Jesus and the Jungle-Message 1

I think upon the day in which we live and I describe this life today as a jungle. There is a coined phrase we all know, “its a jungle out there.”

I describe it as such due to the reminder in a movie Jane and I saw Friday night, “Jurassic World Rebirth.” If you want our rating, we give it a 6 out of 10. The movie is another sequel to Jurassic Park where they go to an island that still has prehistoric animals roaming this remote region in the world.

Interestingly, I discovered that the jungle scenes or tropical scenes were filmed in Krabi, Thailand. Obviously, there were other scenes filmed in different locations but it paints a picture of the life we live today. There were scenes when the team were coming into very gnarly, thick vined jungle and it was so dense you could not tell which direction to take. There were vines, undergrowth, all forms of vegetation and the decision to choose a direction became complex.

They would find an opening and something else would catch their eyes, a large meadow, a large waterfall they came across:

Dilophosaurus: Features in a brief but memorable scene.

Tyrannosaurus rex: A redesigned, muscular version of the iconic predator, featured in a dramatic river chase scene

The names sound strange in the case of the 2nd because the island had been cross breeding dinosaurs and it caused havoc.

At every turn in the movie something was jockeying for the team’s attention.

Why do I bring this up? We are concerned about our later generations over apathy for God and His church. We all have family, friends, or neighbors that choose not to affiliate with a church or by no outward appearances give any attention to things of a spiritual nature.

We all are experiencing many changes and those changes affect our environment. Think for just a moment of the changes here in our region over the last forty years.

Right here-River Region-no more Red Bird Inn or the Beverly, or the Ponte Rouge Restaurants, no more Courtesy Ford, No more Empire Rouse, No more Montgomery Rebels, no more Montgomery Mall, no more St. Margaret’s Hospital. When I lived in East Montgomery initially I was in the country and I saw Eastdale Mall come to me. You understand what I am saying. We have seen 33’s 45’s records, 8 track, Cassette, CD and now a digital file for music for example. We saw a rotary dial phone, a push button phone, we saw the emergence of a bag phone, to the cell phone. Must I say more?

Eccles. 3 reminds us that “to everything there is a season”. Solomon reminds us that over the ebb and flow of time life has constant change- circumstances, joy, sorrow, gain, loss, birth and death. We must understand that under God’s design life under the sun is constantly changing. And.…as it changes we can rest in one constant:

Malachi 3:6 “6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”

Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Just like those movie characters in Jurassic World Rebirth, at every turn today something is jockeying for not only the next generation’s attention but ours as well. We face new challenges, times of confusion and times of compromise.

I want to say at the onset of this message-Do not be discouraged. This is not God’s first rodeo. We study today a missionary team, a small band of followers if you will that the Lord sent into just such a climate to share His truths; and dearly beloved God and His gospel prevails. Oh listen church, Jesus is alive and well on planet earth and He is alive and well even in jungle like times that we live today.

I am preaching part one of a two part message, Jesus in the Jungle.

Turn in your Bibles this morning to Acts 17:16-21.

Acts 17:16–21 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. 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? 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.

Prayer

Message

Paul and his team (Timothy and Silas) encountered varying degrees of acceptance and rejection in the beginning of Acts 17. They went to Thessalonica and listen to verse 4:

Acts 17:4 “4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”

And then in verse 5 we see the word “but”.

Acts 17:5 “5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.”

Paul and his team went on to Berea and the Lord breathed a fresh air of acceptance and listen:

Acts 17:10–13 “10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.”

Acts 17:15 “15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.”

We could say that Paul ended up in Athens due to protection, but as we read our text, Paul was in Athens by the providence of God.

This morning as we navigate this biblical story we either sit in one of two seats. We, like Paul sit in the seat of being a concerned Christian or we can be as in the group he came upon, Confused creatures. I guess there is another seat you could be sitting in this morning-a compromised Christian. You are attempting to follow Christ in the midst of all the confusion and distraction the Greeks faced.

1. Are You in Despair Over Apathy for God? V. 16

Acts 17:16 “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.”

Here we find Paul nestled in Athens to escape the heat of Berea and those Jews that followed him from Thessalonica to create havoc for the ministry Paul, Timothy and Silas were committed to. Oh dearly beloved may we all understand that when God is pronounced, the Lord is lifted up, Satan will come to try to stamp out His message.

Genesis 3:1 “1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?””

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 “14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

Paul saw something of an even greater concern because Satan can be crafty. He can be sly and He works in the subliminal. It was as if something sharp was poking his side and was arresting his attention to the despair of the area.

“He saw that the city was given over to idols.”

παροξύνω parŏxunō, par-ox-oo´to sharpen alongside, i.e. (fig.) to exasperate:—, stir.

