Middlebelt Baptist Church
October 4, 2026

      • Psalm 8:1–4NASB95

  • Battle Belongs
  • In The Room

      • Acts 17:25–34NASB95

  • Indescribable
  • Acts 17:16–34 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new. 22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

    Intro:

    Theme: Jesus full of Grace and truth.
    We have tracked Jesus movement as he ministered to “The adulterous woman” as he ate with “sinners and tax collectors” and the Syro-Phonecian Woman. Jesus was gracious, tender and truthful.
    Now I want to take a look at one of his pupils Paulos. Does he follow the same blueprint as Jesus? Does he balance grace and truth, while dealing with sinners?
    Paul in this narrative systematically deconstructs the Idolatrous system that the Greeks and Romans perpetuated.
    Greece & Rome their close cousin: Were opulent, greedy, sexual immoral, and violent cultures. Somewhat like our culture here in America. Paul is ministering in a culture very similar to ours.
    Both Greece and Rome were noted for their polytheistic systems of worship.
    In their economy of God’s they believe that largely the gods were so transcendant(seperarated) from man that they could no be known.
    Paul was introducing them to a God who is both “transcendant(seperate) & Imminant(near) one who has made himself known to us.

    I. Paul’s concern

    Acts 17:16 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols.
    (EXP)(16) Paul was waiting in Athens and observing the cultural setting of Athens, Greece. While people watching Paul became “deeply distressed” and why? “He saw the city was full idols.
    deeply distressed-to be internally angry-stirred up internally-Caused to have a state of inward arousal so intense that you can’t help but to act.
    Paul was so impacted by the level of idolatry in Athens that he basically said “I can’t stay quiet”
    “while Paul was waiting for them in Athens”
    Who was Paul waiting for in Athens?
    Acts 17:15 CSB
    15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.
    Paul left Timothy and Silas in berea to fortify this area biblically and he himself was sent to the coast at Athens on a layover. The final destination of this trip was Corinth which was directly West of Athens.
    Paul looked around and was “deeply distressed” or seriously provoke to respond to the level of idolatry that was present in Athens.
    Acts Interpretive Insights

    Athens represents the golden age of Greece and the birthplace of Western philosophy, theater, and government. Illustrious figures such as Socrates, Pericles, Aristophanes, Aristotle, and Plato are associated with the city.

    Paul is not in a cultural sightseeing mood, and his spirit is agitated by the proliferation of idols. He does not bide his time waiting for his coworkers to arrive; he proclaims the gospel to Jews in the synagogue and to pagans in the town square. His preaching leads to hot debates

    Paul is on a layover at the cultural center of Philosophical Thought, Debate and Culture.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Since Athens was one of the oldest cities that Paul visited, the number and the diversity of cult images might have exceeded anything that he had seen. If the theater of Ephesus alone displayed 29 gold statues of Artemis and 120 statues of Nike and Eros, the temples and the public spaces of Athens would certainly have been endowed with many more visualizations of the deities that the Athenians worshiped. Pliny reckons that in his day the city of Rhodes had 73,000 statues, with “no fewer” in Athens and in the temple cities of Olympia and Delphi

    Paul up until this point had not been in a city with this level of idolatry. He was inundated with religious altars, Temples, and statutes of worship. Athens is also place of one of the 7 wonders of the world the Acropolis of Athens which sits on a mount above the city of Athens.
    After evaluating, pondering and doing some reconnaissance Paul went into solution mode.

    II. Paul’s Solution

    Acts 17:17–21 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    So Paul on a layover could not help but say something. So Paul went roaming and found a Jewish Synagogue. This seemed to be Paul’s pattern of ministry. Notice the beginning of this Chapter in Acts 17:1-4
    Acts 17:1–4 CSB
    1 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
    (1-2) Passing two regions in Asia Minor he came to Thessalonica, and found a Jewish Synagogue “as usual” As Paul went into these regions in Asia Minor he would start his evangelistic endeavors in Jewish Synagogue’s. This should peak your interest. Why were all these Jewish Synagogue’s spread throughout the known world. The congregation of these churches are Jewish people who did not return to Judea after 7 centuries of captivity. They are called “hellenized Jew” fully Jewish in ethnicity and belief but totally immersed in the lifestyle of the places they were scattered too.
    What was Paul’s message?
    (2-3) We went to the synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths in order to reasoned with them from the Scriptures. You will notice two important things in this text.
    The Method of Persuasion-Paul “reasoned” this word means to converse, reason or persuade using logic or debate. The formal definition is teaching via the means of logic. It is an appeals to the mind with the intent that it will cause a change in life direction.
    Paul understood something very important one’s mind must be saved before their emotions and will respond.
    Sidenote: While its appropriate for a worship service to appeal to your emotions that is not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal of worship is to simulate the mind and cause you to mediate, ponder and think about the ramifications of the songs and words spoken in the pulpit. My goal in Sunday is for you “Think” because your growth starts in the mind before it reaches the emotion and the will. My goal is not entertainment.
    Paul reaches back into the OT and systematically walks his Jewish brothers through the text to show them “Jesus death, Burial and Resurrection” was predicted by the Prophets.
    The Mode of Persuasion-Saints; Paul was not gimmicky. Paul was not trendy in his evangelistic endeavors. Notice what he used as his “Mode of Persuasion” Paul reasoned from the Scriptures. This profound. We live in a era where the sufficiency of the scriptures is under attack.
    The Sufficiency of Scripture-Scripture is sufficient in that it is the only inspired, inerrant, and therefore final authority for Christians for faith and godliness, with all other authorities being subservient to Scripture.
    This definition does not argue the bible is the only place that truth can be obtain it simple means that all other means of truth found in the world must ultimately bow down to the text. When a wordly theory meets the bible the bible is the final authoritative bar that measure truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB
    16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
    Acts 17:16–21 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    (17) “As was his usual” he went to the Jewish Synagogue in this text there are three groups of people he was preaching too:
    Hellenized Jews-Jews who did not come back to Israel to help rebuild the wall but stayed in gentile territory but still worshipped Yahweh and built Synagogue’s
    Those who worship God-These are gentiles who became worshippers Yahweh and followers of the Torah. They are called Proselytes.
    They are indentified in Acts 17:4
    Acts 17:4 CSB
    4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
    3. As well as in the marketplace-These are the philosophers and residence of Athens who were not apart of the Jewish Religion. These would be the Pagans.
    (18) While preaching Paul has irritated the local philosphers from the Camp of the Stoics and Epicurean’s. To seperate belief but both against the teaching of Paul.
    What was Paul teaching about?
    Acts 17:18 CSB
    18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
    (18) Paul was preaching about Jesus and the resserection. He is deconstruting the Religous systems of the Jews, the Prostylytes, and Pagans. By preaching the Cross.
    The philosphers tried to clown Paul by questioning his motive “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?”. In philosphy this is called an “Ad hominem” attack. It is an attack against the person rather than his argument.
    When a debate is lost insults become the loser’s tool……Socrates
    Acts 17:19–21 CSB
    19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    (19) The Philosphers and the Athenians bring Paul to the Areopagus. The Areopagus is a location where teaching’s are evaluated and debated.
    We might call it The Supreme Court, which is both a location and activity. This is the place where laws are debated.
    The Areopagus was the place that ideas where debated.
    This divine meeting was set up by God. Paul started by ministering in the Synagogue, and the marketplace but ended up in a court room with a platform to teach the Death, Burial and Resserection of Christ.

