First Reformed Church (FRC) - Messages

To kick off this Sermon series, Pastor Fred walks us through Genesis, and how it lays the foundation for the entire Bible. It tells the truths of creation, demonstrates humanity's fall into sin, shares God's covenant promises, and reveals His plan of redemption. Listen in as we discover how Genesis answers life's biggest questions and points us to the salvation Jesus Christ provides.

Following Jesus is more than a one-time decision. It is a daily response to His grace and calling. In Responding to Jesus, Pastor Mark explores Romans 6:23 and 10:9, reminding us that Christ invites us each day to follow Him, serve others, and share His love with the world around us.

New seasons can bring excitement, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next. In Something New, Pastor Fred walks through Isaiah 43:14-21, reminding us that God is always at work and calling us to pay attention to the new things He may be doing in our lives.

t’s easy to drift into living the same way everyone else does. In Do Life Different, Pastor Fred teaches from Colossians 3:15-17, encouraging us to let the peace of Christ guide our hearts and the Word of God shape the way we live, serve, lead, and love others each day.

You were never meant to just sit on the sidelines. Pastor Fred walks through Acts 13:1-5 and 20:17-24, showing how the Holy Spirit calls, equips, and sends us to live on mission, raising up leaders to serve and reach others in everyday life.

Big moments are built on small acts of obedience. In Preparation and Position, Ross Enger teaches from Acts 1:15-16, Luke 16:10, and Zechariah 4:10, revealing how consistent faithfulness prepares us for where God is leading and how He wants to use us.

You don’t have to navigate life on your own. In Comforting Guidance, Pastor Fred walks through John 14-16, showing how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and leads us, guiding our growth as disciples and shaping how we live each day.

Real change doesn’t come from trying harder. In Transforming Takeover, Pastor Fred walks through Romans 8:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, revealing how the Holy Spirit gives new life and transforms us from the inside out, making us agents of life change in a broken world.

Easter changes everything. In this message, Jesus’ Resurrection and Your Forever Life, Pastor Fred proclaims the hope at the center of our faith. Because Jesus rose from the dead, despair does not get the final word and our future is secure forever. The resurrection reshapes how we live now, loosening our grip on this life while strengthening our hope, joy, and gratitude for what is to come. Texts: Luke 24:1–8; 1 Corinthians 15.

Before the cross, Jesus wrestled in the garden. In this Maundy Thursday service, From Submission to Glory, we remember His surrender in Gethsemane and share communion together. Step away from the noise and prepare your heart for Easter.

Jesus didn’t stumble into the cross. He planned it. In this message, Jesus’ Plan, Pastor Fred walks through Matthew 21:1-11 to show how Jesus intentionally set the stage for His own death, proving He is fully in control from beginning to end.

Sometimes it feels like Jesus is distant, but the ascension tells a different story. In this message, Jesus’ Ascension, Rule, and Return, Pastor Fred shows how Christ’s reign gives us confidence, His ascension means not absence but a deeper presence, and His work continues as He provides help in our time of need. Because He reigns and will return, we have real hope for both now and eternity. Texts: John 5:22-23; John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7; Hebrews 4:14-16.

Identity is one of the biggest questions we wrestle with. In this message, The Son’s Humanity and My Identity, Pastor Fred explores how the incarnation of Jesus shapes who we are. Because Jesus is both fully God and fully human, His life and work not only bring our salvation but also give us a clear and lasting identity as children of God. Texts: Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 8:15-17.

Life will rock you to your core. What are you standing on? In Jesus, Lord and Savior, Pastor Mark invites us to wrestle with the most important question we will ever answer: Who is Jesus to you? Is He simply part of your life, or truly Lord and Savior at the center of it all? Texts: John 1:1–5; Philippians 2:6–11; Matthew 3:16; 16:13–20; Luke 6:46–49.

Worry has a way of showing up on our faces, but our Father invites us to something better. In This I Believe: Our Father, and Our Foreheads, Pastor Fred De Jong opens Matthew 6:25–34 and explores the tension between anxious questions and confident trust as we confess, “I believe in God the Father Almighty.” Because our Father knows what we need and faithfully provides, we can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and confident in Him.

Growth in relationships requires more than tolerance. It calls for acceptance shaped by Christ. In this message, Accept Each Other, Pastor Fred invites us to see how honoring both our similarities and differences transforms criticism into compassion and helps our relationships grow stronger through every season.Message Texts: Romans 15:5-9; 1 Corinthians 12:14, 21-27; 1 Peter 3:8

Healthy relationships are not built on self-protection or self-promotion. They are shaped by choosing to serve without losing who God created us to be. In this message, Self-Less Living, Pastor Fred invites us to see how Christ’s example teaches us to live with gratitude, serve selflessly, and build deeper, stronger connections.Message Texts: Galatians 5:13-15; Philippians 2:1-4

