Vineyard Groningen Sermons

In this series, we are not going to focus so much on the what of those practices, but try to dig deeper into Biblical values and truths that undergird our healthy habits. Why do we come to a new year with resolutions to eat healthy, exercise more, read more, grow in our relationship with God and things like that? Why should we aspire to live healthy anyway? Christians have always understood that a human being consists of a body, soul and spirit. Paul, in his closing remarks to the first letter to the Thessalonians mentions them explicitly together: may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this three-week series, we are going to reflect on each part of our humanness; body, soul and spirit, getting a Biblical view on that part of us, so that we can care for it well; with the right awareness and motivation. We will start off today with the body. This message aims to give a Biblical perspective on the human body that can help us to discern the lies of advertisement and the idolization of our world of health and beauty – and instead, give a Biblically-founded motivation and practical application of how we can incorporate caring for our bodies as part of our discipleship to Jesus.

Did Jesus come to bring peace to the earth, or to start a revolution? Was He a peace-maker or a trouble-maker? We usually talk about Christmas in soft and peaceful terms. But in this message, Koen will show how the Incarnation was in fact a declaration of war against the empire darkness, and how celebrating Christmas still holds that same power today.

Did Jesus come to bring peace to the earth, or to start a revolution? Was He a peace-maker or a trouble-maker? We usually talk about Christmas in soft and peaceful terms. But in this message, Koen will show how the Incarnation was in fact a declaration of war against the empire darkness, and how celebrating Christmas still holds that same power today.

Peace on earth? Yeah... not this Christmas. There are currently 32 armed conflicts in the world, and with all the anxiety and burnout we can't say that people really have a sense of internal peace either. In this message, we will walk through the three dimensions of Advent - remembering with thankfulness that Christ came as the Prince of Peace, looking forward to Christ's second coming and how He will restore peace to earth, and anticipating His coming into our lives today to refresh us with His peace.

Peace on earth? Yeah... not this Christmas. There are currently 32 armed conflicts in the world, and with all the anxiety and burnout we can't say that people really have a sense of internal peace either. In this message, we will walk through the three dimensions of Advent - remembering with thankfulness that Christ came as the Prince of Peace, looking forward to Christ's second coming and how He will restore peace to earth, and anticipating His coming into our lives today to refresh us with His peace.

In this message, we hear from Merel vd Ven from IJM (International Justice Mission) about loving your neighbour, being touched by God's compassion for people and the important work of justice and how we can be involved.

In this message, we hear from Merel vd Ven from IJM (International Justice Mission) about loving your neighbour, being touched by God's compassion for people and the important work of justice and how we can be involved.

What is the church's relationship with Israel? And how should we, as the people of God's Kingdom position ourselves in a time when the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine is escalating once again? In this message, we're trying to give you a Biblical framework for looking at the current situation, to help you to look at it in a nuanced way, and understand what you are praying for when you pray for the 'peace of Jerusalem'.

What is the church's relationship with Israel? And how should we, as the people of God's Kingdom position ourselves in a time when the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine is escalating once again? In this message, we're trying to give you a Biblical framework for looking at the current situation, to help you to look at it in a nuanced way, and understand what you are praying for when you pray for the 'peace of Jerusalem'.

Like Israel during the exile, taking on your priestly role empowers you to live as a stranger in a non-believing society. In this sermon we explore three aspects of this priestly attitude, so that you can find practical ways to worship and live differently in this world, while still not being of this world.

Like Israel during the exile, taking on your priestly role empowers you to live as a stranger in a non-believing society. In this sermon we explore three aspects of this priestly attitude, so that you can find practical ways to worship and live differently in this world, while still not being of this world.

In this message series that we have called “In the world, not of the world”, we are going to discuss four different postures or roles that will help us to fulfil this purpose Jesus has for us in this world. Today, we are talking about our roles as exiles, connecting to Jeremiah's prophetic words in his letter to the exiles, and the work of Tim Keller on the topic of what a Christian's attitude needs to be towards the city.

