Study in the Acts of the Apostles

Study in the Acts of the Apostles Presentation 35

Communicating The Gospel Chapter 17v10-18 Presentation 35

Introduction Paul found himself alone in Athens a city which was the envy of the ancient world. It was renowned for its great beauty, wisdom and philosophy. It had made notable strides towards democracy and was a patron of the arts. Its inhabitants formed a sophisticated self satisfied society and in that respect is was not too unlike many present day societies. But despite its advances, power, and prestige there was clearly something missing from Athenian life! There was a gaping hole in the glory of Greece and the people knew it! Presentation 35

The Apostle's City Tour As Paul walked around this great metropolis he was not accompanied by a tourist guide to ensure that he missed none of the buildings of historical interest. He did not go to the Agora to be impressed by the political and philosophical debates. He did not enter the open air theatre to see a production of the latest Greek tragedy. It wasn't the architecture, wisdom nor culture of the city that made the greatest impact on his mind and heart. What captured his attention was the cities idolatry, "he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols" v16. Literally, the city was 'smothered' by them. A Roman satirist said of Athens that it was 'easier to find an idol there than a man'. Presentation 35

The Apostle's City Tour We need not think that Paul had no eye for beauty but he saw more than a casual tourist. As the apostle of God he saw a people who had devoted all of their skills and energies into fashioning things which were not only powerless but which distracted them from enjoying the friendship and companionship of the living God. Their energies were being poured into increasing the size of the gaping hole of dissatisfaction and restlessness which existed in their lives. Presentation 35

The Apostle's City Tour What might Paul see in the streets of modern civilizations today? It is unlikely that he would find stone or silver idols. But he would find a people who worshipped material things, a people with a misplaced confidence in science and technology, a drug-induced, escapist society, a society obsessed with trivia. He would discover that the pervasive philosophy of the day no longer asks, ‘Is it true?' but ‘Will this make me feel good?' or, 'Is it something I can be comfortable with?' He would find a people with a past to be proud of and yet a people with something vital missing. People who think themselves rich but who are poor because God himself is missing from their lives. Presentation 35

Paul's Reaction How did Paul react to his inspection of Athens? He was 'greatly distressed‘ v16. The word used carries the idea of provocation to anger and indignation that these idols should have stolen this people's affection from God. He was jealous for God's sake. God had been replaced by a pantheon of intruders. The more they added the larger became the gaping hole in their lives and the greater the restlessness of their hearts. Are we passionately disturbed that God has been displaced by intruders in many people’s lives and that as a result they fail to live their lives to the full as God intended? Presentation 35

Paul's Reaction Notice however, that Paul's reaction to the city's need was not only one of horror and dismay. He did not merely throw up his hands in despair or weep helplessly. He acted positively and shared with them the good news about Jesus: First in the synagogue. Then in the market place. Finally in the Areopagus where all the philosophers and great minds gathered. I would be helpful to pay particular attention to the last of these, to both the manner of his preaching and its substance. Presentation 35

Paul's Reaction Note first that he treated his hearers with dignity and respect. He didn't rubbish their beliefs nor berate them for their lifestyle. He began by acknowledging that they were a religious people. They were aware of the restlessness of their hearts and had tried to satisfy that appetite. They knew something was missing! As Paul had wandered thro the city he had come across an alter to an unknown God. Why had that been built? Because despite, their plethora of gods, their self-satisfied lifestyle, their intellectual superiority and their philosophical tradition, the Athenians harboured uncertainty in their heart. They knew something was missing. Presentation 35

Paul's Reaction Similarly, there are people today some religious some not, who ask, 'Is there something more to life than what I am presently experiencing?' and 'Am I simply as some scientists would have me believe nothing more than a result of a freak accident in the cosmos?' and ‘Is it true that when your dead your dead'? Even the most assured person can have an altar to an unknown God in their heart. Like the Athenians we are all naturally curious, when someone offers to open the filing cabinet of our uncertainties and begins to provide answers. Presentation 35

