These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Search the Scriptures…
- Relatable ministry…
- Paul and company left PHILIPPI and passed through TWO cities [Amphipolis and Apollonia]
- When he got to Thessalonica he went into the Synagogue to preach Jesus…
- Because he could relate BEST to the JEWS – and they KNEW the Word of God…
- He was there for THREE weeks – reasoning with them from the Scriptures…
- With some of the Jews – and many Greeks – being convicted [passive] by the message…
- And the believers from Thessalonica would go in to spread the Gospel- I Thessalonians 1:8
- Choosing churches…
- The Jews who [active] REJECTED the WORD became jealous of the response to the Gospel…
- They hired EVIL men from the market to stir up trouble…
- Accusing Paul of preaching a message that turned the world upside down – Isaiah 5:20
- Study the Bible…
- Paul and Silas were rushed out the city by night – and came to Berea…
- The Jews there were more Nobel than those in Thessalonica…
- Because they SEARCHED the scriptures daily to see if what Paul preached was TRUE…
- As a results MANY believed [revival] – because they went back to the WORD – Romans 10:17
- But when Jews came from Thessalonica – Paul was again sent away to Athens…
- Sending word for Timothy and Silas to follow him as soon as they could!
- Relatable ministry…
- 1st – Philosophy… vs. 16-21
- 1st – City of Athens… vs. 16-17
- Pagan City… vs. 16
- While Paul waited for them at Athens.
- His spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols!
- While Paul was waiting for Timothy and Silas to arrive from Berea…
- His Spirit was [imperfect] PROVOKED [passive] within him…
- As he SAW [present] that the city was COMPLETELY filled with IDOLS!
- Athens was the university town of the Romans Empire…
- Home to some of the greatest philosophers in history – Plato – Aristotle – Socrates…
- But Athens was also the most PAGAN city in all of the Roman empire…
- They had THIRTY thousand public statues – besides countless private ones in homes…
- It was said [Petronius] it was easier to find a STATUE in Athens – than a person!
- Provoked… vs. 17
- Therefore [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers.
- Therefore – Paul went into the SYNAGOGUE [his custom] – Acts 17:2
- And he [imperfect] reasoned [διαλέγομαι] with the Jew and worshiping Gentiles there!
- There have been times when I walk into a MALL [modern day temples]
- As people go from store to store – offering sacrifices [money] to their gods [beauty – stuff]
- I have been stirred to want to stand up and start to PREACH Jesus!
- Because when we see a world that does NOT know the Lord – it should PROVOKE our hearts…
- How could we sit by and NOT tell them about the hope that is in Jesus!
- Daily teaching… vs. 17
- And in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there!
- But it was not enough to just TEACH once a week [Saturdays]
- So he also went DAILY to the MARKET [ἀγορᾷ] to preach to ANYONE who would listen!
- Church is NOT something we do once a week on Sunday mornings…
- The time to share the Gospel is EVERY day – EVERYONE needs to know…
- We preach Jesus is school – workplace – the market – to reach those who are NOT church!
- 2nd – Philosophers… vs. 18
- Stoics…
- Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.
- PHILOSOPHER [φιλόσοφος] – meaning the love [φίλος] of knowledge [σοφός]
- These men came from TWO different schools of thought…
- STOICS [Στοϊκός] – believed in controlling emotions [ἀπάθεια]
- And that though self-control men could become better [rational]!
- If we try and be GODLY by following RULES – we end up lowering the STANDARD of God…
- We will look for people who are WORSE sinners than we are – so we look BETTER…
- And assume we are GODLY – because we are better than they are…
- But God does NOT grade on a curve – He has only ONE standard – Matthew 5:48
- And compared to His standard – all of us are in desperate need of Jesus!
- Epicureans…
- EPICUREANS [Ἐπικούρειος] – who taught life was about having FUN…
- They did NOT believe in God [atheist] – or at least did NOT think the gods cared about people…
- They sought after PLEASURE [ἡδονή] – with NO thought to the consequence of sin!
