Edgerton First Reformed: An Evangelical Presbyterian Church

What does it mean to love the world — and why does John say we must not? In this week's sermon from 1 John 2:15–17, Pastor Mark Groen works through John's three-part diagnosis of worldly desire: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. He names the sins we have made respectable — comfort, acquisition, comparison, self-sufficiency — and then turns to the pos...

In this week's sermon from 1 John 2:7–14, Pastor Mark Groen works through John's claim that the command to love is both ancient and new — fulfilled and illuminated by Christ. The passage moves from theological foundation to pointed conviction to surprising gospel comfort, as John reminds his readers that even in their failure to love, they are forgiven, known by the Father, and overcomers...

Sin rightly deserves the wrath of God — so where does that wrath land? In this message on 1 John 2:1-6, we explore two essential words: advocate and propitiation. Jesus stands as our righteous advocate before the Father, and as the one who propitiated — turned aside — the wrath we deserved, bearing it himself. This is good news that fuels a daily call to holiness.

What happens when a patient refuses to accept his doctor's diagnosis? In this week's message from 1 John 1:5–10, Pastor Mark Groen uses that image to open up what John teaches about sin, self-deception, and the grace of God. God is light — perfectly holy, with no darkness in him. That truth exposes us. But John doesn't leave us there. He points us to the blood of Jesus that cleanses us...

What is Christianity actually about? In this opening message of our series on 1 John, Pastor Mark begins where John begins: with eyewitness testimony. John declares that he and the other apostles heard, saw, and touched the Word of Life — and that claim was not made in a corner. It was a public proclamation of a real Savior who entered history in an actual human body. Drawing on the historical con...

The ascension of Jesus is one of Christianity's most overlooked doctrines — we confess it every week in the creeds, but rarely stop to ask what it actually means for us today. In this sermon from Luke 24:44–53 and Hebrews 4:14–5:10, Pastor Mark explores why the disciples responded to Christ's departure with great joy , and what it means that Jesus ascended not simply to wait, but to reign...

Do you ever feel like the plot of your life is just a pattern of "strange ink" without purpose? This week, we conclude our series "Redeeming Love" by seeing how God brings the messy story of Naomi and Ruth into focus. We discuss the ancient customs of the city gate, the "cost" of being a redeemer, and the genealogy that reveals this local story was always about the coming King. Just as bread retur...

Ruth 3 places us in a moment of tension and decision. Naomi makes a plan, Ruth steps out in boldness, and Boaz responds with integrity. In a culture and circumstances, where the easy path was available, both Ruth and Boaz choose godliness. Their faithfulness points us to Christ, our true Redeemer, who did not take the easy path but gave Himself for us. What path will we choose when faced with pres...

Do you ever feel like your life is governed by "accidents"? This week, we continue our series "Redeeming Love" by examining the "happenstance" of Ruth landing in the field of Boaz. We discuss the biblical provision of gleaning, the character of a "worthy man," and the beautiful imagery of finding safety under God’s wings. Just as Boaz provided Ruth with a &q...

We live in a world of uncertainty and anxiety, often feeling the tension of how our personal stories will resolve. This week, we continue our "Redeeming Love" series by following Naomi and Ruth on the road back to Bethlehem. We discuss the difference between temporary affection and permanent commitment, the profound connection between land and faith in the ancient world, and why Naomi’s...

We live in an age of precision GPS, yet people feel more lost than ever. We begin our 5-week series "Redeeming Love," and dive into the opening verses of Ruth. We discuss the irony of a "breadless" Bethlehem, the dangerous allure of seeking provision outside of God’s promises, and how God uses even our missteps to guide us toward redemption in Jesus Christ.

What happens when the "uninterrupted" cycle of death is finally broken? In this week’s meditation, we look at Luke 24:1-12 and the women's experience at the empty tomb. We often feel the "grind" of the weekly cycle and the sobering reality that the cycle eventually stops for us all. However, through the Old Testament type of the eighth day, we find a promise that God would...

