First Free Rockford Sermons

King Saul sees God's blessing on the young upstart David, and he is enraged. It's a case study on how jealousy can turn to anger, bitterness and fear. Today, we're just as susceptible. How do we deal with our desires in healthy, God-honoring ways?

King Saul sees God's blessing on the young upstart David, and he is enraged. It's a case study on how jealousy can turn to anger, bitterness and fear. Today, we're just as susceptible. How do we deal with our desires in healthy, God-honoring ways?

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most widely known in the Bible, and maybe one of the most misapplied. A closer look shows us the importance of what happened in David's life long before that battlefield encounter. What exactly is faithful fighting and how exactly is the armor of God involved?

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most widely known in the Bible, and maybe one of the most misapplied. A closer look shows us the importance of what happened in David's life long before that battlefield encounter. What exactly is faithful fighting and how exactly is the armor of God involved?

God's prophet, Samuel, anoints a future king. But David looks nothing like what anyone expected, and there's a long and difficult road ahead before he takes the throne. Those plot twists can be instructive for us all when it comes to God's calling.

God's prophet, Samuel, anoints a future king. But David looks nothing like what anyone expected, and there's a long and difficult road ahead before he takes the throne. Those plot twists can be instructive for us all when it comes to God's calling.

The final chapter of John's gospel provides vivid examples of Jesus' love and restoration, no matter how badly we have messed up. This final week in our sermon series speaks to Jesus' mercy, his care for you and his calling on your life—a calling that looks different from anyone else's.

The final chapter of John's gospel provides vivid examples of Jesus' love and restoration, no matter how badly we have messed up. This final week in our sermon series speaks to Jesus' mercy, his care for you and his calling on your life—a calling that looks different from anyone else's.

Jesus' resurrection is the turning point for the whole world – past, present and future. The empty tomb changes everything, for everyone.

Jesus' resurrection is the turning point for the whole world – past, present and future. The empty tomb changes everything, for everyone.

Jesus' final words on the cross tell us much about who he is, what he did and how our lives and relationships changed forever as a result.

Jesus' final words on the cross tell us much about who he is, what he did and how our lives and relationships changed forever as a result.

In John 18, Jesus walks into betrayal and denial—not as a victim, but as the sovereign Savior. Even in our failure, he remains in control, offering grace, restoration and hope.

In John 18, Jesus walks into betrayal and denial—not as a victim, but as the sovereign Savior. Even in our failure, he remains in control, offering grace, restoration and hope.

Jesus is about to leave his disciples. This was unthinkable for them. But in the culmination of the conversation in that Upper Room, he explains how everything that's about to happen is for their benefit—and ours.

Jesus is about to leave his disciples. This was unthinkable for them. But in the culmination of the conversation in that Upper Room, he explains how everything that's about to happen is for their benefit—and ours.

A fruitful life starts with a faithful connection. This week, we dive further into Jesus' words to his disciples in that upper room. He calls them, and us, to remain in him and bear lasting fruit. What does this look like?

A fruitful life starts with a faithful connection. This week, we dive further into Jesus' words to his disciples in that upper room. He calls them, and us, to remain in him and bear lasting fruit. What does this look like?

Jesus knows his disciples' world is about to fall apart. Rather than give them a plan of action, he gives them (and us) something better to hold onto: assurance of who he is, and that he will be with them always.

Jesus knows his disciples' world is about to fall apart. Rather than give them a plan of action, he gives them (and us) something better to hold onto: assurance of who he is, and that he will be with them always.

Jesus' entry to Jerusalem was indeed triumphal, but not in the political way the crowds wanted or expected. His actions over the coming days would reveal what true greatness looks like—and they set several patterns for us to follow today.

Jesus' entry to Jerusalem was indeed triumphal, but not in the political way the crowds wanted or expected. His actions over the coming days would reveal what true greatness looks like—and they set several patterns for us to follow today.

Where is God when life falls apart? It's the literal question Mary and Martha are asking when their brother, Lazarus, dies. Jesus' response—and the timing of his response—has much to teach us about faith, hope and the character of God.