    Conclusion

    I can’t help but think of the text in Luke 16:10
    Luke 16:10 CSB
    10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
    God gave Paul a bigger platform because his faithfulness in the little.
    All is not well though. Paul is aware that this is an enviroment that could cost him his life. Socrates was executed for his belief about God in the same type of setting Paul is about to go into. If the Athenians decide that Paul is turning people away for the worship of the Gods they could execute him on the spot.
    Next week we will look at Paul’s appeal.
    Open the Doors of the Church

    Part II

    Review:

    I played this video to demystify the stories of the bible. So that you could see the bible stories correlate to real places with real context. And since many of us may never be able to go to Athens let’s bring Athens to us.
    Paul’s concern-Paul saw a city full of idols and he was compelled to act. He could not keep quiet. He was so convicted by what he saw he had to do something about it.
    Paul’s Solution-Paul’s solution in Acts 17:17
    Acts 17:17 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
    Paul appeals to the mind. Paul reasoned in the synagogue, Paul reasoned in the Marketplace and Paul reasoned in the courts.
    Paul understood the people cannot trust something their mind has not accepted first. So he “reasoned” that word carries the idea of persuasion through the means of logic and precision.
    This message of the cross, burial and resurrection of cross got him in trouble with the local Philosophers and pontificator’s. This lead to a hearing whereby which Paul would have to defend his teaching in front of the city intelligentsia, and common folks. This is where we find ourselves this week.
    Paul’s appeal!!!!

    III. Paul’s Appeal

    Acts 17:22–31 CSB
    22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
    Acts 17:22 CSB
    22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.
    (EXP)(22) Paul stood in the middle(on trial) to give an account of his teaching. In this crowd were outright skeptics, seekers and debaters. Paul dealt with them all in a graceful way. Notice how he came at them.
    (22) “People of Athens!” I see that you are extemely religous in ever respect” These people were pagans idolaters on their way to hell. Guilty of committing all types of henious sins. Yet Paul uses this moment to make a connection and by complimentary to their religous devotion.
    Some may see a touch of sarcasm in the voice of Paul but I see Paul trying to make a connection, so that their ears may remain open to his teaching.
    Although these people are enemies of God they are not Paul’s enemies he was teaching and dealing with them as future converts to the Gospel.
    He does this by finding a point of reference that they can connect on. He takes time to compliment them on the religious commitment.
    (22) “You are extremely religious in every respect” This carries the idea of whatever they do. They are consistent in their belief. Ideologies have causes and effects. Paul is complimenting their commitment to the system of Gods they are worshippping.
    Pastor Hood was telling me that the people with the highest integrity when it comes to payment are the JW’s. We can disagree with their teaching and the motives of evangelism, but you cannot refute their passion and faithfulness to spread their teaching.
    Paul found a place of connection. I believe he did this to reduce the tension of “Me against you” and let’s no forget “These are where debates happen” and in debates winning can often be more important than true geniune conversion.
    Why does building connection matter?
    Finding points of connection when evangelizing is important because it builds trust, lowers defenses, and makes the message personal rather than transactional
    Builds trust:People are more likely to listen to someone they know rather than a stranger
    Creates Common Ground: Shared experiences place both people on the same side, turning a potential argument into a shared conversation. (Paul was a former member of the Sanherin he knows what its like to be part of a highly religous systems that happens to be going in the wrong direction)
    Show’s geniune care: Showing care and concern for someone honors them by putting care and concern before mere instruction.
    Remove’s Pressure: A relational approach avoids aggressive tactics and allows faith to be shared naturally over time
    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul research their ideology and had a good working knowledge of the things they cherished and honored. Rather than rush headlong into deconstruting their system he took the time to try and understand their ideology so that his argument against it was relevant. Notice what he said.
    (23) While passing through Paul saw and altar “To an Unknown God” they made an altar a place of worship for a “God they didn’t know” this was Paul’s opening right here. People since of the inception of Mankind have sought to make sense of the external world often by creating a pantheon of Gods to give explanatory power to what we see.
    (23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.

    Paul teaches them “Theology Proper”

    Paul apologetic started with God.
    (24) “The God who made the world and everything in it he is the Lord of heaven and earth”
    In ancient Greek mythology, the universe itself emerged from a primordial void called Chaos, giving birth to successive generations of elemental deities and Greek religion figures who shaped the cosmos
    (24) Paul tells the Athenian’s the creation of the cosmos was not a group project it was created by “One God” singular.
    Paul in this clause deconstructing “polytheism which is the beliefs of many god’s” and offering “Theism which is the belief in one God” Not “One of many, Not One central God then a bunch of lesser god’s” but There is Only one God without any lesser or equal being worthy of “Altars or Temples”
    yall Paul is cooking now!!! Look at what he attacks now!!!
    (24) “He is Lord of heaven and Earth” The Greek had God’s and Demi-gods. Some that ruled heaven and some that ruled on the earth. Paul says the True and living God does rules and reigns in both the unseen and seen world. There is not an once of the cosmos that he does not control and he does not need our help!

    Part 3- Paul Closes the Deal

    Intro: Video

    Review:

    I played this video to demystify the stories of the bible. So that you could see the bible stories correlate to real places with real context. And since many of us may never be able to go to Athens let’s bring Athens to us.
    Paul’s concern-Paul saw a city full of idols and he was compelled to act. He could not keep quiet. He was so convicted by what he saw he had to do something about it.
    Paul’s Solution-Paul’s solution in Acts 17:17
    Acts 17:17 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
    Paul appeals to the mind. Paul reasoned in the synagogue, Paul reasoned in the Marketplace and Paul reasoned in the courts.
    Paul understood the people cannot trust something their mind has not accepted first. So he “reasoned” that word carries the idea of persuasion through the means of logic and precision.
    This message of the cross, burial and resurrection of cross got him in trouble with the local Philosophers and pontificator’s. This lead to a hearing whereby which Paul would have to defend his teaching in front of the city intelligentsia, and common folks. This is where we find ourselves this week.
    Paul’s appeal!!!!

    II. Paul’s Appeal

    Paul Teaches the Athenians “Theology Proper”

    Theology Proper: the specific branch of systematic theology that studies the existence, character, attributes, and nature of God Himself
    Paul apologetic started with God.

