The Resurrection in a World Searching for Meaning

Most people think Easter begins at an empty tomb.

But in Acts 17, Easter shows up in a crowded city.

Paul walks into Athens—one of the greatest cities in the world at the time—and what he sees breaks his heart. The city is full of temples, statues, altars, and idols. Historians say it may have been easier to find a god in Athens than it was to find a person.

Everywhere Paul looks people are worshiping something.

Some worship philosophy. Some worship pleasure. Some worship reason. Some worship power.

And in the middle of all these gods and idols sits an altar with an inscription that says, “To the unknown god.”

In other words, the people of Athens were saying, “We know there must be something out there… we just don’t know who it is.”

Does that sound familiar?

Our world today looks a lot like Athens. People are still searching for meaning. They are still chasing pleasure, success, identity, and purpose. They are still trying to explain life, death, and eternity. And just like the Athenians, many people are very religious—but they still do not know the true God.

But Paul stands in the middle of that city and says something remarkable:

“What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”

And what Paul proclaims is the message at the heart of Easter.

He tells them about the God who created the world, the God who gives life and breath to everything. He tells them that God does not live in temples made by human hands. He tells them that all people were created to seek Him.

And then Paul brings the message to its climax.

God now commands all people everywhere to repent because He has fixed a day of judgment, and He has given proof of that judgment by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.

You see, Easter is not just about a historical event. It is God’s announcement to the world.

The resurrection declares that Jesus is Lord, that judgment is coming, and that the only cure for a world full of idols is the gospel.

And just like the people in Athens, every person must respond.

Some mocked. Some wanted to hear more. But some believed.

And that same question still stands today:

What will you do with the risen Christ?

Let’s look together at Acts 17:16–34.

Acts 17:16–34 ESV

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned (common them with Paul ) in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Airy-op-agus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Airy-op-agus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

In a world searching for meaning, the risen Christ alone is the true God.

Man there is so much in this text and Ill try to do it justice in the short time I have left. But in verse 16 we see Paul’s Spirit wrecked when he comes into this great city. Wrecked because he sees a city full of idols. A city full of gods. Commentators like to comment that it might be easier to find a god in Athens than a person. There was so many things to worship there. Not much different in the towns and places we live and serve at today it just manifest’s itself in different forms than Paul seen.

and what I think we need to see is something that Paul clearly sees.

next point I want you to see is this.

The only cure for idolatry is the gospel.

Paul does as custom for himself he teaches in the synagogues as we see him do on every missionary journey but he ventures into the world. Woah this might be scary for some of us. He took the gospel into the world out of the church. day after day like our devotion to the word should be so should are evangelist efforts.

And it appears he dealt with all kinds of people. The text gives us some.

Commentators teach us that Stoics- had a system aimed at living consistently with nature, and in practice they laid great emphasis on the primacy of the rational faculty in humanity, and on individual self-sufficiency. In theology they were essentially pantheistic, God being regarded as the world-soul. Stoicism at its best was marked by great moral earnestness and a high sense of duty. It commended suicide as an honorable means of escape from a life that could no longer be sustained with dignity

There are a-lot of people in our own day that have this sort of belief.

Now according to scholars the epicureans believed pleasure as being the chief end in life, the pleasure most worth enjoying being a life of tranquillity (ataraxia), free from pain, disturbing passions, and superstitious fears (including in particular the fear of death). It did not deny the existence of gods, but maintained that they took no interest in the life of men and women.

we deal with this alot as believers in Christ. People pursue pleasure rather than Christ.

we deal with people who say we are just a bunch of babblers, thankfully for myself only my wife says that.

but never the less during Paul’s day and much like our day some want to hear the message. Some people like Joe Rogan seems intrigued by Christianity, just like some did during Paul’s time. And in verse 21 we see what the people enjoyed doing.

it says. Acts 17:21

Acts 17:21 ESV

21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

the language there is quite striking isn’t it. Wonder if that is why they had so many idols. Nothing could calm their hearts and minds. They were always looking for something new to worship. Always trying to find meaning. Always trying to explain the littlest of details in their everyday lives.

