Hope Church - Fort Worth, TX

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.

In this Sunday Extra podcast, Pastor Matt walks through John chapters 7-12, covering Jesus's final six months of public ministry before the cross. During this intensifying period, Jesus became increasingly direct about his divine identity through seven miraculous signs and "I am" statements - claims that clearly identified him as God to the Jewish leaders. These Revelations divided people into three groups that still exist today: the curious (interested but undecided), the convinced (those who believe), and the combative (those moving toward open hostility). The sermon particularly focused on spiritual blindness, drawing from the healing of the man born blind in John 9. Pastor Matt offered a "you might be spiritually blind if" framework, identifying warning signs like resisting correction, explaining away clear Biblical commands, being confident in your righteousness while cold toward Jesus, and dismissing consistent feedback from godly people. The discussion emphasized that evidence alone doesn't produce faith, and that every person must decide how to respond to Jesus - the same choice people faced two millennia ago.

Pastor Matt delivers a comprehensive warning about progressive Christianity and its political manifestations, using Texas State Senator James Talarico as a primary example. Talarico, who is pursuing theological training and frequently uses Christian language in politics, promotes positions that directly contradict Biblical Christianity including support for same-sex marriage, LGBTQ inclusion, and expanded abortion access. Pastor Matt explains that progressive Christianity differs fundamentally from Biblical Christianity in five key areas: Biblical authority, sexual ethics, abortion, government's role, and the mission of Jesus. The core theological disagreement centers on interpretive authority - progressive Christians interpret Scripture through modern moral understanding, while Biblical Christians believe modern moral thinking must be corrected by Scripture. Pastor Matt outlines eight warning signs that progressive theology might be influencing churches, including Scripture being quoted but its authority quietly redefined, sermons focusing more on cultural issues than Biblical texts, and the gospel becoming about social transformation rather than salvation from sin. He provides diagnostic questions to help listeners assess their own beliefs and identifies common progressive talking points that twist Biblical passages out of context.

Pastor Matt explores John chapters 7-12, which chronicle the dramatic final six months of Jesus' public ministry leading up to the crucifixion. During this period, Jesus travels between Galilee, Jerusalem, and other regions, making increasingly bold declarations about his identity. At the Feast of Booths, Jesus openly proclaims "I am the light of the world" and declares that spiritual thirst can only be satisfied in him, even claiming "before Abraham was, I am"—using God's sacred name and asserting his divinity. Jesus backs up these claims with unprecedented miracles that demonstrate his authority. He heals a man born blind, creating a powerful contrast between physical and spiritual sight as the Pharisees who could see physically became spiritually blind due to their pride and rejection of Jesus. Even more dramatically, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after four days—proving his authority over death itself. Yet these same miraculous events produce completely opposite responses in people. Pastor Matt identifies three groups that emerge: the curious crowd who are intrigued but undecided, convinced followers like the healed blind man who declare "I was blind, now I see," and combative religious leaders whose hostility progresses from skepticism to plotting murder. The sermon concludes that Jesus' clear Revelation of his identity forces everyone to make a decision, and neutrality is impossible when confronted with who Jesus claims to be.

Pastor Matt tackled the longest chapter in John's Gospel, breaking John 6 into four key sections. First, Jesus feeds the 5000, demonstrating that he meets real needs and is never surprised by them, but he multiplies what we choose to surrender. The crowd wanted to make him king, but only a certain kind of king. Second, Jesus walks on the water, revealing he's not just a provider but God himself - using the sacred "I am" when he tells the frightened disciples not to be afraid. The third section focuses on Jesus as the bread of life, where his teachings became difficult and many people left because they were only seeking him for a free meal, not genuine faith. This leads to the final section where Jesus asks the remaining disciples if they want to leave too, and Peter responds with his famous declaration: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Pastor Matt emphasized that hard teachings act like sieves, separating curiosity from commitment, surface belief from genuine faith, and those who want Jesus on their terms versus his terms.

Pastor Matt walked through the longest chapter in John's Gospel, showing how John 6 reveals the difference between crowd-following and true discipleship. The chapter has four major parts: Jesus feeding the 5,000, walking on water, the bread of life discourse, and the words of eternal life. What starts with massive crowds and miracles ends with people walking away confused and offended by Jesus' hard teachings. The feeding of the 5,000 demonstrates that Jesus multiplies what is surrendered to Him, but the crowd wanted a king on their terms - a provider and political liberator, not a Savior. When Jesus walked on water, He revealed His true identity using the sacred name "I AM," showing He's not just a miracle worker but Yahweh in the flesh. In the bread of life discourse, Jesus explained that unlike the manna that sustained physical life temporarily, He is the living bread that gives eternal life. His metaphorical language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (meaning total dependence on Him through faith, God's Word, prayer, and obedience) caused many to leave. But when Jesus asked the twelve if they wanted to go too, Peter gave the perfect response: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). This chapter shows that following Jesus isn't about consumption but faith and trust, and hard teachings reveal real faith because there's ultimately nowhere else to go.

