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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
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 | 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 | 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.
Kept in God’s Love | Jude 17-25 | Strength to Contend and Confidence to Endure
In the closing verses of Jude (17–25), believers are called to take the warnings of the apostles seriously, to remain steadfast in the love of God, and to rely on His power to keep us from stumbling. In this sermon, Kept in God’s Love, Pastor Mark reminds us that the Christian life is not lived by grand gestures but in daily faithfulness—holding fast to God’s Word, building ourselves up in prayer, showing mercy to others, and trusting that the God who has saved us will also keep us to the very end.
Contend for the Faith | Jude 1-16 | Holding Fast to the Faith That Saves
The little letter of Jude begins with warmth but quickly takes a serious turn. False teaching had crept into the church, and Jude calls believers to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. In this sermon on Jude 1–16, we see why the gospel must be guarded, how error slips in unnoticed, and how the church must treasure and pass on the faith as its greatest legacy.
Grace for the Battle | 1 Peter 5:1-14 | Standing Firm in the Living Hope of Christ
The final chapter of 1 Peter is both realistic and hope-filled. In Grace for the Battle, we hear Peter’s final exhortations: shepherd God’s people with care, walk in humility, resist the enemy, and rest in God’s grace. He reminds us that after we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. This is the Living Hope we’ve explored all summer—a hope that cannot be drowned by storms, devoured by the enemy, or destroyed by death.
Faith in the Fire | 1 Peter 4:12–19 | Finding Joy When Faith Is Tested
When trials come, we often look for an escape. But in this passage, Peter calls us to something far greater—to rejoice in suffering because it unites us with Christ and strengthens our witness to a watching world. In this message, we see how believers can endure hardship with hope, entrust their lives to a faithful Creator, and live boldly for the glory of God.
Living On Purpose | 1 Peter 4:1-11 | Living with Eternity in View
In 1 Peter 4:1–11, Peter calls believers to live with purpose, rejecting the ways of the world and embracing a gospel-shaped life. In this sermon, Pastor Mark encourages us to live intentionally—keeping eternity in view and glorifying God through love, service, and holiness.
Reflect more deeply with our companion devotional series: https://edgertonfrc.org/blog/living-on-purpose-devotions
Ready to Give a Reason | 1 Peter 3:8-22 | Enduring Trials, Proclaiming Christ
In this week's message, Pastor Mark preaches from 1 Peter 3:8–22, calling us to live faithfully under pressure, show grace when wronged, and be ready to share the hope we have in Christ. The gospel isn't just something we believe — it's something we display. When we endure trials and hold fast to Jesus, our lives proclaim the truth of who He is.