First Assembly of God Freehold

5/12/24 |

05/05/24 |

4/21/24 | As Pastor Jeff preaches his last sermon as the Lead Pastor of First Assembly, he reminds us how the best days are ahead for our church. 

4/14/24 | Through transition, our purpose as a church will not waver. Our purpose is to know Christ and make Him known.

4/7/24 | We all go through transitions in life, but we don’t have to go through them without a plan. There’s a biblical strategy to successfully navigate life’s transitions.

03/31/24 | Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and the boundless hope that He has given us because of His victory of death, sin, Hell, and the grave! Thank you, Jesus!!

03/24/24 | If you were taught to believe in a personal God who is all-knowing and all powerful, how can you not turn your frustration on him when life gets difficult?

03/17/24 | In the Easter story, Judas tried to get Jesus to do what he wanted, without regard for Jesus’ ministry and mission. That may seem ridiculous, but there’s a little Judas in all of us.

03/10/24 | In the days and weeks preceding the first Easter, the high priest Caiaphas stood in the presence of Jesus, the Savior of the world. But he refused to abandon his quest for control and surrender to his Creator. It's easy to dismiss Caiaphas as a fool, but what have we put in the place of God?

03/03/24 | We’re excited to have the National Director of Speed the Light, Eric Hoffman, with us this morning for our Missions Convention! Eric challenges us to live for the cause of Christ in everything we do, which includes giving generously above and beyond to the cause of missions.

02/28/24 | Today is a very unique Sunday, where we hear a special announcement from Pastor Jeff. Connect with us! https://freeholdag.com/connect ​ Stay Connected: Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/freeholdag​ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/freehold_ag/​ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4D​... Website | https://freeholdag.com/​ Giving | https://www.freeholdag.com/give

02/18/24 | Feeling tired, worn out or dry? In Week 3, Pastor Matt shows how God is not interested in replacing, escaping, or pretending in our walk with Him: He wants to Renew our spirit and our strength. When we Remember and Remain in Jesus, we will experience the refreshing power that comes from Christ.

02/11/24 | In Week 2, Pastor Jeff talks about how we are to Remain in Christ. Jesus says that He is the vine, and we are the branches. Pastor Jeff’s advice to all of us is: “Just be a branch!” From the branch we receive life, purpose, and fullness.

02/04/24 | In Week 1, Pastor Jeff talks about the importance of Remembering both Jesus’ sacrifice, as well as His work in each of our personal lives, to fill us with faith for what we’re facing today.

01/28/24 | In Week 3, Pastor Matt reminds us through the story of Jonah that God is more interested in our character than our comfort, and that often God’s greatest blessings come out of His greatest breakings.

01/21/24 | In Week 2, Pastor Jeff talks about stillness before God so that we can effectively hear His voice. The only thing more dangerous than praying this prayer is not praying it!

01/14/24 | In Week 1, Pastor Jeff reads from the Book of Acts and talks about how boldness is not a personality trait, but a quality that the Holy Spirit empowers us with when we intentionally live for His mission.

01/07/24 | We’re excited to have our guest speaker, Rev. Ston George with us this first Sunday Morning of the New Year! He shares from his own personal testimony, and then talks about how we now have access to the personal presence of God through what Jesus has done. We are no longer separated by religion, rites, or anything else - it's simply our personal sin that we must continually confess to Christ in order to experience fullness and intimacy with Him!

12/31/23 | How can we pass on faith to our families, friends, and loved ones? More than any material thing we can leave behind, the legacy of faith in Jesus is the greatest thing we can pass on. Looking at the life of Abraham, we see that authenticity, intentionality, and praying scripture are key principles to help our loved ones own their faith in God.

12/24/23 | Pastor Jeff talks about how the names of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 describe the character qualities of Jesus, and inform our relationship to God. He is our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

12/17/23 | In Week 3, Pastor Matt looks at the life of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Reminding us that the Bible works like a mirror, we learn that Joseph’s life of action is meant to be reflected in our own lives, no matter what age or life circumstance we find ourselves in.

12/10/23 | In Week 2, Pastor Jeff looks at Mary’s story and her response to the angel’s message. Mary was “highly favored” and “chosen by God,” and how her stable characteristics of passion and purpose are examples for us to follow as God wants to work in our lives.