The word provoked means that Paul was stirred to action. Paul looked at the many gods and goddesses over the city as he moved about and he immediately saw a confused people. Athens of old was the political power and at this time it was under Roman rule. Athens still had a cultural pride of yesteryear. They had an attitude of superiority. There were the Greeks and then the Barbarians-that is everyone else. There mindset carried arrogance- intellectual arrogance, culturally they were a more advanced society. They had both philosophical and religious influence in the region. . Athens produced names you recognize-Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The city produced philosophical and intellectual giants of the day.

Athens was saturated with gods and goddesses. Statues, temples, shrines were everywhere-dedicated to gods like Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Dionysus.

Zeus-King of the gods; sky and thunder-Chief diety, altar of Zeus at the Agora (or the marketplace)

Athena-Wisdom, warfare, and crafts-Patron goddess of Athens; Parthenon dedicated to her

Apollo-sun, music, prophecy, and healing-Temples and shrines in Athens

Dionysus-Wine, fertility, festivity-Honored in festivals and in the theater.

Parthenon

Tower of the Winds

Temple of Hephaestus

Imagine someone traveling into Athens and seeing these types of statues, shrines and temples. Think of the advancement and the intellect of the area and this is what Paul saw when he arrived.

The reality was that with all the intellect and smarts of the region, the people did not know what to believe. Satan used one of the most subtle defenses to God and the gospel-delusion and diversion to those things in life that really matter. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Who created me? What was I created for?

They worshipped all these gods yet still searching. They knew in their heart of hearts they had not found the true God because they had a statute named for “the unknown God.” They had not found real peace at this point and how I know is found in the Scriptures. They were in constant search for some new thing.

They would go to the Areopagus at Mars Hill to listen and search and find if there were something new that would bring real peace and satisfaction.

Paul was in despair over this.

2 Peter 2:8 “8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—”

But Paul’s despair was a despair with feet to it. Are you concerned today? Is your concern motivated to take false action?

2. Today’s World is Facing Distractions V. 16b

Again, the distraction were the many gods. They lived in a polytheistic society. Their worship was a little like going to a buffet and I will try a little of this and a little of that. Why does that not work? For a couple of reasons:

When you are pulled in numerous directions everything becomes watered down or you serve whatever god you follow in a half hearted fashion.

Matthew 6:24 “24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

2. They can be sincere as they want to be in worshipping those inanimate objects and be wrong in following a God that can not save their soul from eternal damnation.

Matthew 7:13–14 “13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Oh dearly beloved, today we are facing the same distractions in our world. America is a polytheistic society. I do not question that we try a little Jesus and we try a small amount of church attendance on the festival days-Christmas and Easter. We serve the God of Commerce and the God of Sexuality, and the God of Leisure and Travel, and the God of Promotion and Power and Prestige, and the list goes on and on.

I want to say that when we become distracted from the God of the universe we become distorted. Today as in that time there was the mindset of pluralism. Listen to a definition of Pluralism :

Pluralism is the belief or mindset that all religions are equally valid paths to God, truth, or heaven. It suggests that no single faith holds exclusive access to ultimate reality or salvation, and that different religious traditions can all lead to the same divine destination.

Let’s get back to this idea of sincerity for a moment. This pluralistic movement moving over our region are people that hold this belief with the deepest sincerity. They sincerely believe that as long as you are sincere and you follow the teachings of that religion or faith, as long as you are sincere you will be okay.

Consider this for a moment. You can look out from your air conditioned home in the morning and see some partial clouds and you could say-by all appearances and the way things feel in here and look like out there, I imagine, I’m sincere that all we will see today is upper 70’s. Quite contrare. I do not care how it feels on the inside or the fact the clouds are partial-the reality is it will be 96 degrees today. You can be sincere all you want but the temperature you say it is and the reality of what temperature it really is are two totally different factors. Reality says it will be 96 degrees today.

Oh listen to me with all the love and grace I can offer. You can sincerely believe that there are multiple ways to God and peace and a future, but listen clearly if you do not trust that Jesus is the only way to salvation and to a home in heaven you are sorely mistaken.

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 4:12 “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

Furthermore, Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in the marketplace. Who were the Epicureans? Who were the Stoics? Listen closely, the Epicureans believed that the goal in life was personal pleasure-if it feels good, it must be good. They desired peace and the avoidance of pain and fear. They promoted a life of moderation, seeking happiness through intellectual satisfaction, friendships, and freedom from anxiety. Their mindset toward God was they dismissed divine intervention. They thought God was distant and uninterested in human affairs.

The Stoics on the other hand believed the key to life was living in harmony with nature and reason, aligning oneself with the divine order of the universe. They emphasized self-discipline, virtue, and emotional resilience. They taught that you master your desires and endure hardship with inner strength. They saw God as a pervasive force or rational principle that governed all things. They sought a spiritual self-sufficiency which led to prideful moralism. A Stoic thought he was alright if he acted or she acted good.

Listen again-one group pursued pleasure and detachment and the other group strived for virtue and resilience. Does that sound familiar today? Do we have Epicurean and Stoic mindsets today? I think so. Oh but listen, there is no other way in which man can be saved than through Jesus Christ.

