Talking to a Skeptical World

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now, we are in our series where we are essentially asking, should we share our faith…and then how do we do that. That’s the essence of this series, and we’re using the early church to answer those questions.

Now — you know that conversation you replay in the shower hours later? Someone asks, "How do you know God exists?" or says, "You know that's not really real, right?" And your brain just shuts off. You forget everything you've ever learned. Then three hours later you're standing there thinking,

“OOOOO, I shouldve said that!”

Here's the reality: most Christians aren't truly afraid of persecution. You can stand up to someone saying "deny Jesus or die." What you're afraid of is looking foolish — or worse, stupid.

Acts 17 today shows us that god never expected us to know ever answer.

We are simply called to speak faithfully about Christ.

Today we're going to watch the Apostle Paul have one of the most intimidating conversations in the entire New Testament.

And remember — success is not saving people. Success is faithfulness. We speak. The Holy Spirit changes hearts. Jesus saves.

So, today we’re going to start looking at questions like, “What happens when someone disagrees?” or “What if someone asks a question I can’t answer?” or maybe…”What if they think Christianity is foolish?”

You see…Acts 17 actually answers all of these questions.

Now, I’m going to read a pretty long section this morning up front. As you read along ,I want you to watch Paul’s attitude, not just what he says. Pay attention to how he approaches people.

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 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 Areopagus, 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 Areopagus, 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.

OK, so this is such a powerful text here. Now I know I have personally frequently read this text, and maybe you have to. I read it and I noted that Paul was brave in the midst of people he didn’t know…and then I thought, wow…dude was wise.

But what if I told you that this is the same type of conversation that you can have today. I mean, Paul had some guts standing in front of everyone…but what if you could have that kind of wisdom and speak the truth of Scripture? What if all of this is broken down into 3 parts…see, share, trust.

The first thing we learn with Paul’s interaction here is that

We See People Before We Reach People (v.16-21)

Did you notice that before Paul ever speaks a word...He is observing what’s around him. He is listening to what is being said. He is understanding their worldview.

Yeah…that’s kind of a big piece…understand their worldview. Asking people questions is a great way to get to know and understand what they feel and what they believe.

So the first thing Paul did was

Paul paid attention to the culture.

We saw that in verse 16 when the passage says, that he saw the city of full of idols.

What happening here is that Paul is hanging out in Athens waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him from a place called Berea.

So, as Paul is there, he is looking around and learning about the culture.

Paul wasn't simply studying Athens like a tourist. His heart was broken because these were people worshiping false gods instead of the living God.

Now Athens was a very important place, this was a beautiful place with massive monuments and it was the center of intellectual, philosophical, and religious conversations. However, all of what they discussed had nothing to do with the son of God Jesus Christ.

So Paul wasn’t just by himself…he was walking around and learning about this place. Paul was getting to know the people of Athens.

You see, you can’t reach people that you don’t understand. So you ask questions…you get to know what they believe…what they struggle with…what they place their trust in.

That’s just the first step though…Next we see that

Paul entered their world.

This is such an important step when you are getting to know someone.

Paul was walking around and entering their synagogue and talking with the Jewish people there. This would have been the customary Jewish way of doing things.

But he didn’t stay there…

He left and went to the marketplace and got to know the people that were shopping, having conversations with anyone that would talk to him…likely there would have been some philosophers and various teachers and leaders there.

Everywhere Paul went though, he was sharing the same Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You see, evangelism isn’t just for the church building.

Evangelism isn’t just asking someone to go to church.

It’s being willing to meet someone for a cup of coffee…or talk at work, or at the game.

Evangelism enters into the world of those who do not know Jesus.

That’s not all that Paul did though…

Paul welcomed questions.

Did you notice who Paul was talking to? This may not have meant much to you, so let me tell you a little about the people Paul is talking to.

First you have the Epicureans. These are people who are focused on living life free from anxiety and mental pain or discomfort. This is the “self-care” crew.

Then you have the Stoics. These are people who are focused on virtue, duty, and mastery of the inner self. These are your “inner discipline” folks.

You see…the reality is that these are both still alive and well today in 2026.

But that’s not all that Paul is talking to. He is also talking to.

Paul is also talking ot mockers, and curious people. Paul was talking to anyone and everyone who would have a conversation with him.

Paul was teaching something that was new and different than the other things they had heard. He was bringing in conversation in the public square.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions to get to know people. I’ve had so many conversations over the years with Muslims, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormons…

My initial conversations are all about asking questions and getting to know them…because questions are the way to open doors to discuss what truly matters.

You see…once Paul understood people…He was able t point them to Christ.

That’s what we’re called to do…

We Point People to the God They Don’t Know

Let me give you an example of a conversation I had with some folks earlier this week who shared some pretty hard things.

They shared about how the god that they had previously met had been unrelenting and demanding and incredibly unloving.

I was able to share that the god they had been told about was not the god of the Bible.

I shared about how God actually loved us so much that he gave his Son Jesus to pay the price for their sin and mine.

They weren't sure they could believe in a God who allows evil, and we talked about suffering, sin, and God's goodness.

These folks didn’t decide to come to church today…but they were invited.

That's the model. You find where people are, and you move them toward Jesus. Paul did the same thing in Athens. Here's how…

So how did Paul do it? First:

He found common ground without compromising truth. 

Paul points to the altar to the unknown god. You ask questions, you listen, and you build a bridge.

That altar — something they built in uncertainty — became a bridge.

Everyone believes in something. That's where you start.