12/03/23 | In Week 1, Pastor Jeff highlights the story of Elizabeth, and how her relationship with God and with her husband is a stable example for us today. God can always re-enlist us no matter our situation. We are stable to bless others, and to see the working of the Holy Spirit.

11/26/23 | Gratitude is not merely just a response, but a transformative perspective. As we survey scripture in this series, we’ll see how gratitude is an essential attitude for members of Christ’s Kingdom.

In Week 3, we see how Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life that Jesus promises us. Reading about ten lepers who were miraculously healed by Jesus, we learn that in order to live the divine life, we need to “find the fibs” and “replace with grace.”

11/19/23 | Gratitude is not merely just a response, but a transformative perspective. As we survey scripture in this series, we’ll see how gratitude is an essential attitude for members of Christ’s Kingdom.

In Week 2, we learn how “Grumbling” is the nemesis of Gratitude. Just like the Israelites grumbled in the wilderness, we tend to focus on the negative. Pastor Jeff shares how to be different.

11/12/23 | Gratitude is not merely just a response, but a transformative perspective. As we survey scripture in this series, we’ll see how gratitude is an essential attitude for members of Christ’s Kingdom.

In Week 1, Pastor Jeff defines gratitude, and shows from the Book of Genesis how Noah’s attitude after the Flood is an example for us. Scripture instructs us to be thankful not for all circumstances, but in all circumstances.

11/05/23 | We’re thrilled to have Evangelist Rev. Greg Hubbard with us for our Spiritual Emphasis Weekend! Greg talks about how God wants to work in our lives, just like He worked in the heart of a Pharisee named Nicodemus. In John 3, John 7, and John 19, we see God work in Nicodemus’ life.

1) A Searching Nicodemus (John 3)

2) A Stirred Nicodemus (John 7)

3) A Surrendered Nicodemus (John 19)

When we are searching for God, sense God stirring us, God is giving us the opportunity to respond do Him! Don’t delay or wait until another day, God’s desire is to save us and make us whole in Him. This is only through the power and person of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross to save YOU from your sin! Thank you Lord!

10/29/23 | Our church home is a unique place of prayer, place of outreach, place of miracles, place of vision, place of redemption, and so much more. No matter where you’ve been or where you're headed, we’ve got a seat for you at the table, and you’re right on time. Welcome Home.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing pottery by mending broken pieces with a golden lacquer. The result is a beautiful work of art that is more valuable than the original piece of pottery by itself. In Week 5, Pastor Jeff talks about God’s similar redemptive work in our lives. He reads from Jesus’ longest conversation recorded in scripture: John 4, the Woman at the Well. God can take our brokenness, our past, and our sin, and redeem it for His purposes.

1) Jesus breaks down barriers

2) His story is prophecy

3) Jesus offers life

4) He confronts our past

5) He turns pain into purpose

10/22/23 | Our church home is a unique place of prayer, place of outreach, place of miracles, place of vision, place of redemption, and so much more. No matter where you’ve been or where you're headed, we’ve got a seat for you at the table, and you’re right on time. Welcome Home.

In Week 4, Pastor Jeff talks about how God gives us divine dreams, or goals/vision, for our lives! Jesus’ “dream” of spreading the gospel from twelve original disciples seemed impossible, yet when it’s from God, anything is possible. Pastor Jeff also acknowledges this reality: “What do you do when your dreams are shattered?” We see from the scripture in Joshua 7 that God restores broken dreams, even when they are broken because of our own disobedience. No matter who you are, God can restore new vision and dreams to you if you place your life in His hands!

10/08/23 | Our church home is a unique place of prayer, place of outreach, place of miracles, place of vision, place of redemption, and so much more. No matter where you’ve been or where you're headed, we’ve got a seat for you at the table, and you’re right on time. Welcome Home.

In Week 2, Pastor Jeff & Pastor Matt team-teach the message, sharing about how our church is a House of Outreach. While there are many functions and responsibilities to the Church, the main purpose of the Church is to fulfill The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Reading from Acts 13, we see that the first missionary movement was birthed from the Local Church.

1) The Church is the Incubator for Missions

2) The Holy Spirit is the Initiator of Missions

3) Believers are Investors in Missions: Prayer, Pockets, Participation

Think Globally, Act Locally.

