Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 9:8-10:4
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 9:8-10:4

As we come to this passage, we see the people have had the beginnings of judgment, but they think that it isn't that big of a deal. We see this here in verse 10, The bricks have fallen, but we'll build with dressed stones, the sycamores have been cut down, but we'll put cedars in their place. Essentially, they see that this stuff has happened, but they're seeing it as an opportunity to rebuild better, to make things nicer. The fullness of judgment has not yet come

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 9:1-7
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 9:1-7

As we come to Isaiah 9 here, we see more words from Isaiah that we truly know. They're baked in us from Advent readings, perhaps, Christmas readings, obviously, and definitely from Handel’s, Messiah. These are the words of the prophetic promise of the Messiah that we probably know best. For to us a child is born, us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace. These are the things that are promised, and this one who's going to be around when things are restored. Now, remember, we've been looking at these prophetic words that are bringing judgment upon Judah.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 8:1-22
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 8:1-22

And so, we have quite a few verses that we are looking at today, but there is an overarching theme that I want us to come away with here. We see here, Isaiah going into his wife, who he refers to as the Prophetess, because he's been told he'll have a child and that there will be judgment before this child is able to speak, before the child is able to speak, father or mother. Well, the imagery that is used here is the idea of a flood. And so, back in this day, the Euphrates would flood and would go to the edge of the banks. It was very damaging, like any flood, right?

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 7:10-25
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 7:10-25

This is a passage that is a little bit of a struggle for us because we're looking to have a quick reading and some quick devotional thoughts. But with a prophetic book, it can be easy to get in the weeds, or in this case, to get into the Briars and Thorns. Now, as we come to the beginning of this, we see some words that are quite familiar to us. We recognize this passage in this prophetic word.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 7:1-9
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 7:1-9

So, here we see this prophetic word that God is sending to King Ahas through Isaiah. And we see that there is some conspiring going on. Now we need to remember, there is a divided kingdom here. It's tough for us to talk through this because when we think of Israel, we think of all 12 tribes, unified together. But we have to remember there was a divided kingdom after Solomon.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 6:8-13
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 6:8-13

In the first part of Isaiah 6, we saw his response to the absolute holiness of God. He said that it wasn't just the people around him who had unclean lips. He himself was a man with unclean lips, and God cleansed him. He brought that coal from the fire, did the cherubim, and made him clean, sin was atone for. So, we see something important here that Isaiah responds to what God has done. God says something here.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 6:1-7
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 6:1-7

Well, here we are in Isaiah 6, and just like a few days back, I have a memory of a song from 90s Christian music to remind me of this passage. Just a few days back, I mentioned the song Women of Zion by Johnny Q-Public. Well, today the song is Isaiah 6 from the punk band called One Bad Pig. Yes, that was their name. They even had a little mascot who was a pig dressed in leather and it had spikes and stuff. Yeah, it was interesting.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 5:8-30
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 5:8-30

Once again, we have a story of God judging the people of Jerusalem, people of Judah, people of Israel for their unfaithfulness. We see here God describing what this is going to be through the Prophet, Isaiah. We read these woes and these things that we see that they are doing. We see some interesting stuff. Now, some of you, perhaps when I read verse 11, heard the words, Woe to those who rise early in the morning. You thought, That's right. You need to sleep in. You need to get plenty of sleep.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 5:1-7
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 5:1-7

And so, we see this theme continuing in what we have seen in the Book of Isaiah so far, this idea that God is not happy with the way the people of Judah have been living, that they have not been doing justice, that they have been living in sin and rejecting Him. And so now we are getting an illustration, and God is using, through the Prophet, Isaiah, this idea of a vineyard. So, we see here that they're speaking of this vineyard that his beloved has, a vineyard on a very fertile hill.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 4:2-6
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 4:2-6

As you remember, on Monday, we heard about the Daughters of Zion. Remember, they were the bald women. I shared with you that I remembered the Johnny Q. Public song from the late 90s or maybe the mid-90s, whenever alternative was a big thing, the song Daughters of Zion. And that was the theme, the idea that those who had affluence, those who had money, were going to be brought low by the judgment of the Lord.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 3:1-4:1
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 3:1-4:1

I told you that this was an interesting passage, and I didn't lie, right? This is an interesting passage in many ways, a fun memory for me. There was an official alternative band in the mid-nineties, late '90s maybe, called Johnny Q-Public that had a silly, funny song on their first album called a Bald Women. No, it was Women of Zion. As I was reading this, that song was going through my head.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 2:6-22
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 2:6-22

In the first part of Chapter Two, we read about this time where everyone is going towards God and there will be peace. It's the whole famous beat their swords and plowshares passage, right? Then the tone turns to a tone of judgment. The idea here is that there is idolatry, there is rebellion against God, and that has to be punished. And once again, we see another example of the way that idolatry is spoken of

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 2:1-5
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 2:1-5

This is probably one of the better-known passages from the beginning of the Book of Isaiah. Maybe Isaiah 6, we know a little bit better, but I don't think so. I think this passage with going to the mountain of the Lord and people beating their swords into plowshares, that is a very well-known part of this beginning of Isaiah. Now notice what it says here, It shall come to pass in latter days.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 1:21-31
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 1:21-31

Well, we see here that Isaiah isn't messing around, is he? Isaiah is using strong language. Notice how this chapter starts out, verse 21. This is difficult for us to say, difficult for us to hear, how the faithful city has become a whore. She who was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderous.