They may have wanted to hear something new, but Paul was about to tell them something true. x2

And man does he lay down some truths friends.

I got to read to you verse 22 and 23 again. He says..

Acts 17:22–23 (ESV)

22 “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Why did Paul say this well because he seen the idols and he heard the conversations, he understood their worldviews and he knew what was truly missing to a people who sought the answers to life’s biggest questions. I believe there is something important for us here to understand when looking at this text. Like Paul we need to know how the world thinks so we can know how to answer the world.

Paul in the text is seeking to destroy their idolatry their false beliefs and cure it with the gospel. Cure it with the truth that can be found only in the scriptures.

So he says to them look. The God who made this world and everything in it being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man. ( Striking statement to them because it goes against what I read from commentaries who said the stoics who believed were far away from creation and Epicureans who say God was not even involved in creation at all. )

The word teaches us in multiple places God is involved in creation. Gen 1. That God created everything. And when Paul says that he is Lord he is making the statement to them that God is over every little idol that you have every idol that try to say may have done these things. including their ceasar.

and he goes even further. He says what? the true God does not live in a place that you made.

You guys may have seen the pictures of Athens and man it looks incredible the places where they use to worship, and Paul says he doesn’t live here he lives in no place that you have made. When they said they wanted something new verse 24 would have blew their mind. but he does not stop he goes further.

He tells them God does not need your human hands because its God himself who gives life and breath. Paul again hammering away at what they believe in their hearts. Again using the words of scripture. showing them that he has authority over life and death.

Gn. 2:7. Ps 50:9-13.

Then he continues. He tells them not only does God give life he created all these ethnic groups and gave them land. Again shocking to them because the Greeks like the Jews thought they were far superior than everyone else.

Gen 5, gen 10.

And Paul tells them thats not the case, he made all people and all people are made for him. but he tells them something else. Gods purpose in creating them is that they may seek him. may know him, and not as an idol, but as the one true God because we are made by him.

Rom 1:18-32.

And I love what Paul says in verse 30 and 31 finishes the gospel presentation. It’s one thing friends to just tell people that God is the creator that he gives you your very own breath, that he made the peoples of the earth, and you can know him, and not tell people how you know him, and that you need to respond to him. You don’t just acknowledge that there is a God alone you must turn to him.

Paul preaching the gospel in Athens using this idol says the one true God does not overlook your ignorance. You are accountable to him not these other Gods. He says you can’t go to God and claim I did not know. You can’t claim ignorance. You are called to repent. To know the true God.

On Sunday mornings I am preaching through Matthew and a few weeks ago. I preached a text that included this verse. Matthew 4:17

Matthew 4:17 ESV

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Unless one repents they will not be saved. The gospel message is not complete without this call to repentance. Paul says everyone is called to repent.

and when Paul said this with the combination of what he says in verse 31 where he tells them about the judgement to come and that judgement is based on knowing the righteous one Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead.

And that statement was striking to them like it is to many of this day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

One of the commentaries I recommended said this. Several ideas were perceived as outrageous by many in Paul's audience: (1) the exclusivity of salvation in Jesus (which flew in the face of pluralists); Paul was dealing with a world that had all these idols who offered all these promises, and he made sure he hammered home the point to his audience saying there may be many gods but only the true God can save through the person of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through no other name.

(2) the suggestion that Jesus rose bodily (which flew in the face of many Greek philosophies based on the idea that matter is principally bad); The resurrection has to be taught. As rich as the teachings of the bible are if Jesus did not rise from the dead Paul says in 1 Corinthians we are to be a people who are most pitied.

(3) the notion that history is going somewhere (which flew in the face of the Stoics). These truths, in fact, still offend people today. And because Paul's hearers found them so offensive, Paul's speech was halted. I could argue that all of history God has his hand in. As the people of God so awaited a savior who came and died we await the savior who came and lived. who is going to judge all men to his standard and all who repent and believe will be saved and be with God forever, and those who don’t will face the wrath to come.

