Engaging Culture with the Gospel

Have you ever found yourself in a room where it seemed like no one shared your beliefs? Maybe it was at a family dinner, a work meeting, or a social event, and you felt like the odd one out because of your faith. It can be intimidating, right?

This is exactly where the Apostle Paul found himself when he arrived in Athens. Imagine being surrounded by a city full of idols and people who followed all sorts of different philosophies. But Paul didn’t back down or shy away. Instead, he saw an opportunity to share the message of Jesus.

But here's the big question: How do we engage with a world that seems so far from God without compromising the message of the gospel? It can feel overwhelming, especially when the culture around us seems to be moving in a completely different direction.

I believe Paul gives us a powerful example of how to navigate this challenge. He became a bridge — someone who stepped into the culture, built connections, and brought the truth of Jesus right to where people were.

This morning, we’re going to explore how we can do the same. How can we step into the culture around us, engage thoughtfully, and present Jesus clearly? Let’s unpack Paul’s story and see how we can be a bridge for the gospel in our own lives.

Let's start by looking at how Paul stepped into the culture around him.

Acts 17:16–17 (NKJV)

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

When Paul arrived in Athens, he didn't just stay in the synagogue, waiting for people to come to him. Instead, he went to the marketplace, the very heart of the city's culture and ideas.

This was where people gathered to discuss philosophy, trade goods, and share news. Paul understood that if he wanted to reach people, he needed to go where they were most comfortable, not where he was. He paid attention to what moved them, even if it made him uncomfortable.

The first thing Paul did that we should learn and do is...

I. Step into the Culture (16-17)

To put it simply, Paul arrived in Athens not as a sightseer, but as a missionary.

The late Noel O. Lyons, for many years director of the Greater Europe Mission, used to say, “Europe is looked over by millions of visitors and is overlooked by millions of Christians.”

Athens was recognized as a center of culture and education. The city had what we might consider "cultured paganism" that was fueled by idolatry, novelty (Acts 17:21), and philosophy.

Today we admire Greek sculpture and architecture as beautiful works of art, but in Paul’s day, much of this was directly associated with their religion. Paul knew that idolatry was demonic (1 Cor. 10:14–23) and that the many gods of the Greeks were only characters in stories who were unable to change men’s lives (1 Cor. 8:1–6). With all of their culture and wisdom, the Greeks did not know the true God (1 Cor. 1:18–25).

So Paul connected with the people in the marketplace.

As we think about stepping into the culture around us, Tim Tebow provides a modern example of someone who has done this with courage and conviction. For those who may not be familiar, Tim Tebow is a former NFL quarterback known not only for his athletic skills but also for his outspoken Christian faith. Tebow became famous for "Tebowing," a gesture of kneeling in prayer on the field, which sparked widespread discussion and sometimes controversy.

Tebow's willingness to live out his faith publicly, even in the high-pressure environment of professional sports, shows us what it means to step into the culture with the message of Jesus. He didn't shy away from expressing his beliefs, even when it meant facing criticism. Instead, he used his platform to engage with others and share the hope he has in Christ.

Like Paul in Athens, Tebow understood the importance of meeting people where they are, using his influence to start conversations about faith. His story encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the culture around us, bringing the light of Jesus into every sphere of life.

For us today, this means we need to engage with the culture around us — in our workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. We can't just stay in our comfort zones, expecting people to come to us.

We need to be aware of what shapes their worldview, even if it challenges us. Imagine walking into a social media space full of influencers promoting ideas that go against biblical truth. It might be tempting to retreat, but what if we engaged instead?

Like Paul, we don't have to adopt the culture, but we can step into it, understanding its pulse and finding ways to connect.

In today's world, culture is shaped by media, technology, and social trends. Similar to Paul's experience in Athenian society, we also grapple with a world shaped by digital media and various beliefs. Our task is to discover how to connect meaningfully in these environments.

By understanding these influences, we can connect with others in meaningful ways. We can find common ground and start conversations that lead to deeper truths. So, let's take a page from Paul's book and step into the culture around us, ready to engage with compassion and truth.

Question: What are some practical ways we can step out of our comfort zones to engage with the culture around us, as Paul did in Athens?

Having established a presence in the heart of Athenian culture, Paul didn't just stop there; he moved forward with a strategy to engage thoughtfully with those around him.

How do we do this? Let's talk about how Paul engaged with the people in Athens thoughtfully, not combatively.

II. Engage Thoughtfully, Not Combatively (Acts 17:18-19)

Acts 17:18–19 (NKJV)

18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. 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. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?