Encouragement has the power to change the tone of a relationship. Words spoken with gratitude can strengthen trust and bring new life where weariness has settled. In this message, Express Gratitude Regularly, Pastor Mark invites us to reflect God’s heart by building others up and speaking life through intentional encouragement. Message Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Unresolved resentment always costs more than we expect. It drains joy, damages trust, and keeps relationships stuck. In "Hold Hands, Not Grudges," Pastor Fred invites us to pursue the freedom we were made for by releasing resentment and choosing forgiveness as God has forgiven us, opening the door to healing and reconciliation.Message Texts: Matthew 18:21–35; Colossians 3:12–13

Avoiding hard conversations may keep the peace, but it rarely builds trust. In Speak Honestly, Pastor Fred challenges us to pursue the “more” we were made for by choosing truth spoken in love over silence or half-truths. This message invites us to see how honesty, guided by the Spirit, creates deeper intimacy and lasting trust.Scripture texts: Ephesians 4:25-27; Psalm 15:1-2; Jeremiah 9:4-6; John 8:44, 16:13

Respect does not fade because relationships grow older. It fades when honor is no longer practiced. In this message, Revive Respect, Pastor Fred invites us to see how Christ restores honor in our relationships, turning familiarity into renewed care, admiration, and grace. Message Texts: Romans 12:9–10; Ephesians 5:33; 6:1–3; 1 Peter 2:17; Leviticus 19:32

Every relationship has a center, and whatever holds that place will shape what rises to the surface in our words and actions. In the opening message of the Made for More series, Pastor Fred invites us to reflect on what truly drives our relationships and why simply adding God is not the same as centering on Christ. This message calls us to pursue the “more” we were made for by building relationships rooted in Jesus, not in emotions, kids, or ambition. Message texts: Galatians 2:20; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:17; Proverbs 14:26; 1 John 4:7-11,19 

As the year comes to a close, it’s natural to feel both gratitude and uncertainty. In "As I Look to the End of the Year," Pastor Mark reflects on 1 Corinthians 15:58, inviting us to look back with thanksgiving, look ahead with hope, and renew our commitment to living faithfully in the present. This stand-alone message encourages us to stand firm in the Lord, trusting that our work in Him is never in vain as we prepare for the year ahead.

Some gifts are so good, once is not enough. In this Christmas Eve service, Pastor Fred shares from Luke 1:1-14, Acts 1:9-11, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 about how the joy of Jesus’ first coming stirs our longing for His return. As we celebrate the gift of His birth, we live with anticipation for the day He comes again, embracing the hope of When Once Isn’t Enough and finding every reason to trust tomorrow and share faith today.

Waiting seasons often leave us asking hard questions. In "My 'Whys' and His Worldwide Reign," Pastor Fred shares from Luke 1:26-33, Hebrews 1:1-4, and Isaiah 9:6-7 about how Mary likely returned to the angel’s words again and again as she wrestled with uncertainty. Despite humble appearances at His birth and even at the cross, Jesus is the undisputed ruler of this world, superior to all, and fully worthy of our trust in the middle of our whys.

We are not meant to face life on our own. In "Our Amazing Advocate," Pastor Fred shares from Matthew 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:14-18, and 4:15-16 about how the names Jesus and Immanuel assure us that He came to work on our behalf. Jesus saves us, stands with us, and serves as our compassionate high priest who understands our weakness and helps us through every trial. Advent invites us to step away from independence and welcome His work in our lives.

Sometimes the smallest details reveal the biggest miracles. In "The Wonder of the Virgin Birth," Pastor Fred shares from Isaiah 7:14 and John 3:1-8 about how Jesus’ birth shows God’s desire to come close and bring new life. The virgin birth points clearly to Jesus as both God and man and reinforces His teaching that we must and can be born again.

What if the thing you’ve been waiting for turns out better than you ever imagined? In "Waiting to Be Saved," Pastor Mark shares from Luke 1:67-80 about how Israel longed for rescue and how their waiting was fulfilled in a salvation richer than they hoped for. Jesus’ birth brought rescue near and changed their story, and He still meets our deepest needs today as we learn to wait with faith.

Strong leaders are not born overnight. So how does God shape them? In "Deeper Dive," Pastor Fred will share from Joshua 1:1-9 about how God shaped Joshua through mentoring, experiences, and spiritual training long before he led Israel. Effective leaders are developed before they are selected, and God still forms leaders the same way today.

Looking for deeper faith and real connection? You are not meant to grow alone. In "Spiritual Thriving," Pastor Fred shares from Acts 2:42-47 about how the early church grew through genuine community. When we do life together with other believers, we create the kind of connections where spiritual growth, Christ-centered life change, and lasting friendships can flourish.

What does it really mean to go deeper in your faith? In "Dive In," Pastor Fred will share from 1 Timothy 4:11-16 and 2 Peter 1:1-4 about the call to own, grow, and live out our faith daily. When we commit to deeper discipleship, we not only strengthen our relationship with Christ but also open the door to lead and invest in others.

When life doesn’t go as planned, do you see problems or possibilities? In "Our Opportunity," Pastor Fred will share from Acts 8:4-8 and 26-40 how God turned obstacles into opportunities for the gospel to spread. When we stay available to God and aware of His leading, the Spirit uses our everyday moments to reach people for Christ.

