Hope Church - Fort Worth, TX Hope Church

Ever felt stuck in a cycle of bitterness or resentment? Struggling to move on from past hurts? In this powerful message, Pastor Matt dives deep into the topic of forgiveness and shares profound insights that could change your life.
You'll discover:
What forgiveness is...and what it's NOT The difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust (so eye-opening!)  Why forgiveness is essential for YOUR healing and peace  How to genuinely forgive even when it feels impossible  The incredible ripple effect of forgiveness on relationships As Pastor Matt explains, forgiveness is not approving, excusing, justifying, or denying the wrong done to you. It doesn't mean forgetting or automatically reconciling, either. True forgiveness is about releasing the offender, canceling the debt, and choosing not to punish or harbor bitterness - even if they never say sorry.
Through gripping personal stories and timeless biblical wisdom, you'll see how forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It's about following Jesus' radical example and obeying His clear commands. Because the truth is, we've all been forgiven infinitely more by God than we'll ever be asked to forgive others.
As Ephesians 4:31-32 urges: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger...Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Pastor Matt also shares a powerful testimony of a family torn apart by deep hurt and unforgiveness. But as they each took the courageous step to ask for and extend forgiveness, something supernatural happened: peace entered in, and relationships were restored!
No matter how much you've been wounded, YOU have the power to forgive and write a new story. Freedom and healing are possible when you release others and entrust justice to God (Romans 12:19).
Maybe you've been holding onto resentment for far too long. Today is the day to finally let go and start living in the joyful freedom forgiveness brings!
Reflect prayerfully:
Who is God calling you to forgive, once and for all? Who do you need to humbly ask for forgiveness? How could choosing forgiveness change YOUR life from the inside out? Take a moment to process with God honestly. He will give you the strength and grace you need to take this life-changing step of obedience. You won't regret it!
Remember, forgiveness doesn't make what they did right...but it sets YOU free. You ready?
For more life-giving spiritual insights, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode. Join our community of imperfect people pursuing the God of second chances together!

Parenting is quite the adventure, isn't it? It's the most important and rewarding job, but it sure keeps you on your toes!
In this message, we examine what God says about family and parenting. God created the family from the very beginning! He intended marriage to be the foundation, with a husband and wife teaming up to do God's will and raise godly kids.
The Bible gives us the big picture of what parenting is really about - it's not just keeping those kiddos alive (though that's a good start!), but raising them to know, love, and follow God. We're in the business of launching the next generation to carry on a legacy of faith. No pressure, right?
Thankfully, God gives us a pattern to follow. Just like He lovingly parented Israel with kindness, instruction, discipline, and displays of His power, we can apply those same principles. Remember the K.I.D.S. minivan (Kindness, Instruction, Discipline, Supernatural Power) powered by our Example and steered by Explanation. Works pretty well in other areas of life too!
The keys are to
Follow Jesus yourself  Practice living out God's Word and  Don't go it alone! We need God's strength and the support of others. That's where the church community makes a huge difference.
So here's something to think about - who has God put in your life that you could share your faith with? A family member, friend, coworker? Take a moment to pray about it. You never know the impact you could have, even in the little moments. And hey, if you're still trying to figure out this whole "God thing", no worries. Start by opening up a Bible and getting to know Him. He's glad to meet you right where you're at!
Whether you're rocking that #FamilyLife or still waiting for your minivan dreams to come true, know that God sees you and He's cheering you on. Keep on loving those kiddos (and yourself!) well.

Hey there! Ever felt stuck in life, like your battery's dead and you can't get going no matter how hard you try? 🔋🚘 In this message, Pastor Matt Sturdevant from Hope Church has some POWERFUL insights on how Jesus meets us right where we're at to help us get unstuck and moving in the right direction! 🙌
Pastor Matt unpacks a fascinating story from the Bible where Jesus strikes up a conversation with a woman at a well and totally transforms her life. 🙏💧 It's a vivid example of how Jesus sees us, cares about us, and wants to give us "living water" that will satisfy us deep down in our souls. 🌊
One of the key takeaways is that when we experience how Jesus rescues us and gives us new life, we can't help but want to share that with others! Telling people about the difference Jesus makes doesn't just help them get traction in their spiritual journey - it actually strengthens our OWN faith and "gains traction" in our own lives, too. 📈🔥
So here's the challenge: Who is someone in YOUR life who could use some hope and direction right now? 🤔 Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to show you who He wants you to reach out to. It could be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a co-worker. Sharing your story of how Jesus has changed you might just be the "tow rope" they need to get unstuck! 🤗🙏
This message is for anyone who's curious about God but knows little about the Bible or church. If you've ever wondered how a relationship with Jesus could make a real difference in your everyday life, this is a fantastic place to start. Feeling stuck is no fun, but with Jesus, we've all got TRACTION to move forward! 🚗💨 Let's hit the gas and see where God takes us! 😎🙌 

