Shady Grove Sermons

 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      ...