Shady Grove Sermons

Hope Rooted in Faith 1 Peter 1:1-8 Hearers of the Word: I. The Nature of Our Inheritance (Verse 4) • Incorruptible • Undefiled • Unfading • Reserved in Heaven Theological Significance: Assures future glorification, resurrection bodies, and reign with Christ (Revelation 21:7). A lifeline against despair in persecution or a broken world. II. Protection and Security of Believers (Verse 5) Key Words: Kept/Protected by God's Power Through Faith:  God's omnipotent power (dunamis) shields the inheritance, channeled through human faith (dia pisteos). III. The Balance of Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Statement of Truth: Salvation is not dependent upon us to initiate or maintain because God is a saving God and a keeping God. IV. Joy Even in the Fire (vv. 6–9) Peter uses the powerful image of gold being refined by fire to illustrate how God uses trials in the Christian life. Just as fire purifies gold, making it more valuable and radiant, the "fiery...

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...

 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...

 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 ...

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...

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      ...