    Theology Proper-Paul teaches About God

    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.
    (EXP)(24) “The God who made the world and everything in it he is the Lord of heaven and earth”
    In ancient Greek mythology, the universe itself emerged from a primordial void called Chaos, giving birth to successive generations of elemental deities and Greek religion figures who shaped the cosmos
    (24) Paul tells the Athenian’s the creation of the cosmos was not a group project it was created by “One God” singular.
    Paul in this clause deconstructing “polytheism which is the beliefs of many god’s” and offering “Theism which is the belief in one God” Not “One of many, Not One central God then a bunch of lesser god’s” but There is Only one God without any lesser or equal being worthy of “Altars or Temples”
    yall Paul is cooking now!!! Look at what he attacks now!!!
    (24) “He is Lord of heaven and Earth” The Greek had God’s and Demi-gods. Some that ruled heaven and some that ruled on the earth. Paul says the True and living God does rule and reign in both the unseen and seen world. There is not an once of the cosmos that he does not control and he does not need our help!
    (24) “He does not live in shrines(temples) made by hands” Paul is trying to get killed right now. While he is preaching over his left shoulder is the Parthenon! The jewel of the known world. He says the True and Living God don’t live there! Because no earthly tent or temple can hold him!
    Can you imagine believing in a God who can create the heaven’s and earth but he needs us to make a house for him on earth?
    The whole cosmos is his dwelling place. Listen to what Solomon says about the Lord in 2 Chronicles 6:17-18
    2 Chronicles 6:17–18 CSB
    17 Now, Lord God of Israel, please confirm what you promised to your servant David. 18 But will God indeed live on earth with humans? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built.
    Although Solomon had built a temple for God to commune with his people he understood the temple he built could not contain God!! Listen to David in Psalm 139:7-12
    Psalm 139:7–12 CSB
    7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.
    Although the Athenians may have meant well. They had a gross misunderstanding of the vastness and “Omnipresence” of God. No Temple, No altar, No Churches can trap, surround or encapsulate El Olam “The Ever Lasting and Eternal God”
    Acts 17:25 CSB
    25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(25) The greek system was built on “placation” Placation is the act of soothing, pacifying, or appeasing someone to reduce their anger, hostility, or distrust
    When Kobe Bryant cheated on his wife. He immediately bought her a 6m ring to “placate” her.
    (25) Paul says the God I’m introducing to you today does not rely on mankind for anything. Notice what he says “he is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything” When you create a system whereby the god’s are dependant on mankind, in the same fashion mankind is dependent on the gods the relation becomes a transaction of equals. This is why over time the Pharaoh’s of Egypt, The Kings of Babylon and the Ceaser’s of Rome were considered the human manifestation of the gods’
    (25) In Christianity there is a clear line of distinction between Animals, Man, Angels and God. God sits atop this heirarchy without any competition. Listen to him in Isaiah 42:8
    Isaiah 42:8 CSB
    8 I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
    The aseity of God:is the theological doctrine that God is self-existent, self-sufficient, and depends on nothing outside of Himself for His existence or attributes.
    A.W. Tozer (from The Knowledge of the Holy): “God is self-existent. He is what He is of Himself. All other beings exist because He called them into being, but He exists because He is.”
    R.C. Sproul: “God does not need the universe to be happy. He does not lack anything. He is complete in Himself.”
    (EXP)(25) “Since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things” Notice the syntax “he himself” Third person intensive predicate. When you see this it is the “greek way” of saying “all by himself”
    Mankind is wholy dependant on God and God is dependant on “no one” The life that comes to us from him flows one way!!!
    He did not create man out of loneliness or boredom.
    You might ask if God does not need us for anything why do we worship, why do we give, why does he expect obedience from us, Why did OT saints offer sacrifices to him?
    God does not require these because he has needs that he cannot fill. Worship brings God pleasure, sacrifice brings God pleasure, extending grace to the undeserved brings God pleasure to God.
    You might say “Then God needs pleasure” and since he is coming to man he must not be able to provide it to himself.
    Psalm 16:11 CSB
    11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
    (11) “abundant” “fulness”-fully satiated. When we get to heaven and bask in his presence there will be abundant joy. Because the source of joy is found in the Triune God.
    Colossians 1:19 CSB
    19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
    Notice God’s pleasure comes from within the Godhead itself. In the Godhead is the first community. And these three person are all eternal, self-sufficient, and wholy independent for any needs meet outside of themselves.
    Analogy: as contigent beings we need water. If given enough time a lack of water would kill us. But we don’t need Ice cream. I could live the rest of our lives without ever having a scoop of Gernsys Butter Pecan Ice cream and I would survive. Although Ice cream is not neccessary for our survival it brings us pleasure especially of there is a hot bowl of peach cobbler and some ice cream on top. So you see there things that are neccessary and there are things the simple brings us pleasure.
    In contrast to us God does not need anything for his own survival and his own pleasure, but we are like a scoop of ice cream to God. We are unneccsary for his happiness and survival but he simple created us to bring himslef pleasure. Not because he needs it but because he wanted it.
    This is so humbling and sobering especially for people who believe the party doesn’t start until they get there.
    This is why the sin of Pride is so dangerous. The Sin of Pride says “God needs me!” and “I can exist outside of the power of God!”
    Why is God’s aseity important to us?
    At least 2 reason.
    1st-If God was contigent on something outside himself by definition that source would be God. Thereby creating an infinite regress. God is the uncaused cause!
    2nd-Because if God existence was contigent on something outside of himself then he could not assure us of any of the promises he has made to us because that would be contingent on something outside of his control.
    Son I promise to come to the your football at 6pm. I worked to 530pm. But my promise is based on several things outside of my control. Last minute work emergency, traffic, my own health. Because we are all contigent beings our promises are tenous at best.
    But because God is totally self-sufficient, omniscience, omnipresent, omnipotent when he promises something its guaranteed because there is nothing that can get in the way of fulfilling his promises to us.
    When he says in Romans 8:31-38
    Romans 8:31–38 CSB
    31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
    (39) “Nor any other created thing will be able to seperate us from the Lord of God”
    Why?
    Because all created things are contingent on God for its existence, while God is contigent on nothing! So that is why his promise “To never be seperated from us” we can be fully assured of because he is the only who can break his promise but he has already told us there is one thing “I can’t do” and that is “Lie” so once I promise it I must fulfill it!!!!
    This is why I believe “In perserverance of the saints” because once God has truly saved me “I can’t even unsave myself”
    Listen John in Revelation.
    Revelation 4:11 CSB
    11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
    Colossians 1:16 CSB
    16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.
    We were created to bring pleasure to the Triune God. Not out of need but simple because he wanted too!!!
    Listen to the Pharisees in Luke 19:39-40 who believe if they could shut up the disciples Jesus ministry would be over. Because Jesus is dependant on their witness of him.
    Luke 19:39–40 CSB
    39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”
    (39-40) The Religous leaders told Jesus to censure his disciples. Then look at Jesus response in (40) “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out”
    the statement is a powerful poetic figure of speech. It means that honoring Jesus is so necessary and right that inanimate objects would fill the silence if humans failed.
    Conclusion
    Isaiah 6:1–3 CSB
    1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphim were standing above him; they each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.
    If we failed to worship! The Angels will cry out!!!
    Are the Angels worshipping because God needs them to worship? NO! They are worshipping because they can’t help it!!
    Psalm 148:1–13 CSB
    1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly armies. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He set them in position forever and ever; he gave an order that will never pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, all sea monsters and ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes his command, 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, creatures that crawl and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, 12 young men as well as young women, old and young together. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.
    Open the Doors of the Church!!!
    The Heavens cry in worship every second of the day!!!

    Part 4

    Title: Paul Closes the Deal-Part II

    Intro:

    Review:

    Paul Teaches the Athenians “Theology Proper”

    Theology Proper: the specific branch of systematic theology that studies the existence, character, attributes, and nature of God Himself
    Paul apologetic started with God.

    Theology Proper-Paul teaches About God and nature

    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.

