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.