Speaking the Truth | Exodus 20:16 Living as Reflections of God's Character
We live in a world where falsehood seems rampant and truth is often questioned. In this sermon on the Ninth Commandment from Exodus 20:16, Pastor Mark Groen explores how speaking the truth is deeply rooted in the very character of God. Discover why truth matters not just for personal integrity, but for glorifying God in a world of deception. Learn how living as people of truth reflects the nature of the One who saved us.
God Provides | Exodus 20:15 | Contentment That Frees the Heart
What does it truly mean to obey "You shall not steal"? In this sermon on Exodus 20:15, Pastor Mark Groen unpacks the Eighth Commandment, showing how theft is not only an outward action but a heart issue rooted in discontentment and distrust of God's provision. From obvious sins like robbery to subtle ones like manipulation and envy, we are challenged to pursue godliness with contentment and to live generous and honest lives that glorify Christ.
Join us in reflecting on how God's abundant provision in Christ calls us to trust, to be content, and to seek heavenly treasures above earthly possessions.
God is Life: Exodus 20:13 | Honoring Life in Heart and Action
In this message on Exodus 20:13, Pastor Mark reveals how the sixth commandment extends beyond physical acts to the hidden anger and resentment in our hearts. Grounded in Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, this sermon calls us to honor the image of God in others and to live lives marked by love, prayer, and gospel grace.
How We Talk About God: Exodus 20:7 | God Has Spoken—How Should We Speak of Him?
How seriously do we take the way we speak about God? The Third Commandment is about far more than avoiding a few specific words—it's about revering the holy name of the One who has spoken to us and called us His own.
In this sermon, Pastor Mark unpacks Exodus 20:1-7, showing us the depth of the Third Commandment. It’s not just about avoiding misuse of God’s name but also about how we live, speak, and teach in a way that reflects His truth and glory. Our speech matters because God’s name is holy, and He has spoken to us with power and grace.
Sent For This Purpose: Luke 4:31-44 | Power, Purpose, and the Kingdom of God
Why did Jesus come? In Luke 4, Jesus not only teaches with divine authority, but His power is displayed as He commands unclean spirits, heals the sick, and proclaims the kingdom of God. The people marvel at His authority, but Jesus makes it clear—He did not come just to perform miracles, but to preach the good news of God's reign.
This passage challenges us: Do we recognize Jesus' authority in our own lives? Do we submit to His Word, trusting that He alone has the power to save? As the demons tremble and the sick are healed, we see that Christ’s ultimate mission was to proclaim salvation, bringing the dead to life and breaking the chains of sin.
In Your Hearing: Luke 4:16-30 | The Messiah We Want vs. The Messiah We Need
Why did Jesus' own people reject Him? In Luke 4, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth and proclaims the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. At first, the crowd marvels at His words—until He challenges their assumptions about God’s grace. When Jesus declares that salvation extends beyond Israel to the Gentiles, their admiration turns to fury.
This passage forces us to examine our own hearts. Do we accept God’s Word even when it challenges us? Do we trust in His sovereign grace, even when it reaches those we might least expect? Jesus’ message is clear—the gospel is for all people. But will we hear and believe, or will we resist like the people of Nazareth?
Him Only: Luke 4:1-15 | Victory in the Wilderness, Hope for Us
Have you ever felt the weight of temptation pressing in? In Luke 4, we witness the moment when Jesus, led by the Spirit, faces the full force of the enemy’s temptations. Yet, where Adam failed and Israel fell short, Jesus stands firm. His victory in the wilderness isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s our hope, our assurance, and the foundation of our salvation.
