- Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 17 address the way Paul’s approach to proclaiming the Gospel looks slightly different in different religious contexts — and then considers how we can apply these principles in Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel to our own lives.
- Acts 17 essentially has three main movements: (1) Paul in Thessalonica (17:1-9); (2) Paul in Berea (17:10-15); and (3) Paul in Athens (17:16-34).
- Today’s episode will look at Paul’s approach to proclaiming the Gospel — first in Thessalonica and Berea, then compare it with his approach in Athens.
Part 1: Proclaiming the Gospel in Synagogues
- As we have seen elsewhere in the book of Acts, Paul’s normal approach was to go into the Synagogues on the Sabbath days and reason with with Jews — from the Scriptures — that Jesus is the Christ, and that it was necessary for the Christ to die and rise from the dead. And on nearly every occasion, we see both of these two responses:
- There is often a number of Jews and God fearing Greeks who end up believing the message.
- AND almost always there is also some measure of persecution.
- We see this happen again and again throughout the book of Acts.
- And as an application point — if you are faithfully telling people about Jesus, you can expect both reactions at some point in your life: some people believing and some people really wanting you to be silent — and they express that anywhere on the spectrum of disapproving looks and murmuring about you to the other end of causing riots and killing those who continue to believe.
- So, in this case, we see Paul coming to Thessalonica. Here he reasoned with the people for three weeks — and eventually the Jews get jealous as the witness many people coming to faith and following Paul’s teaching.
- In Thessalonica we see these Jewish leaders stirring up some worthless men and forming a mob. Then end up attacking the house of Jason who was apparently housing Paul and his traveling companions.
- When the mob could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the other believers before the city authorities.
- Listen to what this mob has to say — “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus” (Acts 17:6-7).
- They turned the world upside down! Friends, while we should be hesitant to take seriously the charges of a mindless mob — consider the impact of the Gospel — I believe what they are saying is true. The Gospel turns the world upside down!
- When the world seeks to honor self and lift up fallen men or systems as their savior — the Gospel points to Jesus who alone is Savior and shows us the way of humility. When the world seeks revenge, the Gospel offers forgiveness. When the world glorifies rebellion against God, the Gospel offers reconciliation back to Him. When the world blares through its loud speakers of culture a life of ME FIRST AND ME ALWAYS — the Gospel proclaims Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength… then love your neighbor. And when the world cries “follow your heart” and “you are the captain of your destiny” — the Gospel proclaims “let Christ rule your heart” and “follow hard after Him”
- Oh friend — the Gospel turns the world upside down! The question is, has it turned yourworld upside down? Do you bow the knee to King Jesus? Or does your life follow the pattern of the world?
- They turned the world upside down! Friends, while we should be hesitant to take seriously the charges of a mindless mob — consider the impact of the Gospel — I believe what they are saying is true. The Gospel turns the world upside down!
- Well, the brothers in Thessalonica immediately send Paul and Silas 50 miles down the road to Berea (17:10). And once again, we see Paul’s pattern — go to the Synagogues. Here, however, Luke notes something unique about Berea, “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (17:11).
- Friend, if there is one thing you should get out of this verse it is this: diligently search the Scriptures, seek the truth, and as you do, ask the Lord almighty to open your eyes and heart to understand the truth — he will do it!
- Then the Jews in Thessalonica heard that the Word of God had come to those in Berea — and they go there to stir up more trouble for Paul. And once again the brothers send Paul off. This time, Silas and Timothy would stay behind and continue the work of sharing the Gospel.
- Paul ends up going as far as Athens and then calls for Silas and Timothy to come. Once again in Athens he finds a synagogue and he continues to reason with the Jews and devout persons. This time, however, we see that Luke notes that every day Paul reasoned “in the marketplace… with those who happened to be there” (17:17).
- Paul ends up also conversing with some philosophers who were intrigued by what he was saying. They end up bringing him to the Areopagus to share what things he was teaching – for they were strange to their ears (17:18-20). In fact, Paul’s preaching was so focused on Jesus and the resurrection that they thought Paul was speaking of two different gods!
- Well, this brings us to part 2.
Part 2: Proclaiming the Gospel in the Areopagus
- Prior to jumping into Paul’s proclamation to the Areopagus, it is worth noting how Paul’s time in Athens started. We read in verse 16 that the city was full of idols, statues and the like of the gods which were worshiped in Athens. And we see that Paul’s spirit was provoked!
