Athens, one of the most advanced cities of the age. Athens was a center of learning. It had one of the greatest universities of the ancient world, and it was a center of philosophy, literature, science and art. Some of the greatest philosophers and thinkers lived there.
Acts 17:16-21 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. ***18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. ****19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
The Epicureans pursued pleasure as the chief purpose in life. They believed in the existence of God, but believed that He never interfered with the affairs of men. They are famous for their motto: “EAT DRINK AND BE HAPPY.”
The Stoics were just the opposite, and placed a great value on self-denial. They believed that everything was god, and god was in everything. They also believed there was no particular direction or destiny for mankind. (IMPORTANT)
Northwest of the city of Athens, Greece, is a rock hill covered in stone seats. This area was once used as a forum for the rulers of Athens to hold trials, debate, and discuss important matters. This location was called Areopagus. In the time of Paul, this location was under Roman control, so the spot was known as Mars Hill.
Acts 17:22-23 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
Paul doesn’t begin with an exposition of Old Testament Scripture. Instead, Paul began with general references to religion. I see that in every way you are very religious.
But when Paul said this of the Athenians, he didn’t mean it in a positive way. Because Paul understood that religion/being religious can actually lead people away from God, because if someone trusts in a false god or false religion, it’s not a compliment to say we are “religious.” (Relationship)
The Greeks had an UNKNOWN GOD, who covered any god that may have been neglected. Paul wanted to reveal the identity of the UNKNOWN GOD.
This is an amazing sermon that was perfect for the audience and for the moment that the Lord had given Paul. REMIND-COVICT
Acts 17:24-26 “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. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God is DISTINCT – separate from Creation…God is NOT a part of the Creation. Don’t try to find Him IN creation. God is not a thing and God is not found in anything.
- God is His own Being and He is self-sufficient. God doesn’t need anything.
Remember that the people had littered the land with altars and shrines where they felt they could worship the gods that they had created.
This kept them blind to the fact that there was One God who created the universe and sustained the universe. So, Paul shows them that the unknown God, the One True God who created everything, couldn’t be housed in temples made by hands. God could never be made into an image conceived in the imaginations of man.
God IS Sovereign. God has absolute rule over creation (he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else) God has total control over all that happens.
God IS Independent. God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GLORIFY HIM.
God is not dependent on us, but we are dependent on Him.
Acts 17:27-28 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
God is intimately involved with human life and history.
- God is not just “out there.” He has come to us and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. He is very involved in our lives!
He’s not hard to find. God is never far away or distant from any of us. God is real, God is love, and God can be found.
Acts 17:29-31 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Paul tells them clearly that God has revealed himself to them and to everyone through Jesus Christ – the One who rose from the dead to prove that He alone is God.
God once overlooked SUCH ignorance, but now God commands all men to repent of their sins and turn to Him – to believe in the One He has sent as Savior, because the day has been set when He will return to judge every person who has ever lived.
Paul identifies with these people, calls attention to their spiritual needs, and then reveals to these Athenians a clear view of who the unknown God really is.
God is Creator, God is Self-existing, self-sustaining, the Sustainer of the universe.
God is sovereign, God is close to us, God is forgiving, God is judge, God exists in the person Jesus Christ.
People in our community, in our Athens need to hear about who God really is. We need to bring this message to our community so they don’t have to wonder who God really is. They need to KNOW that they can KNOW the One who created them, who gave the life and breath and in whom we live and move and have our being.
Paul was provoked in his Spirit to reveal the UNKNOWN GOD to these people. When he was done, he simply got down off the stage and trusted God to work in the hearts of the people who were there. He didn’t argue with them, he didn’t try and manipulate them, he simply gave them the Truth and let God do the rest. Let’s see what happened.
Conclusion: Acts 17:32-34 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
We see 3 responses that still apply to people hearing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Some people…Sneered/mocked the message of Jesus Christ.
There will always be people who think that the message of Jesus is ridiculous.
Some people…wanted to hear more about the message of Jesus Christ. These people didn’t choose to follow Jesus as Savior; but they didn’t reject Jesus either.
Some people… REPENTED, CONFESSED and BELIEVED the message of Jesus Christ and are saved.
Paul ministered to people everywhere he went. He brought his faith with him.
- Ministry takes place WHERE you are. You don’t have to wait for a Sunday, or get to a church.
- Wherever we are, we bring our faith with us. God’s truth, God’s grace and love should flow through us, where we are.
If we believe God is with us and can speak and work through us, then wherever we are, that’s the place of ministry.
- Even if you feel like you’re all ALONE, like Paul when he was in Athens, waiting for Silas and Timothy to come, you can still make an impact.
To make an impact, we need to GO PUBLIC WITH OUR FAITH, believe God works through us to TOUCH LIVES WHERE WE ARE.
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