GOD ACTS! (Chapter 17) - An Unknown God

SEEING CLEARLY: Then + Now

 

1. Scandal of Idolatry - Then - Acts 17:16 we read that Paul was in Athens and was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 1 Corinthians 10:20 Paul writes that the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And in Romans 1:22-23 "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles."
   • In Athens life revolved around the idols. Sampling:
   • Festival of Athena
   • Festival of Apollo
   • Festival of Demeter
   • Festival of Poseidon
   • Festival of Dionysus
   • Festival of Zeus

Now - Today we need to have our eyes opened to the idolatry of this age. The worship of things and self.

 

1. Reason vs Ridicule - Then - Acts 17:17-18 Paul reasoned in the synagogue and the market place to both Jews and God-fearing Greeks regarding idolatry. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. They accused him of advocating foreign gods because he was preaching the good news of Jesus and the resurrection - something they had not heard before.  

Now - Today there are many who ridicule the Christian faith so it is important to reason with them and to bring into their lives the truth of what the scriptures say. (See 1 Corinthians 1:21)  

 

1. Tyranny of Fads - Then - Acts 17:19-21 - Paul is taken to a meeting of the Areopagus (legislative body) where they question Paul about what he was teaching. They were interested in new ideas, interested in going with the latest fad. However the good news of Jesus is not a fad and in Romans 12:2 we are encouraged to not conform to the patterns of the world.  

Now - Today we are called to be grounded in the word of God, to be transformed by it and not follow the ways of the world.

 

1. The Unknown is made Known - Then - Acts 17:22-25 Paul stands up and addresses the group saying that he sees they are "very religious." He had observed their objects of worship and told them they were ignorant and then he reveals that God who made the world and everything in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built by human hands. He told them that God gives life and breath and everything else.  

Now - today just like then, many have heard of God but they do not know Him. (See 1 Timothy 6:15-16) Paul seeks to communicate who God truly is: all powerful, all knowing and good.

 

1. The Priority of Repentance - Then - Acts 17:26-30 -   Paul tells them of the one true God who made nations from one man. "For in Him we live and move and have our beings." He goes on to say that since we are God's offspring, we shouldn't think that God is like an idol of gold or silver. God commands all people to repent.  

Now - today - we too are to repent. To turn around, change our direction and return to God.  

 

1. Resurrection of Christ - Then - Acts 17:31-33 - Paul tells of the day that the Lord has set to judge the world with justice by the One who God Himself raised from the dead. (Jesus - Redeemer, Deliverer) When Paul talked of the resurrection of the dead, some sneered, but others wanted to learn more.  

Now - today - the resurrection of Christ is the key biblical teaching and the heart of the New Testament teaching. By human standards, Christ's resurrection seems ridiculous - unless it's REAL!   And that is precisely what the scriptures declare AND what the evidence points to!   1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us that Christ has indeed been risen from the dead! And that news can change even the most devout skeptic.  

 

Pastor shares the story of a cold case investigator, detective and atheist, J. Warner Wallace. Using cold case investigation tools and tactics Wallace uncovers compelling evidences for Christ's resurrection, yet he still chose to ignore what he uncovered and chose NOT to see clearly. However, that's not the end of the story. Pastor closes class with how it all ended for J. Warner Wallace and how it ends for all of us.  

 

God has set a day when He will judge the world - Thus we need to repent - because God has raised His Son from the grave and He IS coming back!

 

 

This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:

Acts chapter 17-18.  

 

 

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