This Sunday Extra podcast episode begins with Matt addressing the recent conflict between America and Iran, providing Biblical perspective on how Christians should respond to world events. He shares multiple Scripture passages emphasizing God's sovereignty and the importance of prayer, while cautioning against misinformation and AI-generated content. Matt stresses that believers should spend more time in God's Word than consuming news, maintaining a healthy ratio of Scripture to current events. Jeremy then discusses his sermon on John 5:1-18, focusing on Jesus's encounter with the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda. He introduces the concept of "magic pool mentality" - our tendency to look for quick fixes rather than trusting in Jesus for genuine healing and transformation. The invalid had been waiting 38 years for healing, yet when Jesus offered it directly, the man still looked to the pool rather than recognizing the true source of restoration standing before him. This challenges modern believers to examine whether they're trusting in systems, methods, or worldly solutions instead of placing their faith in Christ's transforming power.

Pastor Jeremy continued the church's journey through the Book of John with a message from John Chapter 5 about the healing at the Pool of Bethesda. His central message was that everyone needs healing, but we must ask ourselves whether we're putting our trust in Jesus Christ or in something else. He explained that the Pool of Bethesda was a real place (confirmed by archaeological discoveries) where multitudes of sick people gathered, believing in an urban myth that an angel would stir the waters and heal the first person who entered. When Jesus encountered the man who had been an invalid for 38 years, He asked, "Do you want to be healed?" (John 5:6). The man's response revealed he was still trusting in the pool rather than recognizing who Jesus was. Pastor Jeremy drew parallels to our own lives, explaining that we all have "magic pools" - things like career advancement, the right relationship, or financial security - that we think will heal or complete us. While these aren't necessarily bad things, the question is whether we're trusting in them or in Jesus for our healing. Pastor Jeremy emphasized that God's plan doesn't always look the way we expect, and sometimes the answer is "not now." He concluded with John 5:24, explaining that there are only two paths: hearing Jesus' words and believing leads to eternal life, while the opposite leads to death. There is no neutral ground - we're all born on the path to death and must choose to move to the path of life through faith in Jesus. Earthly healing is temporary, but Jesus offers eternal life.

In this message from John 3-4, Pastor Matt explores two contrasting encounters with Jesus that John deliberately placed back-to-back. First, we meet Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus under cover of darkness. Despite his religious credentials and moral uprightness, Jesus told him he must be born again - showing that being religious isn't the same as being reborn, and that being good isn't good enough for salvation. The second encounter features the woman at the well, a Samaritan with a broken past who had five husbands and was living with a man who wasn't her husband. Jesus broke multiple social barriers to meet her at noon - crossing gender, ethnic, and moral boundaries that Jewish rabbis typically wouldn't cross. Unlike Nicodemus who left still processing, she was immediately transformed and ran to tell her whole town about Jesus. Pastor Matt uses a detailed chart to compare these encounters, showing how Jesus approached each person differently based on their needs - directly confronting Nicodemus's pride while gently meeting the woman's shame with grace. The central message is that everyone, regardless of background, needs the same Savior. Whether we're hindered by pride (like Nicodemus) or paralyzed by our past (like the woman), Jesus meets us where we are but doesn't leave us there. Pastor Matt challenges everyone to identify what's preventing them from moving forward with Jesus and to respond personally to His invitation for new life.

Pastor Matt Sturdivant explored John chapter 2, highlighting two key scenes that reveal Jesus' transformative mission. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus turned water into wine, demonstrating that He brings something entirely new rather than just improving what exists. Using the stone purification jars representing the old system, Jesus showed He offers heart transformation, not mere behavior modification. Many believers settle for "water level Christianity" that's safe and shallow, when Jesus offers a "good wine level life" full of joy, power, and Spirit-led living. Significantly, this first miracle happened at an ordinary celebration, showing Jesus cares about every part of our lives - family, work, stress, and even our messes. The second scene, Jesus cleansing the temple, revealed His confrontation with corrupted worship. What was meant to be a house of prayer had become a religious Marketplace exploiting worshipers. Jesus wasn't just cleaning a building but declaring a shift - He Himself would become the meeting place between God and humanity. After the cross, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, removing the barrier between God and people. Pastor Matt concluded with four applications: stop settling for water Christianity, invite Jesus into ordinary life, let Him flip tables in corrupted areas, and build life on the risen Jesus rather than religious systems. The extended podcast discussion clarified that John 2 doesn't license indulgence in alcohol or anger, but calls for submitting all freedoms to Christ's lordship.

