First Free Rockford Sermons

God’s Word is within easy reach for most of us. Yet, fewer people are accessing it on a regular basis. In a shallow culture, it can be easy to forget the deep, eternal value of Scripture in our lives and community. This message includes five practical tips to build world-changing habits.

Jesus said, "Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."Jesus’ edict about the Sabbath overcomes religious activity and asserts that Sabbath rest is a gift. Jesus also said that he is Lord of the Sabbath and this means that He is the one we come to when honoring the Sabbath. Consider four practices that will make space for the restoration that Jesus desires for us, while also understanding that the coming of Christ … is an invitation to find rest.

We begin an Advent series of messages to help us all make room for Jesus through spiritual disciplines. This week: In a culture that so often overindulges, God can use fasting to grow us in humility, trust and self-control.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live in community. It is important to recognize that while some of our relationships move us closer to Jesus, others may end or let us down. To endure and finish well, we need faithful friends and our faithful God.

What constitutes good preaching? As Paul nears the end of his life, he issues a serious challenge to Timothy and others charged with preaching God’s Word—and also to those who hear it.

How has God woven Scripture into your faith story? 2 Timothy 3:14-17 illustrates that those who first witnessed to us, possessed a faith rooted in Scripture and that Scripture is foundational to our growth, our walk with Christ, and our ability to witness to others. 

In challenging times, 2 Timothy 3:1-13 urges us to remain faithful by rejecting selfishness and ungodly influences. By staying rooted in Scripture and surrounding ourselves with Christ-like people, we can endure hardships and live with purpose.

We are to hold fast to the primary points of our faith. But when it comes to disagreements on secondary issues, there are good and bad approaches. Debating doesn’t help; that’s simply trying to prove another person wrong, and it causes division. But a humble conversation can protect relationships while each side might even learn a thing or two. Living consistently with God’s Word is a great starting point, and helps us avoid unnecessary quarrels.