Why Do We Preach? (part 2)

Introduction

There was a teenager who lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand. "I really looked hard for that, Mom," said the youth. "How'd you manage to find it?"  "We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150."  Why you do something matters. Motivation often determines the diligence, effort, and intensity we put into a specific task.This reality becomes important as we consider the question that is our title today. Why do we preach?This is a question of purpose. It is also, I think, a very important question.Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the core fundamental aspects of the Christian faith. But on a personal level, why do we do it? What motivates us to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ?Here in we get a glimpse of what motivates the apostle Paul in his proclamation of the Gospel.They’ve been preaching the gospel in the region or county of Macedonia. Now they have moved into Achaia (S). This brings us to a new section of our outline for the book of Acts.Preaching The Gospel In Achaia 17:16-18:22Presented in this passage are three reasons we preach the gospel.Understanding these reasons will provide motivation for gospel proclamation.When properly motivated, we preach Christ and He transforms lives.Reason #1…

1. We Preach Because There Is A Need vv. 16-21

There is an unfortunate trend today that often robs Christians and churches of gospel urgency.That trend is the idea that since God is so loving, everyone will get to heaven eventually. “Everyone is on their own path to heaven” we are told. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a narrow way that leads to life, but a broad way that leads to destruction.*snap* across our world, 2 people just died. 105 died in the last minute. By the time we leave here this morning almost 10,000 people will have been ushered into eternity (ecology.com/birth-death-rates/). Statistically speaking, over 8,000 of them were not believers.There is an urgent need for the gospel message to be proclaimed.Knowing there is a need does us no good. We must see the need and act to meet it.That’s what we see Paul doing here. He teaches us two vital principles in regards to need. Principle #1…

a. Needs must be observed vv. 16-17

READ v. 16Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy who he has called to come meet him in Athens. While there, Paul’s is provoked by the idolatry around him.This is a very strong word. Paul is stirred up by what he sees. In the deepest part of his being, turmoil is born. This is probably one of the best descriptions of the nature and character of the Apostle Paul. He cannot abide the city being consumed with idols.He has to do something about it. So he starts smashing idols right? He brings them into the town square and has an idol burning party. Right? No.READ v. 17Look at this. The city is overcome by idolatry. Therefore, Paul cannot be silent!Paul’s heart for the lost compels him to speak.He speaks in two places to three groups of people. Two places, three groups.Let’s talk about what he does, then we will look at where he is doing it.He reasoned with them on a daily basis. Reasoned – διαλέγομαι (dialegomai) converse; discuss; argue. To discourse. To consider or examine a topic in speech with others. Reasoned – διαλέγομαι (dialegomai)This is a discourse. Paul converses and discusses with these idolatrous people.This is apologetics.I would submit to you that this is the kind of behavior we need to be engaged in for our culture today.A lost world does not need our condemnation. They need our Jesus.Paul reasons with these lost people. He answers their questions.As was his practice, Paul first reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue. This is the first place and first group. The second group is the Gentile worshipers. These are Gentiles that have converted to Judaism. The second place and third group is the marketplace and anyone who was there.I love this. Paul is so burdened for these lost souls that he goes into the marketplace to reason with anyone and everyone who will listen. And he does this every single day.Paul doesn’t see them as disgusting idol worshipers. He sees them as lost souls in need of a Savior. Paul’s behavior leads me to ask three questions of us.Do we have a heart for the lost?This is what a heart for the lost looks like. When confronted with unbelief, a heart for the lost cannot be silent.

​Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire The Prelude of the Athenian Address (Vv. 16–24)As believers, our hearts should ache and our eyes blur at what we see around us—ignorant souls denying the one God and giving allegiance to false deities. If we experience no inner paroxysms, we either have not truly been redeemed by Jesus Christ or we have become apathetic to the things of God.

