What was Mary actually "pondering" in her heart?. It was more than just maternal feelings; it was a deep understanding of God’s mercy and His sovereign reign. In this Christmas Day message, we conclude our series on the "Mothers of Jesus" by looking at the scandalous favor of Mary and her song of upheaval. Join us as we trace the faithfulness of God from the genealogies of the Old Testament to the humble feeding trough of the Messiah.

In our sin, we are all like the shepherds: "children of the dirt" with no ladder to climb to reach God. In this Christmas meditation, we look at the beauty of the Gospel that shines in the dark and lowly places of our lives. Discover why the announcement to the shepherds wasn't an accident, but a proclamation that the message of salvation is for all people.

In this sermon, we continue our series on the women in Jesus' genealogy by looking at "the wife of Uriah." We dive into the depth of David’s sin, the bold confrontation by the prophet Nathan, and the beautiful way God restores Bathsheba’s life through the birth of Solomon. If you’ve ever felt like your story is too messy for God to use, this message is a reminder that the Prince of Peace was born into a family line that knows exactly what you’re going through.

This week's message reveals the ultimate purpose of the Book of Ruth: proving God's sovereign grace in securing the line of the Savior. Hear how bitterness (Mara) turns to blessing, how a Gentile widow becomes an ancestor of Christ, and how Boaz prefigures Jesus as the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer. A powerful study on redemption, loyalty, and God's surprising providence.

Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, is perhaps the most scandalous name in the genealogy of Jesus. In this sermon, we explore Joshua 2 and 6 to understand the nature of her justifying faith. Pastor Mark shows how Rahab’s faith—born from hearing the reports of God's redemptive works—was immediately active and led her to salvation. Learn why the simple, visible scarlet thread in her window is a powerful foreshadowing of the blood of Christ and the inclusive, sovereign grace of God that defines the Christmas message.

The season of Advent begins with a deep dive into the messy and vital story of Tamar from Genesis 38. This sermon challenges our idealized view of Christmas, showing us that the lineage of Christ was anything but spotless. Listen as we trace the fulfillment of God's covenant promise through Judah's lineage and discover the glorious truth: God's stubborn grace prevails over human sin and brokenness. The persistence of Tamar's faith led to her being declared righteous, illustrating the profound reality that Jesus came into the dirt of our world to grant us His perfect purity.

Join us for this Thanksgiving Day message from First Reformed Church. Drawing from Psalm 65, we are called to move past the superficial checklist of the holiday—the shopping, the food, and the football—to focus on the proper priorities of biblical gratitude.

The sermon highlights that true thankfulness begins with the acknowledgment of God's power and our sinfulness, leading us to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our greatest blessing. Only by recognizing Christ's work can we truly praise God for His sovereign control over the world (the rain) and His loving provision of physical sustenance (the grain). We worship the mighty God who fills our plate and saves our souls.

Why does Revelation end with a promise of hope? In this sermon on Revelation 22, we explore the final vision of the New Jerusalem, focusing on the powerful imagery of the River and Tree of Life. This is a message about the ultimate reversal of the curse and the certainty of God's covenant promises. Learn how the assurance of eternal life should free us from anxiety and motivate us to live faithfully today.

Concluding our deep dive into the book of Revelation, we arrive at Chapter 21, where the New Covenant is fully realized. Pastor Mark explains why the "new heaven and new earth" means the curse is reversed and suffering is entirely abolished.

This message focuses on the obsolescence of the Old Covenant. We explore the meaning of the New Jerusalem (the perfected Bride) and the profound statement: There is no Temple in the city! The Lamb is the Temple, the Light, and the guarantee of eternal access. Listen to find out why your final hope is not in a future geography, but in the permanent presence of Christ.

Even in the face of final judgment, believers can live with unshakable confidence. Revelation 20 reminds us that evil is defeated, God reigns, and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Listen as Pastor Mark Groen of First Reformed Church (EPC) in Edgerton, MN, preaches on the comfort, justice, and assurance found in Christ alone.