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.
Dwell in the Word Mark 1:21-28
So, as we start in the Gospel of Mark, we are seeing some themes develop and they're happening quickly. I've already pointed out the theme of the word immediately, the urgency of the preaching of Jesus, this idea that the kingdom of God is at hand, that this is going to be the message and we must get it out. Well, we see that again here. And if you're watching on video, I have highlighted in green the word immediately. Again, immediately.
Dwell in the Word: Mark 1:14-20
As we start out here we see the first words of Jesus, in the Gospel of Mark, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand Repent, and believe the gospel. This is important. This is what we are meant to see here in Mark's gospel, everything after this is going to be related to this message, right?
Dwell in the Word: Mark 1:1-13
As we start out in Mark's gospel, we get a sense right away of what we're going to be looking at and how the story is going to be told. As we look at verse one, it says, the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. So we have three things here that I want us to really see before we move on to some other stuff in this reading. First, the beginning, this is the start. This is the telling of the story of Jesus, very important thing to understand. Now, it isn't like some of the other gospels.
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.
A Cave in Machpelah: Genesis 23:1-20 | A Deposit on the Promised Land
How do we grieve with hope? Abraham’s response to Sarah’s death is not only a picture of sorrow but also of faith. He secures a burial site in Canaan, trusting in God’s promise that his descendants will inherit the land. This passage reminds us that our hope is not in this world but in the eternal inheritance secured for us in Christ.
As Abraham looked forward to the fulfillment of God's covenant, we too live as sojourners, trusting in the resurrection and the new heavens and new earth. This passage teaches us to grieve with hope, to trust in God’s promises even when they seem distant, and to live with integrity in all we do.
December 20 Sermon: Made Known
News travels fast, doesn’t it? There are all kinds of ways that information can reach us these days and most of it is instant but even with our multifaceted forms of communication the truthfulness of what we are hearing can still be in doubt. In fact, we often receive some news and we are apprehensive to pass it on because we aren’t sure if it is true. You may get some information from multiple sources but you are still hesitant to share the news.
December 13 Sermon: He is Faithful
One of the draws of sports are the moments when the issue is in doubt and someone has to step up in a big moment. We love to see the clutch three pointer, the single to drive in that runner on second in the bottom of the ninth, and the long field goal that splits the uprights as time expires. If you are like me though you’ve been burnt before. The person at the plate has struck out and ended the game. The kicker that was reliable all season misses a chip shot field goal in the playoffs, and that last second shot hits off the back of the rim and bounces away as the buzzer sounds. As painful as some of those moments can be I think we like the tension that it creates.
November 15 Sermon: A Shameful Thing
With the holidays coming up it causes us to think about family doesn’t it. We go back to memories of gatherings when we were younger. While we tend to focus on the good memories it is likely that these get together’s exposed some of the issues in our families. You put a bunch of people in a confined space and mix in variables such as lost sleep or discussions on politics or religion and you had the potential for some fireworks.
While I’ve been stuck at home for the last week I have been re-watching one of my favorite sitcoms: The Middle. If you are not familiar with the show it is a lower middle class family in the middle of the United States and each episode we were invited into the lives of a regular family of five trying to make ends meet.
November 1 Sermon: Divine Rescue
There have been a lot of themes that have developed for us as we have been in the book of Genesis. We are familiar with the stories but if we weren’t there are narratives that would have us on the edge of our seat. Creation followed by rebellion against a holy God but even though they deserved punishment, God showed mercy. We see the first offspring of this couple who should be the one who will be in the line to the promised messiah but instead of being holy he murders his own brother. We see an unrighteous world and the people of the promise are being polluted by sin and so God is going to destroy the world but he keeps one of the promised ones safe from the waters of the flood. We’ve even seen recently how Abraham was in some sticky circumstances usually because of his own sin but still God rescues. It is what he does.
October 4 Sermon: The Intercession of Abraham
In an episode of my favorite sitcom the main character purchases a large television for himself. His logic is that the size of your TV should match your age so he wanted to have one that would last him for a few years. This purchase tapped out his bank account quite a bit so he has to start telling his closest friend, who has a tendency to mooch from him, that he can’t lend him any money. He also doesn’t want to tell this friend that he has a large TV because he doesn’t want to have him stopping over at all hours to watch TV with him.
