The Birth of Christ in America Part III
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from December 21, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
True transformation through Jesus creates something entirely new rather than just improving our old nature.
Key Takeaways
The Bereans were commended for being fair-minded and searching the Scriptures daily to verify what they were taught
Opposition often indicates we're making progress in threatening Satan's strongholds rather than being a sign we're off track
God uses both wealthy supporters ('kings') and active ministers ('priests') to advance His kingdom - both roles are essential
Jesus doesn't just make us better people - He makes us completely new creations
We must have the courage to stand on biblical truth even when it conflicts with cultural preferences, while still showing love to those who disagree
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5 Day Devotional
Day 1:Truth Over Eloquence
Devotional: In our age of viral videos and charismatic speakers, it's easy to be swayed by how well someone presents their message rather than whether their message aligns with God's truth. The Bereans understood something profound: the messenger doesn't validate the message—Scripture does. When Paul arrived in Berea, these believers didn't simply accept his words because he was an apostle or because he spoke eloquently. Instead, they took his teachings home and compared them carefully with Scripture. They were hungry for truth, not just inspiration. Today, we're bombarded with spiritual content on social media, podcasts, and platforms where anyone can claim to speak for God. Some messages sound appealing, others promise prosperity or easy answers. But like the Bereans, we must develop the discipline of testing everything against God's Word. This isn't about being skeptical or critical—it's about being wise. When we anchor ourselves in Scripture, we develop spiritual discernment that protects us from deception and guides us toward genuine truth. The Bereans weren't afraid to investigate because they knew that real truth can withstand scrutiny. God has given us His Word as our standard. When we prioritize Scripture over smooth-talking speakers or popular opinions, we position ourselves to receive authentic spiritual nourishment rather than empty calories that leave us spiritually malnourished.
Bible Verse
'Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.' - Acts 17:11
Reflection Question
What spiritual voices or influences in your life have you accepted without carefully examining them against Scripture, and how can you develop a more Berean-like approach to spiritual discernment?
Quote Doctrine isn't based on how good the speaker is, how good the preacher is. Doctrine is based on the word of God.
Prayer
Lord, give me the wisdom and discipline of the Bereans. Help me to love Your Word so deeply that I naturally test everything I hear against its truth. Protect me from deception and guide me into all truth through Your Spirit.
Day 2:Religious But Lost
Devotional: Walking through Athens, Paul encountered something that breaks God's heart: people who were deeply religious yet completely lost. They had altars everywhere, including one dedicated to "an unknown god." They were covering all their spiritual bases, but they didn't actually know the God they were trying to worship. This scene plays out in countless lives today. People attend church, follow traditions, post inspirational quotes, and consider themselves spiritual—yet they've never experienced the life-changing relationship that comes through knowing Jesus personally. They're religious but not transformed. There's a massive difference between knowing about God and knowing God. The Athenians knew about many gods, but they missed the one true God who was right there, revealed through creation and seeking relationship with them. Paul told them that this "unknown god" they were trying to appease was actually the God who made everything, who gives life and breath to all people, and who isn't far from any of us. Perhaps you've been going through religious motions without experiencing the personal transformation that comes from truly knowing Christ. Or maybe you know someone who seems spiritual but lacks that authentic relationship with Jesus. The beautiful truth is that God doesn't want to remain unknown to us. He's revealed Himself clearly through His Son, and He's actively seeking relationship with every person. Religious activity without relationship leaves us empty. But when we move from religion to relationship, everything changes.
Bible Verse
'The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.' - Acts 17:24
Reflection Question
In what ways might you be practicing religion without experiencing genuine relationship with God, and what would it look like to move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him?
Quote I wonder how many people have all these efforts that they put forth because they feel like they believe in God. No wonder why Scripture says in Matthew chapter 15 that the traditions of men make the word of God of no effect.
Prayer
Father, I don't want to worship an unknown god. I want to know You personally and intimately. Remove any religious barriers that keep me from authentic relationship with You through Jesus Christ.
