First Free Rockford Sermons

This week we begin a series looking at 2 Corinthians – another letter from the Apostle Paul to this messed-up church with so much potential. We’ll look at how we can live as ambassadors for Christ in a broken, complex world. We start with a look at suffering—something guaranteed for us all, but often misunderstood.

When life’s plans get wrecked … when God seems silent … when we feel let down, where do we find peace? That’s the story of Christmas, which can ring new every year.

Generosity is certainly an act of obedience to God. But obedience isn’t always the strongest motivator. A generous heart is a joyful, peaceful heart—one that’s always seeking new opportunities to give back to God and to his work in our community and world.

At Christmas, we celebrate and welcome the love of God through the birth of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. God’s love is what led to Jesus becoming Emmanuel, God with us, while we were yet sinners—eventually leading to his death and resurrection. God’s love is good, and it is that same love God desires for his children to display to everyone. 

Hope is a good thing: for success, good health, better days ahead. But following Jesus takes hope to a far deeper level. It helps us live life from a kingdom perspective — anchoring us in an uncertain world and in the way we love others.

Advent means “coming.” In Hebrew, “coming” can mean to walk with someone. What would it mean for us this Christmas season to walk alongside someone who is experiencing hardship or loss? The joy of Christmas—the good news of Jesus—is for all people, and it is meant to be shared.

In ancient Israel and today, God’s people can get derailed by deception. As we close our series in the book of Joshua, we’ll look at how this can happen and how to protect ourselves. We’ll also name some of the biggest lies prevalent in our culture – and in our churches.

God works through flawed people. That’s not a new idea. But did you know that he even pursues us after we’ve failed at something? This chapter from Joshua shows how God even gives us new strategies to fight familiar battles