In this message from John chapter 2, Pastor Matt explores two seemingly different scenes - the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the temple - under the big idea that "Jesus didn't come to improve religion. He came to transform me to be the object of my worship and the center of my life." At the wedding, Jesus transforms water used for ritual purification into excellent wine, symbolizing how He brings something entirely new rather than just improving what already exists. This represents heart transformation, not mere behavior modification, as Jesus offers abundant new life to those who believe. In the temple cleansing, Jesus confronts the corrupted worship system where the Court of Gentiles had become a Marketplace with overpriced animals and unfair money-changing practices. By driving out the merchants, Jesus declares that the center of worship is no longer the temple building but Himself. When the temple curtain later tears from top to bottom at His crucifixion, it confirms that Jesus is now the way people meet God directly. Pastor Matt emphasizes that Jesus cares about our whole lives - both ordinary celebrations and significant spiritual matters - calling believers to move beyond "water level" Christianity to the transformational "wine level" life He offers.

In this podcast episode from the sermon on John 1:35-51, titled "Come and See: Being Found by Jesus," the pastor examines the calling of Jesus's first disciples to illustrate how salvation works. The passage shows John the Baptist referring his own disciples to Jesus, which was unheard of in that culture, demonstrating God's initiative in salvation. When Jesus turns and asks the disciples, "What are you seeking?" it reveals that questions are often better than answers and that Jesus is always the initiator in our spiritual journey. The episode emphasizes that salvation is initiated by God, responded to by people, and applied through relationships. The life-changing invitation to "come and see" becomes a model for how believers should invite others into a relationship with Jesus. Pastor Matt explains that we find people using Andrew's immediate response to bring his brother Simon (later called Peter) to Jesus as an example. The message also touches on baptism as an act of obedience that follows salvation, not something that saves us, but rather evidence of our response to God's grace. The sermon concludes with practical applications about how believers can extend four types of invitations: to get to know someone better, to share burdens through prayer, to invite people to church, and ultimately to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

In this message from John 1:35-51, Pastor Matt explored the big idea that salvation is initiated by God, responded to by people, and multiplied through relationship. He emphasized that while salvation is entirely God's work through grace, it demands a human response of repentance and faith in Christ. Pastor Matt highlighted the significance of Jesus's first recorded words in John's Gospel: "What are you seeking?" - calling this the mother of all questions that exposes the heart and leads to life's most important question: "Who is Jesus?" The sermon demonstrated how Jesus's simple invitation "come and see" created a multiplication effect throughout John 1:35-51. Andrew heard John the Baptist point to Jesus as the Lamb of God, followed Jesus, and immediately brought his brother Simon Peter. Philip was called by Jesus and then found Nathaniel with the same invitation: "come and see." Pastor Matt emphasized that God uses found people to find people, and challenged the congregation to be witnesses rather than attorneys - simply sharing their story rather than feeling they need all the answers. The message concluded with a focus on baptism as a public declaration of faith and first step of obedience, encouraging believers who haven't been baptized to take that step.

This podcast centers on the launch of a new sermon series through the Gospel of John, with the speakers discussing how John's Gospel uniquely focuses on revealing Jesus's deity. They examine John's explicit purpose statement in John 20:31, where he writes so that readers "may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." The discussion highlights the prologue of John (verses 1-18), where Jesus is presented as the eternal Word who was present at creation and became flesh to reveal God to humanity. A significant portion focuses on John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), connecting this title to Old Testament sacrificial imagery from Abraham and Isaac through the Passover and Day of Atonement. The speakers emphasize that Jesus fulfills both aspects of the Day of Atonement - being both the sacrifice for sin and the one who carries our sins away. They stress that our greatest problem isn't our difficult circumstances, but our sin, and that salvation is offered as a free gift through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Matt launched a 10-week journey through the Gospel of John, part of a larger series covering John, Acts, and Romans - three books he considers essential for understanding the Christian life. He explained that John's Gospel is 93% unique material that supplements the other Gospels, with the purpose stated in John 20:31: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." The sermon focused on John 1:1-34, beginning with the prologue that establishes Jesus as the eternal Word who "was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Pastor Matt then examined John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), connecting this title to Old Testament imagery of sacrificial lambs and the Day of Atonement. He explained how Jesus fulfills both the sacrificial goat (whose blood covers sin) and the scapegoat (who carries sin away), emphasizing that our greatest problem isn't our circumstances but our sin. Pastor Matt concluded by explaining that salvation is received as a gift through faith, not achieved through works, and called for honest self-reflection about one's relationship with Jesus.

