Life in the Covenant | Psalm 103:15–18 & Romans 8:28–39 | Unfading Love in a Fading World
In a world where memories fade and everything we build eventually wears out, God’s covenant love endures forever.
This message from Pastor Mark Groen reminds us that life in the covenant is not about our grip on God, but about His unbreakable grip on us. From the frailty of life described in Psalm 103 to the assurance of salvation in Romans 8, we see the power of an everlasting promise — a love that cannot fade or fail.
The Covenant Sign | Genesis 17:1-14 & Colossians 2:11-12 | Marked by Grace
In this fifth message of our Everlasting Covenant series, Pastor Mark Groen preaches from Genesis 17:1–14 and Colossians 2:11–12, exploring how God marked His people under the old covenant and how that sign is fulfilled in Christ.
God commanded Abraham to circumcise his household as a visible sign that they belonged to Him. This sign pointed forward to the greater reality of salvation in Jesus Christ, who cuts away the sin of His people through His life, death, and resurrection.
The Covenant Community | Deuteronomy 7:6-9 & Hebrews 8:6-13 | United in Christ, Secured by Promise
When we think of memberships today, we often think of cards in our wallet or apps on our phone—things that can expire if we miss a payment or fail to keep up. But God’s covenant community is entirely different. Belonging to Him isn’t a subscription we manage or a benefit program we maintain. It is His gracious claim on us through Christ, an eternal promise written on our hearts.
The Covenant Fulfilled | Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Luke 22:14-23 | New Hearts, New Covenant
God’s promise of a new covenant goes deeper than new rules—it gives new hearts. In Jesus, the covenant is sealed by His blood, ending the cycle of repeated sacrifices and securing a once-for-all forgiveness. Because of Christ, God declares: “I will remember their sin no more.” This message connects Jeremiah’s promise to the Lord’s Supper and invites us to live with assurance, freedom, and holiness.
The Covenant Confirmed | Exodus 24:3–8 & Hebrews 9:11–22 | 5 Devotions on God’s Covenant Secured in Christ
This week’s sermon, The Covenant Confirmed, explored Exodus 24:3–8 and Hebrews 9:11–22, showing how God seals His covenant with His people through His Word, through blood, and ultimately through Christ, the better Mediator. If you haven’t already, you can watch or read the full sermon here.
The Covenant Confirmed | Exodus 24:3-8 & Hebrews 9:11-22 | The Sure Hope of Salvation in Christ's Blood
When Israel stood at Sinai, they didn’t just hear God’s covenant—they embraced it, and it was sealed with blood. In this message, Pastor Mark shows how that moment points us to something greater: the covenant fulfilled through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Just as Moses confirmed the covenant with sacrifice, Christ has confirmed and completed the covenant with His own precious blood. In Him, our salvation is sure and secure.
The Covenant Maker | Genesis 15:1-20 | 5 Devotions on God’s Faithful Promises
Our sermon this week, The Covenant Maker from Genesis 15:1–20, reminds us that God is both the maker and keeper of His promises. To help you reflect further, we’ve prepared five days of devotions that flow out of the message. Each day includes a passage of Scripture, a short reflection, questions for personal or family use, and a prayer.
These devotions are designed to guide you deeper into God’s Word throughout the week and to encourage you to rest in His covenant faithfulness, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Whether you use them on your own or around the table with your family, may they point you again to the God who calls, saves, and keeps His people.
The Covenant Maker | Genesis 15:1-20 | Grace Secured By His Word
Covenant is more than an old-fashioned word—it’s the backbone of God’s plan of redemption. In Genesis 15, God initiates, guarantees, and seals his promise to Abraham in a dramatic covenant ritual. This passage points us beyond Abraham’s story to the gospel of Jesus Christ, who bore the covenant curse and secured salvation for his people. In this sermon, Pastor Mark reminds us that our reward is God himself and that his promises are sure, even when our faith wavers.
Detours and Covenants
There has been an abundance of rain this spring. This has caused changes in planting schedules and caused the rescheduling of many softball and baseball games. News reports have been filled with images of flooding and stories of those who have been facing hardship because of the rising waters.
Recently, I went on vacation to Missouri and as we traveled south signs informed us that the road was closed, and the GPS quickly gave us a route that would put us around the flooding that was causing the closure. I had heard about the flooding but hadn't paid much attention to any photos or videos of the damage. Over the course of our journey, we were routed back to the freeway, and we got closer to the Missouri River and able to see where the water had left its appointed boundaries.
February 21 Sermon: Credited as Righteousness
What makes the Christian faith so unique is the way in which God comes to us. Instead of our ascending to God by our own effort God comes down to his creation. In his grace and mercy God does the work to set his people free and he keeps his promises to them. In our Old Testament lesson this morning we see how God came near to Abraham and made a covenant with him and how that covenant points us to the work of Jesus Christ for us.
February 7 Sermon: Astonished at the Majesty of God
Our God is a God of covenants. He comes to his people and makes a way for them to know who he is and to have access to him and his glory. These promises made by God show us His desire to be in communion with his people. In both our lessons this morning we see how God delivers his covenant to his people.
As we start out in our Old Testament lesson this morning it is important that we do a little background work. I don't believe I've mentioned the three most important rules for Biblical interpretation from the pulpit here yet, but I am certain you will hear them from me on multiple occasions.