As is customary with television comedies this leads to confusion and the friends starts to tell others in their small community that his friend is poor.
September 27 Sermon: Child of the Promise
There are things that happen in the course of our lives that we would define as unbelievable. Whether it is running into someone you haven’t seen in 20 years at a place that is hundreds of miles from where either of you live or hitting that hole in one on the par 3 at your favorite golf course we all have had those things that just seem to be impossible and yet they happen. If you expand beyond your own experiences and even the sphere of friends and family to what we can see on the news or posted somewhere on social media we see even more things that are unbelievable. Whether it is someone working meticulously to finally make a trick shot or someone performing a stunt or magic trick on one of the many televised talents shows we have probably uttered the phrase “that’s unbelievable” many times. In fact, with the barrage of media that can come at us at any time in our modern time, I’m betting you might have said “that’s unbelievable” in just the past few days.
August 23 Sermon: Deliverance
We’ve all been in a position where we have to make an important decision. We weigh the options in our heads and try to do what we think is best. Inherently, we end up making decisions that are selfish. We usually look for what brings us the most happiness or what we think will benefit us the most. In most cases, there might not be anything wrong with that approach but there are times when making an important decision with our eyes on looking out for ourselves and what selfishly desire can create serious problems. I’m sure we have all been in a place where we were given and option and even though we didn’t want to come across as selfish we jumped at the opportunity anyway.
August 16 Sermon: Abram's Lie
In our lives we come across obstacles that put us in a position to decide whether we are going to trust God or rely on ourselves. This happens for us not only in the big things that come at us in this life but they are also frequent in the small things. When the temptations of life come before us will we believe that what God has promised us is enough? Are we going to believe God’s law and trust that his truth is what is best for our lives? Each temptation is a crisis of faith.
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.
Our Great High Priest | Hebrews 4:14–5:10 | Once for All, Forever Enough
There are several television shows that will help you to understand a job better. Everything from Undercover Boss to How to It’s Made gives you, insight into what it is really like on the ground doing some jobs that you’ve been curious about. Another show like this is Dirty Jobs. I think I’ve only ever watched one episode, but it was insightful. If I remember correctly there was an episode about a unique dirty job that was less than 20 miles from my home at the time and there was some talk about our area being featured and so I tuned in. On South Bass Island in Lake Erie the host of Dirty Jobs, Mike Roe, took on the role of Snake Researcher. On my list of desired jobs snake researcher would probably be on the bottom of the list. To do this dirty job he had to clean out seaweed in the harbor and then feed the water snakes.
Lift Up Your Heads | Psalm 24 | Morning Psalms & Prayer
In this Morning Psalms & Prayer reflection, Pastor Mark Groen walks through Psalm 24, exploring how its central question—“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?”—ultimately points us to the risen and ascended Christ. This short devotion highlights Jesus as the One with clean hands and a pure heart, the true King of Glory who entered heaven on our behalf. With pastoral warmth and biblical clarity, this episode encourages confidence in prayer and deep gratitude for our ascended Mediator.
Strive to Enter His Rest | Hebrews 4:1–13 | The Word That Cuts Through Unbelief
In Strive to Enter His Rest, Pastor Mark Groen preaches from Hebrews 4:1–13, urging us to examine whether we are truly trusting in the promises of God or merely going through the motions. The sermon draws a sharp line between disobedience and belief, between a hollow religious life and the living hope offered in Christ. With pastoral clarity and biblical depth, we are reminded that Scripture is not just to be read—it is to be lived, as it exposes our hearts and equips us to persevere in faith. This is a timely and urgent call to let the Word of God shape your thoughts, loves, and actions as you await the final rest only Jesus can provide.
Rest for the People of God | Hebrews 3:7–19 | Persevering in Faith Until the Promise Is Fulfilled
In this message from Hebrews 3:7–19, Pastor Mark Groen explores the urgency of faith and the promise of rest for the people of God. Drawing from Psalm 95 and the wilderness generation, this sermon reminds us of the cost of unbelief and the need to encourage one another daily. If we want to persevere, we must hold fast to Christ and exhort one another in community. This is a timely call to evaluate our hearts, fix our eyes on the promise, and strengthen each other in the faith—because the rest we long for is real, and it’s coming.