In this episode, Pastors Matt and Brian reflect on the recent winter storm that forced them to pre-record their church service, sharing how God sometimes changes our plans to provide needed rest. Matt introduced the major sermon series called "The Bible in a J.A.R.," covering the books of John, Acts, and Romans over the next several months. Pastor Matt explains that these three books perfectly illustrate the discipleship journey: John shows us who Jesus is (meeting Jesus), Acts demonstrates how to live out our faith in mission (joining His mission), and Romans provides the theological foundation for why it all works (growing in truth). He emphasizes that Jesus is the central figure of all Scripture - the Old Testament points toward Him, and the New Testament explains who He is and what He accomplished. Pastor Matt also encourages listeners to continue their Bible reading plan, particularly as they enter Leviticus, explaining that even the detailed sacrificial laws and rituals described there point forward to Jesus as our perfect sacrifice and great high priest.

Pastor Matt begins this foundational message by sharing "A Tale of Three Bibles"—a personal story illustrating his spiritual journey from keeping his Bible on the shelf to becoming fully engaged with God's Word. He introduces Hope Church's 2026 theme based on Joshua 1:8, emphasizing the importance of daily meditation on Scripture for life transformation. The "Bible in a JAR" series will spend 70% of the year's Sundays studying John, Acts, and Romans—books that collectively answer the essential questions of who Jesus is, what His followers should do, and what disciples should believe. Pastor Matt provides a 60,000-foot overview of the entire Bible, explaining how it tells one continuous story through four major themes: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. This story ultimately demonstrates God's great love for us, summarized perfectly in John 3:16. He establishes that Jesus Christ is the central figure of all Scripture, with the Old Testament anticipating Him and the New Testament explaining Him. Using the "New Triangle" framework of knowing, becoming, and doing with the Bible at the center, Pastor Matt shows how these three books work together: John reveals who Jesus is (God and Savior), Acts demonstrates the church's mission to take Jesus to the world, and Romans explains the theological foundation and practical application of our faith. The message concludes with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as the memory verse, emphasizing that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

In this podcast episode, Hope's Associate Pastors reflect on their congregation's Bible reading plan, having completed Genesis and started Exodus. They discuss how reading through Genesis reveals God's incredible mercy and patience with broken people, noting that the heroes of faith were "mildly screw ups" whom God used for great things. The conversation shifts to personal testimonies as Pastor Meyers shares his journey from physical therapy to ministry, describing how God's call became undeniable during a quiet moment in his clinic. The discussion centers around the "3C's" of discipleship that their church has been teaching: commitment to Christ, connection to His followers, and contribution to His mission. The pastors share how their upbringing in families that prioritized ministry and opened their homes to missionaries and church leaders shaped their understanding of faithful living. They emphasize that while not everyone is called to vocational ministry, the same three principles apply to all believers. The episode concludes with reflections on how genuine connection with other believers is essential for spiritual growth and victory over temptation, noting that simply attending church is different from being truly plugged in and connected to the community.

Pastor Brian wrapped up the Becoming a 3C Disciple series by presenting a framework for spiritual growth built around three key areas. The three C's include commitment to Jesus (knowing Him personally and being transformed by His lordship), connection to Jesus' followers (building intentional relationships within the church community), and contribution to Jesus' mission (serving as both servant and ambassador). The sermon featured powerful testimonies from Rich and Lynndale Hardeman, who shared their journey from salvation through pastoral ministry; Aaron and Elizabeth McWilliams, who demonstrated how connecting with others changes across different life stages; and Jared and Anna Jeffries, who showed how contribution often begins with small steps of obedience. Pastor Brian explained that these three areas integrate to produce a fourth outcome: becoming a humble leader who follows Jesus' example of servant leadership. He concluded by challenging the congregation to consider their next steps in each area, emphasizing that this framework provides clarity, alignment, and scalability across all life stages.

Pastor Matt's Ministry Mentor Podcast: https://mattsturdevant.com/podcasts/ In this podcast discussion about Hope Church's "Becoming a 3C Disciple" series, Pastors Matt, Brian, Jeremy, and Luke explore what it means to live as committed, connected, and contributing followers of Jesus. They address the challenge of building adult friendships, noting that proximity, timing, and energy are essential for deep relationships - with research showing it takes 74 hours to become casual friends and over 200 hours for close friendships. The discussion emphasizes that Christians don't just attend church but belong to the body of Christ, shaped through relationships where "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17). They explore spiritual gifts extensively, explaining that every believer receives at least one spiritual gift at salvation to serve others and glorify God. The conversation includes practical advice about discovering gifts through service, the importance of "doing life together," and the reality that all Christians are called to be servant ambassadors wherever they "live, work, parent, and play."