- If there is NO God – then there are NO consequences for our sins…
- There is NO right – there is NO wrong – there is NO heaven – there is NO hell…
- We mind as well live it up – and have all the FUN we can…
- Because when it is over – there is NOTHING – we cease to exist…
- Much of the world lives by this doctrine – as though there are NO consequences…
- Unfortunately for them – everyone will one day stand before the CREATOR!
- I Peter 4:5 – “They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
- 3rd – Entertainment… 18-21
- Seed picker… vs. 18
- And some said: What does this babbler want to say?
- Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.
- Because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection!
- A crowd of Philosophers gathered around Paul in the Market asking [imperfect]
- What does this BABBLER say [σπερμολόγος] – a bird in the market looking for chance SEEDS…
- A picture of a man hanging around trying to pick up scraps of WISDOM from others…
- These men had very LITTLE respect for Paul – they saw him UNEDUCATED…
- But they were CURIOUS about the message he was preaching…
- Jesus was a DEMON [δαιμόνιον] to them – just another god [spirit]
- And the idea of the RESURRECTION was also something they had NEVER heard!
- Areopagus… vs. 19-21
- They took [Paul] and brought him to the Areopagus saying:
- May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
- For you are bringing some strange things to our ears.
- Therefore we want to know what these things mean.
- For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else.
- But either to tell or to hear some new thing!
- They took Paul to the top of the HIGHEST hill in the city…
- Called the Areopagus – or Mars Hill [where the Parthenon is located]
- It was the main CAMPUS where all the EDUCATED men came to discuss ideas…
- These PHILOSOPHERS were NOT really interested in hearing about Jesus…
- ALL [πᾶς] of them [Athenians and strangers] spent their time doing NOTHING else…
- But talking about or listening to something NEW [καινός] – they wanted to be ENTERTAINED!
- There are many people who come to church today seeking to be ENTERTAINED…
- They want the worship to be like a CONCERT – the pastor to tell funny JOKES…
- They want to come out of the service with a SMILE on their face…
- But church is NOT a theatre or a show – it is a place to hear the TRUTH [even if it hurts]
- The cross is NOT entertaining – it is NOT fun to think of God suffering for our sins…
- Church is a place where sin is CONFRONTED – sinners are saved by the power of GRACE!
- 1st – City of Athens… vs. 16-17
- 2nd – Unknown God… vs. 22-31
- 1st – Superstitious… vs. 22
- Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said:
- Men of Athens I perceive that in all things you are very religious!
- Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus [Mars hill]
- Opened by pointing out the men of Athens were very SUPERSTITIOUS…
- SUPERSTITIOUS [δεισιδαίμων] – to be fearful [δειλός] of demons [δαίμων]
- With thousands of statues all over the city – their SUPERSTITION was obvious!
- Why is it that people do not want to sweep and night…
- Why do people put a RED bracelet on the hand of their babies…
- Why do people not take baths after coming home from a burial…
- We have been taught many SUPERSTITIONS – supposedly meant to keep us from HARM!
- But people become SUPERSTITIOUS because they do NOT know God…
- Instead they trust in charms to keep them safe from evil…
- But when we do have a relationship with Jesus – we no longer need SUPERSTITIONS…
- Rather than being ruled by the FEAR of the unknown – we have PEACE from God!
- 2nd – Knowing God… vs. 23
- Idols… vs. 23
- As [Paul] was passing through and considering the objects of [their] worship!
- The people of Athens lived in constant FEAR of their gods…
- That is why they had so many IDOLS – to try and make the gods happy!
- Idols have NO power – they cannot help or harm us…
- They are just a block of wood or plastic – they have NO power…
- It is foolish to trust in them to be able to HELP us – just as foolish to be AFRAID of them!
- Jeremiah 10:5 – “Do not be afraid of them – they cannot do evil of good!”