In this message series that we have called “In the world, not of the world”, we are going to discuss four different postures or roles that will help us to fulfil this purpose Jesus has for us in this world. Today, we are talking about our roles as exiles, connecting to Jeremiah's prophetic words in his letter to the exiles, and the work of Tim Keller on the topic of what a Christian's attitude needs to be towards the city.

In the recent past, we have often heard the term, “already-not yet”. What does ‘already-not yet' mean for our hear and now? In today's sermon, I speak about what does it mean for us to engage with our present world in light of the already-not-yet kingdom reality. I believe that as a new creation, we relate to the world in at least three different ways, and these can be better understood by thinking of our posture concerning the world: We stand with the world, we stand against the world and we stand for the world. Tune in to understand how they help us navigate the perceived tension between this-world and already-not yet kingdom.

In the recent past, we have often heard the term, “already-not yet”. What does ‘already-not yet' mean for our hear and now? In today's sermon, I speak about what does it mean for us to engage with our present world in light of the already-not-yet kingdom reality. I believe that as a new creation, we relate to the world in at least three different ways, and these can be better understood by thinking of our posture concerning the world: We stand with the world, we stand against the world and we stand for the world. Tune in to understand how they help us navigate the perceived tension between this-world and already-not yet kingdom.

The life of a disciple of Jesus, including all its rhythms and practices – such as we are discussing in this sermon series – are never only about the individual's flourishing. Not only are those who eat the fruit of your flourishing relationship with God the main beneficiaries of your spiritual formation. The journey of spiritual formation itself, for a large part, is about moving away from your own needs towards the needs of others. As we close off this message series on fasting today, we are going to walk through the beautiful, but also very confronting chapter of Isaiah 58, and discover how fasting can help us to stand with the poor and grow in empathy for the underprivileged.

The life of a disciple of Jesus, including all its rhythms and practices – such as we are discussing in this sermon series – are never only about the individual's flourishing. Not only are those who eat the fruit of your flourishing relationship with God the main beneficiaries of your spiritual formation. The journey of spiritual formation itself, for a large part, is about moving away from your own needs towards the needs of others. As we close off this message series on fasting today, we are going to walk through the beautiful, but also very confronting chapter of Isaiah 58, and discover how fasting can help us to stand with the poor and grow in empathy for the underprivileged.

Fasting and praying is just something we are called to do out of faith and obedience. And there is something that fasting unlocks, something that we access, something that Fasting is a mighty weapon God has given us to amplify our prayers, to be heard on high and to hear from on high. And perhaps the best thing for us to do is not to try and understand exactly how this all works, but to go and do it as a faithful response to God's invitation. In this message we are going to explore how fasting and prayer helps us to hear God better, and how it helps us to be heard by God.

Fasting and praying is just something we are called to do out of faith and obedience. And there is something that fasting unlocks, something that we access, something that Fasting is a mighty weapon God has given us to amplify our prayers, to be heard on high and to hear from on high. And perhaps the best thing for us to do is not to try and understand exactly how this all works, but to go and do it as a faithful response to God's invitation. In this message we are going to explore how fasting and prayer helps us to hear God better, and how it helps us to be heard by God.

John Wesley once said: “Why are we not more holy? Because we are enthusiasts that want the ends without the means." Growing in holiness is a lifelong journey. And the practices – including fasting – provide the pathway on that journey to continue to grow and work out your salvation. In this message we are going to explore how fasting helps us in both self-control (saying "no" to something that is bad) and self-discipline (saying "yes" to something that is good).

John Wesley once said: “Why are we not more holy? Because we are enthusiasts that want the ends without the means." Growing in holiness is a lifelong journey. And the practices – including fasting – provide the pathway on that journey to continue to grow and work out your salvation. In this message we are going to explore how fasting helps us in both self-control (saying "no" to something that is bad) and self-discipline (saying "yes" to something that is good).