Confidence in God doesn’t come from comfort—it’s forged through experience. In "Next Level Confidence" from 2 Kings, Pastor Fred shows how God used Elijah’s journey to build a deeper, bolder trust in His power and purpose. This message reminds us that God provides experiences to develop next-level confidence in Him.

Have you ever wondered what it really means to live out your calling? In his message “One Hope,” guest speaker Jon Opgenorth, President of Words of Hope, unpacks Ephesians 4:1-6, where Paul—writing from prison—urges believers to live in a way that reflects the calling they’ve received in Christ. This passage reminds us that our calling is not just individual but shared. We are invited to walk together in humility, gentleness, and unity, grounded in the one hope we have in Jesus.

When wrong seems to win, God still has the final word. In "Consequences and Compassion" from 1 Kings 21:15-29, Pastor Fred shows how God confronted the moral decay of Ahab’s world with both justice and mercy. This message reminds us that while sin carries real consequences, God’s compassion reaches further than we expect.

Sometimes the loudest voice in our lives is the one that lies to us. In "When You Let Life Get You Down" from 1 Kings 19:9–18, Pastor Fred shows how God met Elijah in his despair—not with condemnation, but with gentle care that corrected the lies he believed. This message reminds us that God still speaks truth and hope into the quiet places of our discouragement.

Even heroes of faith face seasons of exhaustion and doubt. In "When Life Takes a Toll" from 1 Kings 19:1-9a, Pastor Fred explores how Elijah wrestled with fear, fatigue, and discouragement—and how God used those trials to reveal His deeper purpose. This message reminds us that God meets us in our weakest moments, strengthening us and guiding us forward.

Standing for God can feel lonely—but it’s never wasted. In "When You Stand Alone" from 1 Kings 18, Pastor Mark shows how Elijah remained faithful when no one else would, hearing God’s voice, persevering through opposition, and witnessing what others could not see. This message reminds us that even when we feel alone, God honors faithful obedience with His undeniable presence and power.

When everything seems uncertain, God provides in ways we don’t expect. In “God’s Undeniable Response” from 1 Kings 16:29–17:6, Pastor Fred shows how God answered Elijah with surprising provision and power—reminding us that the Lord gives strength to face reality and restores confidence in Him.

What do you do when anger takes over? In the message When I Am Afraid and Angry, part of the I’m Fine, But Not Really series, Pastor Mark turns to Psalms 109 and 118 to show how honesty, surrender, and trust in Jesus lead to peace.

When anxiety grips your heart, is there hope? Pastor Fred turns to Psalm 25 in the message "When I’m Anxious" to show that God cares for the humble and hears every cry, bringing clarity and peace.

Ever feel like stress is pulling you in every direction? In "When I Am Stressed," part of the "I’m Fine, But Not Really" series, Pastor Fred examines Psalms 46 and 86 to demonstrate that God’s presence brings peace and strength regardless of the pressure.

Ever feel trapped by your past mistakes? In When I Feel Regret, part of the I’m Fine, But Not Really series, Pastor Fred turns to Psalm 130 to show that once we repent, our sins are erased from God’s record. Freed from regret, we can focus on what’s left, not what’s lost, and serve Him with hope.

Ever feel like you're drowning and God is silent? In this message, Pastor Fred turns to Psalm 69 to show that crying out in despair is actually an act of faith. Message Title: When I’m in Despair (I’m Fine, But Not Really)

When life doesn’t make sense, God does. In When I’m Confused, Pastor Fred shares from Psalm 55 how to trust God’s love and speak His truth to your feelings.

Ever feel like you’re saying you’re fine when you’re really not? In When I’m Sad from the I’m Fine, But Not Really series, Pastor Fred explores the depths of sadness in Psalm 42. He urges us to name our emotions, speak God’s truth, and hope in Him, knowing joy is our eternal reality.

When life feels like it’s falling apart, what holds you together? In "Held" from Colossians 1:15-20, Pastor Mark shows how God is at work even in the darkest and most painful seasons. No matter what you face, He is with you and He will never let you go.

How can people tell you’ve been with Jesus without you even saying a word? In Acts 4, the religious leaders are stunned by the boldness of two “ordinary” men, Peter and John. This week, Pastor Tim Breen explores how time with Jesus transforms us.

What does it take to wake up from a spiritual drift? In the final message of the Judges: Spiritual Siestas series, Pastor Fred explores the story of Samson from Judges 13-16. Samson’s life reveals the moral collapse of Israel, yet also highlights God’s relentless pursuit to redeem. This message calls us to examine our hearts, shake off spiritual complacency, and live with alertness that honors Christ in every season.

What happens when God's people forget who He really is? In week four of the Judges: Spiritual Siestas series, Pastor Fred examines the story of Jephthah from Judges 10:6-12:7. As Israel's rebellion deepens into a spiritual spiral, Jephthah’s tragic story shows how badly they’ve blurred the lines between God and the gods of the Canaanites. Even the “rescue” is flawed, pointing us to our deep need for a better Rescuer. Thank God, His mercy still prevails.