    Anthropology-Paul the athenians about Man

    I. Man’s problems

    Acts 17:26–31 CSB
    26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
    (EXP)(26) Paul tells the Athenians “From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth” Paul is deconstructing the strict societal heirachy the Romans who conquered Athens would have instituted. Paul is teaching them that “All man are made in the image of God” are in their essence equal to one another despite their social status. There are not Gods, Demi-Gods or Special status of humanity. “From one blood God made the nations” We all share one common ancestor, our first parents Adam and Eve.
    Roman Societal Structure
    The Emperor: Positioned at the very top of the imperial structure with absolute political and military authority.
    Patricians: The traditional aristocratic elite and landowners who monopolized early political and religious power.
    Equites (Equestrians): A wealthy business, trade, and administrative class positioned just below the patricians.
    Plebeians: The common citizens—including farmers, craftsmen, and laborers—who made up the majority of the population.
    Freedmen (liberti): Manumitted former slaves who held limited civic rights and often remained tied to their former masters.
    Enslaved People: Regarded as legal property without basic human or civil rights, making up a significant portion of the workforce
    (26) Paul was addressing this type of structure in his first description of man. The most important fact that we need to know about mankind is that we share a common ancestor, and at the ontological level we are all on the same level. Our earthly authority might be different but our status in front of God is that we share the same human condition.
    Sinful people have the tendency to put people in descending levels of value listen to Thomas Jefferson words about Slaves:
    Comparing them by their faculties of memory, reason, and imagination, it appears to me, that in memory they are equal to the whites; in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous. It would be unfair to follow them to Africa for this investigation.
     (Thesis) I advance it therefore as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind……Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia (Richmond: 1853), 149-152, 155.
    Listen to the Lord describe Mankind in Psalm 8:1-9
    Psalm 8:1–9 CSB
    1 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with your majesty. 2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have established a stronghold on account of your adversaries in order to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? 5 You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, 8 the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
    This is true of the poor child in a village of India as it is of the President of the US children who are protected 24 hours a day by secret service agents.
    This is a settle fact in the mind of God and he will demand an account of how treat each other in our humanity.
    Acts 17:26–27 CSB
    26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
    (EXP)(26) “From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth, and has determined their appointed times and boundaries of where they live”
    (26) Paul says every kingdom, nation, empire has a time span. No nation will survive in perpetuity. Nations rise and Nations fall. No nation owns the title deed to the earth. We are all renters. No one has a mortgage on God’s territory.
    Does a nation have the right to protect his borders and enact laws to ensure it’s own survival?
    The short answer is yes. But it must be done in light of this verse. And that’s with the recognition we don’t own anything we are simple renters on Earth and the Landowner is going to at some point demand an account of what we did while we are here!
    3 Points of Application from the verse
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Paul asserts that the human race is one on account of its origins

    2.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Second, Paul asserts that the human race was created by God to inhabit the earth in all its diversity

    Acts 17:27 CSB
    27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
    Why did God allow people of like phenotypes and culture link up together in certain regions of the world?
    3.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Third, Paul asserts that the human race was created by God so that people are in fellowship with him

    (EXP)(27) “He did this so that perhaps we would reach out and find him” Notice what the NASB says in Acts 17:27
    Acts 17:27 NASB
    27 that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
    (27) The NASB captures the metaphor better than the CSB. It says the nations and peoples of nations are like a blind man “groping” for God in the dark. The desire to find him is there but the wherewithal to find him requires God to turn on the lights.
    (27) Paul tells us He is not far from any of us. Meaning when he start to make a concerted effort to find God he will let himself be made known. That may sound like “We take one step God will take two” it is not because even the desire to find God in the dark comes from God.
    Paul is speaking directly to the Athenians who were trying to make sense of God with all their temples and altars but essentially they were groping around like a blind man to find so because of their movement towards God, God sent Paul to give them Special Revelation.
    Psalm 145:18–19 CSB
    18 The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them.
    Acts 17:28–29 CSB
    28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.
    (28) Paul says in contrast to God who is self-sufficient we are totally dependant on God for our existence. Outside of God’s intervention we would cease to exist. Then Paul quotes a Greek Philospher Aratus “For we are also his offspring” This tells me something that even in pagan religions truthful statement can be found.
    (28) Christian have the tendency to believe we have a monopoly on all truth. We don’t truth is built into creation and sometimes even pagans arrived at Truth intersection where we can find common ground.
    (EXP)(29)
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Paul asserts that the worship of the human race must not confuse God with images

    (29) we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. Watch the logic of Paul statement. When you look at mankind and the intricacy of the human body you surmise that he must have been created by an invisible God or Gods but then you turn around and from the works of your own hands try to make a God of wood or gold to Worship me.
    If you can admit mankind did not come from the hands of man but something supernatural then how is it that you think you can then create God from gold or silver then worship it.
    Then Paul moves to the gospel after laying the groundwork from the Study of God, then the Study of Man!
    What were the results of Paul’s message?

    IV. Paul Resolve & Results

    Acts 17:30–34 CSB
    30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
    (EXP)(30) “Therefore” “In conclusion” Having shown grace and mercy to previous generation because of their ignorance God now commands “all people to repent” and why? because he has a day by which is going to judge the world based on his righteous standard.
    The resurrection of Jesus proves that thier will be life after death for all of mankind. John the Apostle helps us with this in Revelation 20:11-14
    Revelation 20:11–14 CSB
    11 Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13 Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. 14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    Summary: This text tells us all the places the housed the bodies of dead folks, the sea, the cemetary, the battlefields will give up the bodies of the dead then the spirits of those who don’t have a relationship with Christ in Hades will reunite with their physical bodies again and they will face the Lord bodily. (14) “This is the second death”
    What was the response to Paul’s message?
    Acts 17:32–34 CSB
    32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
    I see three groups in the response:
    The Rebellious-These are ones who hear the truth and ridicule the truth. (When they heard about the resserection of the dead, some began to ridicule him)
    The Seeker-These are ones who are not ready to make a decision but are intrigued by what we preached(We’d llike to hear from you again about this)
    (33) Paul left their presence
    The Believer-These are people who hear the message of the gospel and believe! (Some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them)
    Conclusion
    Paul in this gospel presentation found common points of connection and he did this without minimizing, disrespecting or condescension
    Paul walk the Athenians through the gospel by using a comprehensive knowledge of their culture so that he could meet them where they where
    Paul did not treat them as enemies but as future brothers and sister in Christ.
    Paul did not sugar coat the gospel. He ended his message with a clear and concise presentation of the gospel.
    It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
    David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)
    1 Corinthians 11:23–33 CSB
    23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, welcome one another.

      • Acts 17:16–34CSB

      • Acts 17:16CSB

      • Acts 17:15CSB

      • Acts 17:17–21CSB

      • Acts 17:1–4CSB

      • 2 Timothy 3:16–17CSB

      • Acts 17:16–21CSB

      • Acts 17:4CSB

      • Acts 17:18CSB

      • Acts 17:19–21CSB

      • Luke 16:10CSB

      • Acts 17:17CSB

      • Acts 17:22–31CSB

      • Acts 17:22CSB

      • Acts 17:23–25CSB

      • Acts 17:17CSB

      • Acts 17:23–25CSB

      • 2 Chronicles 6:17–18CSB

      • Psalm 139:7–12CSB

      • Acts 17:25CSB

      • Isaiah 42:8CSB

      • Psalm 16:11CSB

      • Colossians 1:19CSB

      • Romans 8:31–38CSB

      • Revelation 4:11CSB

      • Colossians 1:16–18CSB

      • Luke 19:39–40CSB

      • Isaiah 6:1–3CSB

      • Psalm 148:1–13CSB

      • Acts 17:26–28CSB

      • Acts 17:23–25CSB

      • John 2:17–22CSB

      • John 5:26CSB

      • Acts 17:32–34CSB

      • 2 Corinthians 6:2bESV

      • 1 Timothy 3:16NASB95

  • Acts 17:16–34 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new. 22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

    Intro:

    Theme: Jesus full of Grace and truth.
    We have tracked Jesus movement as he ministered to “The adulterous woman” as he ate with “sinners and tax collectors” and the Syro-Phonecian Woman. Jesus was gracious, tender and truthful.
    Now I want to take a look at one of his pupils Paulos. Does he follow the same blueprint as Jesus? Does he balance grace and truth, while dealing with sinners?
    Paul in this narrative systematically deconstructs the Idolatrous system that the Greeks and Romans perpetuated.
    Greece & Rome their close cousin: Were opulent, greedy, sexual immoral, and violent cultures. Somewhat like our culture here in America. Paul is ministering in a culture very similar to ours.
    Both Greece and Rome were noted for their polytheistic systems of worship.
    In their economy of God’s they believe that largely the gods were so transcendant(seperarated) from man that they could no be known.
    Paul was introducing them to a God who is both “transcendant(seperate) & Imminant(near) one who has made himself known to us.

