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Hope in the Midst of Suffering Hope wk 3

Hope in the Midst of Suffering  1 Peter   The Grove, January 11, 2026 Hearers of the Word: Have you ever been in the middle of a storm—whether it’s personal pain, uncertainty about the future, family struggles, health challenges, or even facing opposition because of your faith—and found yourself asking, “How do I keep going? Where’s the hope? Where’s the light at the end of this tunnel?” If that’s you today, you’re not alone. The Apostle Peter wrote his first letter to people who were asking exactly those questions. He wrote around 64–67 AD to scattered believers across five Roman provinces—Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These were “elect exiles,” pilgrims of the dispersion, living in a time when following Jesus could cost you your livelihood, your home, your reputation, and even your life under growing Roman persecution. Peter doesn’t downplay their suffering. The word “suffering” appears 17 times in this short letter. Yet in the middle of real pain, he...
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A Living Hope: Pilgrims on the Way Home

 Living Hope in Suffering    1 Peter 1:1–8 The Grove, January 4, 2026 Hearers of the Word I. Background on the Letter & Author A. The Author Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes this letter around AD 64 from “Babylon” (likely a code name for Rome) to scattered believers in several provinces of modern-day Turkey.  Peter himself is a well-known figure: a Galilean fisherman from Bethsaida, brother of Andrew, married, and the most frequently mentioned disciple in the Gospels after Jesus. He was bold, impulsive, outspoken — the one who walked on water, confessed Christ, denied Him three times, and was later restored. B. Historical context Nero and the fire of Rome, produces intense Christian persecution. These Christians are facing intense persecution following Nero’s blaming of Christians for the great fire of Rome in AD 64, which led to brutal martyrdoms. C. The Recipients: Pilgrims in the Dispersion Peter addressed his letter to scattered believers in...
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Returning to the Shepherd

 Returning to the Shepherd 1 Peter 1:1-2 Hearers of the Word: THEME: Like Peter, we can stray like sheep but are graciously pursued, restored, and recommissioned by Jesus, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Question: Who was Peter? I. Peter's Early Days: Called from the Ordinary a. Peter's identity : Apostle of Jesus Christ, author of two epistles b. Peter's character : Bold fisherman turned apostle, highs and lows, pride and ambition, featured in Gospels, Acts, art, and writings c. Peter’s calling :  invitation became an impulsive passion d. False claims about Peter: Refutation of primacy, superiority, papal succession, etc., supported by Scriptures (2 Cor. 11:5, Gal. 2:11, 1 Peter 5:1) II. Peter's Growth in Acts: From Failure to Faithful Leader Observation:  When one looks at the book of Acts, we see the fruit of lessons Peter was learning.  The man who once denied Jesus now preaches boldly at Pentecost, declaring Him as Lord to ...
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What Do The Magi Mean To Christmas? (Part 2)

What Do The Magi Mean To Christmas? Matthew 2:1–12 The Grove – December 14, 2025 Main Thesis The coming of the Magi is Jesus’ only coronation in His first coming—and it was performed by Gentiles. Their story forces every person into one of three responses to the newborn King: hostility (Herod), indifference (religious Jerusalem), or joyful worship (the Magi). Hearers of the Word: Introduction Christmas-card version of the “wise men” vs. historical reality The Magi were not kings, not three, and not at the manger They were hereditary priestly king-makers from Media/Persia, trained centuries earlier by Daniel Their arrival is Jesus’ coronation by the Gentile world—the first-fruits of the nations bowing to Israel’s Messiah Central Christmas question: Will we cling to our throne like Herod or surrender everything like the Magi? I. The Royal Credentials of Jesus (Recap of Matthew 1 → 2) Legal lineage through Joseph → royal right Bloodline through Mary → royal blood Virgin bir...
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The King-Makers Bow

The King-Makers Bow: What the Magi Really Mean for Christmas Matthew 2:1-11 Hearers of the Word: Theme:  Gentile king-makers from the East traveled hundreds of miles to worship a toddler because they recognized in Jesus the promised world-King that their own order had been waiting centuries to crown. Introduction:  Kings, Magi, and wise men are often familiar Christmas-card imagery, but what do we learn from Scripture and history?   So the questions to consider is threefold: Who are the wise men / Magi? (and) why did it matter to Matthew? (and) wha does it matter to us today? I. Who Are These Magi ?      a. Dispelling the myths They were not kings There were not necessarily three of them (3 gifts ≠ 3 men) Names  given to them later were Caspar, Balthazar, Melchior The  supposed skulls are late traditions with no historical basis Unknown number; pastor believes there were “many” of the magi who came and not just three      ...
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Bridge Builders Tell the Truth

Bridge Builders Tell the Truth Philemon 1:17-22 (Week 5) Take your Bible and turn one last time to the little book of Philemon. This is Paul writing not as “Apostle with authority,” but as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus.” He calls Timothy “brother,” Philemon “fellow laborer” and “brother.” Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, had gotten in trouble in Rome, ended up in prison beside Paul, came to faith, and now is heading home carrying this letter. Paul’s request is bold: receive Onesimus no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother. Let’s read the whole letter again together… [read Philemon aloud] Pray: God, you are loving and faithful. Break our hearts for what breaks yours and use us to extend your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Convict us today to become a person who obeys, forgives and restores.  Lead us in this life to live for you and not ourselves. - Amen Today, we finish in verses 17-22. Here are five steps Paul models to build bridges and bring reconciliation: 1. PUT ...
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Love That Goes Above and Beyond the Law


Love That Goes Above and Beyond the Law
 Philemon v9 Introduction / Story Background: Paul from prison writing to Philemon, a Christian slave-owner in Colossae Scenario: Runaway slave Onesimus steals from Philemon, flees, meets Paul in prison, becomes a Christian, and is sent back with Paul’s letter to seek forgiveness Paul’s radical request: Receive Onesimus no longer as a slave but as a free beloved brother Main Text Focus: Philemon v9: Paul chooses to appeal “for love’s sake” rather than command Five Key Principles for Building Bridges in Broken Relationships Operate from Love , Not Law (v9) Love does not avoid issues; it addresses them Love determines HOW we act, not IF we act “Appeal” = urgent, gentle, loving plea (same word used in Phil 4:2) Love pleads; Law demands Keynote: Love pleads, while Law demands Practical: Lower your voice, gently request, reasonably explain          2.   Believe That God Changes People (v10–11) Paul calls Onesimus “m...
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