- Ignorant… vs. 23
- [He] even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
- Therefore – the One whom you worship without knowing – Him I proclaim to you!
- As Paul was walking around the CITY – looking at the IDOLS they worshiped…
- He saw ONE alter with the NAME – the UNKNOWN God [ἄγνωστος]
- The reason they had an UNKNOWN God – just in case they left ONE out [did not want to offend]
- And it was true that there was ONE God they did NOT [ἄ] know [γνωστός] – Jesus Christ…
- Paul used this statue for the basis of his presentation of the Gospel…
- Paul described the UNKNOWN God – using FIVE contrasts to all the Greek gods!
- 3rd – Defining god… vs. 24-26
- Creator… vs. 24
- God who made the world and everything in it since He is Lord of heaven and earth!
- FIRST – Greeks did not believe there was ONE God – they believing in many gods…
- But Jesus is the God who made the World and ALL [πᾶς] that is in it – Colossians 1:16
- He is the one and ONLY God – the MASTER [κύριος] over heaven and Earth!
- We tend to think that man has advanced over the past 2000 years…
- Although the LIES change [no longer Greek mythology] – what they question does NOT…
- The world is still trying to get us to DOUBT God is the creator [evolution]
- And their motive is because they do NOT want him to be their MASTER!
- No Temple… vs. 24
- Does not dwell in temples made with hands!
- SECOND – God does NOT live in a temple made by men – Acts 7:48
- This would have been a HUGE shock to the Athenians…
- They were FAMOUS for building the most splendid temples on earth…
- Some of them are still around even today [Parthenon]!
- People think God lives in the church [the HOUSE of God]
- That is why they build huge ornate buildings – cathedrals…
- But the HOUSE of God is heaven – and the entire earth is just His footstool – Isaiah 66:1
- So it does NOT matter if a church is tile and cement – or grass and sticks…
- The church is NOT for God – the church is for us – a place to come meet with God!
- No needs… vs. 25
- Nor is He worshiped with mens hands as though He needed anything.
- Since He gives to all life – breath – and all things!
- THIRD – God does NOT need to be HEALED [θεραπεύω]
- Greek statues needed continual care – they were just metal and stone…
- They had to be carried them – repair them – guard them…
- But Jesus does NOT needs us to give him anything – He gives us ALL [πᾶς] we need!
- God is NOT broke – He owns the cattle on THOUSAND hills – Psalm 50:10
- God does NOT need anything – He is the creator of all heaven and earth…
- He is the one who provides everything we need – if we seek Him first – Matthew 6:33
- All Equal… vs. 26
- He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.
- FOURTH – Greeks taught that all men were NOT equal – slaves were part of their culture…
- But the Bible tells us all men came from the same BLOOD [Adam] – Romans 5:12
- And Jesus came to save EVERYONE from our sin – John 3:16
- There are only TWO classes of people when it comes to God…
- Those who have believed the Gospel of Grace – destined to spend eternity in heaven…
- And those who have rejected Jesus – destined to spend eternity separated from God…
- Salvation is available to everyone – no matter who we are – if we CHOOSE Jesus!
- Knows all.. vs. 26
- [He] has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings!
- FIFTH – Greek gods were impulsive [Zeus] – petty [Athena] – and reckless [Ares]
- The Greeks superimposed their own flaws on their imaginary gods…
- Making their mythology full of unstable gods – and uncertainty…
- But in contrast God is CERTAIN – nothing comes as a surprise to the lord…
- PREAPPOINTED [προτάσσω] – to put in place before hand…
- Jesus knows everything before it happens – and is in control of it all!
- That gives us great hope and confidence – we may NOT know about tomorrow…
- But we do know that our God knows – He sees the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:10
- 4th – Seek the Lord … vs. 27-31
- Not far… vs. 27
- So that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him.
- Though He is not far from each one of us!
- The desire of God is that men should be SEEKING [present] the Lord [κύριος]
- Even GROPING [optative] for Him – like a blind man looking for a helping hand!
