First Free Rockford Sermons

We're kicking off our brand-new series Treasure & Trust with a message called “When You Live Like God Owns It All.” We live in a world that says, “This is mine.” My job. My money. My time. My life. But what if everything we have actually belongs to Someone else? Join us this Sunday as we discover how seeing God as the true Owner changes the way we live, give, and trust.

The world is shaking—but God's grace still holds. This Sunday, as we close out our 1 Peter series, we'll hear Peter's final challenge to a church under pressure: stand firm, stay humble, and trust the Chief Shepherd who never lets go.

What happens when the intensity of our suffering increases? In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Peter makes it clear that we are to expect suffering, but the intensity of our suffering will always be refining and never destructive. When we suffer as a child of God, we can have joy, not because it's easy, but because we know God is being glorified and He can bring beauty from ashes.

What are you doing with the time you have left? This Sunday, we'll look at Peter's call to live with urgency in light of eternity. When the clock is ticking and the end is near, followers of Jesus are called to arm themselves with His mindset, leave sin behind, pray with focus, and love one another deeply. Join us as we're reminded that life is too short to live for ourselves—and that every moment can count for the glory of God.

What are you doing with the time you have left? This Sunday, we'll look at Peter's call to live with urgency in light of eternity. When the clock is ticking and the end is near, followers of Jesus are called to arm themselves with His mindset, leave sin behind, pray with focus, and love one another deeply. Join us as we're reminded that life is too short to live for ourselves—and that every moment can count for the glory of God.

Suffering is part of the human condition. But what happens when we suffer because of our faith in Christ? In 1 Peter 3:8–22, we are given clear instructions on what to do when we encounter evil as a result of our faith, and how to live well in the midst of suffering.

Suffering is part of the human condition. But what happens when we suffer because of our faith in Christ? In 1 Peter 3:8–22, we are given clear instructions on what to do when we encounter evil as a result of our faith, and how to live well in the midst of suffering.

This Sunday, we're tackling one of the most countercultural passages in the Bible—1 Peter 3:1–7. God's design for marriage isn't outdated or oppressive; it's powerful, redemptive, and rooted in the gospel. When husbands and wives live God's way, their homes become living pictures of Christ's love and grace in a confused world.

This Sunday, we're tackling one of the most countercultural passages in the Bible—1 Peter 3:1–7. God's design for marriage isn't outdated or oppressive; it's powerful, redemptive, and rooted in the gospel. When husbands and wives live God's way, their homes become living pictures of Christ's love and grace in a confused world.

This Sunday at First Free, we'll see how Peter calls us to a surprising kind of strength: submission. In a world hungry for control, God's people are called to live wise as serpents, innocent as doves—enduring injustice, honoring authority, and standing for truth with eyes fixed on Christ, our Shepherd and Overseer.

This Sunday at First Free, we'll see how Peter calls us to a surprising kind of strength: submission. In a world hungry for control, God's people are called to live wise as serpents, innocent as doves—enduring injustice, honoring authority, and standing for truth with eyes fixed on Christ, our Shepherd and Overseer.

Peter urges believers to desire the pure milk of the word so that by it we may grow up into our salvation. This Sunday, we explore the meaning of desire and urges us to ask “What am I craving?” If we are to live like Jesus, we must learn to crave and desire the spirit of God so that we may grow up into the fullness of life with Jesus.

Peter urges believers to desire the pure milk of the word so that by it we may grow up into our salvation. This Sunday, we explore the meaning of desire and urges us to ask “What am I craving?” If we are to live like Jesus, we must learn to crave and desire the spirit of God so that we may grow up into the fullness of life with Jesus.

It's easy to claim new life in Christ—but what proves it's real? This Sunday, we're asking a bold question: What should your life look like if you've really been born again? Peter gives us the answer—and it's both beautiful and costly.

It's easy to claim new life in Christ—but what proves it's real? This Sunday, we're asking a bold question: What should your life look like if you've really been born again? Peter gives us the answer—and it's both beautiful and costly.

This Sunday we launch our new series in 1 Peter: Standing Firm in a Changing World. In a culture where faith feels more like exile than advantage, discover the Five Marks of an Unshakeable Life that anchor us in Christ and keep us grounded in hope.

This Sunday we launch our new series in 1 Peter: Standing Firm in a Changing World. In a culture where faith feels more like exile than advantage, discover the Five Marks of an Unshakeable Life that anchor us in Christ and keep us grounded in hope.

David's final recorded words form the basis for the last message in this series. As the king looks back at his life, he realizes that none of his victories and strengths were about him. They all pointed to his descendant and Savior. That's a good way for us to view our own legacies.

David's final recorded words form the basis for the last message in this series. As the king looks back at his life, he realizes that none of his victories and strengths were about him. They all pointed to his descendant and Savior. That's a good way for us to view our own legacies.

A heartbreaking chapter in David's life reveals the devastating impact of generational brokenness, sin and silence. Yet even in the wreckage, God's grace invites us to surrender, repent and begin building a new legacy.

A heartbreaking chapter in David's life reveals the devastating impact of generational brokenness, sin and silence. Yet even in the wreckage, God's grace invites us to surrender, repent and begin building a new legacy.