Heaven's Gifts for a Broken World | Psalm 85 | Trusting God's Faithfulness in Every Season
In this sermon on Psalm 85, Pastor Mark Groen invites us to reflect deeply on God's covenant faithfulness and our need for revival. As we walk through the Advent season, Psalm 85 leads us to remember God’s past restoration, cry out for present renewal, and rejoice in the peace He brings through Christ. The psalm’s closing vision of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace coming together reminds us that God’s gifts are not distant ideals—but heaven’s gifts for a broken world.
Repentance That Bears Fruit | Luke 3:1–17 | A Call to Genuine Transformation
John the Baptist didn’t soften his message to win a crowd—he called people to radical repentance and transformation. In this Advent sermon on Luke 3:1–17, Pastor Mark Groen shows how John's words still challenge us today. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we are reminded that God desires hearts that are changed—not just lives that look good on the outside. This message calls us to examine ourselves, turn from sin, and bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Established Hearts | 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 | A Life Shaped by the Coming King
Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s return, just as Paul urged the Thessalonians to live lives of thanksgiving, prayer, and holiness. In this sermon, "Established Hearts," we explore how God shapes us through His Word and Spirit to be blameless and loving as we await Christ's appearing. Join us in seeking hearts ready for His coming!
Contemplate these questions as you listen to this week’s message:
How does Paul’s expression of thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 3:9 challenge your view of gratitude in your spiritual life?
In what ways can you actively encourage and equip others in their faith journey as Paul sought to do for the Thessalonians?
How does the work of God in establishing blameless hearts through His Word and Spirit transform how you live in anticipation of Christ’s return?
Grateful Hearts, Generous Hands | 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 | Thanksgiving
In this Thanksgiving sermon on 1 Chronicles 29:10–22, Pastor Mark Groen takes us into King David’s powerful expression of gratitude as Israel prepares for the building of the temple. David’s prayer highlights God’s unmatched sovereignty, the reality that all blessings flow from Him, and the call to respond with worship and generosity. As we reflect on God's provision, David reminds us that even our offerings are only returning what already belongs to the Lord. Whether you're gathered around the table or navigating a season of difficulty, this message will re-center your heart on the faithfulness of God and the joy of living as a thankful people.
Sealed for Salvation | Revelation 7 | A Vision of Eternal Hope
Revelation 7 gives us a stunning picture of the sealed people of God—a vision full of comfort and assurance for every believer. In this sermon, Pastor Mark unpacks how the pause in judgment reveals the care, salvation, and eternal joy prepared for God’s people through Christ. We see that our salvation is not speculative—it is sealed by the Lamb who was slain. This message invites us to live with confidence, worship with joy, and rest in the sure promise that every tear will one day be wiped away.
Who Can Stand? | Revelation 6 | Judgment, Justice, and the Lamb’s Mercy
When Revelation 6 unfolds the breaking of the six seals, the imagery is stark—conquest, bloodshed, famine, death, the cry of martyrs, and the unshakable judgment of God. In this sermon, Pastor Mark Groen walks us through the escalating intensity of God's wrath and the deep comfort that only the Lamb can provide.
The Anthem of Heaven | Revelation 5 | Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain
What happens when no one is found worthy to open God’s scroll of redemption? In Revelation 5, the tension is broken by the appearance of the Lamb who was slain—Jesus Christ, the only one worthy to open the scroll and fulfill God’s perfect plan of salvation.
Before the Throne | Revelation 4 | A Vision of God’s Sovereignty and Glory
In Revelation 4, John receives a breathtaking vision of the throne of God—a reality that transcends the visible world and reorients our fears, hopes, and loyalties. Pastor Mark Groen walks us through the layers of imagery, Old Testament allusions, and worship language to show how this heavenly scene provided comfort for persecuted first-century Christians and how it can do the same for us today. This passage lifts our eyes from earthly chaos to the holiness and sovereignty of the One who reigns forever.
Not By Bread Alone: Matthew 4:1-11 | Nourished by the Word
What sustains you in times of weakness? Where do you turn when temptation comes? In this powerful sermon, Pastor Mark opens Matthew 4 to show us how Jesus, in the wilderness, faced the very temptations we do—but instead of leaning on His own strength, He wielded the Word of God.
Drawing from both Matthew 4 and Deuteronomy 8, we see that Scripture is not just informative, it's nourishing and essential. Like daily bread, it feeds our souls and fortifies us for faithful living. We are challenged not to treat the Bible as an optional supplement but as our spiritual lifeline.
A Lamp Unto My Feet: Psalm 119:105–112 | Letting God's Word Light the Way
Is the Bible too hard to understand? In a world full of conflicting voices and endless confusion, it's easy to wonder whether we can actually hear and understand what God is saying. In this third sermon in the Words of Life series, Pastor Mark preaches from Psalm 119 and other passages to show us that God's Word is not only trustworthy—it’s clear, accessible, and life-giving.