When Paul encountered the philosophers in Athens, he didn't start by arguing with them or trying to prove them wrong. Instead, he found common ground to start the conversation. He listened to their ideas and used their curiosity as a bridge to share the gospel. Verse 17 says he "reasoned" with those in the synagogue. Even when some philosophers called him a "babbler," (Literally, "one who picks up seed. Originally a reference to birds picking up seeds. It was applied to someone who is an information scavenger. Someone who didn't have ideas of their own, but collected tidbits of information from various sources,) he didn't get defensive. He reasoned with them, showing respect for their beliefs while gently guiding them toward the truth of Jesus.

When we think about engaging thoughtfully with culture, Let me introduce you to a historical figure who exemplified this approach: Martin Luther. For those who may not be familiar with him, Martin Luther was a German monk and theologian in the early 16th century. He is best known for his role in the Protestant Reformation, a movement that sought to reform the practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church at the time.

Luther didn't set out to create division or to attack the Church combatively. Instead, he sought to engage with the Church's teachings by posting his 95 Theses, which were intended to spark discussion and reform from within. Luther's thoughtful engagement with the theological and cultural issues of his time led to a great reformation.

Like Paul in Athens, Luther found common ground by addressing the concerns and questions of his time, using Scripture as his foundation. He engaged with respect and clarity, aiming to guide people back to the core truths of the gospel. His approach reminds us that when we engage with those who think differently, we should do so with grace and a focus on the truth of Jesus, rather than simply trying to win an argument.

These two schools of thought in Athens were simply trying to make sense of life apart from what God had already revealed.

I think we need to keep Paul's approach in mind. When we engage with those who don’t know Jesus, it's easy to feel like we need to defend our faith or win an argument. But what if, instead, we focused on reasoning with grace? We can start by finding a point of connection, something we can agree on, and use that as a foundation for deeper conversations. We shouldn't dismiss their ideas outright but use them as a bridge to introduce the gospel.

Question: How can we ensure that our conversations about faith are characterized by grace and respect rather than defensiveness or argumentation?

Application: Think about a family gathering or the office where discussions about faith might come up. You could choose to argue and potentially turn people off, or you could listen, ask questions, and show how Jesus relates to their struggles and worldview. In our polarized society, thoughtful engagement can open doors that combative arguments close. Like Paul, our role is to engage respectfully, leading people toward Christ with love and understanding. Let's strive to be thoughtful in our conversations, always pointing back to the hope we have in Jesus.

Finally, let's focus on how Paul presented Jesus clearly to the people of Athens. After engaging with the Athenians and finding common ground, Paul didn't stop there. He moved the conversation to the core message — Jesus and His resurrection. Just like Paul, we need to...

III. Present Jesus Clearly (Acts 17:20-21)

In a noisy world with many competing messages, the clarity of the gospel shines brightly as a source of hope. Like Paul, who confidently shared the message of the resurrection, we should also make sure that the message of Jesus is unmistakable in our conversations.

While the Athenians were familiar with many philosophies and ideas, what Paul shared was something fresh and transformative. It wasn't just another philosophy; it was the powerful truth of the resurrection, which offered hope and change.

Acts 17:20–21 (NKJV)

20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” 21 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.

For us, this means that while it's important to be culturally aware and good conversationalists, we can't stop there. We must boldly and clearly present Jesus as the solution to life's biggest questions. People today are searching for meaning, hope, and answers to their deepest struggles. Jesus offers all of that in a way that no other belief system can.

Question: How can we balance being culturally aware with the need to communicate the core truths of the gospel?

Picture yourself in a conversation with someone who is spiritual but not Christian. You might connect on shared values like justice or love, but eventually, you need to point them to Jesus as the source of real change. Don't shy away from sharing the heart of the gospel. Like Paul, we should be ready to present Jesus clearly, showing how His life, death, and resurrection offer the hope and transformation that everyone is searching for. Let's be bold in sharing the message of Jesus, trusting that it has the power to change lives.

Conclusion:

As we wrap up today, let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible example Paul set for us in Athens. He didn't stay silent in a culture that was far from God. Instead, he stepped into it with courage and compassion. He engaged thoughtfully, found common ground, and presented Jesus clearly. And here's the thing: we face similar challenges today. Our world is full of different philosophies, opinions, and distractions that can pull people away from the truth of the gospel.

But here's the good news: we have the same opportunity Paul had. We can be bridges for the gospel in our own lives. We can step into the culture around us, engage with those who think differently, and share the hope we have in Jesus. It might feel daunting, but remember, you're not alone. God is with you, guiding you and giving you the words to say.

So, here's my challenge for you this week: find one area of culture you can step into. Maybe it's a tough conversation you've been avoiding, a discussion at work, or even a post on social media. Be the bridge that brings people from confusion to clarity in Christ. Show them the love and truth of Jesus in a way that resonates with their hearts.

Remember, Jesus is the hero of our story. He stepped into our world, engaged with us, and offered Himself as the bridge to God. Let's follow His example and be bridges for others. Together, we can make a difference, one conversation at a time. Let's go out and be the light in a world that desperately needs it.