When Joy Meets Trial | James 1:1-18 | Faith That Works
In the 1980s, the Biosphere 2 project discovered that trees grown in a perfect environment—with no wind—eventually collapsed under their own weight. They lacked the "stress wood" that only comes through resistance.
In this sermon on James 1:1–18, we explore how God uses the "winds" of life to build that same structural integrity in our souls. Whether you are facing the "scorching heat" of financial loss, the pressure of persecution, or the internal struggle of temptation, James directs our eyes to the unchanging Father of Lights.
Settling Our Identity Crisis | Psalm 8 & Romans 11:33-12:2 | Reclaiming Our Humanity
In a world that tells us we are cosmic accidents who "clawed our way out of the ooze," nihilism and meaninglessness often win the day. This sermon grounds our identity in the truth of Scripture: we are created by a sovereign God and crowned with glory and honor. Because God the Son took on human flesh to redeem our bodies, we have a purpose that transcends technology. This message provides three practical resolutions for the New Year to help us live as "living sacrifices" in a digital world.
Mary: Pondering the Promise | Luke 1:26-55; 2:1-7 | Mothers of Jesus
Christmas often brings out our sentimental side. We find ourselves reminiscing about candlelight services, children in pajamas, and the warmth of family traditions . But the first Christmas was characterized by more than just "good feels"—it was a moment of revolutionary upheaval.
The Gospel for the Lowly | Luke 2:1-20 | Candlelight Meditation 2025
Sometimes we know the story of Christmas too well, and we miss just how radical it truly is. If a prince were born today, the news would be shared in palaces and centers of influence. But when the Lord Jesus Christ took on human flesh, the message went to men who didn't even own the land they were standing on.
Bathsheba: Mercy Gets the Last Word | 2 Samuel 12:1-25 | Mothers of Jesus
The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most scandalous in Holy Scripture, marked by a heinous abuse of power and a tragic cover-up. While we often focus on David’s sin, the narrative also reveals the profound mercy shown to Bathsheba—the silent victim of this tragedy.
Ruth: From Mara to Messiah | Ruth 4:9-17 | Mothers of Jesus
In this message, we look at the incredible narrative of the Book of Ruth. It’s a story we know, but often miss its whole point: securing the lineage of the Messiah. We start at the end, with the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David, and work backward to understand the journey of faith and providence that made it possible.
When we first meet Naomi, she is consumed by grief and insists on being called Mara, which means "bitterness." Her situation—and that of her daughter-in-law, Ruth, a foreign widow—is utterly hopeless. Yet, through the loyal commitment of Ruth and the faithful, legal, and costly love of Boaz, the Kinsman-Redeemer, God completely reverses their circumstances.
Discover how God uses the seemingly insignificant and the painfully bitter details of life to carry out His most valuable possession: the salvation found in Jesus Christ.
Rahab: The Scarlet Thread of Hope | Joshua 2:1-21; 6:20-23 | Mothers of Jesus
Our Advent series, "The Mothers of Jesus," continues with one of the most unexpected and powerful figures in the Bible: Rahab.
Her story, found in the book of Joshua, is a study in contrasts. Here is a woman—a Canaanite and a prostitute—who shows greater confidence in the covenant God of Israel than a generation of Israelites who witnessed His miracles firsthand.
Tamar: Scandalous Grace, Sovereign Plan | Genesis 38 | Mothers of Jesus
We often approach the Christmas season with a desire for the "clean, pure, pretty, idealistic, perfect snow"—a vision of a holiday sterilized from the dirt of the real world. Yet, as we begin our Advent series, Mothers of Jesus, we are immediately confronted with a story that shatters this idealism: the account of Tamar in Genesis 38.
Atonement, Rain, and Grain | Psalm 65 | Thanksgiving
The Proper Priorities of a Biblical Thanksgiving
On this Thanksgiving Day, it is easy for our attention to be pulled in a dozen different directions—from managing family gatherings to navigating Black Friday deals. The danger is that we treat this holiday as a mere checklist to be completed, racing right past the reason for our gathering.
In his sermon "Atonement, Rain, and Grain," based on Psalm 65, Pastor Mark refocuses our attention. He reminds us that a biblical understanding of gratitude must be properly prioritized, with the grace of God in Christ at the very top.
Paradise Regained | Revelation 22 | 5 Devotions on Walking in the Light of God's Presence
You’ve heard the sermon, now take the next step. Revelation 22 is the ultimate "happily ever after," showing us what Christ has secured for us: a world where the River of Life flows freely and the Tree of Life bears fruit every month.
These five short devotions break down the glorious vision of the New Jerusalem. Spend five days meditating on the perfect restoration of God's presence, provision, and promise.