10/01/23 | Our church home is a unique place of prayer, place of outreach, place of miracles, place of vision, place of redemption, and so much more. No matter where you’ve been or where you're headed, we’ve got a seat for you at the table, and you’re right on time. Welcome Home.

In Week 1, Pastor Jeff reads Mark 11 when Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem, where he quotes the prophet Isaiah saying, “‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:17). Pastor Jeff challenges us to do our own, “Temple Inventory,” and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

09/24/23 | When you overfill your coffee cup the result is a sticky mess, or a nasty burn, yet we often live our lives this way! In this 4-week series, we look to the Scripture for God’s design on how to live life with room.  That could be having money left over at the end of the month, a night of the week when there’s nothing going on, or it could even be the distance between you and temptation.

In Week 4, Pastor Jeff surveys the scriptures on how we can live with room in our finances. Specifically, we trace the biblical principle of tithing throughout the Bible and what that means for us today. Knowing that God is the source of all our resources, we are stewards of God’s property, our most important investments are heavenly, and that we trust God to provide for all our needs, as Christians we have an attitude of gratitude, faithfulness, vision, and faith. Surveying scripture for the tithe, we see:

Abraham Commenced it (Genesis 14:20)

Jacob Continued it (Genesis 28:22)

Moses Commanded it (Leviticus 27:30)

Malachi Confirmed it (Malachi 3:10)

Jesus Commended it (Matthew 23:23)

God’s blessings don’t consume more room, they create more room!

09/17/23 | When you overfill your coffee cup the result is a sticky mess, or a nasty burn, yet we often live our lives this way! In this 4-week series, we look to the Scripture for God’s design on how to live life with room.  That could be having money left over at the end of the month, a night of the week when there’s nothing going on, or it could even be the distance between you and temptation.

In Week 3, Pastor Jeff reads from James 1 about how we are to put “room” between us and temptation. We do not want the “hook” of the enemy to overtake us. How do I put room between me and temptation?

1) Be realistic

2) Accept responsibility

3) Be ready —

(Be ready) Step 1: Desire

(Be ready) Step 2: Deception

(Be ready) Step 3: Disobedience

(Be ready) Step 4: Death

4) Refocus

09/10/23 | When you overfill your coffee cup the result is a sticky mess, or a nasty burn, yet we often live our lives this way! In this 4-week series, we look to the Scripture for God’s design on how to live life with room.  That could be having money left over at the end of the month, a night of the week when there’s nothing going on, or it could even be the distance between you and temptation.

In Week 2, Pastor Matt shares on how to live with “margin” or “room” in our schedules. Reading from Ephesians 5:15-17, we are challenged not to “live like fools” by following the world’s pattern of busyness, but to “live like those who are wise.” Wise people ask for room. Wise people live:

1) God’s will > My will

2) Should do > Can do

3) Great > Good

The practical application question we are left with in light of the scriptures is to simply ask, “Is it wise?” Applying this to every area of our lives will allow us to live with purpose, intention, and ROOM, rather than allowing life to overfill our cups for us.

09/03/23 | When you overfill your coffee cup the result is a sticky mess, or a nasty burn, yet we often live our lives this way! In this 4-week series, we look to the Scripture for God’s design on how to live life with room.  That could be having money left over at the end of the month, a night of the week when there’s nothing going on, or it could even be the distance between you and temptation.

In Week 1, Pastor Jeff looks at the story of Jesus’ time with Mary and Martha from Luke 10. Both women faced the same opportunity, yet had different experiences based on their sense of what was most important. Although being busy is the world’s pattern, it is not God’s. While Martha’s duty was important, Jesus said that what Mary had discovered was better. Similarly, we need to make room in our walk with God, leaving room for what really matters.

1) Duty is a good thing

2) Devotion is also a good thing

3) Duty perceives devotion as the shirking of duty

4) Devotion is perceived by Jesus as a precious discovery

08/27/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 7, Pastor Matt shares about his missions trip to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. While many people may feel overlooked by God, Pastor Matt shares from 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 how God is the God of the Underdog.

08/20/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 6, Pastor Jeff continues “Grace Encounters.”

08/13/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 5, Pastor Jeff continues “Grace Encounters.”

08/06/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 4, Pastor Emily shares about how God moves in our life through different seasons, giving recent examples in her own life of how God has shown her what step to take next. The Lord encourages us with these comforting words: “I will be with you,” (Jeremiah 29).