This is the opening message of a four part series with Practicing the Way about Fasting. Every world religion, and even Western non-religious spirituality recognises the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting. Also as Christians, we stand in a long tradition of fasting; the prophets, the apostles, the church fathers, the saints, reformers and revivalists the all fasted regularly. The Lord fasted for forty days! Why is it then that fasting, for most Western Christians today, is no longer something that we see as essential to our discipleship to Jesus? In this message, Koen explores the first biblical motivation for fasting; offering ourselves to God.

This is the opening message of a four part series with Practicing the Way about Fasting. Every world religion, and even Western non-religious spirituality recognises the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting. Also as Christians, we stand in a long tradition of fasting; the prophets, the apostles, the church fathers, the saints, reformers and revivalists the all fasted regularly. The Lord fasted for forty days! Why is it then that fasting, for most Western Christians today, is no longer something that we see as essential to our discipleship to Jesus? In this message, Koen explores the first biblical motivation for fasting; offering ourselves to God.

In this sermon I discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and to follow the Practices of Jesus in our 21st century world. I focus on the Call to discipleship, the Practices of a disciple, and the Why of discipleship. This sermon specifically gives an overview of the call to Discipleship that we, as a church, are embracing. It is the path we believe God is leading us on.

In this sermon I discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and to follow the Practices of Jesus in our 21st century world. I focus on the Call to discipleship, the Practices of a disciple, and the Why of discipleship. This sermon specifically gives an overview of the call to Discipleship that we, as a church, are embracing. It is the path we believe God is leading us on.

True change starts with a deep change on the inside. Instead of throwing all our willpower and resources at changing the 'what', it should start with the 'why' - a purpose, a motivation, a perspective. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives us a very powerful 'why' for growing in Christlikeness. As he talks about putting on the new self like a new pair of clothes, he connects that to the future that we have in Christ Jesus as He returns, putting discipleship in an eschatological context. Join Koen as he explores this powerful 'why' and as he also explains Paul's important advices on the process of being renewed into the image of Christ.

True change starts with a deep change on the inside. Instead of throwing all our willpower and resources at changing the 'what', it should start with the 'why' - a purpose, a motivation, a perspective. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives us a very powerful 'why' for growing in Christlikeness. As he talks about putting on the new self like a new pair of clothes, he connects that to the future that we have in Christ Jesus as He returns, putting discipleship in an eschatological context. Join Koen as he explores this powerful 'why' and as he also explains Paul's important advices on the process of being renewed into the image of Christ.

The Colossean church had a big problem with two different cultural powers that were distracting them from their new life in Christ; the gnostics with their elaborate philosophies and rituals, and the zealous Jewish Christians who thought that also Gentile believers should live by the law of Moses. Paul tells the church in Colossae, in no uncertain terms, to make sure to live in the freedom of their new life in Christ and to not let themselves be taken captive again by some philosophy or human tradition. In this message, we are going to explore what challenges the Colossean church was facing, how Paul instructs them, and what all this means for us today - because even though there are 2,000 years in between, we face quite similar challenges in our world.

The Colossean church had a big problem with two different cultural powers that were distracting them from their new life in Christ; the gnostics with their elaborate philosophies and rituals, and the zealous Jewish Christians who thought that also Gentile believers should live by the law of Moses. Paul tells the church in Colossae, in no uncertain terms, to make sure to live in the freedom of their new life in Christ and to not let themselves be taken captive again by some philosophy or human tradition. In this message, we are going to explore what challenges the Colossean church was facing, how Paul instructs them, and what all this means for us today - because even though there are 2,000 years in between, we face quite similar challenges in our world.