Glory to God: Luke 2:1-21 | God’s Faithfulness in Real Time and History
Have you ever noticed how seasons and events set the world in motion? Whether it’s the rush of holiday travel or the gathering of crowds before a big game, movement points to something greater at work. In Luke 2, we see that God has set the entire world in motion to fulfill His sovereign purpose—bringing the Savior into the world. Through a Roman census, a humble manger, and an announcement to lowly shepherds, the eternal King arrives exactly as God ordained. In this sermon, we explore how Jesus’ birth was not just a sentimental story but a fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. From the prophetic necessity of Bethlehem to the angelic declaration of a Savior, this passage reminds us that God is at work in real history, bringing salvation to His people. The birth of Christ calls us to worship, just as it did the shepherds, and to proclaim the good news of God’s faithfulness to a watching world. At First Reformed, we are a Confessional Presbyterian and Reformed church committed to Christ-centered preaching and scriptural fidelity. We believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives and invite you to explore the riches of God’s Word with us.
My Soul Magnifies the Lord: Luke 1:39-56 | Rejoicing in God's Mercy
How do you respond to the good news of the gospel? Joy is a natural reaction when we realize what God has done for us in Christ. In Luke 1:39-56, we witness two remarkable women—Elizabeth and Mary—overflowing with joy at the coming of the promised Messiah. Their response is one of praise, gratitude, and faith, reminding us that God’s mercy extends to those who trust in Him. In this sermon, we explore the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, the leaping of John the Baptist in the womb, and Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat. Through these events, we see God’s covenant faithfulness, His grace to the humble, and the fulfillment of His redemptive promises in Jesus Christ.
Then You Shall Know | Ezekiel 37:1–14 | The Spirit Brings Life Through the Word
On Pentecost Sunday, we often turn to Acts 2—but this sermon takes us deeper into the prophetic background of Pentecost in Ezekiel 37:1–14. In the Valley of Dry Bones, we see a vivid picture of what God does through His Word and Spirit: He brings the dead to life. Pastor Mark Groen shows how this passage points forward to Pentecost, where the Spirit of God empowered gospel proclamation to awaken hearts and build the church. This sermon reminds us that real spiritual renewal is not about emotional hype—it’s about the powerful, certain work of God through His Word.
Great Joy | Luke 24:44–53 | The Disciples Understood at Last
What caused the disciples to rejoice after Jesus left them? In this Ascension Sunday sermon from Luke 24:44–53, Pastor Mark Groen unpacks the joy-filled response of Jesus’ followers—not because of His absence, but because of His exaltation. The ascension is not a departure story, but an arrival story. It reveals that Jesus has taken His throne and now reigns as our risen and ascended King. This message explores how the Old Testament pointed to this moment, how the disciples became bold witnesses of the truth, and how we are called to do the same today. Let the joy of the ascension fill your heart with confidence, purpose, and praise.
Full Assurance | Hebrews 10:19-39 | Once for All
There's a difference between hoping things are okay with God and actually knowing they are. Most of us live somewhere in the middle — intellectually convinced of the gospel, but unsure whether we can really walk into the presence of a holy God with confidence.
That's precisely what Hebrews 10:19–39 addresses. Every argument the author of Hebrews has been building — the priests, the sacrifices, the temple imagery — has been driving toward this: full assurance of faith. Because of what Jesus has done, we don't just have permission to draw near to God. We have confidence to do it.
But that assurance isn't meant to stop with us. This passage moves outward — we're called to stir one another up, to build each other up in faith, and to resist the pull toward the isolation that defines so much of modern life.
Once For All | Hebrews 10:1-18 | The Law Says Do, the Gospel Says Done
We all know the feeling of looking back with fresh eyes — hindsight has a way of bringing things into focus that we couldn't quite see while we were in the middle of them.
That's exactly the vantage point the author of Hebrews writes from. Having moved into the New Covenant, he looks back on the rituals and sacrifices of the Old Covenant and sees them clearly: those things were never the solution. They were a shadow — real and meaningful, pointing clearly to their source — but a shadow nonetheless.