    I. Paul’s concern

    Acts 17:16 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols.
    (EXP)(16) Paul was waiting in Athens and observing the cultural setting of Athens, Greece. While people watching Paul became “deeply distressed” and why? “He saw the city was full idols.
    deeply distressed-to be internally angry-stirred up internally-Caused to have a state of inward arousal so intense that you can’t help but to act.
    Paul was so impacted by the level of idolatry in Athens that he basically said “I can’t stay quiet”
    “while Paul was waiting for them in Athens”
    Who was Paul waiting for in Athens?
    Acts 17:15 CSB
    15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.
    Paul left Timothy and Silas in berea to fortify this area biblically and he himself was sent to the coast at Athens on a layover. The final destination of this trip was Corinth which was directly West of Athens.
    Paul looked around and was “deeply distressed” or seriously provoke to respond to the level of idolatry that was present in Athens.
    Acts Interpretive Insights

    Athens represents the golden age of Greece and the birthplace of Western philosophy, theater, and government. Illustrious figures such as Socrates, Pericles, Aristophanes, Aristotle, and Plato are associated with the city.

    Paul is not in a cultural sightseeing mood, and his spirit is agitated by the proliferation of idols. He does not bide his time waiting for his coworkers to arrive; he proclaims the gospel to Jews in the synagogue and to pagans in the town square. His preaching leads to hot debates

    Paul is on a layover at the cultural center of Philosophical Thought, Debate and Culture.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Since Athens was one of the oldest cities that Paul visited, the number and the diversity of cult images might have exceeded anything that he had seen. If the theater of Ephesus alone displayed 29 gold statues of Artemis and 120 statues of Nike and Eros, the temples and the public spaces of Athens would certainly have been endowed with many more visualizations of the deities that the Athenians worshiped. Pliny reckons that in his day the city of Rhodes had 73,000 statues, with “no fewer” in Athens and in the temple cities of Olympia and Delphi

    Paul up until this point had not been in a city with this level of idolatry. He was inundated with religious altars, Temples, and statutes of worship. Athens is also place of one of the 7 wonders of the world the Acropolis of Athens which sits on a mount above the city of Athens.
    After evaluating, pondering and doing some reconnaissance Paul went into solution mode.

    II. Paul’s Solution

    Acts 17:17–21 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    So Paul on a layover could not help but say something. So Paul went roaming and found a Jewish Synagogue. This seemed to be Paul’s pattern of ministry. Notice the beginning of this Chapter in Acts 17:1-4
    Acts 17:1–4 CSB
    1 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
    (1-2) Passing two regions in Asia Minor he came to Thessalonica, and found a Jewish Synagogue “as usual” As Paul went into these regions in Asia Minor he would start his evangelistic endeavors in Jewish Synagogue’s. This should peak your interest. Why were all these Jewish Synagogue’s spread throughout the known world. The congregation of these churches are Jewish people who did not return to Judea after 7 centuries of captivity. They are called “hellenized Jew” fully Jewish in ethnicity and belief but totally immersed in the lifestyle of the places they were scattered too.
    What was Paul’s message?
    (2-3) We went to the synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths in order to reasoned with them from the Scriptures. You will notice two important things in this text.
    The Method of Persuasion-Paul “reasoned” this word means to converse, reason or persuade using logic or debate. The formal definition is teaching via the means of logic. It is an appeals to the mind with the intent that it will cause a change in life direction.
    Paul understood something very important one’s mind must be saved before their emotions and will respond.
    Sidenote: While its appropriate for a worship service to appeal to your emotions that is not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal of worship is to simulate the mind and cause you to mediate, ponder and think about the ramifications of the songs and words spoken in the pulpit. My goal in Sunday is for you “Think” because your growth starts in the mind before it reaches the emotion and the will. My goal is not entertainment.
    Paul reaches back into the OT and systematically walks his Jewish brothers through the text to show them “Jesus death, Burial and Resurrection” was predicted by the Prophets.
    The Mode of Persuasion-Saints; Paul was not gimmicky. Paul was not trendy in his evangelistic endeavors. Notice what he used as his “Mode of Persuasion” Paul reasoned from the Scriptures. This profound. We live in a era where the sufficiency of the scriptures is under attack.
    The Sufficiency of Scripture-Scripture is sufficient in that it is the only inspired, inerrant, and therefore final authority for Christians for faith and godliness, with all other authorities being subservient to Scripture.
    This definition does not argue the bible is the only place that truth can be obtain it simple means that all other means of truth found in the world must ultimately bow down to the text. When a wordly theory meets the bible the bible is the final authoritative bar that measure truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB
    16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
    Acts 17:16–21 CSB
    16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    (17) “As was his usual” he went to the Jewish Synagogue in this text there are three groups of people he was preaching too:
    Hellenized Jews-Jews who did not come back to Israel to help rebuild the wall but stayed in gentile territory but still worshipped Yahweh and built Synagogue’s
    Those who worship God-These are gentiles who became worshippers Yahweh and followers of the Torah. They are called Proselytes.
    They are indentified in Acts 17:4
    Acts 17:4 CSB
    4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
    3. As well as in the marketplace-These are the philosophers and residence of Athens who were not apart of the Jewish Religion. These would be the Pagans.
    (18) While preaching Paul has irritated the local philosphers from the Camp of the Stoics and Epicurean’s. To seperate belief but both against the teaching of Paul.
    What was Paul teaching about?
    Acts 17:18 CSB
    18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
    (18) Paul was preaching about Jesus and the resserection. He is deconstruting the Religous systems of the Jews, the Prostylytes, and Pagans. By preaching the Cross.
    The philosphers tried to clown Paul by questioning his motive “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?”. In philosphy this is called an “Ad hominem” attack. It is an attack against the person rather than his argument.
    When a debate is lost insults become the loser’s tool……Socrates
    Acts 17:19–21 CSB
    19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
    (19) The Philosphers and the Athenians bring Paul to the Areopagus. The Areopagus is a location where teaching’s are evaluated and debated.
    We might call it The Supreme Court, which is both a location and activity. This is the place where laws are debated.
    The Areopagus was the place that ideas where debated.
    This divine meeting was set up by God. Paul started by ministering in the Synagogue, and the marketplace but ended up in a court room with a platform to teach the Death, Burial and Resserection of Christ.

