07.12.2020 - Unknown God

Scripture

Acts 17:16–34 NLT

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Summary

We can help others know God

Trouble and Opportunity

Story of two shoe salesmen

There's an old preacher story about two shoe salesmen who traveled to a foreign country.

(Growing up in IL, we used to call that foreign country Kentucky.)

When they got out of the boat and looked out at the many people walking across the city, the first shoe salesman sat down in the dirt and wept.

None of these people wear shoes here. I won't ever get any business.

The second shoe salesman shouted for joy!

None of these people wear shoes. I've struck gold and I will never run out of business.

What was the difference between the two shoe salesmen? Perspective.

One wanted to make money by giving people more of what they already had. The other wanted to share what he had with those that were lacking.

Paul in Athens

Paul walked into Athens, which could have been considered one of the most pagan places on the planet at that time.

Instead of standing back and being critical of how far they were from God, he chose to engage them.

Acts 17:16–21 NLT

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)

Instead of allowing himself to be overwhelmed by frustration, Paul spoke to them in a way they could relate to.

He did not set up a booth and try to draw people to himself.

He was drawn to other people.

He started there among the Jews,

But he moved over to speaking with the Gentiles before long.

He went to where the people were, instead of waiting for them to come to him.

He knew how good God was and he wanted to share it instead of keeping it all to himself.

Paul allowed himself to be outnumbered and because he was able to meet people right where they were, he earned their respect.

They began inviting him to speak in more prominent places, among people who were even more different than himself.

So how do you explain God to someone who has never even heard of our God?

Connecting Point

Acts 17:22–26 NLT

So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

Can you tell the story of the Bible in 2 minutes or less?

Wednesday Night Bible Studies and the 5 Covenants

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

David

Connecting the dots between now and the bigger story being lived.

You don't have to know the whole Bible. You just have to know who God is and a little of what he has done.

Then you connect the dots back to their story

Connecting the Dots

Acts 17:27–31 NLT

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

The Power of sharing

Bumper sticker slogans

Personal testimony

Listening and connecting in with the story of the listener

Ending with the resurrection

Justice and Mercy

Our hope

Confused by what we hear about the world today

Have to choose which is truth instead of being able to know

Knowing that not everyone can be right and hoping we've chosen the right way

Wondering what the consequences will be.

Wouldn't it be easier if God just cane down and told us what to do rather than listening to all these people that might be trying to sell us something.

Response

Acts 17:32–34 NLT

When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

You won't always get the response you hope for.

We cannot change people, but God can

Remember, one shoe salesman was worried about making sales and was sad because it wasn't popular to buy or wear shoes in that culture.

The other was focused on protecting people's feet and showing them something that would help them live in a new way.

CTA

Who has God put in your life that needs to know Jesus more.

Do you see them as a burden or as an opportunity?

Do you love them even if they don't love Jesus?

How can you share God's story with them?

How can you share your story with them?

Do you know their story enough to share where God has already been working in their life?