When the New Testament talks about us being ‘in Christ' it is talking about that full new reality after grace – a new position, a new function, a new purpose, a new qualification. Being ‘in Christ' is our new identity. And that identity is something that we are learning to live out as we are growing in discipleship. In this message Koen explores further what it means to be 'in Christ' and how we in Vineyard Groningen are focussing on discipleship in this coming year.

When the New Testament talks about us being ‘in Christ' it is talking about that full new reality after grace – a new position, a new function, a new purpose, a new qualification. Being ‘in Christ' is our new identity. And that identity is something that we are learning to live out as we are growing in discipleship. In this message Koen explores further what it means to be 'in Christ' and how we in Vineyard Groningen are focussing on discipleship in this coming year.

Colossians 1:15-23 boldly declares that Jesus is the first, and the last, the genesis and the telos, the origin and the purpose, the beginning and the end. He is before all things and above all things. He is at the center of everything and holds everything together. In this series, as we are learning about what it means to be a Gospel Community from Paul's letter to the Colossians, today we are going to talk about what it means to have Jesus at the center of it all. What does it mean that Jesus is the head of the church?

Colossians 1:15-23 boldly declares that Jesus is the first, and the last, the genesis and the telos, the origin and the purpose, the beginning and the end. He is before all things and above all things. He is at the center of everything and holds everything together. In this series, as we are learning about what it means to be a Gospel Community from Paul's letter to the Colossians, today we are going to talk about what it means to have Jesus at the center of it all. What does it mean that Jesus is the head of the church?

The Lord is shaping us into a Gospel community, breathing in and breathing out the Good News of the Kingdom. Paul wrote a letter to the Colossians, a group of Christians he never met, but heard good reports about, with some solid advice on how to move forward to grow and bear fruit. This is the opening message of a five-part series discovering from Colossians 1-3 how Vineyard Groningen can grow in being a Gospel Community.

The Lord is shaping us into a Gospel community, breathing in and breathing out the Good News of the Kingdom. Paul wrote a letter to the Colossians, a group of Christians he never met, but heard good reports about, with some solid advice on how to move forward to grow and bear fruit. This is the opening message of a five-part series discovering from Colossians 1-3 how Vineyard Groningen can grow in being a Gospel Community.

Ephesians tells us to make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Matthijs den Dekker, today's speaker, has a hard time opening his eyes for the evil in this world. It means allowing anger and allow feeling powerless. This sermon explores these emotions and tries to find ways to not close off for the evil in our times.

Ephesians tells us to make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Matthijs den Dekker, today's speaker, has a hard time opening his eyes for the evil in this world. It means allowing anger and allow feeling powerless. This sermon explores these emotions and tries to find ways to not close off for the evil in our times.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do all kinds of 'cool' stuff. But as we are wrapping up this series, it is important to also talk about a less 'cool' but very real other quality that we receive through the Spirit; the power to endure. Enduring is not something that we look forward to in our faith. In this sermon Jan Achterberg will discuss why this is necessary and what we can due to grow our spiritual endurance.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do all kinds of 'cool' stuff. But as we are wrapping up this series, it is important to also talk about a less 'cool' but very real other quality that we receive through the Spirit; the power to endure. Enduring is not something that we look forward to in our faith. In this sermon Jan Achterberg will discuss why this is necessary and what we can due to grow our spiritual endurance.

Our understanding of the Gospel is far too individualistic and far too narrow. Through various developments in theology, sociology and culture, we have primarily come to understand the Gospel as a message about personal salvation; grace + faith = going to heaven when you die. But the Gospel is much more than that. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news about the Kingdom is about transformation. The transformation of lives, of families, cities and generations. In this message, we are going to talk about 1) where transformation starts, 2) what it requires and 3) how it continues. And these principles will apply to bigger and smaller settings; as small as a family or a group of friends, and as big as a country. It could apply to your small group, your neighbourhood, your work place or your school. However big or small the setting is that you have in mind while listening, we believe that the Holy Spirit wants to partner with you to bring Kingdom transformation. And my prayer is that today's message will inspire you for what this might look like for you.