Is Christianity just about being "nicer to each other"? In this Maundy Thursday message, we dive into the deep theological necessity of Christ's sacrifice. By looking at Matthew 26 and Hebrews 9, we discover that Jesus didn't come to modify our behavior; He came to give us new hearts. Explore the meaning of the "blood of the covenant" and why the death of Christ is the...

Would you buy a house based on curb appeal alone, or would you want an inspection? This Palm Sunday, we look at Jesus as the King who comes to inspect the temple and the heart. Pastor Mark Groen walks through Matthew 21:1–17, highlighting the contrast between human expectations of power and God’s plan for a suffering Servant.

Are you feeling the weight of "digital stress"? In the final installment of our series on the Epistle of James, we examine how the connection of prayer provides a peace that no high-speed network can match. We look at the practical instructions James gives for prayer in all seasons of life—suffering, cheerfulness, and sickness—and why a "faith that works" always begins at the f...

Patience is a virtue often thrust upon us without our consent through the providence of God. In this episode, we dive into the final chapter of James to discover what it means to "establish our hearts" in the midst of suffering. Join us as we learn to wait for the Lord's certain harvest with the steadfastness of Job and the faithfulness of the prophets.

In James 5:1–6, James makes sure that the stuff we chase in this life is no better off than our own temporary lives. Using the imagery of "fattened hearts," James warns against profiting off of others to benefit ourselves. The truth of the gospel is that our security is not found in the temporary, but in what God has freely given to us in the Lord Jesus Christ.

How often do we make plans for next year, next month, or even tomorrow as if we have a guarantee of those days? James 4:13-17 provides a necessary corrective to our pride. This sermon explores the biblical doctrine of the brevity of life and the necessity of submitting all our earthly ambitions to the sovereign will of God. Listen in as we discuss why "knowing the right thing to do" and...

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?" James begins chapter 4 with a piercing question that targets the human heart. In this sermon, we discuss the "internal Civil War" that every believer faces—the conflict between the spirit and the flesh. We explore why "phantom limb" pains of our old nature still itch for sin and how we can find victory through t...

"Who is wise and understanding among you?". James asks a question that hits closer to home than we might like to admit. This week, we dig into the difference between simply possessing information and walking in true, godly discernment. In this episode: Why we equate wisdom with being "the smartest person in the room". The warning against "unspiritual and demonic" wisd...

We often underestimate the power of a single sentence. This week, we dive into James 3 to discuss the "wildfire" in our mouths. We explore the strict judgment facing teachers, the inherent hypocrisy of praising God while slandering neighbors, and the ultimate hope found in Christ—the one who forgives our sins of the tongue and fills us with the "water of life" so we may speak t...

What good is a lion if it’s made of stone? In this episode, we dive into the second chapter of James to tackle one of the most provocative questions in the New Testament: Can a faith without works actually save you? We explore: Why "faith minus works" isn't faith at all. The difference between intellectual belief (which even demons have) and saving trust. How the "breath of Chri...

Are you "kissing the hand that is slapping you"? This week, we examine James 2:1–13 and the tendency to faunt over the rich while marginalizing the poor. James argues that partiality isn’t just being rude—it’s a violation of the "royal law" to love your neighbor as yourself. Join us as we discuss: Why "minor" sins of favoritism shatter the whole law like a pane of gla...

Do you ever look in the mirror and immediately forget what you saw? James suggests that many Christians do the exact same thing with the Word of God. In this week’s episode from First Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, we dive into the second half of James chapter 1. We discuss why our anger doesn't produce the righteousness of God, how the "noise" of our own hearts can drown out the G...

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of many kinds." How is this possible? In this week's sermon from First Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, we look at the internal work of the Holy Spirit during times of pressure. Using the biological reality of "stress wood," we learn how God uses the very things we want to escape to make us "perfect and complete, lac...