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The city of Athens in Bible days attracted a
lot of “sight-seers”. The Greeks were famous for their art, sculptures,
architecture, etc. But Paul didn’t go as a sight-seer but rather as a
soul-winner. When he arrived his heart was broken to see the city immersed
in a cultural paganism of idolatry.
v. 16 “wholly given” = totally
immersed. Historians tell us that in those days the Greeks worshipped as
many as 30k gods and goddesses in their mythology. They were make-believe
gods, but they took them very seriously. They would erect statues and
monuments and altars to them. The streets were lined with these gods, and
it has been said that it was easier to find a god than a man.
They were afraid that they had perhaps even
missed some gods, so they erected an altar to “the unknown god.”
v. 23 They didn’t want to sleight any
unknown god, making him angry…they wanted to be open-minded to others who
may come to the area and not find “their” god represented. [Ecumenicalism]
Another historian visited Athens and wrote a
6 volume set on their religious beliefs. But Paul summed it up in just 4
words: “wholly given to idolatry”. And Paul knew these were false
gods…this was demonic…he knew that wood and stone couldn’t save a person’s
soul.
Paul was up against a lot.
v. 18
Epicureans were all about indulgence…their chief goal in life
was pleasure. They believed man was just another animal that returns to
dust/no afterlife…so, eat, drink, and be merry. These were “playboys” who
satiated every animal appetite they had.
Stoics were all about
indifference…their chief goal was to not care, not believe anything…be dead to
feelings and emotions, even if you have a death in the family, major
illness, catastrophe, etc.
These 2 philosophies are at opposite ends of
the spectrum. One said “enjoy life”, the other said “endure life”…but 1
thing they had in common was hatred for Paul and his preaching.
v. 18 they called him a babbler = seed
picker…the idea of birds like you see in parks, hopping around picking up
seeds. They were saying he was one of these who just grabs thoughts from
here and there and everywhere and repeats them as his own, w/ no real
thought or understanding of his own…just babbling! They were looking down
their noses at him as if he knew nothing.
Paul preaches to them in v. 22-23 [read]
He started where they were…he went to
them, and used a clever opening line in saying I notice that you are aware
that there’s a god you don’t know…I wanna talk to you about Him!
Paul told them 4 things:
1. Our God is the
God of creation
v. 24-25 This is where we have to
begin…who created it all, and how can we even be having this conversation?
If you’re wrong on this 1st point you’ll be wrong on everything
which follows that. Like an algebra equation…if the first number is wrong,
everything following it will be…don’t even bother continuing the rest of the
problem.
This flew in the face of these 2 groups of
philosophers.
The Epicureans believed that matter was
eternal and had no creator.
The Stoics were Pantheists and believed God
was in everything…rocks, trees, the river, etc.
Creationism is unpopular still today, because
people don’t want to be accountable to God. Evolution today is taught as a
fact, when it’s not even a good theory. Scientific theory is supposed to be
based on observable facts in controlled conditions.
2. Our God is the
God of personal involvement
v. 27 This really flew in the face of
Greek mythology. They thought of their gods as being far away, having
little to do w/ mankind, not wanting to be troubled by man. And I agree w/
Paul, for He’s right here in my heart! And He Who is the Creator didn’t
just make it all and then turn His back on it…He’s personally involved down
to the hairs on our heads, or in the drain!
·He knows my
name
John 10:3
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep
hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
That is a blessing to me, because of
Revelation.
The antichrist doesn’t know our names, but
what? Our number!
·He knows my
needs
Matthew 6:32
(For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things.
How many here can testify to a time when you
had a need, prayed, and God supplied?
Philip. 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
·He knows my
nerves—how I feel.
Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
If you came to church tonite discouraged, He
knows, and wants to lift you up. Depressed? He wants to cheer you up.
Feeling spiritually dirty? He wants to clean you up! He knows how you
feel…and furthermore…He cares!
Ever felt rejected? He’s been there!
Physically worn out? He’s been there! Disappointed in others? Burdened?
He who was the bread of life began His
ministry hungry.
He who was the water of life ended His
ministry thirsty.
He who was weary is our rest.
He who paid taxes is the king of the
universe.
He who was called a devil cast out demons.
He who prayed hears our prayers.
He who wept dries our tears.
He who was sold for 30 pieces of silver
redeemed the world.
He who was led as a lamb to the slaughter is
our Good Shepherd.
He’s a personal God!
Ill.—a man visited a friend/noticed picture
of Jesus on the wall/eyes looked like they were looking right at him/made
him feel uncomfortable so he moved across the room/it still appeared that
way/said, “doesn’t that make you uncomfortable?” / “no, that picture tells
me that He loves me so much, He can’t keep His eyes off me!”
God of creation, personal involvement…
3. Our God is the
God of repentance
Paul steps on their toes now.
v. 28 He quotes the Greek poet Erastus.
v. 29-30 He shows them the utter folly of
mythology.
“God winked at…” means God has been patient
w/ you, but now God has brought you more information and w/ that goes more
responsibility…so away w/ these gods of gold, stone, wood. [I can just
imagine him waving his hand in front of the statues faces, getting no
response!]
Christians, don’t ever make the mistake of
thinking you have gotten away w/ sin. Just because judgment hasn’t come yet
for something doesn’t mean it won’t come. Lost people shouldn’t be duped
into thinking that because they haven’t seen hell that it doesn’t exist,
either!
God of creation, personal involvement,
repentance…but if you don’t repent…
4. Our God is the
God of judgment
v. 31 People don’t have to believe in
the judge for him to have that authority vested in him.
Ill.—John Roberts hearings/he’ll have much
power/many won’t like him, but will have to abide w/ his courts decisions.
Many stand in our courts today w/
hatred toward the judge, or after court go away in bitterness, but his
decision stands!
3 responses:
v. 32-34
·Some
laughed and blew it off, mocking.
·Some
procrastinated and said, not today, maybe some day.
·Some
believed.
The Unknown God
Acts 17:15-34
Epicureans were all about i__________________
Stoics were all about i_____________________v. 18, v. 22-23
Paul told them 4 things:
1.Our God is the God of c______________v. 24-25
2.Our God is the God of personal i_____________________v. 27
·He knows my n______John 10:3
·He knows my n________Matthew 6:32, Philip. 4:19
·He knows my n__________Hebrews 4:15
3.Our God is the God of r__________________v. 28, v. 29-30
4.Our God is the God of j______________v. 31
3 responses: v. 32-34
·Some l____________
·Some
p__________________________
·Some b______________
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All Sermons and Slideshow Presentations Copyright Jerry
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