Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Matthew 26:47-56 - The Weight of Response

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, and God's goodness.

Matthew 26:31-46 - Praying in the Dark

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 face in faithful service to His Kingdom.

Matthew 26:26-30 - The Feast of Redemption

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 eternity. How so? In Matthew 26:26-30 we see the gift of newness in Jesus' redemption.

Matthew 26:17-25 - Prepping for the Mission

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 and beyond. In Matthew 26:17-25 we are reminded that He is also at work preparing us to follow him in bold faithfulness.

Matthew 26:1-16 – Because Jesus is Lord

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 us that this is possible and meaningful because Jesus is Lord.

The Value of Focus - Luke 4:16-22

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.

Lamentations 5 - Praying Lament; Finding Rest

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.

Lamentations 4 - The Hope that Holds

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!