- The entire city was devoted to these false gods as was evident by the idols he found in every corner of the city. We might think — that’s over-reacting a little bit. Paul, settle down. These are just the cultures and religions of the people in that area. But we will understand something of Paul’s agitation when we hear what he preaches to “the Men of Athens.”
- So what would Paul have to say about these things he was preaching?
- Paul’s starting point in the Areopagus was very different than when he was in the synagogue. And why would that be? Well, when we consider the audience, these Greek, Gentile philosophers had no frame of reference for the Scriptures. In fact, the idea of “no idols” would have been utterly foreign to them (as is evident by their city — and the very place where they were standing).
- Paul starts by addressing where his audience is and then bridges into the Gospel.
- His reasoning is rooted in Old Testament ideas — but he communicated them in a way that connected with his Greek hearers. Paul quoted and interacting with their own thinkers — authors popular in the day. He quotes them in a well-informed and respectful manner — pulling from aspects of their writing that hit on truth. That is not to say that Paul would have upheld all the writing of these authors as true — just the parts he was quoting.
- It would not be too much unlike if you are speaking with your friends and you quote from a popular author or a popular song something that reflects truth. Then using that as a bridge to proclaiming biblical truth.
- His reasoning is rooted in Old Testament ideas — but he communicated them in a way that connected with his Greek hearers. Paul quoted and interacting with their own thinkers — authors popular in the day. He quotes them in a well-informed and respectful manner — pulling from aspects of their writing that hit on truth. That is not to say that Paul would have upheld all the writing of these authors as true — just the parts he was quoting.
- I would like to consider the themes addressed by Paul in these verses — and I would encourage you to take the time to really examine the words of this sermon.
- Paul speaks of how God made the whole world and everything in it
- Paul addresses how the God who made all things does not live in temples made by man because He gives everything to mankind that they need — including their very breath
- Paul proclaims that God made every nation of men from one man AND that God determines WHEN and WHERE they would live
- Paul says that was for the purpose of mankind reaching out to him and finding him — even though God is not far from us — that is to say He is omnipresent and He hears people’s prayers and knows their very hearts
- Paul returns to the topic of idolatry by saying that God is not like gold or silvers or any image that we shape by art or imagination
- And in verses 30-31 he moves into the distinctly Christian part of his message — God overlooked such ignorance (consider how that would have been a “shot across the bow” of those who worshipped idols) in the past BUT NOW
- (1) God commands all people everywhere to repent – that is turn from their worship of false gods — and the reason is…
- (2) Because He — GOD — has “fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead” (17:31).
- Paul just raised the stakes and introduced some major things!
- (a) God will judge the world!! There is a judgment coming!
- (b) that judgment will be in righteousness — that is, our lives: our deeds, our words, our thoughts, our intentions and motives — it will be measured and examined by a standard.
- (c) that standard, and one by whom the act of judgment itself will be executed, is “by Jesus” — we will not be measured against the actions of our neighbors, we will not be judged to see if our lives are better than the worst criminal offenders — our lives will be judged “in righteousness” according to the standard of God!
- Sure — others have no right to judge us, for we all have fallen short — but Jesus Christ, the righteous… He alone has the right, the authority, and the ability to judge us — and according to the Word, it will happen — and God has fixed that day… thus the gracious command to repent!
- And finally (d) God has given all humanity assurance of this by raising Jesus Christ — that very standard of righteousness — by raising HIM from the dead!
- I ask you, then, dear friend, of what importance is understanding and proclaiming the resurrection of Christ from the dead?
- Well, what response do we see from the moral, ethical, religious leaders of Athens? Much the same as we see today — three responses: (1) some mocked, (2) others were unsure and wanted to hear more, and (3) some believed.
- Again, I ask you, you watching this right now — what is your response to this preaching? Which of the three do you land on?
Conclusion & Application:
- We have covered some heavy things in these verses. I want to conclude with three reflections to recap:
- (1) Has your world been turned upside down by the Gospel?
- (2) Have you considered the reality to which Paul points in this sermon — that a day of judgment is coming — have you repented and turned to the Lord?
- (3) Has the truth of God’s word so grabbed your heart that you, like Paul must share it?
- I don’t know what your answers are to these questions, but do not let them pass you by… take them serious… and reach out to your local church or me if you have any questions!
- I invite you, if you have not yet believed in the Lord Jesus Christ – turn to Him this day! Do not put it off — turn to him this day!
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