    Conclusion

    I can’t help but think of the text in Luke 16:10
    Luke 16:10 CSB
    10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
    God gave Paul a bigger platform because his faithfulness in the little.
    All is not well though. Paul is aware that this is an enviroment that could cost him his life. Socrates was executed for his belief about God in the same type of setting Paul is about to go into. If the Athenians decide that Paul is turning people away for the worship of the Gods they could execute him on the spot.
    Next week we will look at Paul’s appeal.
    Open the Doors of the Church

    Part II

    Review:

    I played this video to demystify the stories of the bible. So that you could see the bible stories correlate to real places with real context. And since many of us may never be able to go to Athens let’s bring Athens to us.
    Paul’s concern-Paul saw a city full of idols and he was compelled to act. He could not keep quiet. He was so convicted by what he saw he had to do something about it.
    Paul’s Solution-Paul’s solution in Acts 17:17
    Acts 17:17 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
    Paul appeals to the mind. Paul reasoned in the synagogue, Paul reasoned in the Marketplace and Paul reasoned in the courts.
    Paul understood the people cannot trust something their mind has not accepted first. So he “reasoned” that word carries the idea of persuasion through the means of logic and precision.
    This message of the cross, burial and resurrection of cross got him in trouble with the local Philosophers and pontificator’s. This lead to a hearing whereby which Paul would have to defend his teaching in front of the city intelligentsia, and common folks. This is where we find ourselves this week.
    Paul’s appeal!!!!

    III. Paul’s Appeal

    Acts 17:22–31 CSB
    22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
    Acts 17:22 CSB
    22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.
    (EXP)(22) Paul stood in the middle(on trial) to give an account of his teaching. In this crowd were outright skeptics, seekers and debaters. Paul dealt with them all in a graceful way. Notice how he came at them.
    (22) “People of Athens!” I see that you are extemely religous in ever respect” These people were pagans idolaters on their way to hell. Guilty of committing all types of henious sins. Yet Paul uses this moment to make a connection and by complimentary to their religous devotion.
    Some may see a touch of sarcasm in the voice of Paul but I see Paul trying to make a connection, so that their ears may remain open to his teaching.
    Although these people are enemies of God they are not Paul’s enemies he was teaching and dealing with them as future converts to the Gospel.
    He does this by finding a point of reference that they can connect on. He takes time to compliment them on the religious commitment.
    (22) “You are extremely religious in every respect” This carries the idea of whatever they do. They are consistent in their belief. Ideologies have causes and effects. Paul is complimenting their commitment to the system of Gods they are worshippping.
    Pastor Hood was telling me that the people with the highest integrity when it comes to payment are the JW’s. We can disagree with their teaching and the motives of evangelism, but you cannot refute their passion and faithfulness to spread their teaching.
    Paul found a place of connection. I believe he did this to reduce the tension of “Me against you” and let’s no forget “These are where debates happen” and in debates winning can often be more important than true geniune conversion.
    Why does building connection matter?
    Finding points of connection when evangelizing is important because it builds trust, lowers defenses, and makes the message personal rather than transactional
    Builds trust:People are more likely to listen to someone they know rather than a stranger
    Creates Common Ground: Shared experiences place both people on the same side, turning a potential argument into a shared conversation. (Paul was a former member of the Sanherin he knows what its like to be part of a highly religous systems that happens to be going in the wrong direction)
    Show’s geniune care: Showing care and concern for someone honors them by putting care and concern before mere instruction.
    Remove’s Pressure: A relational approach avoids aggressive tactics and allows faith to be shared naturally over time
    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul research their ideology and had a good working knowledge of the things they cherished and honored. Rather than rush headlong into deconstruting their system he took the time to try and understand their ideology so that his argument against it was relevant. Notice what he said.
    (23) While passing through Paul saw and altar “To an Unknown God” they made an altar a place of worship for a “God they didn’t know” this was Paul’s opening right here. People since of the inception of Mankind have sought to make sense of the external world often by creating a pantheon of Gods to give explanatory power to what we see.
    (23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.

    Paul teaches them “Theology Proper”

    Paul apologetic started with God.
    (24) “The God who made the world and everything in it he is the Lord of heaven and earth”
    In ancient Greek mythology, the universe itself emerged from a primordial void called Chaos, giving birth to successive generations of elemental deities and Greek religion figures who shaped the cosmos
    (24) Paul tells the Athenian’s the creation of the cosmos was not a group project it was created by “One God” singular.
    Paul in this clause deconstructing “polytheism which is the beliefs of many god’s” and offering “Theism which is the belief in one God” Not “One of many, Not One central God then a bunch of lesser god’s” but There is Only one God without any lesser or equal being worthy of “Altars or Temples”
    yall Paul is cooking now!!! Look at what he attacks now!!!
    (24) “He is Lord of heaven and Earth” The Greek had God’s and Demi-gods. Some that ruled heaven and some that ruled on the earth. Paul says the True and living God does rules and reigns in both the unseen and seen world. There is not an once of the cosmos that he does not control and he does not need our help!

    Part 3- Paul Closes the Deal

    Intro: Video

    Review:

    I played this video to demystify the stories of the bible. So that you could see the bible stories correlate to real places with real context. And since many of us may never be able to go to Athens let’s bring Athens to us.
    Paul’s concern-Paul saw a city full of idols and he was compelled to act. He could not keep quiet. He was so convicted by what he saw he had to do something about it.
    Paul’s Solution-Paul’s solution in Acts 17:17
    Acts 17:17 CSB
    17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
    Paul appeals to the mind. Paul reasoned in the synagogue, Paul reasoned in the Marketplace and Paul reasoned in the courts.
    Paul understood the people cannot trust something their mind has not accepted first. So he “reasoned” that word carries the idea of persuasion through the means of logic and precision.
    This message of the cross, burial and resurrection of cross got him in trouble with the local Philosophers and pontificator’s. This lead to a hearing whereby which Paul would have to defend his teaching in front of the city intelligentsia, and common folks. This is where we find ourselves this week.
    Paul’s appeal!!!!

    II. Paul’s Appeal

    Paul Teaches the Athenians “Theology Proper”

    Theology Proper: the specific branch of systematic theology that studies the existence, character, attributes, and nature of God Himself
    Paul apologetic started with God.

