Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us in the next passage through the life of Jospeh. Last week we talked about how great it is to enjoy the peaks of life and how important it is to remain faithful through them. But, once again, we're reminded that the valleys are important too. That's because, not only do they have lessons to teach us, but they are actually blessings from the Lord. As odd as that may...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us back into our study on the life of Joseph, "Peaks and Valleys." We know that there are many lessons we draw from our defeats. But it's still fun to win, isn't it? But it's what we learn from defeat that helps us to respond with humility and grace in victory. Joseph shows us how righteousness in our valleys can lead to greater joy when we reach the peaks.

Pastor Ron Eckberg shares a special Father's Day message.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us in the next chapter of Joseph's life. Wisdom is highly valued by every culture and in every situation in the world. And yet, not all that is seen as "wisdom" is created equal. In Joseph's interaction with Pharaoh and his court we see true, divine wisdom at the forefront and see the magnitude of its power. It's a great lesson for why we must always choose God's wisd...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next lesson in our series, "Peaks and Valleys." To this point, Joseph's story seems to be a series of successive valleys, each feeling deeper and darker than the last. But in Genesis 41 we see how his faithfulness puts him right where God wants him when divine opportunity arises. This week we discuss how we imitate Joseph to be ready for the work God has in stor...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us back into our study of the life of Joseph in the last section of Genesis. Sometimes we feel like we've done everything right and yet the results we get are disappointing and frustrating. We may even feel abandoned by God. Through one such season, Joseph shows the incomprehensible goodness of God's faithfulness. In doing so we learn how to lean into His purposes tha...

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special message for memorial day weekend from John 21. Over the 250 year course of our nation’s history 42 million Americans have answered the call to serve in our military. 1.3 million died answering that call. As we reflect on their sacrifice this Memorial Day we should also reflect on an even greater calling—the call to a complete devotion and service to our Lord Jes...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our study of the life of Joseph. Are you a starry-eyed optimist or a cautious skeptic? We all at least lean one way or the other. And our natural disposition affects the way we see the world around us, especially in times of turmoil. But regardless of how we view a situation, God always provides for His faithful children. This is the clear lesson we learn in Genes...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg preaches an unusual Mother's Day message, but one that reminds us of God's grace and goodness through the next chapter of Genesis. Over the past two weeks we've seen Joseph's righteousness compared with his brothers' wickedness. The contrast is stark. And yet, God chooses to use both to teach us about his sovereignty and goodness. In Joseph's story, the way God does this is...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg walks us into week 2 of our study of the life of Joseph. Life is full of ups and downs. The highs are great, but the question is: Are we ready for the lows? They are always on the horizon so we don't need to be caught off-guard. In Genesis 37:12-36, Joseph and his brothers show us how we can build a resilient faith to carry us through both the highs and lows alike.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg launches into the final section of Genesis in which we study the life of Joseph. Life can quickly and dramatically vacillate between the highest peaks of joy and success and the lowest valleys of failure and frustration. But God's faithfulness is our constant comfort. From the start of Joseph's story, God reminds us of His control over those ups and downs. In doing so, He r...

Ron Huisman (EEFC Elder) teaches from Psalm 23. There are plenty of times in our lives when we feel a disconnect between what we believe about our God and what we experience as we make our way through a broken world. It is important for us to understand how to bridge that gap in our hearts and minds in order that we might walk with increasing faith in God's love, grace, and mercy.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our study through the Gospel of Matthew. Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is alive! But... now what? As we close our study in the gospel of Matthew, we see the call to action that results from the incredible nature of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Jesus has won, now we advance the Kingdom in light of His victory!

Christ is Risen! Pastor Jonathan Eckberg preaches on the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Emptiness is something most of us try to avoid: empty stomachs, empty gas tanks, empty bank accounts, empty relationships. Empty is bad. But the greatest outlier in the history of mankind is the empty tomb which leads us to the fullness of joy, hope, peace, and life. We can't wait to celebrate with you this resu...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg preaches on Christ's surrender of His life as we prepare for next week's Easter message. It is often in the darkest moments of life that the light is most powerfully evident. Nowhere in Scripture is that clearer than at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 27:45-61 we see Jesus finish the work of the cross and offer us the blessing of the greatest light in the darkes...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us in the next passage of our study in the Gospel of Matthew, "Wood and Stone." After a pair of unjust trials, Jesus is marched to the crucifixion. In this movement of death, betrayal, abuse, and rejection, we learn three valuable lessons in surrender and living in faithful pursuit of God's purposes. 

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to teach through Matthew 27. Contrary to cultural opinion, truth is a constant standard of reality. But what happens when the world seems to operate contrary to that constant standard of reality? In Jesus' trial before Pilate, we are taught three principles that strengthen and encourage us when truth is put on trial.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us through the next message of our study through the gospel of Matthew. Like a dog chasing its tail, we can get sidetracked by things that look appealing but will fail to satisfy. When that happens we end up more empty and miserable than before. So how does our faith in Jesus and the true nature of the Gospel keep us on track? We find the answer in Matthew 27:1-10.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes Matthew 26 in our study of Matthew's gospel account. After Jesus' arrest, we walk into the early morning hours of Good Friday. There are two deeply disturbing events that feel heavier and heavier the deeper we examine them. And yet, as with most of life's calamities, if our eyes are open, we can spot the glory of God shining through our pain. This is abundantly cl...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next passage in our study of the Gospel of Matthew. We all encounter varying degrees of difficulty on a regular basis. So how do we manage the circumstances of life with joy and purpose? So often it comes down not to the details of the situation at hand, but our response to the situation. It's a matter of how we will choose to respond to God's plan, God's will,...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through the Gospel of Matthew in our current series, "Wood and Stone." On the precipice of fulfilling His divine calling, Jesus leaves the last supper and steadies Himself for what the coming days would bring. As we study His final hours of freedom we are reminded of how our gracious Heavenly Father prepares us for the difficulties and challenges we fac...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg takes us through the next message in our study of the final chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, "Wood and Stone." At the last meal of Jesus' earthly ministry, a passover celebration, He lays out very clearly what the events of the next hours would change everything. This applied not just to His followers present at the meal, but to every one of His followers for the rest of...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg walks into the next passage of our final study of the Gospel of Matthew, "Wood and Stone." Sometimes we find ourselves in situations we don't feel equipped to handle. But when we walk by faith, we find that God always gives us what we need. As Matthew leads us through Jesus' authoritative journey to the cross we see how the Lord is preparing the disciples for that moment an...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg launches us into our final series in the Gospel of Matthew with a study of Matthew 26:1-16. As we move to these final chapters of the gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus' ministry accelerate into his intended purpose. Over the next few months we will read about his final steps in the journey to the cross and celebrate the empty tomb. As Jesus prepares for this, Matthew reminds...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg begins our new year with a special message from Luke 4:16-22 on the importance of being focused on our mission and how we go about remaining steadfast in our calling for the Kingdom of Heaven.