Sermon Tone Analysis
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As we begin tonight it was worth noting the cultural backdrop that we come from.
Our world is becoming increasingly pluralistic with each passing generation.
No longer are there moral absolutes, but increasingly relativism is the guiding force of society.
Ultimately the supreme god of our society is tolerance.
This is just a quick analysis, in order to help us ask the question, do all religions point to the same God.
The goals for this message
See an apologetic at work
Recognize a false god
Understand the origin of false gods
See the exclusivity of Christ
To accomplish this we will examine Paul and his discussion with the religious leaders in Athens.
Acts 17:16-34
V. 16-17
Paul comes to the city and see that it is full of idols
Religious plurality was a staple of this community and all men were able to speak and sell idols for profit
Paul was provoked by the Spirit to go and reason with the Jews and the gentiles.
V. 18
Paul also conversed with some of the Epicureans and Stoics in the crowd
These were prominent philosophies, and they both promulgated the idea that happiness comes from within oneself.
Epicureans believed it was from the avoidance of pain and anxiety in life, and Stoics believed it resided on ones response to their individual circumstance.
Paul received mixed reviews, some thought he was a scrapper of belief, and some others found themselves intrigued by his new teaching.
His new teaching was a big deal, as he needed to gain approval to do so or risk being arrested.
So Paul had to go and gain permission to speak.
V. 19-21
So Paul was brought before the Areopagus, so that they could inquire about the new religion he was talking about.
V .
22-23
Paul recognizes the rational pursuit of the divine the men were undertaking
It was clear to Paul that the city was very “religious” as it was filled with idols
There was one statue in particular that caught Paul’s attention, it was directed to the unknown God.
This is the God whom Paul says he come to make known.
V. 24-25
Paul begins by describing God and how He relates to His creation
Key things to note:
God is creator, omnipotent, and eternal
He is omnipresent
God does not need sacrifices, as He is self sufficient
Aseity
God did not make man because He was lonely.
God has always existed in perfect triune harmony.
He is the sustainer of the universe
V. 26-27
Paul then goes on to discuss how God relates to us.
God is the originator of man
He is Lord of History and established our lives in the time and place we are in, in order to fulfill His will.
He did so, in order that we might fellowship with Him.
God made man to seek
The unregenerate man will not seek God, for while He wants god, he does not want the one true God
We instead seek the god of our own making, and this is the idictment Paul brings on them and all mankind
V. 28-29
Paul has established the one true God and now compares Him to idols
Paul reiterates the God is the origin of man to demonstrate that God cannot be made by man’s imagination or hands.
This is the violation of the 1st commandment that all who are outside of Christ are guilty of.
Any religion outside of Christianity is false and manmade because people develop a God that fits what they want
Man being in the image of God knows the truth, but supresses it in favor of the God of their own making
So how can we recognize this false god?
Morals align with sin
Focuses on human achievement
V. 30-31
The climax of Paul’s argument is the recognition of Christ being the one whom God will judge the world by and by the resurrection He has vindicated that He is the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world.
So restating the goals
We defend Christ with confidence knowing He is the only way, with a kind and gentle heart
We call out false gods that are made by the lost corrupt hearts of men
We proclaim Christ and Him crucified, and call all men to repent
Quoting our Savior Matt 7:13
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