Shady Grove Sermons

Feeding Our Souls on Christ 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 The Grove, February 2, 2026 Hearers of the Word Today we approach the Lord’s Supper I want us to focus on this moment today and seek to treasure Christ in this communion. In a few moments, may this table become an act of worship—not through ritual alone, but because our hearts declare: He is worth remembering. I. Introduction & Redefining Worship Today it is fitting to consider the place of communion. Importantly, the New Testament never calls the Lord’s Supper “worship,” nor does it label any church gathering as “worship.” No New Testament service is ever described that way. This matters because we often misuse the word. We say “worship” to mean this Sunday event—especially the singing—and treat everything else (offerings, prayers, Scripture, communion) as something different. That habit is misleading. The New Testament radically redefines worship: it is first an inner reality of the heart, then expressed in all of life. Worshi...

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...