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.