Our understanding of the Gospel is far too individualistic and far too narrow. Through various developments in theology, sociology and culture, we have primarily come to understand the Gospel as a message about personal salvation; grace + faith = going to heaven when you die. But the Gospel is much more than that. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news about the Kingdom is about transformation. The transformation of lives, of families, cities and generations. In this message, we are going to talk about 1) where transformation starts, 2) what it requires and 3) how it continues. And these principles will apply to bigger and smaller settings; as small as a family or a group of friends, and as big as a country. It could apply to your small group, your neighbourhood, your work place or your school. However big or small the setting is that you have in mind while listening, we believe that the Holy Spirit wants to partner with you to bring Kingdom transformation. And my prayer is that today's message will inspire you for what this might look like for you.

At Vineyard, we believe that Jesus transferred His Kingdom ministry to His disciples and to the church. This means that we are called to do everything that Jesus did through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to partner with us to bring God's Kingdom to people, and this includes miraculous healing of physical, emotional and spiritual illnesses. In this message, we explore the four motivations Jesus had for His healing ministry and the five-step prayer model.

At Vineyard, we believe that Jesus transferred His Kingdom ministry to His disciples and to the church. This means that we are called to do everything that Jesus did through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to partner with us to bring God's Kingdom to people, and this includes miraculous healing of physical, emotional and spiritual illnesses. In this message, we explore the four motivations Jesus had for His healing ministry and the five-step prayer model.

Why do we keep the best news in the world hidden like a dirty little secret? In this message, we are going to take a master-class in personal evangelism from Philip the Evangelist. The story about how he led the Ethiopian official to a decision for Jesus will help us to become more confident in sharing the gospel, and open to the voice of the Spirit leading us to people that He has prepared to receive this good news.

Why do we keep the best news in the world hidden like a dirty little secret? In this message, we are going to take a master-class in personal evangelism from Philip the Evangelist. The story about how he led the Ethiopian official to a decision for Jesus will help us to become more confident in sharing the gospel, and open to the voice of the Spirit leading us to people that He has prepared to receive this good news.

The first church was an international church consisting of Jews and proselytes from every nation under heaven that temporarily resided in Jerusalem. Yet, they experienced an incredible sense of unity. Meeting together around the table – where all are equal and united, where food was shared and stories were told, everyone had a place and a unique contribution. This is a result of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit among them. What could unity look like? Why is it so important? And what is required from us to support and protect this unity?

The first church was an international church consisting of Jews and proselytes from every nation under heaven that temporarily resided in Jerusalem. Yet, they experienced an incredible sense of unity. Meeting together around the table – where all are equal and united, where food was shared and stories were told, everyone had a place and a unique contribution. This is a result of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit among them. What could unity look like? Why is it so important? And what is required from us to support and protect this unity?

In this series, we have talked about some very beautiful and important things. But there is an essential piece of the puzzle that's been missing; the Holy Spirit. In this series, there is also one essential puzzle piece that is still missing, but will be uncovered today; the Holy Spirit. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, nothing of what is theologically true about you, will actually find its way into your heart, mind and practice. But through the work of the Holy Spirit, what is true about you will also become our experienced reality. In this message Koen will explain how the disciples became the apostles after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how we need to be filled with the Spirit as well in order to walk in the new life Jesus has made available to us.

In this series, we have talked about some very beautiful and important things. But there is an essential piece of the puzzle that's been missing; the Holy Spirit. In this series, there is also one essential puzzle piece that is still missing, but will be uncovered today; the Holy Spirit. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, nothing of what is theologically true about you, will actually find its way into your heart, mind and practice. But through the work of the Holy Spirit, what is true about you will also become our experienced reality. In this message Koen will explain how the disciples became the apostles after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how we need to be filled with the Spirit as well in order to walk in the new life Jesus has made available to us.