Everything We Need | Romans 10:5-17 | God's Word Is Enough for Life and Worship
What makes something truly enough? In a culture of endless upgrades, add-ons, and spiritual shortcuts, it can be hard to believe that anything is truly sufficient. But Scripture declares otherwise. The Word of God is not only authoritative—it is complete. In this second sermon from our Words of Life series, Pastor Mark helps us see that we don’t need to add anything to God’s Word to be saved, to live a holy life, or to worship in a way that honors Him.
The Final Word | Deuteronomy 6:4–9 & 2 Timothy 3:1–16 | Hearing God Above the Noise
In a world filled with competing voices, how do we know which one to trust? Is there a voice that speaks above the noise with true authority? In this first sermon from our Words of Life series, Pastor Mark opens Scripture to help us see that the Bible is not just one voice among many—it is the voice of God. Preaching from Deuteronomy 6 and 2 Timothy 3, this message explores how the Word of God speaks clearly, powerfully, and authoritatively into every area of life. In a time when noise is everywhere, the people of God need to be shaped and directed by His Word more than ever.
From Suffering to Salvation | Psalm 22 | The Cry That Echoed From the Cross
In this sermon on Psalm 22, Pastor Mark Groen unpacks the depth of David’s lament and how it prophetically foreshadows the suffering of Christ on the cross. We follow David from the anguish of feeling abandoned to the assurance of God's covenant faithfulness. Along the way, we are reminded that this Psalm is not just David’s cry—it is the cry of Jesus and the comfort of every believer who suffers. Through Christ, the cry of “Why have you forsaken me?” becomes a promise: “You will not be forsaken.” Join us in exploring how the gospel transforms sorrow into praise and leads us from suffering to salvation.
Praising Through the Storm | Psalm 21 | Faith, Victory, and the Anchor of God’s Sovereignty
Psalm 21 continues the story begun in Psalm 20—a story of God’s covenant faithfulness and victorious power. In this sermon, Pastor Mark Groen walks us through David’s response to God’s deliverance after battle. With compelling illustrations and deep scriptural reflection, we’re shown how praise is not only a response to blessing, but a declaration of trust when the way is difficult.
August 11 Sermon: From the Heavens to the Heart
As you and I take in the world around us, we're blessed to have so many tools at our disposal. We are able to explore the depths of God's created order. And we are not only able to have the gift of being able to look around us without too much effort, we could know the deeper details of what we are observing in the world. We can get a telescope and we can have a closer look at the heavenly bodies that adorn the night sky. And we can look into a microscope and see even deeper intricacies in these objects that we see that are close at hand to us. And both of these tools, they allow us to get beyond what is visible with the naked eye.
July 28 Sermon: Strength for the Battle
Join us as we explore Psalm 18 and discover how God guards, rewards, and strengthens His people. Through life's challenges, God shapes us into instruments for His purpose, just as a blacksmith forges a sword. Dive into the powerful imagery of refuge and deliverance, and find strength in the Almighty's faithful promises.
July 21 Sermon: Awaken to Righteousness
So I've mentioned in the past that I don't really remember dreams. That's not something that I do, where I have a dream and I can come to you and give you every detail about what the color of the bird was flying through the air and which street I was on, but it really wasn't that street. You know how dreams go. I don't have that happen when I dream. What happens to me is that often I wake up from what must have been a very vivid dream, and I can't separate what I experienced while sleeping from the reality of life.
2024 Dutch Festival Sermon: Better Than Gold
I always credit my third and fourth grade teacher, Laura Schmidt, as being one of the reasons that I love to read. Every day after lunch break and recess, Laura would read to us from one of the Little House on the Prairie books. Now, not being content, not knowing how the stories were going to end up going in this book series, I decided to get the books myself and read ahead. I was not content with Laura's pace. I obtained those books for myself, and I read through them all multiple times.
July 14 Sermon: In His Presence
Maybe my memory isn't very good. I would freely admit such things. But I think this is the greenest that the grass has been at this point in the summer in quite a few years. And I'm really enjoying all the different colors of summer this year because, first off, we haven't really had them in this way for what seems like quite a long time. And also because while the weather was unseasonably warm this spring, it never really got warm enough for the trees to pop early and give us those colors that we love very early. It took a while for us to get that view of the world. Well, a few nights ago, I was at a baseball game and I happened to notice that the infield grass was basically perfect, luscious and green and manicured, like you would expect to be with all the rain that we have had so far this year.
July 7 Sermon: Immovable
As you can imagine, I often receive a wide range of questions as a pastor. From practical concerns about ethics or the Christian life to deep theological inquiries. I get these types of questions on a somewhat regular basis. Among these, the most pivotal questions I receive often revolve around salvation. And more importantly, probably the better way to describe it would be assurance. How can I know that I'm saved? And, such questions echo a profound biblical inquiry, such as we find in Psalm 15 this morning, where David asks, who can sojourn in the Lord's tent, and who shall dwell on his holy hill?