Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our study in Lamentations. As we close this book, we are presented with a poem that sums up the entire book. As one final lament is offered, we see how prayers of lament are crucial to our own experience of suffering. Lamentations 5 lays out the hope, peace, and rest that can be found in our surrender to the sovereign and loving will of our God.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the 4th week of our current series in the book of Lamentations, "How?!" While the poems in the book of Lamentation are dark and painful, we saw last week how they hinge on the hope of the goodness of our God. But our hope can take a hit in our suffering. So how do we develop and rest in a hope that will sustain us even in our trials and difficult experiences? Lamentations 4 gives us a great answer!

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads into the third week of our study in the book of Lamentations. Lamentations 1 and 2 are dark chapters of pain and suffering. But the third chapter rejoices that, even in the midst of deep struggles, there is hope that rests in the goodness of God. This poem reminds us of three important lessons to help maintain our focus on God's goodness in every situation we encounter.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our study in the book of Lamentations. Lamentations 1 presented the foundational realities that we must accept in regards to our suffering in this life. In chapter 2 Jeremiah expands on the trials of the people in Jerusalem, but we begin to see the glimmers of hope in how God deals with His people. In this we see for ourselves the joy of the promise of God's work in and through our own suffering.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us into a new series called, "How?!" as we study the book of lamentations. We know God is in control of all things. But, sometimes, we look around and we struggle to feel it. How can we faithfully follow Jesus when we are struggling to see through the difficulty of the circumstances of our lives? The answer is in the lost art of lament. The book of Lamentations teaches us to embrace our trials with the comforting instruction of truth.

Pastor Ron Eckberg concludes a mini-series on church membership. Being a member of a church means far more than waiving a membership card or pledging our allegiance to a flag. It means living a life of sacrifice and service for the purpose of furthering the Kingdom of God and His church.  “The Kingdom of God”, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Is not a matter of talk but of power”. Are we demonstrating that power? 

Pastor Ron Eckberg begins begins a 2-week mini-series on our role as members of the body of Christ. As followers of Christ (and therefore members of the universal church ) we are called to submit to the authority of a local church. With that membership comes a calling to sacrifice and service. But if we come with the right understanding of the church’s mission and attitude about it’s importance, there is great blessing to be found.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg finishes our series in the current section of the gospel of Matthew with a message titled, "The King is Coming!" In Matthew 24 Jesus called on his followers to be wise about his return but to not be deceived by the evil that exists in the meantime. He concluded this lesson by telling us to be prepared. But what does preparation for the coming of our King look like? Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 25.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches from Matthew 23 in our current series, "All Hail the King." The more regular a task becomes, the easier it is to do it without thought or intention. As we live out our faith, we ought never to practice thoughtless religion. But how do we protect our minds and hearts? We find the answer in Jesus' confrontation of the religious leaders in Matthew 23.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through the book of Matthew in our series, "All Hail the King." Most of us would, in at least one situation in life, to know the future. But we never really know what's going to happen next. In Matthew 24 Jesus reminds us of a long-term promise, but gives us some short-term instructions in how to live in the midst of the unknown.