You ask questions, you listen, and you build a bridge.

That’s when you

He lifted their eyes to the greatness of God.

Paul is standing in the cultural capital of the ancient world, surrounded by every belief imaginable.

And he doesn't make Christianity look "attractive."

He points to the observable facts of creation and shows them the attributes of God

God is the creator of everything. The ruler of everything. The giver of life and breath and everything.

Our culture has a small view of God. Our job is to bring people's attention to the reality of His greatness.

When you show the greatness of God…next,

He called people to repentance.

Paul didn't just paint a picture of who God is.

He showed the need for humans to repent and be ready for the day God brings righteous judgment.

He pointed them to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who paid for the sins of mankind.

Listen — when you're talking to people, you can't leave Jesus out. Every conversation should eventually move toward Jesus.

You see, conversations should move toward the hope that we have in the Gospel.

Of course…eventually there is a response of some sort.

This is where many Christians often lose confidence.

But I need you to remember that…

Your Faithfulness Matters More Than Their Response

The ending of this story is a bit surprising.

I mean…this is Paul speaking at the Areopagus which would have been like speaking to Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court all at once.

The Areopagus functioned as an authoritative body in civil-legal and educational matters there in Athens. This was the center of intelligence and wisdom.

So…we would expect Paul to lead a massive revival right here…but that didn’t happen.

Paul experienced mixed results…he was mocked, ridiculed, and laughed at. Exactly the type of results most of us have experienced at different times.

Some people mocked.

This doesn’t mean Paul failed…

You have to remember…This is not people rejecting you…they are rejecting Jesus.

Even in the ridicule,

Some people wanted to talk more.

They literally said, “We will hear you again about this.”

Sometimes it takes multiple conversations to build up a conversation with someone about the gospel.

Evangelism is not a one time opportunity…don’t rush people, this is the most important decision they will ever make in their lives!

That’s not all though…

Some people believed.

Dionysius, and Damaris, and others believed.

Why would Luke write things in this way?

Well…actually — Paul naming these individuals is important, especially for Dionysius. This was a man who was a member of the Areopagus.

In other words, this is a verifiable event that took place. Luke neamed these two individuals so that the credibility of his letter would increase.

So Luke recorded these names showing that the gospel has an impact even in a place like Athens at the Areopagus.

You see…God was working all along as Paul was walking around talking with various people about Jesus in the markets.

Remember, our job is planting seeds of faith…God gives those seeds life.

pause

So what if the goal in sharing your faith wasn’t “winning an argument”?

What if the goal was just being faithful and available?

That’s a shift that changes everything!

pause

So the last few weeks I’ve tried to give you some sort of tool to help you feel capable and able to be available.

Today, I don’t really want to give you another tool…today I want to show you how to apply those tools.

So…here’s is an example of a three part conversation

First…

1. Ask.

What do you think about spiritual things?

Do you go to church anywhere?

What do you think happens after death? (that’s a big one)

Next...

2. Listen.

Actually listen to the person you just asked a question.

Don’t interupt them if you think they answered wrong, and don’t just sit thinking about what your response is gonna be…listen.

Remember, people feel loved when they are heard.

James 1 tells us to be quick to listen, and slow to speak…so hurry up and be quiet.

After you’ve listened fully, now…

3. Respond.

Folks…you don’t have to know everything.

Remember, your job is representing Jesus faithfully.

I want you to learn this really important sentence, ok…here is it

I don’t know

Hey, that’s a great question..I don’t know.

Wow…I’ve never thought about that…I don’t know.

Dude…that is heavy…I don’t know.

Can I look into that and get back to you?

pause

Folks that’s HUGE!

That statement right there removes so much fear from the person you’re talking to.

Now they realize you’re not just reading a script…

But listen…this is where it get’s interesting…Here’s what you say next.

I do know this…

I don’t know the answer to that question…but I do know that Jesus has saved my life. Can I tell you about that?

That’s a really great question, and I honestly don’t konw the answer. What I do know though is that I used to be different than I am today. Can I tell you what changed?

That’s when you transition to Jesus and what he’s done in your life. That’s when you get to share your story,

You remember…

I used to….

Then I met Jesus

Now I’m different

Remember, success isn’t winning — success is faithfulness.

pause

Athen’s wasn’t full of Christians. It was full of idols. Yet Paul walked in…not because he was fearless…but because he beleived Jesus was actually worth it.

Some here, or maybe joining online have been asking questions. I get it…you’re skeptical…you’re searching…you’re not sure.

Here’s the amazing truth though…

Christianity doesn’t ask you to pretend.

Remember I told you about the people I was talking to earlier this week…they told me they didn’t want to enter into a church and fake it…I invited them to be real.

The God Paul preached about it not some distant far away hateful God.

He made you — He knows you — He’s seen every sin you’ve ever committed.

Yet He still sent his one and only son to so that you would not be left under judgement.

He died the death that your sin deserved.

Then he walked out of that grave defeating sin and taking the sting out of death.

Now he calls every person every where to repent and beleive.

Not because he’s trying to ruin your life or control you…but becasue he’s inviting you into life with him.

Everyone else…

Hold up prayer card

Who’s Your One?

Listen, don’t go out and change the world this week.

Don’t try and convert your entire office this week.

Don’t try and win every argument you encounter.

Simply ask God for one conversation

One question.

One opportunity.

One open door.

Then…when it comes…Remember these words of Paul to Timothy

2 Timothy 2:24–25 ESV

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth…

Now go speak with grace and truth…

Leave the results to God.

Let’s pray