Pastor Matt delivered the second message in the "Becoming the 3C Disciple" series. The sermon focused on the second and third "C's" - being connected to Jesus followers and contributing to His mission. Pastor Matt emphasized that community is essential, not optional, for Christ followers, explaining that from the beginning Jesus formed a people, not just individual believers. Using the body metaphor from Romans 12, he showed how the church functions with unity without uniformity, interdependence, and mutual responsibility. He referenced Acts 2:42, where early believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers, creating a shared rhythm of life that resulted in spiritual formation and witness to the watching world. The third "C" involves contributing to Jesus' mission as sent, gifted disciples who cheerfully give back to God. Pastor Matt explained that disciples are called to be "servant ambassadors" who both serve others with Christ-like humility and represent Jesus to the world. Drawing from Romans 10:13-15, he emphasized that everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved, but people need to hear the good news, which requires messengers with "beautiful feet" who bring the gospel wherever they live, work, and play.

In the first message of the "3C Disciple" series, Matt began with the foundational truth that "you don't have to stay the way you are," emphasizing that real transformation is possible through Jesus Christ. He defined discipleship as more than just belief - it's about following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and being committed to His mission. The first "C" focuses on being committed to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and Lord, not treating these as separate categories. Matt spent considerable time addressing cultural barriers to commitment, explaining how our society trains us against making lasting commitments through endless options, comfort-maximizing technology, and viewing discomfort as a problem rather than a teacher. He noted how previous generations saw commitment as virtuous and character-building, while today's culture often views it as limiting freedom. The sermon emphasized that obedience doesn't earn salvation but reveals genuine faith, and that loving God requires total life devotion - heart, soul, mind, and strength. Using the "know, be, do" triangle, Matt explained that disciples must know Jesus personally, be transformed by His lordship, and do what He commands. The church is emphasizing Bible reading this year with Joshua 1:8 as their theme verse, encouraging members to read Scripture at least four days a week for spiritual transformation.

Pastor Matt kicked off 2026 with the first message in a new series called "Becoming a 3C Disciple," focusing on what it means to be committed to Jesus. Using our theme verse for the year, Joshua 1:8, Pastor Matt emphasized the importance of regular Bible reading as God transforms our thinking and lives. He explained that being committed to Jesus involves four key aspects: it begins with personal, daily, wholehearted commitment (referencing Luke 9:23); understanding Jesus as both Savior and Lord as two inseparable sides of the same coin; loving the Lord with total life devotion involving our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-31); and recognizing that everything flows from our allegiance to Jesus. Pastor Matt connected this commitment to the familiar "Know, Be, Do" triangle, explaining that committed disciples must know Jesus personally through relationship rather than mere religion, be transformed by His lordship in every area of life, and do what He commands through daily obedience that flows from love rather than fear. He shared a personal illustration from his 24th wedding anniversary, demonstrating how commitment shapes us over time, and concluded by offering practical next steps for new and growing disciples while inviting anyone who hadn't yet surrendered to Christ to make that personal commitment.

In this reflective sermon, Josh Hofford looks back at 2025 and shares key lessons God taught him through devotional time, trusted friends, and times of difficulty. He begins by asking the congregation to consider major news stories and family events from the past year, emphasizing that we should "look back to learn, but not to stare." Josh shares that God has been training him to walk through normal daily assignments while trusting Him completely. The first major lesson is that God is working even when we don't see it at the time, referencing Hebrews 12:9-13 about discipline yielding peaceful fruit later. Josh emphasizes the importance of daily devotional time, noting that Sunday church attendance alone cannot sustain us through life's challenges. He shares personal examples about his three children and how God has been faithful to them as they've grown and faced their own difficulties. The second lesson involves choosing counselors carefully, drawing from Jeremiah 23:16-18 and the story of King Rehoboam in First Kings 12. Josh warns against taking counsel from those who don't stand in God's council, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom from those who know and obey God's Word rather than simply following popular trends or peer advice.

