Sermon Tone Analysis

*The unknown God*

 

*Acts 17:22* Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens!

I see that in every way you are very religious.

23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: *TO AN UNKNOWN GOD*.

Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.

25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

26 From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and *he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.*’

As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

NIV

 

 

*The Journey*

When we were born we all began a journey with God, did you know that?

Not only those that have received Christ, but everyone.

Christ died for all, right?

*Romans 8: 28* And *we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him*, who have been* called *(gr.

Kletos meaning have received the vocation that God has given them, invited and are following) according to his purpose.

29 For *those God foreknew* he also *predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son*, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 And those he predestined, *he also **called*;(invited((all))  those he called, *he also justified*; those he justified,* he also glorified*.

NIV

 

* *God knows us*

* How can you foreknow someone?

* God is the God of eternity, no time.

*The God who is in front of you.*

* *God is at work in us*

* Predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son

* Predestined= he know the end before the beginning

* I am not talking about the teaching that ALL people are already saved and nothing can change that.

* He knew and he moved in front of us to influence us in the right direction.

Another choice is always offered.

* To be conformed to the likeness of his son

* Conformed = made into the same, molded

* Many of the things we go through is a forming process, not punishment.

Make your bed…

* Likeness

* The quality or state of being like, a copy

* Of his son

* *The journey is taking us in this direction…to be like Christ*

 

* *God creates desires in us*

* He also called, justified, and glorified

* *Called = speak to as if you already finished*

* It’s like a code, a plan, a pattern for our lives that we are drawn toward.

* It’s intertwined into my makeup, my being.

It’s like the blue print of who I am.

* *Justified = treat as if you were already finished*

* Since I know you will follow me, I will begin to speak and treat you like it has already happened.

* Bless you

 

* *Glorified = honor you as if you were already finished* * *

* *BUT many will not come.*

*Matthew 22:14* For many are called (gr.

kletos), but few are chosen(actually qualify to be picked out).

KJV

*Acts 17:27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.*

 

* *God leads us step by step*

* What he reveals to all so they can take the first steps.

*Romans 1: 18 *The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since *what may be known about God is plain to them,* because *God has made it plain to them*.

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—*his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.*

NIV

 

* Come to Christ and follow him.

*John 12:25 *The man who loves his life will *lose it*, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 *Whoever serves me must follow me*; and where I am, my servant also will be.

My Father will honor the one who serves me.

NIV

 

* The deeper things belong to those that will continue the Journey  

*1 Corinthians 2:9* However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard no mind has conceived* what God has prepared for those who love him (see Ro.8:28)*”— 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?

In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but *the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us*.

NIV

 

Like Abraham, if we continue to follow him he will lead us to great steps of faith.

*Heb 11:6* without faith it is impossible to please God…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The Way of Life*

*Week 2*

 

Let’s read out text again from last week.

*Acts 17:22* Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens!

I see that in every way you are very religious.

23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: *TO AN UNKNOWN GOD*.

Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.

25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

26 From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and *he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.*’

As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

NIV

 

* *God leads us step by step*

* What he reveals to all so they can take *the first steps*.

*Romans 1: 18 *The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since *what may be known about God is plain to them,* because *God has made it plain to them*.

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—*his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.*

NIV

 

* Too often people have been taught that recognition of God and his existence is enough.

They admire the beauty of his creation.

(I go to the woods and I sit quietly and commune with God…sounds deep, but in reality it is not.

((Like a person instead of going to work in the Mercedes factory saying to his boss “I don’t believe work is necessary, I simply go sit in my Mercedes and admire the craftsmanship.)

* He doesn’t want us to simply admire him, he wants us to come to him and follow him.

* Come to Christ and follow him.

*Second steps*

* Have you ever entered in?

You can make that decision now, today if you would like.