Are we ever compelled to speak?When we look at our world and see it darkened by sin, our reaction should not be one of condemnation. Sinners sin. That's why we call them sinners. Our response to a sin darkened world must be to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ!Are we equipped to proclaim Jesus Christ?If you are unsure of your ability to tell others about Jesus. Please come to Sunday school. Go on the website and listen to the past lessons. That’s what we have been learning.Paul looks at the lost and he sees their need. If we are going to reach lost souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must learn to see their need.Once we have seen their need, we must take the opportunity to share the gospel.To see needs, engage with lost souls.You cannot reach the lost with the gospel if you are never around lost people.That brings us to principle #2. Principle #1 needs must be observed. Principle #2…

b. Needs will provide opportunity vv. 18-21

READ v. 18This word “encountered” is more than just bumping into Paul.Encountered – συμβάλλω (symballō) converse; confer. To discuss, to speak with others about (something) in detail; have a discussion.Encountered – συμβάλλω (symballō)The indication is that these philosophers were a part of one of these groups where Paul had his conversations. Epicureans—a well-known school of atheistic materialists, who taught that pleasure was the chief end of human existence.Stoics—a celebrated school of severe and lofty pantheists who believed that god is in everything. They prized logic above everything else.Some of them put Paul down. They call him a “babbler.”Babbler – σπερμολόγος (spermologos) scavenger; babbler. Word scavenger. A parasitic person who accumulates teachings and sayings of others; especially those who would later use the sayings for their own profit. Babbler – σπερμολόγος (spermologos)This is an accusation. They are calling him a word scavenger. An ignorant showoff who steals the ideas of others.Some of the other philosophers describe Paul as a proclaimer of foreign gods. This is the idea of being a herald. Paul is a herald of foreign gods. They say this because he is evangelizing them. He is proclaiming the gospel message. That’s what is being described with the words “preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.”This lets us know the content of the conversations Paul has been having. He has been proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection!This is what those unfamiliar with our God need to hear! They need to hear about Jesus and the resurrection. This must be the focus and end game of all apologetics. We are seeking a platform from which to proclaim Christ!To those who are unfamiliar with the name of Jesus we are either seen as ignorant showoffs or as proclaimers of foreign gods.Yet proclaiming the gospel to these types of people can provide more opportunities. That’s what happens here.READ v. 19They take Paul to their place of worship. Once there they give him a golden opportunity. Paul has been proclaiming the gospel for days and now he is basically asked to preach in a heathen place of worship.What an opportunity! Doctrine means teaching. They want to know what Paul has been teaching. Why?READ v. 20What Paul is teaching is strange to them and they want to know what it means. Why?READ v. 21All those in Athens and other foreigners seek to tell or hear something new.What a coincidence, right? Paul just happens to meet people who are obsessed with new teaching and he just happens to be teaching something they’ve never heard before and they just happen to invite them to their place of worship. Right? Of course not!This is a divine appointment orchestrated by a sovereign God who provides opportunities for His children to speak of Him!Paul proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ to these philosophers.We read this in Acts and we learn about it and in theory it sounds great. But would we have taken advantage of this opportunity?There are times when we fail to take advantage of these moments. I want to give you three reasons why we sometimes miss opportunities like this.1 - We get offended.These philosophers accuse Paul of stealing ideas from others and trying to profit off them.When we are falsely accused, would we turn around and preach Christ to our accusers?The sin of sinners should not offend us. Instead, the sin of lost souls should compel us to proclaim Christ to them.Consider what Peter had to say about persecution in (S).

​ NKJVBeloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Being mistreated by unbelievers is to be expected. Persecution in this life brings glory and joy at Christ’s return. Peter says that we are blessed when we suffer for Christ! Why? Because, in those moments, the Holy Spirit ministers in us and through us in ways we never experience apart from persecution.Don’t get offended! Expect persecution and preach Christ!2 - We prioritize appearances.Paul goes into a center false worship. This is like walking into a Buddhist temple or a Islamic Mosque. Some of us would refuse to go there because we are worried about what others might think. Paul is more concerned with people coming to Christ than he is what others might say of him.Please understand, I am not telling us to be unwise in where we go. I am pleading with us to have more concern for the lost than we do our own reputation.We get a glimpse of this attitude in (S).

​ NKJVhaving a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

There will be those why claim you are an evildoer, yet your conduct is approved by Christ. When we suffer for doing what Christ has called us to do, we let Him take care of those who stand against us.3 - We are not ready. (S).