Day 3:New, Not Just Better
Devotional: One of the most revolutionary promises of Christianity is that Jesus doesn't just make us better versions of ourselves—He makes us completely new. This isn't about self-improvement or behavior modification; it's about transformation at the deepest level of our being. When Paul preached in Athens about Jesus and the resurrection, he wasn't offering a program for personal development. He was announcing that God had made a way for dead people to become alive, for broken people to become whole, for lost people to find their true identity. Many people approach faith thinking they need to clean up their act first, or that Christianity is about trying harder to be good. But that's not the Gospel. The Gospel says, "Come as you are, but don't expect to stay as you are." When Christ enters our lives, He doesn't just patch up our old nature—He gives us an entirely new one. This transformation isn't something we achieve through effort or willpower. It's something Christ accomplishes in us through His resurrection power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to make us new creations. Our old patterns, old thinking, old identity—all of it can be transformed. If you've been trying to improve yourself through religious effort, you can stop striving. If you've been discouraged because you keep falling back into old patterns, there's hope. Christ specializes in making people new, not just better. And when He makes you new, you become someone you've never been before.
Bible Verse
'For God did not choose many of the wise according to worldly standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.' - 1 Corinthians 1:26
Reflection Question
What areas of your life have you been trying to improve through your own effort, and how might surrendering those areas to Christ's transforming power change your approach?
Quote The beautiful thing about Jesus Christ, he doesn't make you better, he makes you new. And there's a difference between better and new.
Prayer
Jesus, I'm tired of trying to make myself better. I surrender my efforts and ask You to make me new. Transform me by Your resurrection power into someone I've never been before.
Day 4:Called Out to Stand Out
Devotional: The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ecclesia," which means "called out." This isn't just a linguistic detail—it's a fundamental truth about our identity as believers. We're called out from the world's system while still living in the world, and this creates a beautiful tension that should make our lives noticeably different. Being called out doesn't mean we isolate ourselves or become judgmental toward others. Instead, it means we live by different values, different priorities, and different power. We're in the world but not of it, influenced by heaven's culture rather than earth's culture. This calling creates an opportunity for authentic witness. When people see that what we have is real and transformative, they become curious about the source of our hope, peace, and joy. Our lives become living testimonies that point others toward Christ. But here's the challenge: if our lives look exactly like everyone else's, if our responses to stress, our treatment of others, and our priorities mirror the world around us, then we're not fulfilling our calling to be set apart. We're called to be different in ways that attract rather than repel, that demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom. This doesn't mean we're perfect or that we never struggle. It means we have access to resources—God's presence, His peace, His wisdom—that enable us to navigate life differently. When we live as people who are truly called out, others will notice and want what we have.
Bible Verse
'Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.' - Romans 16:23
Reflection Question
In what specific ways does your life demonstrate that you've been called out from the world's system, and how might God be calling you to live more distinctively as His representative?
Quote The very name Church. The Ecclesia means called out. We're called out. We're living among them, but we're called out from them.
Prayer
Lord, help me live as someone who has been called out for Your purposes. Let my life be so authentic and transformed that others are drawn to You through what they see in me.
Day 5:Kingdom Partnership
Devotional: God's kingdom advances through the partnership of different types of people with different gifts and resources. In the early church, wealthy believers like Lydia and influential leaders like Erastus worked alongside apostles and evangelists to spread the Gospel. This wasn't accidental—it was God's strategic design. Some people are called to direct ministry—preaching, teaching, counseling, and hands-on service. Others are positioned by God to provide resources, open doors, and create opportunities for ministry to flourish. Both roles are essential, and neither is more important than the other. Too often, we create artificial hierarchies in the church, thinking that only those in "full-time ministry" are really serving God. But God strategically places people in business, government, education, and other spheres to advance His kingdom from those positions. A Christian business owner who creates jobs and supports ministry financially is just as valuable to God's purposes as the pastor they support. The key is recognizing that whatever resources, influence, or platform God has given you—whether financial, relational, or positional—He intends for you to use it for His kingdom. Ministry is expensive, and it requires both those who do the work and those who make the work possible. As we look toward the future, the church needs both kings and priests—those with resources and influence, and those called to direct ministry work. When these groups partner together with kingdom vision, incredible things happen for God's glory.
Bible Verse
'He sent Timothy and Erastus, two of his helpers, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.' - Acts 19:22
Reflection Question
What unique resources, influence, or platform has God given you, and how might He be calling you to partner with others to advance His kingdom in ways you haven't considered before?
Quote There are two kinds of people in the church that make the church run. And for lack of better terms, I want to call them kings and priests. Kings who have wealth and have influence and priests who do the ministry.
Prayer
Father, show me how to use everything You've entrusted to me—my resources, relationships, and influence—for Your kingdom purposes. Help me find my place in Your strategic plan for advancing the Gospel.