Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Pastor Ron Eckberg teaches the next message in our series through Genesis. In John 14 Jesus promised to give us peace yet that peace seems to continually elude us. We are restless, peace-less, dissatisfied and always wanting more. This Sunday, as we continue our study of the Genesis story, we learn how to find the peace that Jesus spoke of as we look at the lives of three people who failed in the...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us through the next passage of our study in the book of Genesis, "Passing the Torch." Sometimes our sin is obvious to us. But sometimes we don't realize the depth of our depravity until we are confronted with its consequences. In Genesis 29:15-30, Jacob is faced with a reminder of his own sin. Through this scene, we meet three hard truths to keep us vigilant against o...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us back into our study of the third section in the book of Genesis in our series called, "Passing the Torch." Faithfulness is never easy. It requires commitment to stay on track with purpose and to see our works in the faith completed. In Genesis 29:1-14, Jacob works his way through God's calling. In doing so, he provides for us an example to follow so that we can rem...

Pastor Ron Eckberg preaches a special message from Psalm 46 entitled, "Our God Reigns".

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our study through the book of Genesis. We all want our days to be filled with peace. In Genesis 28:10-22, we find Jacob in a chaotic time of life (can you relate?). We also find God intervening to grant the peace that Jacob needs in that very moment. Through this interaction we see three avenues through which God grants peace in our lives.

Pastor Ron Eckberg teaches the next message in our series, "Passing the Torch". In the well known story of Jacob stealing Isaac's blessing (from Genesis 26:34-38:9), we see how the deep-seeded issues in God's chosen family lead to dire consequences and struggle. In doing so we see the dangers of conflict and are encouraged to see how faith overwhelms our shortfalls.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our series in the book of Genesis. We know that our God is a God of blessing - always giving His children all we need. And yet, how easy it is to lose our way and begin to feel that the well of His blessings has dried up. Genesis 26:12-33 gives us a look at God's blessings to help us embrace them even when we don't recognize them at the moment.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through our current series, "Passing the Torch." We will often be met with roadblocks and challenges to our faith in Jesus. Sometimes the conflict is with the world around us and other times it results from the fear within our own hearts. In Genesis 26:1-11, God reminds us that He is in control and will deliver on His promises regardless of how the mome...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches week 2 of our current series in the book of Genesis called, "Passing the Torch." Our lives are all lived in pursuit of treasure. Some pursue the treasure of financial prosperity, others the treasure of fame, others the treasure of peace and fulfillment. The question is, how do we identify treasures that are worth the energy of our pursuit? We find the answer this we...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg begins our brand new series, "Passing the Torch." We read many of God's promises in Scripture. It is comforting and encouraging to know that our God never fails to deliver. But what is the condition for His continued blessings? It is faith. So, what does it look like to live a life defined by faith that clings to and enjoys God's promises? We find out in Genesis 25:19-26.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg helps set our vision for the coming year. As we begin a new year we should always be looking to what God has in store for us and how we can fulfill His calling in 2023. But before we set out on the mission, we must have a clear vision for where we are headed. Matthew 9:35-38 offers us three foundations for seeing, understanding, and implementing a divine vision for our live...

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special New Year's Day message from Psalm 118:24. Together we discuss the importance of grateful hearts and praising lips when we think on the incredible blessings God has given us as we look to the year ahead.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our Advent series, "Let There Be Light". For most of us, as we think of Christmas our first thought is of a child in a manger. This is good, fitting, and true... unless our thoughts stop there. Jesus came not only to be born as a human baby. He came to show us so much more. This week we see how Genesis 1:3 reminds us of the depth of meaning of Jesus' human birth.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the third message in our Christmas series, "Let There Be Light". There is a great joy in receiving and giving presents during the Christmas season. This is a great reminder of the gift of eternal life given to us by the child whose birth we celebrate. But do we think about the significance of God's presence in our lives through that child? This week we'll discuss ho...

Pastor Ron Eckberg teaches the second week of our Christmas series, "Let There Be Light." Last week we discussed the perfection of God's creation and how the birth of Jesus is a continuation and restoration of that perfection. But what about when life isn't perfect? How does the Christmas story reflect God's work of overwhelming the chaos that is all around us? We find the answer in the first half...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg begins our Christmas sermon series by looking at how the Christmas story fits into the bigger picture of God's story of Scripture. In the first of this 4-week series, we see how the birth of Jesus Christ is a continuation of God's work of Creation in Genesis 1:1.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our study through the book of Colossians. Paul has taught repeatedly that our lives are not about us, but about the Gospel. But how do we position ourselves to guide those around us toward to the goodness, joy, and hope of the Gospel message? In Colossians 4:7-18, Paul shows us how to  four pillars of Christ-centered, loving influence.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg preaches the penultimate message in our study through Colossians. An unwavering faith is rooted in confidence. That confidence changes the way we live. In Colossians 4:2-6 Paul shows us how our understanding of purpose in our lives of faith is changed by the unwavering confidence we have in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us back into the book of Colossians we are met with Paul's description of how the church is to act in the Christ-like love of the new nature (Col 3:14). In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul uses three examples to counter any culturally defiled conceptions of love with the deep, true, and meaningful love that is displayed through our imitation of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special messages to EEFC. Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, but how well do we really understand the significance of this great confrontation? Join us Sunday as we open to first Samuel 17 and revisit the story of David and Goliath in a  study titled, How the Mighty Fall. 

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next messages in our series on the book of Colossians, "Unwavering." Most of us are fairly adept at recognizing things we need to change. Where we often struggle is in identifying what we need to change TO. Last week we identified the old nature, which we put away when our focus is set on Christ. In Colossians 3:12-17, we learn about the proper replacement for t...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg preaches the next message in our current series, "Unwavering." In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul instructed us to set our focus on Christ. But what then? How do we take steps forward into Christ-likeness with our gaze set above? Paul gives us two practical pieces of advice. We find the first direction this week, in vs5-11.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next lesson in our study through the book of Colossians. Focus. While some may harness it better than others, we all have the ability to focus. The question is: Where and how do we direct our focus? Even in our spiritual lives, where growth and maturity is a gift from God, the extent to which we utilize that gift comes down to a matter of focus. How so? Paul exp...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to teach through the book of Colossians in our series, "Unwavering." Ever feel like nothing you do is enough? You're not happy enough, you aren't successful enough, you can do enough for your family, etc.? The reason is that our best efforts were never meant to be enough for us. As we read Colossians 2:20-23 we find Paul explaining WHY our efforts can never be eno...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to walk us through the book of Colossians in our series, "Unwavering." It's easy to tell the difference between a toddler and a full-grown adult. All you have to do is look! But how do we tell the difference between a mature and an immature believer? How do we know if our own walk with the Lord is growing? Paul gives us some insight into these questions and more i...