07/30/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 3, Pastor Paul encourages us how we can trust in God when we find ourselves in a period of “limbo,” not being sure which way to go next.

07/23/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 2, Pastor Bonnie shares about her personal experience when it comes to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Often there is confusion, misunderstanding, or discomfort around this doctrine. Yet Pastor Bonnie shares from the scriptures, as well as her own experience of God using this gift in her life, as encouragement for all of us to live out all that God has for us.

07/16/23 | “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). In this summer series, we’ll hear from each of our pastors on staff in what God has been speaking to them recently in their lives.

In Week 1, Pastor Jeff kicks off the series with “Grace Encounters”. Thank you Lord for your amazing grace that you pour out on each of us! Reading from the Parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew 20, we see that God gives grace as He chooses out of His great love.

07/10/23 | We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.

In Week 6, Pastor Jeff concludes the series reading from James chapter 5 on how we can have patience even when we’ve been wronged. We see from what James writes:

1) Be patient with people

2) Persevere through problems

Then gives examples on how we can do this. Ultimately, we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us live out God’s Word in this way!

06/25/23 | We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NIV)

In Week 4, Pastor Jeff reads from James chapter 3 and shows that there is a Wisdom that comes from the World, and that there is a Wisdom that comes from God. James chapter 3 describes godly wisdom:

1) Godly wisdom begins with a pure life

2) Godly wisdom is characterized by the desire to get along with others

3) Godly wisdom is living with tender consideration for others

4) Godly wisdom is always submissive

5) Godly wisdom is a life controlled by mercy

6) Godly wisdom is characterized by being impartial and sincere

The wonderful news of the scriptures show that if we ask God for this wisdom from above, He will generously give it to us (2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Proverbs 1:7; James 1:5)!

06/18/23 | We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.

Happy Father’s Day! In Week 3, we look at perhaps the most famous, as well as controversial, verse in the book of James: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17 NIV). Pastor Jeff unpacks what James is saying here, shedding much light on the original context, and showing what it means for us today: “A Faith that Saves is a Faith that Serves.” He then offers the following Rules of Life for this week:

1) Faith is More than an Empty Confession // Our attitude, actions & affections changes as a result of faith in Jesus!

2) Faith is More than False Compassion

3) A Faith that Works is…a Faith that Works!

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

06/11/23 | We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.

In Week 2, Pastor Jeff shows how we must Listen, Learn, and Live out God’s Word. When we do, we will live in true freedom to live out the passions God has given us. Reading from James chapter 1, as well as looking at how Jesus lived His life in relation to God and others, Pastor Jeff gives these Rules of Life:

1) LISTEN: Lead with Your Ears (in relation to others and in relation to God)

2) LEARN: Seek to Understand

3) LIVED OUT: Activate the Word

As James writes at the end of chapter 1, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25 NLT).

06/04/23 | We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.

In Week 1, Pastor Matt explores the “Rule of Joy.” The Christian life promises us peace, freedom, and joy even when we go through difficult times, although it seems like so few of us actually experience it. Starting the series off in James 1:1-4, we see that God is the source of joy, not perfect circumstances, and that even though we may not choose our trials, joy is a choice that we can make. Following James’ advice in his letter, to have joy in a trial:

1) Look in the mirror (James 1:3)

2) Choose Your Transformation (James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:7; John 16:33)

3) Ask for Wisdom (James 1:5)

4) Have a Divine Perspective (Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 5:1-5)

05/21/23 | If you could be any superhero for one day, who would you choose? Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Superman, Iron Man…there’s so many we could pick. Yet God has given us something far greater than a fictional superpower - The Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jeff speaks of “Digital Babylon;” just as Daniel and his friends were tempted to compromise as they entered the nation of Babylon, our culture today tries to get us to a spiritual apathy and compromise. Yet we celebrate on Pentecost Sunday how God has poured out His Spirit on believers, and enables us to overcome temptation! Pastor Jeff offers some more biblical teaching on this reality:

1) Having the Holy Spirit resident in our lives does not guarantee victory over temptation (1 Peter 1:15-16)

2) The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome temptation by producing His holy character in us (Psalm 119:9, 11)

3) The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome temptation as we daily choose to “Live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25)

At the end of the message, Pastor Jeff’s “prescription” on how to do this: Commune with God, feed your spiritual being, and starve your sinful nature.