★   1776  —  2026   ★

America 250

Blessed Is the Nation

In My Church Series • Psalm 33:12
★ MEMORY VERSE
Psalm 33:12 (NKJV)

MEMORY VERSE • PSALM 33:12 (NKJV)

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

★ America 250 • Blessed Is the Nation
★ PRIMARY PERICOPE
Acts 2:42–47 (NKJV)

PRIMARY PERICOPE • ACTS 2:42–47 (NKJV)

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers… praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

★ INTRODUCTION
Two Hundred Fifty Years of Providence
Families gathered around tables. Flags raised with pride. Fireworks filling the skies.

A milestone that calls us to look backward with gratitude — and forward with responsibility.

What has truly made America blessed?
★ A DISCOVERY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Museum of the Bible

I expected ancient manuscripts. I left with something I did not expect.

I wasn’t simply walking through the history of the Bible. I was walking through the history of America.

★ THE FINGERPRINTS OF GOD’S WORD
Wherever His Word Was Lived, History Changed
★ The Bible carried by the Pilgrims
★ Churches founding schools and universities
★ Revival sweeping the colonies in the Great Awakening
★ Believers building hospitals and caring for the sick
★ Christians fighting for literacy, justice, and human dignity
Not because the Bible simply existed — but because ordinary men and women believed it enough to live it.
★ THE QUESTION BEFORE US
What Kind of Church Will Shape America’s Next 250 Years?
America does not first need a political revival. She needs a spiritual revival. And that revival begins…
In My Church.
01
A Blessed Nation Begins with a Church That Honors the Word of God
ACTS 2:42 (NKJV)
★ ANCHORED IN TRUTH
They Continued Steadfastly in the Doctrine
Doctrine simply means teaching. If the church abandons the authority of Scripture, she loses the very foundation upon which she stands. God has always intended His Word to shape His people — beginning in the home.

DEUTERONOMY 6:6–7 (NKJV)

“These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children… when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

★ 1620 • THE MAYFLOWER
Before They Built Houses, They Built an Altar

WILLIAM BRADFORD, GOVERNOR OF PLYMOUTH

“Being thus arrived in a good harbor… they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven.”

Before they organized a government, they acknowledged God’s government.
★ A LITERATE FAITH
They Learned to Read So They Could Read the Scriptures
America’s earliest schools were not established merely to prepare people for employment. They were established so children could read the Scriptures for themselves. Some of our oldest institutions exist because people believed the Bible was worthy of careful study and faithful proclamation.
The founders of Harvard feared leaving “an illiterate ministry to the churches.”
★ HOW FAR WE HAVE DRIFTED
More Access Than Ever, Less Literacy Than Ever

ONCE

Bibles were rare, yet treasured — studied, proclaimed, and lived with unwavering conviction.

TODAY

We own multiple Bibles, yet biblical literacy declines. Feelings are elevated above obedience; trends above truth.

The church that changes the world is the church that first allows God’s Word to change her.
★ HEAR • BELIEVE • DO
Build Your House on the Rock

MATTHEW 7:24 (NKJV)

“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

1. Hear it
2. Believe it
3. Do it
The blessing belongs to those who hear it, believe it, and do it.
02
A Blessed Nation Needs a Church That Is Spiritually Awake
ACTS 2:43–47 (NKJV)
★ THE GREAT AWAKENING
An Awakened Church Awakens a Nation
“The Christian world is in a deep sleep.”
George Whitefield — spoken not to unbelievers, but to the church.
★ GOD’S PATTERN
He Revives the Church Before He Reaches the City
★ SCHOOLS
Because they believed every child mattered to God.
★ HOSPITALS
Because they believed every life bore the image of God.
★ MISSIONS
Because the Gospel was carried across oceans to the lost.
These ministries did not create revival — they were the evidence that revival had already come.
★ MAY ASHLAND CHURCH OF GOD BE AWAKE
Not Merely a Church That Gathers — A Church That Is Awake
★ Awake to the voice of God
★ Awake to the moving of the Holy Spirit
★ Awake to the needs of our community
★ Awake to the lost who need Jesus Christ
★ Awake to every opportunity to serve the Kingdom
A blessed nation has always needed more than active churches. It has needed awakened churches.
03
A Blessed Nation Needs a Church That Never Loses the Gospel
ACTS 2:47 (NKJV)
★ THE UNCHANGING MISSION
The Church Exists to Make Disciples

MATTHEW 28:19–20 (NKJV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

“The Bible tells us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.”
— Galileo, defending the purpose of Scripture
★ THE HEARTBEAT OF ALL WE DO
Everything Must Point People to Jesus

ROMANS 1:16 (NKJV)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

Not that the Gospel contains power — it IS the power of God.
★ CLOSING
A House Divided Cannot Stand
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation…” — Matthew 12:25 (NKJV)
Lincoln borrowed his words from Jesus. Division destroys; unity strengthens.
★ IT BEGINS IN MY CHURCH
It Begins in the House of God
★ VISION
Love God
Grow Families
Serve the Kingdom
★ MISSION
Win the Lost
Make Fully Devoted Followers of Christ
★ VALUES
Enjoy Life
Empower People
Encounter God
Exist for Others
Honor Christ
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” — Psalm 33:12