In this Christmas sermon from the "Rethinking Christmas" series, Pastor Jeremy focuses on how we can "offer more" to others because of what Jesus has done for us. Using John 1:1-18 as his primary text, Pastor Jeremy explains that this passage serves as an "abstract" or synopsis of the entire Gospel of John, introducing Jesus as the Word, the Light, and the source of all things. Pastor Jeremy emphasizes four key ways we can offer more: more light through our actions and attitudes; more truth by verbalizing our faith (not just being different but explaining why); more grace by showing patience and forgiveness; and more love through self-sacrifice. He explains the difference between justice (getting what we deserve), mercy (not getting what we deserve), and grace (getting something good we don't deserve), noting that God gives us "grace upon grace." The sermon concludes with the reminder that Jesus came because "God so loved the world" (John 3:16), and because He first loved us, we can love others. Pastor Jeremy challenges anyone who hasn't decided to follow Jesus to do so before leaving.

Pastor Matt begins a new series called "Rethink Christmas" by inviting us to step back from the cultural holiday current—the shopping, decorating, expectations, and stress—to ask what God truly wants for us this season. Christmas, he explains, is fundamentally "the celebration of the birth of the Savior King" whom we can know personally. Tracing God's promise through Scripture from Genesis 3:15 through the prophets, Pastor Matt shows how Jesus fulfilled centuries of anticipation as the promised Messiah. Looking at the nativity scene, Pastor Matt highlights three aspects of worshiping fully: being fully available like Mary who surrendered herself as "the servant of the Lord" (Luke 1:38); being fully present like the shepherds who immediately responded to God's message and witnessed the Messiah firsthand; and being fully invested like the Magi who traveled for months bearing valuable gifts to worship Jesus. He concludes with practical applications, encouraging us to surrender daily to Christ, read Scripture during Advent, and invest in God's kingdom through service and giving.

In this bonus episode of The Sunday Extra podcast, Matt, Jeremy, and Luke begin by sharing their Thanksgiving experiences before discussing the recent sermon delivered by guest speaker Mike Poff, who shared ten lessons he learned during his ministry at Hope Church. The hosts reflect on several key lessons that resonated with them, including "be a learner," "get wise counsel," "ministry comes at inconvenient times," and "God defines success as faithfulness." The conversation then shifts to approaching Christmas with the right mindset, focusing on three critical areas: expectations, priorities, and focus. Matt emphasizes that unspoken or unrealistic expectations lead to disappointment and resentment, while proper priorities should center on pleasing God rather than pursuing happiness directly. The hosts remind listeners that when we focus on Christ rather than ourselves during the Christmas season, true fulfillment follows as a byproduct of our obedience and faithfulness to God's commands, as Ecclesiastes 2:26 teaches that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please Him.

Former Hope member and current Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Warrenton, Virginia, Mike Poff shares ten life-changing lessons learned over decades of ministry—lessons that moved him from doubt and failure to discovering God's genuine purpose. Whether you're new to faith, skeptical, or just searching for direction, you'll find timeless principles that actually work in real life. Mike openly discusses his biggest struggle: watching his church decline while questioning everything. Through this painful season, he discovered that God defines success differently than we do. His vulnerability and the real stories he shares—including how one phone call led to 15+ baptisms and changed families—will help you understand what it truly means to follow Jesus in everyday life. If you've ever felt lost, doubted God, experienced failure, or wondered if faith actually works—this is for you. Mike's honest storytelling about his own struggles makes these lessons feel real and immediately applicable. You'll hear about actual people whose lives have been completely transformed, and you'll get practical tools you can use right away.

What if gratitude could become a way of life—even on the hard days? Pastor Matt explores how seven ancient festivals from the Old Testament point us toward seven powerful reasons to live with overflowing thankfulness every day. Discover how Passover, First Fruits, Pentecost, and four other feasts all foreshadow Jesus and reveal what we have in Christ: forgiveness, new life, resurrection hope, empowerment, cleansing, and God's constant presence. Whether life is amazing or difficult right now, this message offers practical ways to cultivate lasting gratitude through faith.

In this concluding message of the "I AM" series, Pastor Matt reviews the seven statements of Jesus that reveal His divine identity: the bread of life, light of the world, the door, good shepherd, resurrection and life, way/truth/life, and true vine. Each statement offers a unique invitation, collectively calling us to respond to God's invitation to relationship through Christ. Pastor Matt celebrates that 26 people surrendered to Jesus and 12 were baptized during the series. Pastor Matt then transitions to explain discipleship as the process of transformation where followers grow to be more like Jesus in character and conduct. This leads to the launch of the church's annual Christmas offering—an 11-week generosity campaign with a goal of $155,000 to support kingdom-building initiatives locally (like Union Gospel Mission), nationally (church plants), globally (missionaries), and on college campuses. He encourages everyone to participate according to their ability, emphasizing that "a little adds up over time" and that together they can accomplish more than individually.