Through the Blood of Jesus | Hebrews 9:11-28 | Once for All
One of the central ideas in the Christian faith is the idea of the power of the blood of Jesus. I don’t think it would take us long to come up with a list of well-known hymns that talk about the blood of Jesus, and we also know several verses from the Bible that express this important and powerful truth. If we think about it a little, unless you have a working knowledge of Christian doctrine these phrases might not make much sense. Being washed in the blood of the lamb doesn’t sound like it would be anything that would get you too clean, unless you know the foundational Christian teaching behind it. There’s power in the blood seems a bit strange unless you know that the idea is that the power of the blood is to pay for your sin.
The Holy Place | Hebrews 9:1–10 | Why We No Longer Need a Temple
In this sermon on Hebrews 9:1–10, Pastor Mark unpacks the Old Testament's Holy Place—what it was, why it mattered, and how it ultimately pointed beyond itself to Jesus Christ. The tabernacle wasn't just an ancient structure; it was a living symbol of God's holiness and the need for a true mediator. As the sermon explores the limitations of the old covenant and the fearful reverence of the high priest’s once-a-year entry, it leads us to the awe-inspiring truth that in Christ, we now have confident, daily access to the living God.
A Better Covenant | Hebrews 8:1-13 | Once for All
We all have an inherent desire for the "next big improvement," but in the spiritual life, there is nothing that can supersede the work of Jesus Christ. In this study of Hebrews 8:1–13, we explore why the New Covenant is described as "much more excellent" than the old.
The author of Hebrews makes a compelling case that while the earthly tabernacle and its sacrifices were important, they were merely shadows of the heavenly reality where Jesus now ministers as our High Priest. By looking at the prophecy of Jeremiah, we see how God has moved from a law written on stone to a covenant written on our hearts, ensuring that we can truly know Him and experience total forgiveness.
To the Uttermost | Hebrews 7:11-28 | Once for All
Does the good news of the Gospel ever seem "too good to be true"? In our study of Hebrews 7:11–28, we confront the doubts we often have about our own salvation by looking to the indestructible life of Jesus Christ.
This passage details how the arrival of Jesus brought a new priesthood and a new Law, fulfilling the temporary "types and shadows" of the Old Testament. We explore why the earthly priests could never perfect God's people and why Jesus, our sinless and eternal High Priest, is able to save us to the uttermost.
A Higher Priest | Hebrews 7:1-10 | Once for All
One of the easiest ways to explain the value of something is to make a comparison. We do this with food, with celebrities, and even with historical figures. In Hebrews 7:1–10, the author uses a comparison with the mysterious Old Testament figure Melchizedek to explain why we must remain faithful to Christ.
Early believers were tempted to return to the tangible "check-the-box" rituals of the temple sacrifices. This sermon explores why that would be a step backward. By looking at Melchizedek—a priest-king who had no recorded genealogy and who received a tithe from Abraham himself—we see a foreshadowing of a priesthood that does not rely on earthly markers, but on eternal appointment.
God’s Promise is Sure | Hebrews 6:13-20 | Once for All
Is your life anchored to something that holds, or are you drifting with the winds of the world? In this study of Hebrews 6:13–20, we discover the "overarching theme" of Scripture: the covenant faithfulness of God. Using the story of Abraham, we examine how God ratified His promise with an oath, swearing by Himself because there is no one greater.
This "covenant of grace" ensures that our salvation does not rest on our own efforts, but on the unchangeable character of a God who cannot lie. Whether you are facing life's storms or struggling with failure, find peace in the anchor that is firmly set in the presence of God through Jesus Christ, our great high priest who has gone behind the curtain as our forerunner.
Solid Food for the Mature | Hebrews 5:11-6:12 | Once for All
Are you surviving on a spiritual diet of "Pop Rocks and Mountain Dew"? In this study of Hebrews 5:11–6:12, we examine why spiritual nourishment is essential for every believer to stand firm in their faith. The author of Hebrews issues a sharp warning to those who have become "dull of hearing," urging them to move past the basics and feast on the solid food of God's Word.