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.