August 18, 2014
Evening Service

This morning we saw Paul proclaim the gospel message at Thessalonica and Berea.  In verse 4, Luke stated that “some believed.”  We must recognize that it will always be that way; “some not all.”  The ones who did not believe stirred up trouble again for Paul’s group and they moved on to Berea.

In Berea, they found people who were “more noble” and “received the Word of God with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  They were hungering and thirsting for God.  Their heart belonged to Him and they sought Him to fill their soul.  Do we resemble them?

In both of these cities, Paul spoke to Jews and Gentiles who were familiar with the scriptures (OT).  He, with his knowledge and the Holy Spirit, used them to “reason” with them that Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the coming messiah. Tonight Paul takes a different approach with Gentiles who are unfamiliar with scripture at all.

These two presentations of the gospel give us an example of how to reach those who have an understanding of the Bible and those who have no clue to its content.

 

Act 17:16-18 But awaiting them in Athens, Paul's spirit was pained within him, seeing the city full of idols.  (17)  Then indeed he addressed the Jews in the synagogue, and those worshiping, and daily in the market, to those happening to be there.  (18)  And certain philosophers from the Epicureans and from the Stoics met him. And some said, “What will this babbler say?” And others said, “He seems to be an announcer of foreign demons” (because he preached Jesus and the resurrection to them).

·         It was said of Athens that it was easier to “find a god, than a man” because there were so many idols displayed throughout the city.

·         What would Paul think of our city if he entered here?  Are we to a place full of idols as well?

·         Notice Paul’s attitude towards them.  It pained his spirit because they were putting so much time and energy into worshipping their gods, but was still lost only for the lack of the knowledge of the one true God.

·         Paul did not hate these people; he loved them enough to try to persuade them with the gospel message.  He reasoned with them as he did with the Jews, only without the aid of the scriptures.

·          We also need to reach out to unbelievers as well, in love and with compassion for their lost souls.  Our spirit should pain as we see people struggle through life without God.

 

 

 

Act 17:19-21  And taking hold of him, they led him to the Areopagus, saying, “Are we able to know what is this new doctrine of which you speak?  (20)  For you bring certain strange things to our ears, therefore we are minded to know what these things mean.”  (21)  (For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else except to tell or to hear something newer.)

·         The Greeks loved nothing better than to talk of something new, so they were very attentive to Paul.  The Areopagus was our version of the Supreme Court.  They were a judicial body that met on Mars Hill and Paul was granted not a trial, but simply a hearing to state his case of this new philosophy.  God provides an opportunity for Paul to share his faith as he does us.  Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and your words.

 

Act 17:22-23  And standing in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul said, “Men, Athenians, I see that you are fearful of gods in everything.  (23)  For as I passed by and saw the things you worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Not knowing then whom you worship, I make Him known to you.”

·         Paul, as Jesus did, uses his surroundings to aid him in his teaching.

 

Act 17:24-26 “ The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands,  (25)  nor is served with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives life and breath and all things to all.  (26)  And He has made all nations of men of one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth, ordaining fore-appointed seasons and boundaries of their dwelling,”

·         Paul begins with creation, knowing there has to be a beginning.  He then compares God to the idols he has seen in the city.  His God doesn’t live in man-made temples or need man at all to live because He is the giver of all life.

·         He now explains why man was even created.

 

 Act 17:27-31  “to seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though indeed He is not far from each one of us.  (28)  For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said,” For we are also His offspring.”  (29)  Then being offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like gold or silver or stone, engraved by art and man's imagination.  (30)  Truly, then, God overlooking the times of ignorance, now He strictly commands all men everywhere to repent,  (31)  because He has appointed a day in which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He appointed, having given proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”

·         Isn’t that beautiful!  God created us that we might seek Him and find Him.  He is our all in all.  Verse 28 says “in Him we live and move and have our being.”  We are created to live “in Him.”  It is not about us, it is about Him.  People search their whole lives for the meaning of life but here it is spelled out for us all.  We were created to seek Him, find Him and live in Him. 

·         He has even created the way, through Jesus, that we might find Him.  It is only through Jesus that we are able to find God and attain salvation.

Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

 

Act 17:32-34 And hearing of a resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked; and others said, We will hear you again concerning this.  (33)  And so Paul departed from among them.  (34)  But certain men joined themselves to him and believed; among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

·         Paul seems to be cut off here, but the message reached those it was meant for.  Again not all but some. God’s word spoken in His Spirit will not return to Him void, but fulfill its purpose.  We are only called to speak His Word and it is He that creates the results from it.

 

We see here in chapter 17 that we are to use whatever means we have to spread the gospel message.  We must be able to use the scriptures and also reason with others that there is a God and He has created man to seek and find Him.  We have been given access to the scriptures and the Holy Spirit to aid us in this task.  Be ready to share.  Be hungering and thirsting for more of Him and sharing will come naturally.

 

Lord please grant us opportunities, desire, and courage to share your saving message of salvation with all those who we encounter along our journey of life.