- God is never far from us – but we choose to stay far from Him – because of sin…
- It blinds us to our need for salvation – the need for Jesus in our lives!
- Children of God… vs. 28-29
- For in Him we live and move and have our being.
- As also some of your own poets have said: For we are also His offspring.
- Therefore since we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Divine Nature.
- Is like gold or silver or stone – something shaped by art and mans devising!
- Paul quoted a Greek poet to prove his point [Aratus] – we are His CHILDREN [γένος]
- Since we are the CHILDREN of God – and we are NOT made of gold – silver – or stone…
- It therefore stand to reason God also is NOT made of gold – silver – or stone…
- And since God CREATED us – how foolish to think we can turn around and CREATE a god…
- But those who put their trust in STATUES – will become just like them – Psalms 115:8
- If we are trusting in IDOLS – then we are NO longer looking or listening to God…
- Where God has the power to help us – save us – idols can do NOTHING…
- If we are trusting in idols we made – rather than God who made us – NOTHING happens!
- Judgement… vs. 30-31
- Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked.
- But now commands all men everywhere to repent – because He has appointed a day.
- On which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.
- He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead!
- In the past the IGNORANCE [ἄγνοια] of men was overlooked by God…
- Not that God will NOT judge those who did rejected Jesus – Romans 2:12
- But now that they heard the Gospel – they knew ALL [πᾶς] men needed to REPENT…
- Because Jesus had been RESURRECTED from the dead – PROVING there is life after death…
- God has set a DAY when EVERYONE will stand before the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ!
- Revelation 20:11-12 – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God!”
- We can go where we like – say what we think – and do whatever we want to…
- But that does NOT mean there will not be a price to pay…
- If we are only living to please ourselves – we are destined to face the wrath of God…
- But if we REPENT and give our lives to Jesus – all our SINS are paid by the cross of Christ!
- 1st – Superstitious… vs. 22
- 3rd – No Church… vs. 32-34
- 1st – The resurrection… vs. 32-33
- When they heard of the resurrection of the dead some mocked – while others said:
- We will hear you again on this matter. So Paul departed from among them!
- The moment Paul mentioned the RESURRECTION…
- The Philosophers began to [imperfect] MOCK Paul…
- But there were some who asked to HEAR [future] about this again…
- The problem with the message – the idea of the RESURRECTION…
- In their intellectual pride they could NOT get past the idea of the dead living again…
- They were the educated – wise – and the RESURRECTION was just foolishness!
- I Corinthians 1:22-24 – “Greeks seek after wisdom – but we preach Christ crucified – to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness!”
- Not very different from our world today – EDUCATION is the answer…
- If we want a better life – if we want a meaningful life – get an EDUCATION…
- But an EDUCATION – apart from the cross – only leads us away from the truth!
- II Timothy 3:7 – “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
- 2nd – Just Jesus… vs. 34
- Unsuccessful…
- However some men joined him and believed – among them Dionysius the Areopagite.
- A woman named Damaris – and others with them!
- There were a FEW people who did BELIEVE and join Paul…
- Dionysius [god of wine] – who was part of the Areopagite [religious counsel]
- And a women named Damaris – along with only a few others [contrast to previous cities]
- We do NOT even read of a CHURCH being established in Athens…
- And this is one of the ONLY times Paul was NOT arrested or beaten for his faith…
- Because although this SERMON was very eloquent – intellectual…
- There was one things missing – JESUS was NOT mentioned once in the message!
- Preach Jesus…
- Paul learned an invaluable lesson from his experience in Athens…
- When he went on to Corinth – he had a different approach to the Gospel!
- I Corinthians 2:1-5 – “When I came to you I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
- It is NOT fancy words – or eloquent teaching that brings men to salvation…
- It is just Jesus – preach Jesus – make sure that the message is all about Jesus…
- The power of the Gospel is in the name of Jesus!
- 1st – The resurrection… vs. 32-33