You ask what is the answer? I understand that what we are facing today is no new issue? I understand the distraction the younger generations are facing with Social Media and all those mindsets are pouring into their minds. I understand the plethora of activities today that compete with Sundays. I understand that money today can buy them all types of pleasures and distractions. I know they are bombarded with such an enormous amount of distraction today. What action do I take? What action do I take for my own sanity? How do I navigate my own spiritual pilgrimage in the midst of this pluralistic, polytheistic worldview today? How do I push through the Epicurean, Stoic philosophies of this day that weigh on my walk in Christ?

3. Be Deliberate in Your Spiritual Disciplines VV. 17-18

Acts 17:17–18 NKJV

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. 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.

Paul maintained a discipline when he came to a town to go to church. He went to the synagogue. He went where people served God. Now obviously, He was leading the Way that was a new way for Jews. They had believed at this point that the Messiah had not come and they were still looking for a Messiah. But, Paul exercised a discipline to associate with the things of God.

There is an important word in verse 17 that I hope gives you great comfort. I know as a Pastor navigating this period we find ourselves in that it gives me great comfort.

Reasoned

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 1256. διαλέγομαι

1256. διαλέγομαι dialĕgŏmai, dee-al-eg´-om-ahee; to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation):—dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak.

Let me share another detail that gives me great comfort.

v. 18 “He preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection.”

Now we will note that he was perceptive of the environment to bridge conversation that we will study next Sunday, but what is important is two details:

He reasoned-He shared the truths, He explained them with simplicity. He was thorough in helping them to understand. He intellectually shared the Scriptures in a manner they could comprehend. Why is that important? He did not use any great charisma or influential language. He did not beg them or try to coerce them or use coercive tactics to get them to believe. He did not try to talk them into believing.

Oh listen dearly beloved, if you can talk someone into following Jesus the next person can talk them out of it. Paul shared the message and the decision was left up to the listener.

Furthermore, Paul was the same person Monday through Saturday as He was on Sunday. He carried Jesus with him everywhere he went. Notice that “he went into the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” He took advantage of every opportunity to change the mindset of the Athenians by meeting them right where they were. Do you know that you have a much greater influence for the things of God during six days than you will ever have with one day?

Proverbs 1:20–21 NKJV

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:

Meaning that our relationship with God should resound from our being all through our week.

Jesus and the Resurrection

2. Paul did not change the basic tenets of the Gospel message-He taught Jesus and the resurrection. Oh listen dearly beloved, I do not care what group you or I speak to, the fact is that Jesus came as God Incarnate to a sin infested earth to save people from their own self destruction-sin. He went to the Cross and took every sin, every failure, every heinous thought or action and placed on Himself to bear the punishment for us. Scriptures state that :

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Oh dearly beloved listen to me. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the God that says, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” His message does not change. His love toward you has never changed and never will change.

God loves you. He does not want you to be confused, He does not want you to be compromised in this everchanging, all consuming world we live in.

Invitation

4. Deity Will Intervene VV. 19-21

Acts 17:19–21 “19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 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.”

Oh listen, I think there are several takeaways from our text this morning. Firstly, I imagine there are many here this morning of the older generation that are concerned over the battle against Satan and the pull on the younger generations from the church and a walk with God. Oh be comforted in knowing this is nothing new to God. Do not despair. People were distracted in Jesus’ day as well and in Paul’s day. They as well as us were pulled in many directions and they were as well going nowhere fast. I realize that is the day we are in.

But listen-be defiant, be deliberate in your disciplines to come to church, to pray, to seek the Lord, to read your Bible and share Him not only on Sunday, but all through the week. And if you and I will preach and teach and share the simple message of Jesus and the Resurrection-some will come to know Him as Savior. You do not need to change or tweak or dress up the message. Share the simple message and deity will intervene. Paul shared and there was a hunger to know more. The Holy Spirit intervened and took over.

Now as I close I want to make this personal. This is not about them-those you are concerned over, I am speaking to you. How you think about God is important.

A. W. Tozer said this:

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

There were pervasive mindsets of that day and pervasive mindsets of this day that God is abstract, He is distant, He is a mystic force. If that is your belief with all the love and grace without coming across as rude-you are simply wrong.

Yes God is infinitely majestic but He is intimately personal. He is not abstract or a distant deity but the Sovereign Creator who made the world and everything in it.

Acts 17:24 “24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”

Furthermore, he is not a God that is far from us.

Acts 17:27 “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;”

He is not a god of imagination or made with hands.

Acts 17:29 “29 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 man’s devising.”

Oh listen to me, the God of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, full of power, glory, purity, righteousness, and majesty is the same God as Creator that created you. Created you for a purpose. The same God that loves you and loves you to send His only Son to die for your security and salvation.

He calls us in a childlike trust to come to Him, trust in Him, give your life over to Him today.

Let’s pray.