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Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 1:1-20
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 1:1-20

As we start out here in Isaiah 1, we see some beautiful language. You can tell, by the way, this is laid out here that this is more poetic language. It is a prophetic word. It is a prophetic statement. There's a poetic nature to this, and it's beautiful language and it's powerful. As you read it, maybe as you heard me read it, you get a sense of the gravity of these words and the way that they are brought together, the images that it brings to our minds.

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Mercy for Others | Jonah 4:1–11 | Dwell in the Word
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Mercy for Others | Jonah 4:1–11 | Dwell in the Word

Despite Jonah's obedience in going to Nineveh, his heart remained hardened toward the people he preached to. Jonah 4 offers a revealing glimpse into the prophet’s inner struggle with God's mercy. Instead of rejoicing in Nineveh's repentance, Jonah is angry—so angry he wishes to die. But God, in his patient compassion, teaches Jonah (and us) a lesson through a withering plant and a question that still echoes: “Should I not pity Nineveh?”

This passage invites us to reflect deeply on our own hearts. Do we truly desire mercy for the lost—even those who seem far from God or different from us? Or are we more like Jonah, clinging to our own ideas of who deserves grace? As we dwell in this final chapter, may we grow in gratitude for God’s mercy to us and cultivate a heart that longs to see others come to repentance and life.

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When a City Believes | Jonah 3:1–10 | Dwell in the Word
Mark Groen Mark Groen

When a City Believes | Jonah 3:1–10 | Dwell in the Word

God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of judgment—but what unfolded was nothing short of miraculous. In this chapter, we witness an entire city, from the least to the greatest, humbling themselves in repentance. The people of Nineveh didn’t argue or delay—they believed God, turned from their evil ways, and hoped for mercy. Their response stands in stark contrast to Jonah’s reluctant obedience and reveals the transforming power of God's Word.

As we reflect on Jonah 3, we’re challenged to examine our own hearts. Do we respond to God’s Word with humility and faith? Like the people of Nineveh, we are called to turn from sin and trust in the mercy of the Lord.

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Salvation Belongs to the Lord | Jonah 2:1–10 | Dwell in the Word
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Salvation Belongs to the Lord | Jonah 2:1–10 | Dwell in the Word

From the depths of the sea—and the depths of despair—Jonah lifts a prayer that reveals the heart of the Gospel: salvation belongs to the Lord. As we dwell in Jonah 2, we find ourselves drawn into his descent, not only into the belly of the fish but into the spiritual realization that only God can rescue.

Jonah’s prayer paints a vivid picture of what it means to be brought low—and then lifted up by grace. His journey reminds us that God hears us even when we feel far gone and that He alone can save. In a world filled with noise, false hope, and self-reliance, Jonah’s voice from the deep calls us to remember the one true source of deliverance.

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Running from God | Jonah 1:1–17 | Dwell in the Word
Mark Groen Mark Groen

Running from God | Jonah 1:1–17 | Dwell in the Word

When God speaks, we often imagine ourselves responding with bold obedience—but Jonah’s story reminds us that even prophets can run. In this first episode of our Dwell in the Word series on Jonah, we meet the reluctant prophet as he flees the call of God. But God’s purposes won’t be thwarted. In the storm and the sea, in the hearts of pagan sailors, and even in the belly of a fish, we see God’s mercy and power at work.

As we reflect on this passage, we’re reminded that we cannot flee from God's presence. Rather than resisting His will, we’re called to trust and submit—knowing that His ways are perfect and His purposes will prevail. Watch, listen, and dwell in Jonah’s story to be challenged and encouraged in your walk of faith.

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June 12 Sermon: Joseph's Generosity
Mark Groen Mark Groen

June 12 Sermon: Joseph's Generosity

A common cliche is that you will catch far more flies with honey that you will with vinegar. Now, I’ve never put this statement to a literal test. Perhaps if I had a little more free time this past week I would have gotten things together to have a little experiment of this statement. We know it is likely true without testing it but we know that the point of this cliche isn’t actually whether honey would catch more flies than vinegar. Our grandmothers or some other wise individual that transmitted this information to us were wanting us to understand that if we are kind and loving people are more likely to be drawn to us than if we talk to people harshly and treat them poorly.

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