. You may have conflict in your gospel proclamation but some will believe. Some mocked some wanted to hear more, and some joined him. That is ministry friends. We have seen some mock the very faith we believe we have seen others come back and want to hear more, and we have seen people come to know the risen Christ by faith.

So in closing I want to challenge us to be devoted to the scriptures know them study them examine them live in them. Be confident knowing despite any opposition that may come the Lord is still in the business of saving people, and know that in a world full of idols the only cure is the gospel.

Head — What We Must Understand

This passage reminds us that the world has always been full of idols. In Athens they were statues of gold, silver, and stone, but today they simply take different forms. People still search for meaning, pleasure, identity, and purpose in anything except the true God. Like the Epicureans who chased pleasure and the Stoics who trusted human reason, people today are constantly looking for something new to satisfy their hearts.

But Paul reminds us of the truth: there is one true God. He is the Creator of the world, the giver of life and breath, and the Lord over all people. He is not contained in temples made by human hands and he does not depend on us. Instead, we depend completely on Him.

And the greatest truth Paul proclaims is that God has made a way to know Him through Jesus Christ, proven by the resurrection. The resurrection is not a side note to the gospel—it is the assurance that Jesus is the righteous judge and the Savior of sinners.

Heart — What We Must Feel

When Paul walked through Athens and saw the city full of idols, his spirit was provoked. His heart was stirred because he saw people searching for meaning while missing the one true God.

That should stir something in us as well.

We live in a world just like Athens. People pursue pleasure, success, identity, and endless new ideas, yet their hearts remain restless. Nothing they worship can give life, forgiveness, or hope.

But the gospel tells us that the true God is not far from us. He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. And the cross shows the depth of God’s love for sinners, while the resurrection shows His power to save.

The resurrection that caused some in Athens to mock is the very hope that gives us life.

Hands — What We Must Do

Paul did not simply observe the idols around him—he responded with the gospel. He reasoned with people in the synagogue, spoke in the marketplace, and proclaimed the truth before philosophers and skeptics. He brought the message of Christ into the world around him, knowing that some would mock, some would want to hear more, and some would believe.

That same calling rests on us today. If the only cure for idolatry is the gospel, then we must be people who live it, know it, and share it.

1. Be devoted to the Scriptures. Paul’s message was shaped by the truth of God’s Word. When he explained that God created the world, gives life and breath, and rules over all nations, he was drawing from the Scriptures. If we are going to engage the world faithfully, we must know the Word deeply—study it, examine it, and live in it. The more we know God’s Word, the more confident we can be when speaking truth in a world full of confusion.

2. Engage the world with the gospel. Paul did not keep the message inside the synagogue; he went into the marketplace and reasoned with people day after day. That reminds us that the gospel is not meant to stay inside church walls. We must be willing to speak about Christ in everyday life—with neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. Like Paul, we should understand how people think so we can answer them with truth.

3. Do not be discouraged by mixed responses. In Athens some mocked, some were curious, and some believed. That is exactly what still happens today. Faithfulness is not measured by everyone responding positively—it is measured by proclaiming the truth. The Lord is still in the business of saving people, and He uses the faithful proclamation of the gospel to do it.

4. Call people to repentance and faith. Paul did not stop at explaining who God is; he told them they must respond. God now commands all people everywhere to repent because a day of judgment is coming. The gospel is not simply information—it demands a response. As believers, we must lovingly but clearly call people to turn from sin and trust in Christ.

5. Personally respond to the risen Christ. The heart of Paul’s message was the resurrection. Jesus Christ lived, died for sinners, was buried, and rose from the dead, proving He is the righteous one appointed by God. The resurrection assures us that forgiveness is possible and that Christ truly is Lord.

So the question for every person is the same question the Athenians faced: How will you respond?

Some mocked. Some wanted to hear more. But some believed and joined Paul.

Easter reminds us that the tomb is empty and the Savior is alive. Because Jesus died and rose again, the call is clear for every one of us: repent of our sin, believe in the risen Christ, and follow Him.

In a world full of idols, the only cure is the gospel—and the empty tomb proves that it is true.