Shady Grove Sermons

The Practice of Unceasing Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Hearers of the Word: From the heart of prayer to the habits of prayer. The same command now shapes daily practice. 1. Pray Regularly Put God on the calendar — morning, evening, check-ins Establish prayer triggers (car, class change, phone calls, medication) Daniel’s custom (Dan. 6:10) — pray before the crisis so you know where God is in the crisis 2. Pray Spontaneously Discipline + natural response Prayer that interrupts the schedule Greek term for "without ceasing" = medical term for a persistent cough — prayer you can’t shake 3. Pray Persistently Luke 11 & 18 parables — always pray and not lose heart PUSH — Pray Until Something Happens Chinese bamboo tree — five years of watering before sudden growth 4. Pray Actively Prayer is not passive — put feet on your prayers "Pack and pray at the same time" Matthew 9 — Jesus told them to pray, then sent them; life itself becomes prayer 5. Pray Confidentl...

 The Heart of Unceasing Prayer: PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Big Idea: It is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you that you pray without ceasing. Primary Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Introduction 1. The Janice Gravely illustration — changing radio channels while calling for help 2. The danger of changing channels before help arrives 3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 as the standing orders of the church 4. Thesis: It is the will of God that you pray without ceasing (Luther quote) What Does It Mean to Pray Without Ceasing? 1. Pray Constantly a. The Greek term is the most comprehensive word for prayer (talking to God) b. Emphasis is on when, not how c. Illustration: Checking our phones throughout the day — so we should check in with God 2. Pray Dependently a. Not "do nothing but pray," but "do nothing with...

Hearing God: A Pure Heart Matthew 5:6 The Grove | August 9, 2026 Introduction Main question: How do we hear God? How do we develop a hunger for Him? Remember: God speaks Spirit to spirit (John 16:13) Warning: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 4:7) I. The Danger of a Hard Heart A. Murmuring and complaining B. Unbelief C. Disobedience (the 10 spies vs. Joshua and Caleb) D. Key truth: Obedience keeps the heart soft; God desires obedience more than repeated worship II. Developing a Hearing Ear A. The ability is given at new birth; the skill must be developed B. First secret: Hearing God must become vital to you C. Second secret: It requires exercise (F.I.T.) Frequency – deliberately set your mind on God Intensity – purposeful, regular time with Him Time – bring every thought captive until it becomes reflex D. There is no substitute (books, conferences, podcasts, counseling cannot replace direct hearing) III. A Pure and Undivided Heart A. Defini...