God Known

Acts 17:22-33

Introduction:

Dr. Morgan quoted from Knowing God by JI Packer. This book begins powerfully with a prominent evangelical figure known as Charles Spurgeon on January 7th, 1855 in Southwark England with the following sermon:

“It has been said by someone that the proper study of mankind is man. I will not oppose this idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God ‘s elect is God; the proper study fo a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child is God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings and existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep that our pride is drowned in its infinity…And while humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Spirit there is a balm for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trials, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning...”

Context:

Redemptive History: One God, one plan, one people. How? Father, Son, Spirit (God) creating and uniting the church to unite the world in Christ.

Luke & Acts- Pt. 1 & 2 (Holy Spirit- Gen 2:7, Gen 11, Acts 2, 10,

Missionary Journey

Paul’s conversion (Acts 8:

First Missionary Journey- Previously (Acts 13:1-14:28) Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, etc.

Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:23) Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, Philipi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus

Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:24-21:16) Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, Troas, Miletus, Cesarea, and Jerusalem.

Text: Acts 17:22-34

Knowing God is the experience and invitation. God being known as an extension of his self-revelation as he pleases. We cannot know him fully, but we know him truly. Paul begins Acts 17 to the Thessalonians and Breans (17:1-15), and the Athenians (16-34).

Unknown (22-23)

Known (24-31)

Results (32-34)

Some mocked

Some believed

Application: Knowing him, and making him known.

Before Evangelism

Pray

Go, Observe and listen

Evangelism

Invite- Good Friday, Easter

Testimony ready

Matthew 16:13-18

Who do people say that Jesus is (universal)

Who do you say that Jesus is (particular)

Ashley Culpepper- videos (www.ibchighland.org)

Trust

God is Sovereign

God alone belongs salvation (Jon 2:9)

We are responsible

2 Corinthians 4:7-12