WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.880 Found in your pew Bible on page 926, we are reading this morning Acts 17 verses 16 through 34. 00:00:21.940 --> 00:00:24.280 Acts 17 beginning at verse 16. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:33.200 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:42.600 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:47.560 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. 00:00:48.260 --> 00:00:51.280 And some said, what does this babbler wish to say? 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:56.160 Others said, he seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:59.039 Jesus and the resurrection. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:06.299 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus saying, may we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.740 For you bring some strength to your ears. 00:01:10.099 --> 00:01:12.620 We wish to know therefore what these things mean. 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:20.960 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who live there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:30.140 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 00:01:31.020 --> 00:01:37.200 For as I passed along and observed the object of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription. 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:39.400 To the unknown God. 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:44.040 What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:52.020 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:56.580 Nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything. 00:01:57.320 --> 00:02:01.980 Since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:11.700 And he made from one man, every nation of mankind, to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:13.740 That they should seek God. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:17.340 And perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:21.780 Yet, he is actually not far from each one of us. 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:25.060 For in him we live and move and have our being. 00:02:25.420 --> 00:02:28.860 As even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring. 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:36.420 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone. 00:02:37.260 --> 00:02:40.520 An image formed by the art and imagination of man. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:43.100 The times of ignorance God overlooked. 00:02:43.220 --> 00:02:46.420 But now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:53.120 Because he has fixed the day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:57.320 And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:03.259 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:06.400 But others said, we will hear you again about this. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:08.620 So Paul went out from their midst. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:12.019 But some men joined him and believed. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:19.979 Among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:27.759 Well this morning we see the Apostle Paul in the midst of one of the intellectual centers of the ancient world. 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:28.620 Athens. 00:03:29.519 --> 00:03:37.500 Renowned for its 400 year history of great philosophers and thinkers going all the way back to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:40.759 Athens was widely known for its elaborate art. 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:46.299 Historic architecture for its theaters, temples and marketplaces. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:52.120 In the section of the book of Acts we see Paul visiting a succession of cities. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:57.920 We saw in chapter 16 coming to proud pagan privileged Philippi. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.220 Chapter 17 we saw Thessalonica, the crossroads capital. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:06.120 Berea, slightly off the beaten track. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:10.220 Chapter 18 we'll come to Corinth, a thriving commercial port. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:14.400 But today we are in Athens, the university town. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:23.280 Athens as we see in verse 17 had a small minority of Jews and devout persons who gathered in a synagogue to learn from the Bible. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:28.639 Athens had a marketplace where all kinds of people gathered for business and social purposes. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:35.019 But the story we have here focuses on Paul's interactions with the philosophers and scholars. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:42.460 With people who are quite intelligent but who are completely unfamiliar with the Bible. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:49.500 And this morning I want us to consider particularly how Paul interacts with these philosophers in Athens. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:57.060 And more broadly what the Christian faith has to say to intelligent, scholarly, non-Christian people today. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:01.560 Now maybe you say, well that's sort of where I am. 00:05:01.620 --> 00:05:02.459 Maybe you're skeptical. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:10.120 You're a thinker and you think, yeah I can sort of see how Christianity is emotionally attractive to people. 00:05:10.239 --> 00:05:15.039 But I just don't know whether it really stands up to thoughtful inquiry. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:17.979 Is it rationally well grounded? 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:21.799 Well I hope you'll find Paul's words thought provoking if that's you. 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:26.180 Or maybe you're a Christian and you're a student or a faculty member. 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:30.120 Or you're regularly interacting with people who are very intelligent. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:32.520 Maybe more intelligent than you in some respects. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:35.800 And yet operate out of a completely non-biblical worldview. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:43.259 This passage I think provides a model for how to communicate the Christian message in that kind of context. 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:48.199 So I hope you'll be encouraged and equipped as we look at Paul's example here. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.139 But maybe, maybe you're not an intellectual. 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:55.259 Maybe you feel like scholars have their heads up in the clouds. 00:05:55.979 --> 00:05:58.719 And their feet are far from the ground. 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:00.779 They're always thinking they're so important. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:02.459 Coming up with all these weird theories. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:04.860 Speaking in a language no one else can understand. 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:06.079 Especially philosophers. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:08.779 Well let me say two things to that. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:12.599 First of all, Luke who wrote the book of Acts. 00:06:12.919 --> 00:06:15.019 Seems to sympathize with your concern. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.839 Verse 21. 00:06:16.839 --> 00:06:19.000 Luke makes a rare side comment. 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:26.919 And says, now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:30.179 This isn't a totally positive comment. 00:06:31.479 --> 00:06:34.399 In other words, the Athenians were addicted to novelty. 00:06:35.599 --> 00:06:38.039 Constantly attracted to the latest theories. 00:06:39.239 --> 00:06:42.779 And that tendency is still very present in academia, right? 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:45.000 You have to find something new to say. 00:06:45.359 --> 00:06:50.879 That no one else has ever said before quite in the same way in order to get your dissertation approved. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:52.939 PhD students, can you say amen? 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:54.139 Amen. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:01.359 But of course, if novelty always rules the day, then no one's ideas are going to last very long. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:06.600 And whatever you write now has little chance of being read in 20 years. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:08.879 Let alone 200. 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:13.060 Well, so that's one thing. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:19.959 But second, as verse 17 says, Paul reasoned both in the synagogue, in the marketplace, and with the philosophers. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:22.959 That would be like preaching in churches, right? 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.139 In places where people expect to hear teaching from the Bible. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:32.459 Talking with people on the green or at Starbucks or at the mall or in the marketplace of today. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:35.500 As well as going to lectures at Yale. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.000 Engaging with students and faculty at local universities. 00:07:39.919 --> 00:07:41.819 Paul engaged with a whole range of people. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:45.180 And as a church, that's our mission. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:46.459 Our calling here in New Haven. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:51.240 Is to engage with a whole range of people that God has brought to New Haven. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:55.319 Now, not every one of us will be quite as flexible as Paul. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.939 And be able to do all three of those really well. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:01.099 But that's what we're all called to as a church as a whole. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:04.020 And we all have a part to play. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:07.620 And we're all called to embrace this broader mission of the church. 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:14.300 So, regardless of whether you're a student, I think this passage is relevant to you this morning. 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:20.100 And I think it applies beyond scholarly context as well. 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:24.640 But, as I said, Luke focuses on Paul's interactions with these scholars in Athens. 00:08:25.460 --> 00:08:30.200 Now, why did Paul focus his time with the scholars? 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:40.139 Well, I don't think Paul did not spend time among these philosophers and scholars because he was enthralled by their prestige. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:43.779 Or because he thought they were the most important people in the world. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:49.720 Or because he worried that without their endorsement, his message would never gain any real traction. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:56.340 Paul spent time with the scholars primarily because God in his sovereignty had placed him there. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:09:03.320 In fact, it's not even clear that Paul actually intended to go to Athens at this time in his ministry. 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:07.519 Verse 16 says Paul was waiting for them in Athens. 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:09.560 A little bit of background. 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:13.720 Paul had traveled to Philippi. 00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:14.060 Right? 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:15.840 He'd had that vision of the man in Macedonia. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:17.720 So, he said, okay, clear direction. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.340 We're going across to Philippi. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:22.960 The road from Philippi goes west to Thessalonica. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:25.580 Another main major city. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:30.240 And we know that for many years, Paul had wanted to go all the way to Rome. 00:09:30.780 --> 00:09:38.080 And if you went from Philippi to Thessalonica, if you stay on the main road, it leads you across Macedonia to the Adriatic Sea. 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:39.160 You cross the Adriatic Sea. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:39.720 You're in Italy. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:41.399 You get a main road right up to Rome. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:47.139 We can't be totally sure, but it seems like that might have been Paul's plan. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:48.919 But he gets to Thessalonica. 00:09:49.199 --> 00:09:49.959 There's a riot. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:53.980 The believers send him slightly off the beaten track to Berea. 00:09:54.939 --> 00:09:56.259 Opposition follows him to Berea. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:58.639 They put him on a boat, send him south to Athens. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:01.860 And Silas and Timothy are going to follow as soon as possible. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:03.379 He's waiting for them in Athens. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.860 It wasn't his plan to be there in the first place. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:11.259 He was waiting for his friends to come so he could move on somewhere else. 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:18.679 Maybe you're here in New Haven or in Connecticut and it wasn't your plan to be here or to stay here for so long. 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:24.039 Maybe you feel like you're waiting for something to happen so you can move on. 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:29.939 Maybe you're studying at Yale and you actually don't feel that excited about it. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:37.639 Maybe it feels like a foreign land and it feels draining and it's not all that it seems cracked up to be. 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:44.740 But you know, even though it wasn't necessarily Paul's plan to come to Athens, it was God's plan for Paul to be in Athens. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:47.019 And Paul made the most of his time there. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.960 How did Paul make the most of his time there? 00:10:49.960 --> 00:11:00.780 Well, he didn't just approach Athens as a starry-eyed tourist, admiring the historic architecture and munching on hero sandwiches as he walked through the streets. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:10.500 Neither did he approach Athens as a disgruntled critic, complaining about how uppity those Athenians were in their heads all the time. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:17.799 Nor was he intimidated into fearful silence by the greatness of Athens' scholarly reputation. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:24.080 Aren't all those reactions that we could be tempted to have, right? 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:27.980 If you walk through downtown New Haven or if you go to a place like Yale. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:34.460 Now, Paul's initial reaction to being in Athens, we see in verse 16. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:35.800 It says, 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:40.159 His spirit was provoked because he saw that the city was full of idols. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.200 One ancient writer said in Athens, 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.560 There are more gods than there are people. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:49.480 There were statues of great military and political leaders. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:54.039 There were temples where sacrifices were offered to a whole variety of Greek gods. 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:57.719 There were pillars and sculptures celebrating erotic pleasures. 00:11:59.079 --> 00:12:02.039 Paul saw these, and he was upset. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:03.980 He was indignant. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.860 He was deeply disturbed. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:10.740 And this wasn't just his momentary impulse. 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:12.799 It was an ongoing reaction. 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:19.959 The same word is used to describe God's reaction to idolatry in the Old Testament. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:23.039 That God was provoked to anger. 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:28.439 He was jealous for his honor and reputation. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:31.159 And that people would see him rightly for who he was. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:35.480 And Paul was also jealous for the honor of the one true God. 00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:42.959 And dismayed to see that this God who had made the world and everything in it was not rightly understood. 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:44.419 Or worshipped. 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:45.360 Or obeyed. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:50.720 Now of course you might say, well in modern New Haven, we don't worship idols. 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:54.740 And offer sacrifices in temples like the Athenians did. 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:56.620 Or do we? 00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:00.200 Have you ever been to Sterling Memorial Library? 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.600 The main library at Yale. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:05.639 Not only is it built like a cathedral. 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:08.440 But as you walk in the front entrance. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:13.139 You see straight ahead of you in the place where an altar would normally be. 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:17.899 A brilliantly restored painting of the goddess of knowledge. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.220 Surrounded by the disciples of knowledge. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.540 Standing before a tree of knowledge. 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:29.000 And do we not sacrifice quite a lot on the altar of knowledge. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.480 And education. 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.219 And you know this isn't just a Yale thing. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:36.939 One of the recently rebuilt New Haven public schools. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.639 On Dixwell Avenue. 00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:41.000 Has a banner prominently displayed. 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:42.899 In its front windows. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.099 In capital letters. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.879 Education equals freedom. 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.080 Freedom. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:51.439 Isn't education seen as the promise. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.919 The guarantee of freedom. 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:55.539 And future hope for all. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:59.559 Or what about the gradually expanding footprint. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.460 Of the hospital. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.840 And the northeast medical group. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.960 Promising health and healing. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.320 From Westchester to Old Saybrook. 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.620 As the new advertisement says. 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.039 And charging quite a high price. 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:14.139 Even though you don't get the bill. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.379 Until after you go there. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.700 Now don't get me wrong. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:20.259 Education and healthcare. 00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:22.139 Are worthwhile pursuits. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:24.299 They're an important contribution. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.679 They make an important contribution. 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:27.960 To the well-being of our society. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:32.000 But when they promise more than they can deliver. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:35.679 When they become the primary source. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.899 Of our present identity. 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:38.039 And our future hope. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.299 They become idols. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.320 Vicious God substitutes. 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:46.519 That eventually suck the life. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.100 Out of people. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.279 And obscure the glory. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.559 Of the Lord who made us. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.100 Brothers and sisters. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.120 Are we distressed. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.100 By the idols. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.559 In our city. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.980 Like Paul was. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.059 Is it a burden on our heart. 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.799 That we bring to the Lord in prayer. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:04.240 When we see the idolatry. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:04.699 In our city. 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.279 When we see. 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.639 Our own tendencies. 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.000 To make good things. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.519 Into. 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.720 The things that. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.960 Make our lives. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.379 Into ultimate things. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:17.460 Are we motivated. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.220 To live differently. 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.000 Are we motivated. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.240 To. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.759 Cry out. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.759 As we sang earlier. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.960 Give us clean hands. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.120 Give us pure hearts. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.519 Let us not lift our souls. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.039 To another. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.519 Are we motivated. 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.460 To be wholeheartedly. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.519 Devoted to our God. 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.019 And Savior. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.960 And to proclaim. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.639 This good news. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.500 About the one true. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.220 And living God. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.580 Who gives life. 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.259 To anyone who will listen. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:41.240 So that's Paul's. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.539 Initial response. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.919 To Athens. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.720 He saw their idols. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.819 He was provoked to anger. 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:47.759 He reasoned. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.740 With all kinds of people. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.360 And engaged. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.159 With them. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.179 About. 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:52.919 The one true God. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:55.240 Now in verse 18 to 20. 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:57.039 We'll see the scholars. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.379 Initial response to Paul. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.379 Now you might wonder. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.679 Who exactly were these scholars. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.860 That Paul interacted with. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.659 What did they believe? 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.559 Well verse 18. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.179 Luke mentions. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.299 Two groups of them. 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.199 The Epicureans. 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.419 And the Stoics. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.979 The Epicureans. 00:16:09.979 --> 00:16:11.099 Were sort of easygoing. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.579 Agnostics. 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.079 Their motto. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.779 Went like this. 00:16:15.859 --> 00:16:17.199 Nothing to fear in God. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.459 Nothing to feel in death. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.379 Pleasure can be attained. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.819 Pain can be endured. 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:24.439 In other words. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.359 The Epicureans believe. 00:16:25.359 --> 00:16:26.599 That the gods might be out there. 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.539 But they're far away. 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.139 They're in their own world. 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.559 They're not bothered. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.000 With human affairs. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.439 They believe the world. 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.480 It was composed of atoms. 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.920 Material atoms. 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:39.560 And life was a product of chance. 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.520 And time. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.780 And the death would be the end. 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:43.600 Of human existence. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.740 And one day the entire universe. 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:46.740 Would go up in flames. 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:48.340 In the meantime. 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.840 The goal. 00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:51.260 Is to avoid pain. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.160 And enjoy pleasure. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.160 As much as possible. 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.100 Now for the most part. 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.720 The Epicureans didn't go crazy. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.340 They. 00:16:58.880 --> 00:17:00.700 Their ideal was to be like the gods. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.060 To be undisturbed. 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:04.320 To have a life of tranquility. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.379 Enjoying simple pleasures. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.419 Of food and drink. 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.359 And friendship. 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:11.000 The Epicureans were the easy going. 00:17:12.159 --> 00:17:12.679 Agnostic. 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.759 Artsy yuppies. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.220 Of ancient Athens. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.339 One might say. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.259 The Stoics on the other hand. 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:21.679 Were rigorous moralists. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.019 Committed to duty. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.059 And virtue. 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.740 In one sense. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.939 The Stoics believed in God. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.240 But the Stoics idea of God. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.740 Was an impersonal force. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.139 Of reason. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.740 An energy. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.759 That pervaded. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.980 And determined. 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:36.380 The entire universe. 00:17:37.040 --> 00:17:38.020 A divine spark. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.100 That animated. 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:40.220 All human beings. 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.840 And for the Stoics. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.700 The goal of human life. 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:43.540 Was to live in accordance. 00:17:43.540 --> 00:17:44.460 With that reason. 00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.920 And to calmly accept. 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.880 Everything that happened. 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:49.480 As the inevitable result. 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:49.960 Of fate. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.640 Because everything that happened. 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.000 Was the result of fate. 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:54.960 Many Stoics believed. 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.420 That history was an endless cycle. 00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:58.100 People would live. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.180 And die. 00:17:59.520 --> 00:18:00.360 Eventually the universe. 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.859 Would die. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.639 And go up in flames. 00:18:03.719 --> 00:18:04.779 And then it would be renewed. 00:18:04.959 --> 00:18:05.839 And then because everything. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.259 Was completely determined. 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:08.740 By this impersonal. 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.759 Mechanistic fate. 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.039 History would follow. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:13.159 The exact same course. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.599 All over again. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.339 And again. 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.079 And again. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.479 The Stoics motto. 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.439 Might have been something like. 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.179 Grin and bear it. 00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:24.479 Don't get over emotional. 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.159 Either about tragedy. 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:26.779 Or happiness. 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:28.039 Be steady. 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:29.240 And self-sufficient. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.620 The Stoics were the disciplined. 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.599 Dutiful. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.519 Orderly. 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:34.120 Military type folks. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.640 In ancient Athens. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:38.039 But despite their differences. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.799 With one another. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.099 Both the Epicureans. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.180 And the Stoics. 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.779 Reacted negatively. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.579 When they first heard. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.240 Paul preaching. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.900 Some of them were dismissive. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.980 What does this babbler. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.819 Wish to say. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.640 That word babbler. 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.500 Was used to describe. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.019 A bird. 