The Substance Of Paul's Message Paul’s sermon contradicts the world view of the two main groups of philosophers. He asserted, God is the Creator of the universe. The Epicureans believed the cosmos to be a chance happening making them accidents of nature. People think they are being terribly modern by replacing God with a doctrine of chance but the idea is anything but modern. Clearly we are products of chance creatures of design who are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ Ps.139v14. Those who favour the chance option should note that it is statistically more probable to create a set of The Encyclopaedia Britannica by blowing up a print-works, where the paper and ink and typeface have come together accidentally , than for our cosmos to be the result of an accident. Presentation 35

The Substance Of Paul's Message A second group of philosophers, the Stoics, were pantheists. They believed God was in everything and that everything was divine. Views which have been revamped and circulated by The New Age Movement. Behind this view lies the belief that God can be imprisoned within matter. 'God is mother earth!‘ is one of their common expressions. But how can the God who is the Creator of matter and therefore outside of it be imprisoned within it? It is therefore absurd to limit or try to imprison God within the confines of his creation far less man-made buildings or statues. Presentation 35

The Substance Of Paul's Message Secondly, Paul points to God is the Sustainerof life v25. Since God continues to sustain the life, which he has created, it is absurd to think that he needs to be sustained by his creation. The Greeks not only built houses for the god's to live in but daily brought them food to eat. The Sustainerof life does not depend on us for food or shelter but the reverse is true. This attempt to domesticate God and reduce him to a human level exists today as people try to bargain with him. "If you want me to do that for you, then I want you to do this for me". "Get me out of this mess and I will do such and such for you". The inherent weakness of this reasoning is to suppose that God needs us. He does not! We need him! Presentation 35

The Substance Of Paul's Message Thirdly, Paul proclaims God as ruler of all nations v26-27. While God cannot be held responsible for the tyranny of nations, yet both their history and geography are under his control. The important underlying purpose behind God's creation is that men “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him“ v27. This hope remains unfulfilled when man's view of God is distorted and so his search is reduced to the fumblingsof a blind man. Sensing the unnaturalness of their sinful alienation men cry out in their distress, "Oh God why are you so far away?" God may seem to be faraway and unknowable and disinterested but says Paul, 'he is not far from each one of us'. It is we who are far from God. He is not far from us. Presentation 35

The Substance Of Paul's Message Against this backdrop that Paul speaks of Christ as a crucified Saviour and risen Lord who will one day judge of the world v30-31. Why did he go all the way back to creation? Why did he not begin with the cross and God's love in sending his Son to die for their sin that they might be reconciled and forgiven and experience the fullness of life which God intends? Because God the Creator is an indispensable part of the gospel. Many people reject the gospel not because they think it to be false but because they think it to be trivial. The gospel message has been reduced to, "Jesus loves you. Follow him and all will be well". Presentation 35

Conclusion People need a world view which makes sense of their experience. They need to see what God is like and know what his relationship is to his creation. Men need to realise why they are groping in the dark in their pursuit of him. It is only as men grasp the reason for their emptiness and restlessness and the futility of their idolatry, ancient or modern, that it makes any sense to speak to them of a Jesus who died. To speak of how God and his creation can be reconciled, and how the God shaped gap in men's lives can be filled. Presentation 35

Conclusion It is only as men and women see this need that the call to repent makes sense. The word ‘repent’ means 'to turn around' this involves a change their world view. It means to change their ideas about God realising that their God is too small. He will not be localised or domesticated. It means turning our backs upon our idols and recognising the futility of expecting these things to take the place of God in their lives. That is what it meant for some in Athens. And that is precisely what it means for unbelieving men and women today. Have you been living with an altar, a gaping void, in your heart to an unknown God? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ can fill that void. He is the author of abundant overflowing life. Presentation 35

Study in the Acts of the Apostles