Paradise Regained | Revelation 22 | The Final Vision of Hope
The book of Revelation is often viewed through a lens of confusion, but its original purpose was far simpler: to provide hope and comfort to God's people during tribulation. As we land in the final chapter, Revelation 22, we are given a glorious, final vision that guarantees our eternal future.
In this message, we dive deep into the ultimate reversals of the curse—seeing the River of the Water of Life flowing from the Throne and the Tree of Life restored. This vision affirms that what was broken in the Garden has been restored through the work of the Lamb.
No More Tears | Revelation 21 | 5 Devotions on New Covenant Reality and Hope
Welcome to a week of reflection on the greatest promise in Scripture!
In our sermon on Revelation 21, we discovered the glorious truth: the New Covenant makes the old ways obsolete, culminating in the permanent, perfect dwelling of God with His people.
This week, don't just recall the sermon—go deeper. This 5-day devotional plan takes the core themes of fulfillment, assurance, and the end of suffering, pairing them with powerful supporting scriptures from Genesis, Isaiah, and Hebrews.
No More Tears | Revelation 21 | The Eternal Dwelling Place of God
This week, we continue our series in the Book of Revelation with the majestic and essential vision of Chapter 21:1-27.
Just as maps and film cameras have become obsolete, the New Covenant, fulfilled in Christ, has made the old way of relating to God obsolete.
Join Pastor Mark as he explores the climax of the biblical story, where God declares, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man." We find ultimate hope in the truth that the physical Temple is gone, the curse is reversed, and our eternal access to God is guaranteed by the completed work of the Lamb.
When the Books are Opened | Revelation 20:7-15 | 5 Devotions on God’s Justice and the Believers Hope
final judgment and the assurance of eternal life for those in Christ. In this passage, Satan’s rebellion is crushed, death and Hades are defeated, and the books are opened before the throne of God.
These five devotions draw from that message to help us live with confidence in the finished work of Jesus. Each day points us back to the truth that our security doesn’t rest in what we’ve done, but in what Christ has done for us. When your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it isn’t written in pencil—it’s written in grace that cannot fade or be erased.
When the Books are Opened | Revelation 20:7-15 | Confidence Before the Throne
In Revelation 20, John records the sobering yet hope-filled vision of the final judgment. Satan’s last rebellion ends in defeat, Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire, and the books are opened before the throne of God.
While this passage is heavy with eternal significance, it also offers deep assurance to the believer. Our hope doesn’t rest on speculation, good works, or human effort—it rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ. When your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it isn’t written in pencil. It is secure forever in the righteousness of Christ.
Reigning with Christ | Revelation 20:1-6 | 5 Devotions on the Victory of Christ’s Reign
In Revelation 20:1–6, John is shown two contrasting scenes — a bound enemy and a reigning King. The vision reminds us that the power of evil is restrained, not removed, and that Christ’s rule is already established at the Father’s right hand. When the world feels chaotic and uncertain, this passage gives steady confidence that the throne of heaven is occupied and that those united to Christ share in His reign.
Reigning with Christ | Revelation 20:1-6 | The Bound Enemy and the Reigning King
In Revelation 20, John sees two striking images: a bound enemy and a reigning King. Pastor Mark Groen unpacks this passage to show that Satan’s restraint and Christ’s reign are not future hopes but present realities. The leash of the enemy is in God’s hand, and the throne is occupied.
It Is He | Revelation 19:11-21 | 5 Devotions on the Judge Who Is Our Savior
The vision of Christ in Revelation 19 is both awe-inspiring and deeply comforting. He appears as the Faithful and True Judge—righteous, powerful, and victorious. Yet for those who belong to Him, His coming is not a source of fear but of peace, because the Judge who comes is also the one who was judged in our place.
These five short devotions are drawn from Pastor Mark Groen’s sermon “It Is He” on Revelation 19:11–21. Each day invites you to reflect on Christ’s righteousness, His redeeming blood, the power of His Word, and the unshakable confidence believers have in His victory.
It Is He | Revelation 19:11-21 | Confidence in the Coming King
On Reformation Sunday, we turned again to the book of Revelation and came to one of its most vivid and hope-filled passages. In Revelation 19:11–21, heaven opens and Christ appears—not as a distant observer but as the Faithful and True Judge who rides forth in righteousness. His robe is dipped in His own blood, reminding us that the one who comes to judge is also the one who was judged in our place. For those who belong to Him, His coming is not cause for fear but for confidence.
The Story Retold | The Gospel of Mark
Mark’s Gospel is a story in motion — fast-paced, vivid, and full of urgency. In this Story Retold session, Pastor Mark explores how Mark presents Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man: the promised Messiah who brings God’s kingdom through suffering and service.
You’ll see how the structure of the book points us toward the cross, why the ending is intentionally abrupt, and how Mark’s message challenges us to follow Christ with courage and immediacy.