    Theology Proper-Paul teaches About God

    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.
    (EXP)(24) “The God who made the world and everything in it he is the Lord of heaven and earth”
    In ancient Greek mythology, the universe itself emerged from a primordial void called Chaos, giving birth to successive generations of elemental deities and Greek religion figures who shaped the cosmos
    (24) Paul tells the Athenian’s the creation of the cosmos was not a group project it was created by “One God” singular.
    Paul in this clause deconstructing “polytheism which is the beliefs of many god’s” and offering “Theism which is the belief in one God” Not “One of many, Not One central God then a bunch of lesser god’s” but There is Only one God without any lesser or equal being worthy of “Altars or Temples”
    yall Paul is cooking now!!! Look at what he attacks now!!!
    (24) “He is Lord of heaven and Earth” The Greek had God’s and Demi-gods. Some that ruled heaven and some that ruled on the earth. Paul says the True and living God does rule and reign in both the unseen and seen world. There is not an once of the cosmos that he does not control and he does not need our help!
    (24) “He does not live in shrines(temples) made by hands” Paul is trying to get killed right now. While he is preaching over his left shoulder is the Parthenon! The jewel of the known world. He says the True and Living God don’t live there! Because no earthly tent or temple can hold him!
    Can you imagine believing in a God who can create the heaven’s and earth but he needs us to make a house for him on earth?
    The whole cosmos is his dwelling place. Listen to what Solomon says about the Lord in 2 Chronicles 6:17-18
    2 Chronicles 6:17–18 CSB
    17 Now, Lord God of Israel, please confirm what you promised to your servant David. 18 But will God indeed live on earth with humans? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built.
    Although Solomon had built a temple for God to commune with his people he understood the temple he built could not contain God!! Listen to David in Psalm 139:7-12
    Psalm 139:7–12 CSB
    7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.
    Although the Athenians may have meant well. They had a gross misunderstanding of the vastness and “Omnipresence” of God. No Temple, No altar, No Churches can trap, surround or encapsulate El Olam “The Ever Lasting and Eternal God”
    Acts 17:25 CSB
    25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(25) The greek system was built on “placation” Placation is the act of soothing, pacifying, or appeasing someone to reduce their anger, hostility, or distrust
    When Kobe Bryant cheated on his wife. He immediately bought her a 6m ring to “placate” her.
    (25) Paul says the God I’m introducing to you today does not rely on mankind for anything. Notice what he says “he is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything” When you create a system whereby the god’s are dependant on mankind, in the same fashion mankind is dependent on the gods the relation becomes a transaction of equals. This is why over time the Pharaoh’s of Egypt, The Kings of Babylon and the Ceaser’s of Rome were considered the human manifestation of the gods’
    (25) In Christianity there is a clear line of distinction between Animals, Man, Angels and God. God sits atop this heirarchy without any competition. Listen to him in Isaiah 42:8
    Isaiah 42:8 CSB
    8 I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
    The aseity of God:is the theological doctrine that God is self-existent, self-sufficient, and depends on nothing outside of Himself for His existence or attributes.
    A.W. Tozer (from The Knowledge of the Holy): “God is self-existent. He is what He is of Himself. All other beings exist because He called them into being, but He exists because He is.”
    R.C. Sproul: “God does not need the universe to be happy. He does not lack anything. He is complete in Himself.”
    (EXP)(25) “Since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things” Notice the syntax “he himself” Third person intensive predicate. When you see this it is the “greek way” of saying “all by himself”
    Mankind is wholy dependant on God and God is dependant on “no one” The life that comes to us from him flows one way!!!
    He did not create man out of loneliness or boredom.
    You might ask if God does not need us for anything why do we worship, why do we give, why does he expect obedience from us, Why did OT saints offer sacrifices to him?
    God does not require these because he has needs that he cannot fill. Worship brings God pleasure, sacrifice brings God pleasure, extending grace to the undeserved brings God pleasure to God.
    You might say “Then God needs pleasure” and since he is coming to man he must not be able to provide it to himself.
    Psalm 16:11 CSB
    11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
    (11) “abundant” “fulness”-fully satiated. When we get to heaven and bask in his presence there will be abundant joy. Because the source of joy is found in the Triune God.
    Colossians 1:19 CSB
    19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
    Notice God’s pleasure comes from within the Godhead itself. In the Godhead is the first community. And these three person are all eternal, self-sufficient, and wholy independent for any needs meet outside of themselves.
    Analogy: as contigent beings we need water. If given enough time a lack of water would kill us. But we don’t need Ice cream. I could live the rest of our lives without ever having a scoop of Gernsys Butter Pecan Ice cream and I would survive. Although Ice cream is not neccessary for our survival it brings us pleasure especially of there is a hot bowl of peach cobbler and some ice cream on top. So you see there things that are neccessary and there are things the simple brings us pleasure.
    In contrast to us God does not need anything for his own survival and his own pleasure, but we are like a scoop of ice cream to God. We are unneccsary for his happiness and survival but he simple created us to bring himslef pleasure. Not because he needs it but because he wanted it.
    This is so humbling and sobering especially for people who believe the party doesn’t start until they get there.
    This is why the sin of Pride is so dangerous. The Sin of Pride says “God needs me!” and “I can exist outside of the power of God!”
    Why is God’s aseity important to us?
    At least 2 reason.
    1st-If God was contigent on something outside himself by definition that source would be God. Thereby creating an infinite regress. God is the uncaused cause!
    2nd-Because if God existence was contigent on something outside of himself then he could not assure us of any of the promises he has made to us because that would be contingent on something outside of his control.
    Son I promise to come to the your football at 6pm. I worked to 530pm. But my promise is based on several things outside of my control. Last minute work emergency, traffic, my own health. Because we are all contigent beings our promises are tenous at best.
    But because God is totally self-sufficient, omniscience, omnipresent, omnipotent when he promises something its guaranteed because there is nothing that can get in the way of fulfilling his promises to us.
    When he says in Romans 8:31-38
    Romans 8:31–38 CSB
    31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
    (39) “Nor any other created thing will be able to seperate us from the Lord of God”
    Why?
    Because all created things are contingent on God for its existence, while God is contigent on nothing! So that is why his promise “To never be seperated from us” we can be fully assured of because he is the only who can break his promise but he has already told us there is one thing “I can’t do” and that is “Lie” so once I promise it I must fulfill it!!!!
    This is why I believe “In perserverance of the saints” because once God has truly saved me “I can’t even unsave myself”
    Listen John in Revelation.
    Revelation 4:11 CSB
    11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
    Colossians 1:16 CSB
    16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.
    We were created to bring pleasure to the Triune God. Not out of need but simple because he wanted too!!!
    Listen to the Pharisees in Luke 19:39-40 who believe if they could shut up the disciples Jesus ministry would be over. Because Jesus is dependant on their witness of him.
    Luke 19:39–40 CSB
    39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”
    (39-40) The Religous leaders told Jesus to censure his disciples. Then look at Jesus response in (40) “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out”
    the statement is a powerful poetic figure of speech. It means that honoring Jesus is so necessary and right that inanimate objects would fill the silence if humans failed.
    Conclusion
    Isaiah 6:1–3 CSB
    1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphim were standing above him; they each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.
    If we failed to worship! The Angels will cry out!!!
    Are the Angels worshipping because God needs them to worship? NO! They are worshipping because they can’t help it!!
    Psalm 148:1–13 CSB
    1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly armies. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He set them in position forever and ever; he gave an order that will never pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, all sea monsters and ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes his command, 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, creatures that crawl and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, 12 young men as well as young women, old and young together. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.
    Open the Doors of the Church!!!
    The Heavens cry in worship every second of the day!!!

    Part 4

    Title: Paul Closes the Deal-Part II

    Intro:

    Review:

    Paul Teaches the Athenians “Theology Proper”

    Theology Proper: the specific branch of systematic theology that studies the existence, character, attributes, and nature of God Himself
    Paul apologetic started with God.

    Theology Proper-Paul teaches About God and nature

    Acts 17:23–25 CSB
    23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
    (EXP)(23) Paul saw this and his response was “let me introduce you to the Known God of the cosmos” They one who has made himself known. You no longer need to speculate about creator of the universe let me introduce you to him.
    In Christian theology, the concept of God as the "self-revelator" refers to the belief that God actively makes Himself, His character, and His will known to humanity. This self-revelation is generally understood in two ways:
    The knowledge of God available to all people through the natural world, creation, and human conscience.General Revelation:
    The more specific disclosure of God's nature through Scripture, historical events, and most definitively, through the person of Jesus Christ.Special Revelation:
    Rather than remaining hidden or distant, God is seen as a personal being who desires to be known by His creation.