​ NKJVBut sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Paul meets these philosophers, is taken to their worship center, and called upon to preach Christ.Would we be ready? Do we have that answer to give?My beloved brothers and sisters, there are opportunities all around us. We must learn to identify and take advantage of the opportunities we are given.To see opportunities, have an outward focus.Being overly concerned with self causes us to ignore opportunities.We are not that important. Getting the gospel to the lost is.Why do we preach? Reason #1, we preach because there is a need. Reason #2…

2. We Preach Because There Is A Message vv. 22-31

There were several times in Jesus’ ministry when some of His followers leave. After one of these occasions Jesus turns to the 12 and He asks them if they are going to leave as well. Peter answers His question with these words. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (). We mentioned earlier that during the course of our service this morning, 10,000 people will die. Christians have the only message that gives eternal life!Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only life! We have the gospel message, what are we we doing with it?In our Sundays school class on personal evangelism we have learned that there are many ways to share the gospel. This morning we are going to see one of Paul’s approaches.Paul delivers a message here that breaks down into 4 points. We have much to learn from His gospel presentation. Paul’s first point teaches us to…

a. Proclaim God's person vv. 22-24

vv. 22-23 are Paul’s introduction. There are several important things we learn from these verses.READ v. 22Paul calls them “religious”.Religious – δεισιδαίμων (deisidaimōn) devout, religious; having, showing, or expressing reverence for a deity. Religious – δεισιδαίμων (deisidaimōn)KJV has “superstitious” Some people get bent out of shape with Paul calling them religious, but I have no problem with it because, as the saying goes, Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.Paul is saying this as a set up. They are very religious, they try to cover all their spiritual bases as we see in v. 23.READ v. 23The first place I want to spend some time in this verse may surprise you. There is a word that caught my attention this week and that is the word “Considering.”Considering – ἀναθεωρέω (anatheōreō) observe carefully. To examine,observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect. Considering – ἀναθεωρέω (anatheōreō)The only other place this word is used is (S).

​ NKJVRemember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Two very different contexts. In Hebrews we are called to carefully observe where the faith of Godly leaders takes them. Here, Paul carefully observes objects of false worship.Isn’t Paul afraid of being corrupted? No. He knows what he believes. I find Paul’s actions here convicting.Paul didn’t cover his eyes and shout “unclean” when he saw their idols. He carefully observed them, looking for a platform from which to proclaim Christ. Do we carefully observe the culture around us looking for platforms from which to proclaim Christ? Or do we blindly shout “unclean?”This is what we are talking about in personal evangelism. Paul observes his surroundings and from that observation, he crafts a gospel presentation. How observant are we?Paul sees that they have this altar to the unknown god, and so he seizes the opportunity to tell them about God.This is the kind of opportunity we have in our culture. People serve lots of small g gods. We have the opportunity to tell them about our God with a capital G! This God you worship in ignorance? Paul says, let me tell you about Him. Paul says he is going to proclaim God. This is what preaching is. It is the proclamation of our God!

​Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 17His subject is not, as in the synagogues, the Messiahship of Jesus, but THE LIVING GOD, in opposition to the materialistic and pantheistic polytheism of Greece, which subverted all true religion.

Because Paul was paying attention and not cowering in fear of his culture, he has a perfect platform from which to proclaim Christ.I am going to submit to you that We need to be students of our culture. This needs to be done very carefully, we do not want to become influenced by or attracted to our culture. But we need to know what is going on around us so that we might have a platform from which to proclaim our God!Having given his introduction Paul begins his message.READ v. 24This is who God is. He is the creator. I love how Paul deals with any competing origin theories. Remember, he is talking to philosophers. These are men and women who have all sorts of ideas about where life comes from and how the world came to be. Paul simply states the truth in no uncertain terms.God made the world and everything in it. There is no evolution, no big bang, no gradual change through natural processes. There is simply the creative act of God. Notice Paul’s careful wording. God made the cosmos, our earth, and He made everything in it. This also rules out theistic evolution. God didn’t just start processes, He made all things in their final completed state.Paul teaches us all that with just 9 words. But he’s just getting warmed up. Not only is God creator, He is Lord.The one who created everything is the Lord, the master, of all! What I am going to say next may step on some toes. I will try to step as lightly as possible. You may have heard it said that in order to be saved someone has to believe and make Jesus Lord. Jesus is Lord. You cannot make Him what He already is. We simply submit to His Lordship. That has nothing to do with salvation. That is a lifelong process that we call sanctification.God is creator. He is Lord. And therefore, He doesn’t live in man-made structures.I called this point “proclaim God’s person” because Paul is dealing with who God is. This also touches on God’s power but we will deal with that in the next point. We cannot proclaim the person of God unless we know Him personally. GOSPELWe also cannot proclaim the person of God if we don’t believe in who He is. He is the creator, do we believe that? He is Lord, are we living under His Lordship?Is He sitting in the drivers seat of your life? Are you building your life around Him as the center?Our effectiveness at reaching this world for Christ is directly impacted by what place He has in our lives.To reach the lost, first submit to the Savior.When Christ has His proper place in our lives, everything else will fall in line.This is where we will stop today.