Hey there! 🙏 Ready to take your prayer life to the next level? In this message, Pastor Matt Sturdevant breaks down the basics of how to pray effectively and connect with God on a deeper level.
You'll discover:
- 3 key reasons WHY prayer is so important 🤔
- What exactly IS prayer? Hint: it's simpler than you might think! 
- The ultimate prayer case study from Jesus himself 🙌
- Practical tips to make your prayers more powerful and effective 💪
Whether you're new to faith or just looking to refresh your prayer habits, this sermon is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and motivation to help you grow closer to God. 
Plus, Pastor Matt keeps it real, sharing relatable stories and examples to drive the points home. No stuffy religious jargon here! 😅
Feeling inspired to dive deeper? We've got you covered! Check out our Bible reading plan at https://hopechurch.com/bible to kickstart a daily habit of spending quality time with God. 
Because the truth is, prayer is about so much more than just asking for stuff - it's about building a lifelong relationship with the One who loves you most. 💗
So what are you waiting for? Hit that play button and let's start unlocking the incredible power of prayer together! 🔑🙏
Drop a comment below and let us know your biggest takeaway from the message. And if you found it helpful, be sure to like and share with a friend who could use some encouragement too! 👍👥
Remember, no matter what you're facing, you're never alone. God is just a prayer away. 🙏✨
Find a Bible reading plan: https://hopechurch.com/bible
Check out the full series: https://hopechurch.com/messages
 

In this sermon, Pastor Matt Sturdevant discusses the importance of reading the Bible for spiritual growth and "tuning up" your relationship with God, just like regular car maintenance keeps your vehicle running smoothly.
Three key reasons to read the Bible are:
It's a primary tool God uses to transform us The goal is to understand it to apply it to our lives It's how God makes Himself known to us The Bible was written over centuries by many authors in multiple languages but carries the authority of God's inspired word. We can trust it as infallible, sufficient, necessary, and eternal.
Some best practices for Bible reading include:
Choosing a translation, you can understand Picking a consistent time and place Starting small and building up slowly Focusing on quality over quantity Asking questions about the meaning A helpful method is the HEAR journal approach:
Highlight a verse or passage Explain the meaning in context Apply it to your life Respond in your relationships and actions No matter where you are starting from, commit to reading God's word regularly, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach and transform you. Start with reading for 5 minutes a day, 1-3 times this week. Bible engagement is critical to spiritual growth!

In this video, we explore the profound meaning behind two essential practices in the Christian faith: the Lord's Supper and baptism. These symbolic ceremonies, given by Jesus Himself, convey the transformative power of His sacrifice and the inner change experienced by every believer.
We begin by delving into the Lord's Supper, also known as communion, the Lord's Table, or the Breaking of Bread. This special ceremony is a time for Christians to remember and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. In Luke 22, we witness Jesus sharing bread and wine with His disciples during the last Passover meal before His crucifixion. He explains that the bread represents His body and the wine His blood, given for us. When partaking in the Lord's Supper, believers symbolically remember Jesus' broken body and shed blood, proclaiming His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a powerful moment to reflect on God's love and grace, available to any believer who has put their faith in Christ. However, Scripture advises examining one's heart first to ensure being right with God and others (1 Corinthians 11:28).
Next, we examine the significance of baptism, an outward demonstration of the inward change that occurs when someone trusts Jesus as their Savior. The ceremony involves briefly submerging a person under water and bringing them back out, symbolizing the death of the old way of life and the rising to a new life in Christ. The Apostle Paul describes this beautifully in Romans 6:4, stating that we are buried with Christ through baptism into death, and just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too can walk in newness of life. Baptism powerfully illustrates the spiritual reality of being united with Jesus.
It is crucial to understand that while baptism does not save a person, as salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), it is a vital first step of obedience after choosing to follow Jesus. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts, we see the pattern of people believing in Jesus and being baptized as a public declaration of their faith (Acts 2:41, 8:12).
For those who have put their faith in Jesus but haven't yet been baptized, we encourage you to take this next step. It is a way to personally identify with Christ, obey His command, and publicly declare your faith to others. If you are interested in learning more about baptism and preparing for this important step of obedience, we invite you to sign up for our next baptism class. The class covers the meaning of baptism, what to expect, and how to share your story about your new faith in Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, the Lord's Supper and baptism are rich with meaning, connecting believers to Jesus' death and resurrection. They unite Christians throughout history who have shared in these practices and set them apart as belonging to God. If you have given your life to Jesus, celebrating the Lord's Supper and being baptized are powerful next steps to grow in your faith. For more information on the Lord's Supper, baptism, and other aspects of the Christian faith, please visit our website or contact us directly. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and support you on your journey of faith.
https://hopeinsider.com/baptism