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Palm Sunday

The Triumphal Entry    Matthew 21:1-11 The Grove – March 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday) Holy Week begins today— Passion Week —Matthew 21 shows us the final week of Jesus’ earthly life that culminates in His crucifixion and resurrection. It opens with the Triumphal Entry; the moment Jesus deliberately presents Himself to Israel as their long-awaited Messiah King. This is called Palm Sunday because the crowds place  garments and palm branches along the path as Jesus rode into Jerusalem!  Jesus was born in Betelhem, raised in Nazareth and he lived life and ministry largely in and around Galilee. When we come to this passage, I want you to understand that while many had come to town to celebrate Passover – Jesus was not just another pilgrim who had come to town!  The triumphal for entry was the arrival of the king. Matthew makes clear:  Jesus is King.  And the King has come to His city! God had promised that he would send Messiah to his people and that messiah wou...
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The Humiliation of Jesus

 The Humiliation of Jesus Mark 15: 1-15 March 22, 2026 Hearers of the Word Introduction: Setting the Scene  Today we come to one of the most heartbreaking and yet profoundly revealing passages in all of Scripture: Mark chapter 15, verses 16 through 20. After the religious leaders condemned Jesus for blasphemy and Pilate handed Him over for claiming to be King of the Jews, the Roman soldiers took custody of our Savior. Already scourged, bloodied, and near death, Jesus was led into the governor’s headquarters—the Praetorium—where a whole battalion of soldiers turned His suffering into cruel entertainment. They mocked Him as a pretend king, draping Him in a faded purple cloak, jamming a crown of thorns on His head, hailing Him in sarcasm, striking Him, spitting on Him, and kneeling in false homage. This scene is shocking in its brutality and heartbreaking in its irony. But Mark doesn’t record it merely to recount history’s darkest moment of human depravity. No—he writes it to rem...
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Hope that Nourishes

Hope that Nourishes: Taste and See 1 Peter 2:1-8 Hearers of the Word I. Rid Yourselves of Every Form of Evil (verses 1 & the “put away” list) a. All malice b. All deceit c. All hypocrisy d. All slander II. Crave the Pure Milk of the Word (verse 2) III. The Reason We Can Crave It is because we Have Tasted That the Lord Is Kind (verse 3) Note:  IT must be tasted so that it can be tested! IV. The Center of Everything: Coming to the Living Stone (verses 4-5) V. Three Urgent Calls a. Taste and See That the Lord Is Good b. Your Responsibility as Priests c. Eager to Hear, Eager to Serve, Eager to Go Doers of the Word 1. Peter begins by commanding believers to “rid yourselves” of sins from the past life.  Which one of these four sins do you find most tempting or most present in your own life right now?  What is the Holy Spirit asking you to do in response? 2. Peter says we should be hungry for the pure words of the Lord.  How hungry are you r...
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Hope that Outlasts Grass

 Hope That Empowers Love 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:8 OVERVIEW 1 Peter 1:22–25 (and extensions into 1 Peter 2:1–8), is emphasizing that true holiness in the Christian life flows from the gospel and the enduring Word of God. The preacher contrasts the fleeting, withering nature of human life and achievements ("like grass") with the eternal, imperishable Word of the Lord that brings new birth. Believers, having been born again through this living Word, are purified to love one another sincerely and deeply (fervently, from the heart). Holiness is evidenced by: • Genuine, brotherly love (phileo + agape) for fellow believers • Obedience to God's truth / Word • Craving Scripture like newborn babies crave milk for spiritual growth The sermon stresses the Word of God's triple role:  It brings salvation (new birth), endures forever, and produces maturity. Peter’s imagery of Christ as the precious living cornerstone and believers as living stones built into a spiritual house reinfo...
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Hope that Fuels Holiness

 Hope that Fuels Holiness  1 Peter 1:13-21 Hears of the Word: THEME:  Peter writes to encourage suffering Christians to stand firm and live holy lives amid trials. Today, we face less danger but still need exhortation to holiness; don't take freedom for granted. I. A clear call to holiness • Holiness is positional (set apart at salvation) and practical (lived out in conduct). II. Three Marks of Holy Life (v. 14-16) • Nonconformity to the World  Statement of Truth: The world tries and tries to shape us into its image; God calls us to be shaped into the image of Christ.  • Motivation from Christ (v. 17-21) o Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, the unblemished Lamb o Gratitude for the extreme cost God paid leads us to live to please Him • To be continued... Result: Faith and hope rest in God who raised and glorified Christ Doers of the Word: 1.  What specific step can you take to resist conforming and pursue transformation? 2.  As...
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So What is Ash Wednesday all about?

 So What is Ash Wednesday all about? Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent—a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, repentance, self-reflection, and preparation for Easter. It calls us to remember three key truths: We are fallen • We are frail • We are forgiven. I. We Are Fallen (Genesis 3 – The Fall) • God created a perfect world with one prohibition (the forbidden tree). • Pride led humanity to disobey: we assumed God was withholding something good. • Sin immediately brought blame (Adam blamed God indirectly via Eve; Eve blamed the serpent). • Core of fallenness = pride and self-focus ("I" language dominates after the fall). • Sin curves us inward—self-obsessed, away from God. • Pride fills us with ourselves, leaving no room for the Holy Spirit. • Lent invites us to lean into our sinfulness rather than deny or blame-shift. • Fasting helps: it denies self, shifts focus back to God, and heightens awareness of Jesus (Matthew 6 & 9). II. We Are Frail (Genesis 3:1...
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Hope That Fuels Nonconformity

 Hope That Fuels Nonconformity 1 Peter 1:13-16 Hearers of the WORD • Picture of the Christian life as a grueling race with a promised victorious finish line. • Peter's audience: suffering exiles needing real hope, not escape. • After praising God's salvation (vv. 3-12), Peter pivots with "Therefore" to call for response. I. Prepare Your Mind for Action and Set Your Hope Fully on Future Grace (v. 13) • "Gird up the loins of your mind" = prepare mentally for the race (ancient tunic analogy briefly explained as "rolling up sleeves for action"). • Be sober/alert: serious about faith amid persecution, temptation, and opposition. • Rest hope completely on the grace revealed at Christ's coming (future focus amid present trials). II. Live as Obedient Children: Be Holy in All Conduct (vv. 14-16) • Holiness (hagios): set apart for God + morally pure; God makes us holy positionally at salvation, then calls us to live it out practically. • ...
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