Mercy: Jonah 4 | A Prophet’s Pity, God’s Compassion
Jonah ends not with triumph, but with tension. The final chapter reveals a prophet angry about mercy, a God abounding in compassion, and a question that confronts us all: do we share God’s heart?
As we conclude our series in Jonah, this sermon challenges us to examine our own responses to God's grace. Do we rejoice when the lost are found? Or do we, like Jonah, resist the wideness of God's mercy?
God Relented: Jonah 3 | When Repentance Meets Mercy
Jonah delivers God’s warning to the people of Nineveh—and what happens next is nothing short of astonishing. From the king to the commoner, the people respond with heartfelt repentance. Sackcloth and ashes cover the city, even the animals, as the people urgently call out to God. This sermon unpacks how genuine repentance, even from the most unlikely people, moves the heart of a merciful God.
I Remembered the Lord: Jonah 2 | Salvation in the Darkest Depths
In Jonah 2, we witness a man at his lowest point. Jonah calls out from the belly of Sheol—and God answers. This sermon explores the deep mercy of the Lord and the hope that remains even in the darkest places. No matter how far down you’ve gone, God hears your cry and brings salvation.
The Wrong Direction: Jonah 1 | When God Pursues the Runaway
Jonah didn’t just hesitate when God called — he ran the opposite way. But God pursued him through a storm, a ship, and even the sea. In this sermon on Jonah 1, Pastor Mark invites us to consider not only Jonah’s flight but our own.
What does it mean to serve a God who pursues disobedient people with grace? And how does Jonah’s story point us to the gospel? Join us as we begin our journey through the book of Jonah and discover the mercy of a God who refuses to let go.
Taken Up Before Their Eyes | Acts 1:1–11 | The Gospel Goes Forth
In this Ascension Sunday sermon from May 28, 2017, Pastor Mark Groen preaches from Acts 1:1–11, addressing the often-neglected but vital doctrine of Christ’s ascension. The message challenges believers to consider not just where Jesus is now, but why it matters. The ascension of Christ marks the continuation of God's redemptive plan as Jesus sends His Spirit and His church into the world to proclaim salvation to the ends of the earth. Rooted in scriptural clarity and theological conviction, this sermon calls the church to stay on mission: to proclaim Christ and Him crucified until He returns.
He Parted from Them | Luke 24:44–53 | The Ongoing Work of Our Ascended King
What difference does the Ascension of Jesus make? In this sermon on Luke 24:44–53, Pastor Mark Groen reflects on the forgotten significance of Ascension Sunday. With warmth and clarity, he unfolds the blessings that flow from Christ's heavenly session—His ongoing intercession, the promise of the Spirit, and the assurance of our future resurrection. The Ascension isn’t just a departure story; it’s a triumph that fills God’s people with great joy.