Mars Hill Sermon at Athens Acts 17:22-28 22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ “There is an appointed time for everything. A time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 31.7) And for the apostle Paul in Athens, this was the appointed time. Remember how Luke had shared earlier in this chapter, that Paul’s spirit was provoked? As he walked around the city of Athens, the preponderance of gods and idols had caused him enough grief and concern, that he could no longer hold his tongue. And so we have in this chapter a glimpse of one of Paul’s sermons. And look how he begins: 22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Class is always in session for the servant of God and we need to comment on how Paul begins his sermon. He began it by identifying with the people he was addressing. He had been observant, and that so essential and important to anyone who declares the word of the Lord. In other words, take some time to know the people and the culture of where you are. Let me give an example that happened to me just yesterday. I had been invited to meet with the Mayor of Ventnor and several administrators of the city. Our time together was a mixture of both my sharing who I was and what was happening in Ventnor Community Church, and the prayerfully listening to these men as they shared about the city and their hope for its future. I came from that meeting with a sense of hope and confidence that God not I had arranged this meeting, and I was grateful for the receptivity and willingness that I saw. Walking to a local restaurant for lunch and then eventually walking back to where my car was parked, my heart was filled with praise, and as I walked among the city blocks, I cried out in prayer for the Lord to bless this community where I was now beginning to serve. I have no doubt that there will be many other opportunities to touch the lives of these men, and hopefully many others. Paul in a similar sense uses the reality of the freedom to speak in the market place, a freedom which the Greeks considered so important, and begins to present the Gospel. He begins by acknowledging that the people he is addressing are very religious. Now let me take this word “religious” and make a few comments. The word itself comes from the Latin religionem (nominative religio) and is defined by respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance.” It may also imply a systematic way of believing in and practice a particular belief. In a positive sense being “religious” may provide some sense of order or ritual. It a negative sense it may also serve to limit, or to actually bind the true freedom that worship implies. Paul uses the word as both an observation and a compliment and then launches from this observation into offering an explanation of one the altars there in the marketplace. There was an altar addressed specifically to “An Unknown God.” Apparently the Greeks were attempting to cover all the bases by even having an altar to worship a God they didn’t even have a name for. Paul wisely uses this “altar” as a means of introducing them to God the Creator and His Son Jesus. And true to his custom of handling the truth of God accurately and honestly, he declares, Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.” What follows though are some essential core truths about God and worship. Take a moment and read slowly the next quote and then meditate upon it. “24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” Wow, talk about a theological lesson! In just a few words Paul affirms God as Creator and Sustainer of all, and then explains that worship of God is not dependent upon buildings or temples or dedicated service, but rather that worship is centered in a heart that seeks to know God. And the other piece of great news that Paul shares is that God is not a God who is far off, but a God who is near. But wait, there’s more. (To quote some of the infomercials.) 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ I remember the very first time I heard the words from this verse, because it was so impressionable. It was at a Chapel Service at Eastern Baptist College, now known as Eastern University. I was a freshman just beginning my college education. One of the students that morning was asked to lead in prayer. He used the words of this verse in his opening petition. At that time I did not know the scriptures well and did not even realize that he was quoting from Acts 17. I just remember his words resonating deeply with in my heart. The time was sometime in the fall of 1960! Even as I am typing this I can visualize the Chapel Service and hearing these words and thinking, “I wish I could pray like that!” But the deeper impression was that my spirit bore witness with this awesome truth about our heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for the desire You have to make Yourself known. Tomorrow Lord willing we will continue with the conclusion of Paul’s sermon and touch briefly on some of the results.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:38:34 +0000
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