Pastor Matt wrapped up the church's "I AM" series by reviewing how Jesus revealed His divine identity through seven statements in the Gospel of John. Each statement—Bread of Life, Light of the World, Door, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, Way, Truth and Life, and True Vine—offers a unique invitation to relationship, collectively inviting us back into relationship with God through Christ. The sermon emphasized that discipleship isn't a tiered system but the natural state of every follower of Jesus, who should be "following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus." Pastor Matt then launched our annual Christmas offering campaign with a goal of $155,000, supporting local partners like Union Gospel Mission, national church planting efforts, global missions, and campus ministries. This 11-week generosity initiative aligns with Jesus' final command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses "in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth," while also supporting Vision 2028—the plan to start a new work by our 50th anniversary.

In this sermon, Pastor Brian explores Jesus's declaration "I am the true vine" from John 15, delivered during His final hours with the disciples before the crucifixion. Pastor Brian explains that in ancient Jewish culture, the grapevine symbolized Israel, but Jesus now claims to be the "true vine," indicating that what Israel failed to accomplish as God's chosen people is fulfilled in Him. The Father serves as the vinedresser who both removes unfruitful branches and prunes fruitful ones for greater productivity. Pastor Brian emphasizes that the key to spiritual life and fruitfulness is abiding in Christ, comparing it to his own 25-year marriage where "not getting divorced" is fundamental but insufficient for a thriving relationship. Similarly, believers must actively abide in Jesus through Bible reading, prayer, obedience, and sharing their faith. The fruit of this abiding includes transformed character (the fruit of the Spirit), worship, and spiritual reproduction—making new disciples. Pastor Brian concludes with an invitation for non-believers to be grafted into the vine, for wayward believers to return to abiding, and for faithful believers to express gratitude for Christ's sacrifice.

Focusing on Jesus's words in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," this sermon explores how this sixth "I AM" statement in John's Gospel reveals Christ's exclusive claim as the only path to God. Pastor Matt explains how these statements build in clarity throughout John, showing Jesus's increasing revelation of His divine identity. Against cultural relativism that claims "your truth" and "my truth," the sermon emphasizes that truth is not a concept to be defined by individuals but a person to be known and followed. For non-believers, Jesus offers forgiveness for the past, direction for the present, and hope for eternity, while for believers, His way guides our walk, His truth anchors our knowledge, and His life enables our abundant living through abiding in Him.

Pastor Matt examines Jesus' sixth "I Am" statement from John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement, made during Jesus' farewell address to His disciples, represents His most controversial claim of exclusivity. Pastor Matt explains how the previous five "I Am" statements progressively revealed Jesus' identity, culminating in this definitive declaration. The sermon unpacks a crucial interpretation: Jesus is "the way because He is the truth and because He is the life." This means Jesus perfectly reveals what is true about God and possesses the life we need to overcome our spiritual deadness. Pastor Matt contrasts this absolute truth with cultural relativism ("my truth"), emphasizing that sincerity without truth is still deception. For non-believers, Jesus offers forgiveness of past sins, direction for the present, and certainty of eternal life—something no other religion provides. For believers, this statement provides a discipleship pathway of walking in Jesus' steps, anchoring in His truth, and drawing strength from His presence.

Join Lead Pastor Matt Sturtevant, Pastor Brian Cropp, and Pastor Luke Myers for an in-depth discussion of the fifth "I Am" statement from Jesus in the Gospel of John. In this episode, we unpack Jesus's declaration "I am the resurrection and the life" from John 11, exploring the profound truths about spiritual life, death, and transformation. What We Cover: The story of Lazarus and what it teaches us about resurrection power Understanding the difference between physical life and spiritual life Jesus's dual role as the giver of life and destroyer of death The critical question: What will you do with Jesus? Why community matters in removing our "grave clothes" The distinction between God's role and our role in spiritual transformation Two judgments we all face: salvation and stewardship Understanding conversion, regeneration, justification, and sanctification Why you can't be spiritually "sinless" on this side of heaven (but you can sin less!) Behind the Scenes: Hear about the unplanned technical difficulties during the 9:30 service that became a perfectly-timed sermon illustration about being connected to the power source! Key Takeaway: Life in Christ is personal, but never private. We're called to grow in community, take next steps of obedience, and help others experience the transformation that comes from moving from spiritual death to spiritual life. Perfect for anyone wrestling with questions about faith, salvation, spiritual growth, or what it means to truly follow Jesus.

