Paul in Athens

Intro

It can be scary to share your faith with others, especially those you are uncertain of how they will respond

Often we let this stop us from being open about the hope we have in Jesus Christ

Time for another shameless plug on evangelism training

When we look at the Apostle Paul on his journies, it can often feel inaccessible

That was him! He was so godly and courageous; wrote huge portions of the NT; this is me… thousands of years later and not nearly as qualified

These are also reasons for hesitation, but need not be true

Today we will learn from a story that has much to say about how we share the gospel, and how it is received

Amazing Race Greece

Okay, so we left Paul in Philippi and now he is in Athens...

Time to play another round of “Amazing Race Greece!”

Show picture and make fun of how little time it took to create

Paul and Silas leave Philippi after being released from jail

Timothy continues on the journey with them (Luke does not)

They pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia, eventually coming to Thessalonica (where Paul would address I and II Thessalonians)

Paul entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews from Scripture (OT) that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah)

Some Jews and God-fearing Greeks believed, but others raised up a mob and attacked the house of Jason (apparently hosting Paul and Silas)

They didn’t find Paul and Silas, but accused Jason of hosting men who “have turned the world upside down”

Jason is fined but released

Paul and Silas escape to Berea at night

Again go and preach the gospel in the synagogue

But again Jews from Thessalonica follow them and stir up trouble

Paul is immediately sent away by sea, but Timothy and Silas stayed behind for a bit

Paul arrives in Athens and waits for Timothy and Silas to catch up (he is winning the race)

I’m sure Paul was content to take in the many sites of Athens and wait patiently for the others… right?

Read Acts 17:16-34.

Share the Gospel in a Relatable Way

Paul was provoked (read: “stirred to anger”) by all the idolatry

So he shared the gospel; the truth about Jesus, but he did so in a relatable way; we also need to learn how to share the gospel in a relatable way

Began in the synagogue with the Jews

Just like in Thessalonica and Berea (and many other stops)

When he shared with the Jews, he argued from Scripture (OT) and made the claim that Jesus was the Messiah (awaited anointed one)

When he preaching in the marketplace, he took a different tack

Now a mainly Greek audience, including Epicurean and Stoic philosophers

Epicureans = Largely materialistic; gods didn’t exist or were very far removed

Stoics = Stressed the importance of Reason (Logos) as the princliple that structured the universe; pantheistic; stressed obedience to duty

How he shares with the Greek philosophers must be different than devout Jews

We see the details of Paul’s apologetics when he is taken to the Aeropagus to speak

Aeropagus = Ares’ Hill = Mars Hill

Show video and explain as it plays

A council would meet on this hill and it had important judicial functions

When Paul speaks it appears that they council is present, but this is an informal gathering (Paul is not on trial)

Paul uses an altar “to the unknown god” as a springboard for the gospel

It is a Greek reality; Paul acknowledges that they are religious (starts with commonality)

Lessons learned from Paul on Mars Hill on how to share the Gospel in a relatable way:

Use a springboard for the gospel that culture understands

Explain the illustration of the springboard in gymnastics (i.e., vault)

For Paul, that was Messianic expectations for the Jews and the altar to the unknown God for the Greeks

Our culture is much different than ancient Greece, but we need springboards all the same

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” banner in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

"The Ojibway teach us...That everything alive is interconnected and has a purpose to fulfill; We need to respect that purpose to maintain a balance in the world."

Talk about increasing access to MAiD and the shared unease -> sanctity of life

There are “springboards” all around us! Just look for them to start sharing

Paul uses this cultural springboard and says, “what therefore you worship as unkown, this I proclaim to you” (v. 23)

Paul proceeds to declare that:

God is the Creator of the Universe

Therefore, He does not live in man-made temples or need anything from human beings

Instead, God is the one who supplies humans with what they need (Sustainer)

“He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (v. 25)

God has designed humanity to seek after Him and is not far from each of us

God and man are related (we are God’s offspring), therefore as living beings it is ridiculous to make unliving idols

It is here we see another lesson in apologetics; Paul uses cultural language and understanding to make his point

Quotes Epimenedes of Crete (probably) in v. 28

Quotes from Aratus’s poem “Phainomena” in v. 28

Use language and ideas that culture understands

For the Jews it was Hebrew Scripture; for the Greeks it was Greek poetry

Would have been futile to try it the other way around

We also need to use language and ideas that our culture relates to and understands

I LOVE the fact that the youth SS students are memorizing Scripture

Incredibly valuable and useful in this context; but may not hit home with someone who doesn’t believe in God

Can we supplement knowledge and use of Scripture with other “language?”

Start by avoiding “Christianeze” (washed in the blood of the Lamb)

Like movies -> Guardians of the Galaxy -> sacrifice and rebirth of Groot

Keeping our scientific conversations… scientific (i.e., “True U”)

Paul uses the springboard of the unknown idol, uses understandable ideas by quoting Greek poetry, but he doesn’t just cater to culture; he drives home the truth of the Gospel

Lastly, the time for ignorance is over

Repent! Because Jesus will judge the world

This has been proven because God raised Jesus from the dead

Paul knows that his listeners need to be challenged with the truth

Make sure to bring the truth of Jesus

Use Hwy 1 roadwork as illustration for blasting rock by digging into centre and then laying charges

Don’t shy away from the truth; share it with openness and allow people to respond

Receive the Gospel with an Open Heart

Story shows how Paul shares, and also how others receive

Some were resistant and hostile to the gospel message

“What does this babbler wish to say?” = bird scavenging for scraps (of info)

Some couldn’t believe the audacity of the resurrection (they “mocked” in v. 32)

Some were infatuated with a new idea (like a shiny toy)

Read Acts 17:21.

While others listened, received, and believed

Including Dionysius (member of the council) and Damaris

All sounds very reminiscent of a parable of Jesus

Read Mark 4:3-9; 13-20.

The parable is shared so that we can look at our hearts; the lesson for us is to receive the Gospel with an open heart

Where do you find yourself?

Like those on the path; hostile and resistant to the message

Like those in the thorns; intrigued by the message but more intrigued by cares of the world (like the Athenians who only appreciated the newness of the gospel)

Like those on the rocky ground; you accept the good news of Jesus with joy, but never grow deeply rooted in him

Like those on good soil; hear it, accept it, and BEAR GOOD FRUIT

This is the most important decision to make; what does your life say about the choice you have made to the good news of Jesus?

Pray