Conclusion

Paul’s second point teaches us to…

b. Proclaim God's power vv. 25-26

v. 25 – He sustains all things.Worshiped – θεραπεύομαι (therapeuomai) heal; cure. To be served (ministered) v. — to have one’s wants or needs attended to by another. Finite verb, present, passive, indicative, third person, singular.As Lord of heaven and earth, there is nothing within God that lacks. Therefore, our service to Him does not add anything to Him, it does not benefit God in any way. This begs the question, why then are we commanded to serve? Because of our lack and the benefit we gain when we serve!God’s commands for our service are for our good and blessing.This is an exhaustive list. God gives life, breath, and all things. This is often referred to as common grace. All humankind, believers and unbelievers alike, are alive by God’s grace and by His divine activity. When we breath in, we do so by divine enablement. Everything we have, we have by God’s grace.v. 26 – we are all one blood. No races.The life of the body is in the blood. As descendants of Adam and Eve, we all have the same blood. The same lineage. While our blood can carry diseases and germs, there is no such thing as racial or national contamination.This is a purpose statement. God created mankind to dwell on the earth. He has determined life expectancy and geographic location for all of us.This is one of those times when we must be careful not to go beyond what is written. Paul says God has determined our times and the boundaries of our dwellings. That’s it. Does God determine the infinite minutia of our lives? Paul doesn’t address that. Paul’s third point teaches us to…

c. Proclaim God's purpose vv. 27-29

vv. 26-27 – He has placed us on this earth that we might seek Him. He initiates, we respond.Here we hit a conundrum.Paul says here that God has done these things so that we will seek Him.Yet in he says the opposite (S).Is this a contradiction? How do we solve this?Context.In Paul is writing to demonstrate that everyone is under sin. He is establishing the need for salvation. To do that he is demonstrating that in our natural state, we are unrighteous, ignorant, opposed to God, etc. Here in Acts Paul’s point is that God intervenes in the lives of all men. This is made clear in (S).Jesus was lifted up. He was crucified. Now He draws all to Himself.This is where I disagree with the Calvinistic doctrine of Irresistible Grace. God draws all to Himself, but not all come. declares that people know God, but willingly choose to reject Him.Grope = blind reaching out and searching (hold arm over eyes and reach out with the other). It is an active searching for God!Being = existence. We exist in God. Paul knew the writings of popular poets. He used what they wrote to connect with his culture so he could preach Christ to them.Think = believe. Don’t believe that God is some idol fashioned by men’s hands and imagination.The god of imagination is not the God of revelation. We don’t serve a made-up being. We serve the one true and living God.Paul’s fourth and final point teaches us to…

d. Proclaim God's program vv. 30-31

v. 30 – All men everywhere to repent. Change their mind. Deal with REPENTANCE!God cannot and will not command something that we are unable to do. Where God commands, He enables. Where God calls, He equips.v. 31 – There is an appointed day of judgement. Jesus will be the judge.Ordained = same word “determined” in v. 26. To preach the message, we must know what it is.

3. We Preach Because There Is A Response vv. 32-34

vv. 32-34 – This is always the three-fold response of people to the gospel. Some mock, some wait, some believe.

a. Be ready for denial v. 32a

b. Be ready for delay v. 32b

c. Be ready for departure v. 33

d. Be ready for declaration v. 34

Conclusion