This sermon explores Jesus' fifth "I am" statement from John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life," alongside the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection. The pastor explains how significant it was that Lazarus had been dead four days—past when Jews believed resurrection was possible—making this miracle undeniably divine. The message reveals two profound truths: Jesus is the giver of life (physical, spiritual, and abundant) and the destroyer of death (the last enemy, a real enemy, but a defeated one). Just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb but had the community remove his grave clothes, Jesus gives us new spiritual life while using fellow believers to help us walk in freedom. The pastor emphasizes that while we're all born physically alive but spiritually dead, Jesus offers resurrection now, not just in eternity, calling us to surrender to Him and experience true life in community with other believers.

Pastor Matt examined Jesus' "I am" statements from John 10, where Christ describes Himself as both the door of the sheep pen and the good shepherd. As the door, Jesus divides (keeping some things in and others out) and demands a decision about which side we choose to be on. As the good shepherd, Jesus knows His sheep, calls them by name, protects them, and gathers them from all nations. Pastor Matt outlined four practical responses for believers: dependence (recognizing we need Jesus daily), obedience (following His voice through Scripture), community (belonging to a church family), and protection (standing firm through Scripture and spiritual support). He emphasized that "the Spirit of God will never lead you to act contrary to the Word of God," providing numerous examples of misguided spiritual "promptings" that contradict Scripture. The sermon concluded by challenging listeners to consider which side of the door they're on and whose voice they're following.

Pastor Matt examines Jesus' dual metaphors of Jesus as "the Door" and "the Good Shepherd" from John 10, unpacking the rich shepherd-sheep imagery found throughout Scripture. As the Door, Jesus creates a necessary division between those inside and outside His fold, requiring a decision that determines our eternal destiny. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows His sheep intimately, calls them by name, protects them from danger, and ultimately laid down His life to purchase them. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus came to gather His flock from both Jews and Gentiles, breaking down the wall of hostility between them as described in Ephesians 2. Pastor Matt concludes with four practical applications: dependence on the shepherd daily through prayer and Scripture, obedience to His voice, commitment to community with other believers, and receiving His protection through truth—reminding us that "the Spirit of God will never lead you to act contrary to the Word of God."

In this Sunday Extra podcast, Pastor Matt expands on his sermon about Jesus' statement "I am the light of the world" from John's Gospel. This declaration occurred during the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), when Jews commemorated God's guidance through the wilderness as a pillar of fire. Throughout Scripture, light symbolizes God's holiness, truth, glory, life, guidance, righteousness, and fellowship, while darkness represents sin, ignorance, Satan's realm, and separation from God. The discussion explores how believers are called to walk in Christ's light and reflect it to others, with Pastor Matt noting that "to be a follower of Jesus is to be in a spiritual battle." The podcast also examines why there are four Gospel accounts with different perspectives: Matthew presents Jesus as King to a Jewish audience, Mark portrays Him as Servant to Romans, Luke depicts Him as the Perfect Man to Greeks, and John emphasizes His deity as the Son of God to all people. This explains why John's Gospel contains the seven "I AM" statements that reveal Christ's divine nature.

Pastor Matt examines Jesus' profound statement "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), highlighting its rich historical context during the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feast, four massive 75-foot lampstands illuminated the temple, symbolizing God's presence that guided Israel through the wilderness and the hope for the coming Messiah. By making this declaration in the temple treasury near these celebrations, Jesus was boldly claiming to fulfill what the feast represented. Throughout Scripture, light symbolizes God's character and work, while darkness represents sin and Satan's realm. Pastor Matt explains that Jesus is a light that reveals sin but also shows the way out, gives life like phototherapy treating jaundice, guides believers like a lighthouse through storms, and shines through His followers. The practical application is threefold: step out of shadows by confessing sin, follow the light through daily dependence on Christ, and shine your light by sharing your faith with those still in darkness. As Pastor Matt emphasizes, "The world looks and feels darker than ever... But the good news is the light of the world is shining."

Pastor Matt delves into John 6 where Jesus declares "I am the bread of life," examining how this statement reveals three distinct responses to Jesus that remain relevant today. The first response was outright rejection, as many in the crowd grumbled and walked away when Jesus' teaching became difficult. The second response was shallow faith, demonstrated by disciples who initially followed Jesus but turned back when his teachings challenged them. The third response was true faith, exemplified by Peter who declared, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). The sermon emphasizes how we face the same choice today between rejecting Jesus, following with shallow commitment, or embracing true faith. Pastor Matt quotes Charles Spurgeon who described faith as "believing that Christ is what he said to be, that he will do what he has promised to do, and expecting this of him." Just as physical food sustains our bodies, we must feed on Jesus daily through Scripture, prayer, and obedience to be spiritually nourished and transformed into his likeness.