes with an invitation for non-believers to surrender to Jesus, trusting in His completed work for forgiveness and eternal life.

This episode of the Sunday Extra podcast features Pastor Jeremy, Pastor Brian Crop, and Pastor Matt Sturdivant discussing Brian's recent sermon, "The Final Hours Part One," which examines Jesus's final hours of ministry. Brian's central message was that God-honoring love is a verb - something we do rather than just feel. He explored the Greek concept of agape love, which is selfless, willful, and sacrificial, and emphasized how Jesus redefined love as a decision rather than merely an emotion.

The discussion delved deeply into the doctrine of the Trinity, with Pastor Matt sharing insights from his seminary paper on the subject. They explained how the Trinity is involved in salvation across past, present, and future - with the Father as the source and planner, the Son as the means and achiever, and the Holy Spirit as the applier of salvation. The Holy Spirit serves as our helper (Paraclete), guiding believers into truth and empowering them for Christian living through His multifaceted ministry, including conviction, regeneration, indwelling, and gifting.

A significant portion addressed the relationship between obedience and love for God, drawing from John 14. The pastors clarified the crucial distinction between the means of salvation (grace through faith alone) and the evidence of salvation (visible life change and obedience). They stressed that while we're not saved by works, genuine salvation will produce fruit in the form of good works and transformed behavior, emphasizing that "faith that saves is never alone."

Pastor Brian takes us through Jesus's final hours with His disciples in John 13-17, comparing it to someone's last 24 hours and what they would want to communicate to those they love most. In these crucial moments in the upper room, Jesus focuses on three key themes: a new standard of love, the help He provides, and how we can know if we're succeeding as His followers.

The central theme is Jesus's redefinition of love from feeling to action. Pastor Brian explains how Jesus introduced agape love - a selfless, willful, and sacrificial love that differs from the emotional love we typically understand. This is demonstrated powerfully when Jesus washes His disciples' feet, taking the position of the lowest servant despite being their Lord and teacher. He then commands them to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34-35), pointing to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross where He would lay down His life for His friends. Jesus knows this kind of love is impossible for us to achieve on our own, so He promises to send the Holy Spirit as our helper and advocate. Finally, Pastor Brian explains that obedience serves as the diagnostic for our love - not as a way to earn salvation, but as evidence of it. When we truly love God, we will keep His commandments, just as children show love to parents through obedience.