    Anthropology-Paul the athenians about Man

    I. Man’s problems

    Acts 17:26–31 CSB
    26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
    (EXP)(26) Paul tells the Athenians “From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth” Paul is deconstructing the strict societal heirachy the Romans who conquered Athens would have instituted. Paul is teaching them that “All man are made in the image of God” are in their essence equal to one another despite their social status. There are not Gods, Demi-Gods or Special status of humanity. “From one blood God made the nations” We all share one common ancestor, our first parents Adam and Eve.
    Roman Societal Structure
    The Emperor: Positioned at the very top of the imperial structure with absolute political and military authority.
    Patricians: The traditional aristocratic elite and landowners who monopolized early political and religious power.
    Equites (Equestrians): A wealthy business, trade, and administrative class positioned just below the patricians.
    Plebeians: The common citizens—including farmers, craftsmen, and laborers—who made up the majority of the population.
    Freedmen (liberti): Manumitted former slaves who held limited civic rights and often remained tied to their former masters.
    Enslaved People: Regarded as legal property without basic human or civil rights, making up a significant portion of the workforce
    (26) Paul was addressing this type of structure in his first description of man. The most important fact that we need to know about mankind is that we share a common ancestor, and at the ontological level we are all on the same level. Our earthly authority might be different but our status in front of God is that we share the same human condition.
    Sinful people have the tendency to put people in descending levels of value listen to Thomas Jefferson words about Slaves:
    Comparing them by their faculties of memory, reason, and imagination, it appears to me, that in memory they are equal to the whites; in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous. It would be unfair to follow them to Africa for this investigation.
     (Thesis) I advance it therefore as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind……Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia (Richmond: 1853), 149-152, 155.
    Listen to the Lord describe Mankind in Psalm 8:1-9
    Psalm 8:1–9 CSB
    1 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with your majesty. 2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have established a stronghold on account of your adversaries in order to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? 5 You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, 8 the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
    This is true of the poor child in a village of India as it is of the President of the US children who are protected 24 hours a day by secret service agents.
    This is a settle fact in the mind of God and he will demand an account of how treat each other in our humanity.
    Acts 17:26–27 CSB
    26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
    (EXP)(26) “From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth, and has determined their appointed times and boundaries of where they live”
    (26) Paul says every kingdom, nation, empire has a time span. No nation will survive in perpetuity. Nations rise and Nations fall. No nation owns the title deed to the earth. We are all renters. No one has a mortgage on God’s territory.
    Does a nation have the right to protect his borders and enact laws to ensure it’s own survival?
    The short answer is yes. But it must be done in light of this verse. And that’s with the recognition we don’t own anything we are simple renters on Earth and the Landowner is going to at some point demand an account of what we did while we are here!
    3 Points of Application from the verse
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Paul asserts that the human race is one on account of its origins

    2.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Second, Paul asserts that the human race was created by God to inhabit the earth in all its diversity

    Acts 17:27 CSB
    27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
    Why did God allow people of like phenotypes and culture link up together in certain regions of the world?
    3.
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Third, Paul asserts that the human race was created by God so that people are in fellowship with him

    (EXP)(27) “He did this so that perhaps we would reach out and find him” Notice what the NASB says in Acts 17:27
    Acts 17:27 NASB
    27 that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
    (27) The NASB captures the metaphor better than the CSB. It says the nations and peoples of nations are like a blind man “groping” for God in the dark. The desire to find him is there but the wherewithal to find him requires God to turn on the lights.
    (27) Paul tells us He is not far from any of us. Meaning when he start to make a concerted effort to find God he will let himself be made known. That may sound like “We take one step God will take two” it is not because even the desire to find God in the dark comes from God.
    Paul is speaking directly to the Athenians who were trying to make sense of God with all their temples and altars but essentially they were groping around like a blind man to find so because of their movement towards God, God sent Paul to give them Special Revelation.
    Psalm 145:18–19 CSB
    18 The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them.
    Acts 17:28–29 CSB
    28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.
    (28) Paul says in contrast to God who is self-sufficient we are totally dependant on God for our existence. Outside of God’s intervention we would cease to exist. Then Paul quotes a Greek Philospher Aratus “For we are also his offspring” This tells me something that even in pagan religions truthful statement can be found.
    (28) Christian have the tendency to believe we have a monopoly on all truth. We don’t truth is built into creation and sometimes even pagans arrived at Truth intersection where we can find common ground.
    (EXP)(29)
    Acts Explanation of the Text

    Paul asserts that the worship of the human race must not confuse God with images

    (29) we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. Watch the logic of Paul statement. When you look at mankind and the intricacy of the human body you surmise that he must have been created by an invisible God or Gods but then you turn around and from the works of your own hands try to make a God of wood or gold to Worship me.
    If you can admit mankind did not come from the hands of man but something supernatural then how is it that you think you can then create God from gold or silver then worship it.
    Then Paul moves to the gospel after laying the groundwork from the Study of God, then the Study of Man!
    What were the results of Paul’s message?

    IV. Paul Resolve & Results

    Acts 17:30–34 CSB
    30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
    (EXP)(30) “Therefore” “In conclusion” Having shown grace and mercy to previous generation because of their ignorance God now commands “all people to repent” and why? because he has a day by which is going to judge the world based on his righteous standard.
    The resurrection of Jesus proves that thier will be life after death for all of mankind. John the Apostle helps us with this in Revelation 20:11-14
    Revelation 20:11–14 CSB
    11 Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13 Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. 14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    Summary: This text tells us all the places the housed the bodies of dead folks, the sea, the cemetary, the battlefields will give up the bodies of the dead then the spirits of those who don’t have a relationship with Christ in Hades will reunite with their physical bodies again and they will face the Lord bodily. (14) “This is the second death”
    What was the response to Paul’s message?
    Acts 17:32–34 CSB
    32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
    I see three groups in the response:
    The Rebellious-These are ones who hear the truth and ridicule the truth. (When they heard about the resserection of the dead, some began to ridicule him)
    The Seeker-These are ones who are not ready to make a decision but are intrigued by what we preached(We’d llike to hear from you again about this)
    (33) Paul left their presence
    The Believer-These are people who hear the message of the gospel and believe! (Some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them)
    Conclusion
    Paul in this gospel presentation found common points of connection and he did this without minimizing, disrespecting or condescension
    Paul walk the Athenians through the gospel by using a comprehensive knowledge of their culture so that he could meet them where they where
    Paul did not treat them as enemies but as future brothers and sister in Christ.
    Paul did not sugar coat the gospel. He ended his message with a clear and concise presentation of the gospel.
    It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
    David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)
    1 Corinthians 11:23–33 CSB
    23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, welcome one another.

      • Acts 17:16–34NASB95

      • Acts 17:16NASB95

      • Acts 17:15NASB95

      • Acts 17:17–21NASB95

      • Acts 17:1–4NASB95

      • 2 Timothy 3:16–17NASB95

      • Acts 17:16–21NASB95

      • Acts 17:4NASB95

      • Acts 17:18NASB95

      • Acts 17:19–21NASB95

      • Luke 16:10NASB95

      • Acts 17:17NASB95

      • Acts 17:22–31NASB95

      • Acts 17:22NASB95

      • Acts 17:23–25NASB95

      • Acts 17:17NASB95

      • Acts 17:23–25NASB95

      • 2 Chronicles 6:17–18NASB95

      • Psalm 139:7–12NASB95

      • Acts 17:25NASB95

      • Isaiah 42:8NASB95

      • Psalm 16:11NASB95

      • Colossians 1:19NASB95

      • Romans 8:31–38NASB95

      • Revelation 4:11NASB95

      • Colossians 1:16NASB95

      • Luke 19:39–40NASB95

      • Isaiah 6:1–3NASB95

      • Psalm 148:1–13NASB95

      • Acts 17:23–25NASB95

      • Acts 17:26–31NASB95

      • Psalm 8:1–9NASB95

      • Acts 17:26–27NASB95

      • Acts 17:27NASB95

      • Acts 17:27NASB95

      • Psalm 145:18–19NASB95

      • Acts 17:28–29NASB95

      • Acts 17:30–34NASB95

      • Revelation 20:11–15NASB95

      • Acts 17:32–34NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–33NASB95

Middlebelt Baptist Church
7347283838
7 members • 1 follower