First Free Rockford Sermons

Think of moments when you’ve felt the warmth of light as it entered the dark. Maybe how it felt when the sun came out on a cold winter’s day. The Light of the World entered into the darkness of our broken world, so that the glory of God would be revealed. Join us this Sunday as we learn more about the Light that overcomes the dark. 

The world feels heavy, but the Light has come! Join us this Sunday as we begin our Advent series in Isaiah 9 with “The Darkness We Carry.” Before we can celebrate the Light, we have to face the dark—and that’s exactly where Jesus meets us. 

This Sunday we’re ending our Treasure & Trust series with a surprising truth from 1 Timothy 6 — you can’t take it with you, but you can send something ahead. Come discover what Paul calls “truly life” and why it might change the way you see everything.

If you’ve ever wrestled with guilt, pressure, or fear when it comes to giving, this week is for you. We’re opening 2 Corinthians 8 to see how the gospel produces a different kind of generosity—one marked by freedom, joy, and grace.

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.

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 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.