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.039 Who would pick up some seeds. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:55.960 And sort of drop them. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.099 As he was flying along. 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.699 Or a person. 00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.919 Who would sort of. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.839 Snatch sound bites. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.119 From other people's ideas. 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.579 And didn't really have anything original to say. 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.980 He was just sort of regurgitating. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.559 Other people's ideas. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.199 In a very unthoughtful way. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.240 So some people were dismissive. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.799 But others weren't just dismissive. 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.459 They were suspicious. 00:19:15.659 --> 00:19:16.740 He seems to be a preacher. 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:19.219 Of foreign divinities. 00:19:19.959 --> 00:19:21.599 They heard Paul talking about Jesus. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.199 And about the resurrection. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.120 And they thought he was talking about. 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:27.600 A male female pair of gods. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.519 Jesus and Anastasia. 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.980 The Greek word for resurrection. 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.819 I mean. 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.420 There's all kinds of misunderstandings. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.180 Paul had to face. 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.259 You know. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.440 And so they took him. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.019 And brought him to the Areopagus. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.600 Now that word took him. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:44.100 Is translated in chapter 16. 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.880 And chapter 18. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.740 Seized him. 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:46.880 Or arrested him. 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.240 It's not necessarily. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.580 A friendly taking. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.859 And the Areopagus was the supreme court. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.740 Of ancient Athens. 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.559 And a long time ago. 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.220 A very similar accusation. 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.480 Had been made against Socrates. 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:01.259 Who was later executed. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.779 Socrates was initially accused. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.399 Of believing in gods. 00:20:05.439 --> 00:20:06.439 Of his own invention. 00:20:06.699 --> 00:20:07.539 Instead of the gods. 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.779 Recognized by the city. 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:09.879 So the question. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.439 That the people come to Paul with. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.919 Is not just a curious question. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.639 Hmm. 00:20:14.199 --> 00:20:14.859 That's interesting. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.740 We want to hear more. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.599 It's also a suspicious question. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:20.379 You bring some strange things. 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.000 To our ears. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.759 What exactly do you mean? 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.019 Is this new teaching. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.980 A threat to our city? 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.359 Now I wonder. 00:20:30.219 --> 00:20:31.500 If you're not a Christian. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.099 Do you identify. 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.339 With any of these reactions. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.059 To Christianity? 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.539 Perhaps you're curious. 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.639 You're genuinely curious. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.000 You just want to learn more. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.159 Perhaps there was a time. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.000 When you were dismissive. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.599 Dismissive. 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.579 Where you thought. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.759 This just sounds ridiculous. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.680 Or perhaps you're. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.839 Quietly suspicious. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.799 And worried. 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.380 That biblical Christianity. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.420 Will undermine. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.960 A culture of tolerance. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.539 And diversity. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.960 These are some of the reactions. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.200 Of the scholars in Athens. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:04.079 To Paul's preaching about Jesus. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.900 And in verse 22 to 31. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.599 We see Paul's response. 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.440 To the curious. 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.339 Dismissive. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.059 And suspicious. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:11.920 Intellectuals. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.740 Of ancient Athens. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.460 And I want to point out. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.099 Two things. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.099 About Paul's speech. 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.140 To them this morning. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:18.740 First. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.339 What we see. 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:22.059 Especially in verse 22 through 28. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.599 Is that Paul. 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.440 Intentionally. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.640 Connected. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.140 The Christian. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.019 Message. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.759 To what they already. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.720 Believed. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.079 Paul connected. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.480 With these Athenian. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.220 Scholars. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.920 In at least five ways. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.339 First. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.779 He began. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.539 By addressing them. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.180 Respectfully. 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.819 He said. 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.359 Men of Athens. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.719 I see that you are very religious. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.639 He didn't start. 00:21:44.719 --> 00:21:45.659 By telling them off. 00:21:45.719 --> 00:21:47.079 Or attacking their idolatry. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.000 But patiently. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.819 And respectfully. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.419 Seeking. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.679 To gain a hearing. 00:21:52.219 --> 00:21:53.240 Now the word religious. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.399 Could have a positive meaning. 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:54.819 As in. 00:21:55.219 --> 00:21:55.939 Being devout. 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.379 Or it could have had a negative meaning. 00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.500 Like superstitious. 00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:01.339 Could mean both things. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.899 You know. 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.619 Paul's careful. 00:22:02.719 --> 00:22:03.619 He doesn't flatter. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.459 The Athenians. 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:05.939 He doesn't say something. 00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:06.899 That he doesn't really believe. 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:07.439 Is true. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:10.700 On the other hand. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.799 He's careful to avoid. 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.860 Unnecessary offense. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.120 So. 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.000 Respect. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.759 Second. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.320 He finds a point of contact. 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.259 From within their own culture. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.740 Verse 23. 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.039 He says. 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.880 As I was looking. 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.680 Through your city. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.799 I saw this altar. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.259 To an. 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:29.059 To an unknown God. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.240 Now we don't know exactly. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.380 What this altar was. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.960 Or why it was constructed. 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.019 There are a few references. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.559 And other. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.000 Ancient writings. 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.640 To altars. 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.620 To unknown gods. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.500 In Athens. 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:40.019 And elsewhere. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.860 We don't know exactly. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.700 Which one this was. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.519 But Paul takes it. 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.620 As a jumping off point. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.759 He says. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:45.940 You know. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.740 Isn't it interesting. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.680 In a city where. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.880 You have. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.500 More gods than people. 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:52.600 Right. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.059 They're never enough. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.420 And there's a recognition. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.620 Of something. 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.559 That more. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.700 That you haven't yet. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.100 Grasped. 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.519 That you don't yet know. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.340 That you want to worship. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.299 You know. 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.519 Paul doesn't just come on the scene. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:08.900 And say. 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.039 Look. 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:11.680 I know what you need to hear. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.799 Turn from idols. 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:13.819 To the one true God. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.039 Listen to the Bible. 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:17.100 And listen to me. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.000 No. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.759 He takes the time to. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.920 He starts with something. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.039 Within their own culture. 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.079 That points to. 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.500 The truth about. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.480 The very same God of the Bible. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.440 You see. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.579 Paul knows that all people. 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.519 Are created in God's image. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.599 Church. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.879 And so. 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:35.019 Within every culture. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.059 Even cultures that have had. 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.460 No prior Christian influence. 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.940 There are points of contact. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.039 Within every culture. 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:41.720 That reflect. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.099 God's truth. 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.000 And part of our job. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.619 As Christians. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.500 Is to carefully observe. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.519 As Paul did. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:50.819 And find those points of contact. 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.019 And begin there. 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.940 In our conversations. 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.379 With not. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.779 With people who don't. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.799 Believe in Christianity. 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.859 In our modern culture. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.519 Perhaps there are even more. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.259 Points of contact. 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:02.959 Because there are. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.019 Remnants of. 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.859 For example. 00:24:04.979 --> 00:24:06.259 Of Christian ethical teaching. 00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:07.299 That have survived. 00:24:07.459 --> 00:24:07.979 Into a. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.599 Post-Christian. 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.119 Pluralistic age. 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.119 Right. 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:12.859 Things like a belief. 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.759 In human rights. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.959 Most people today. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.079 Believe in human rights. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.019 That makes a lot of sense. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.459 If you. 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.139 Agree with the Bible. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.059 That people were made. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.159 In the image of God. 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.659 That idea is on. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.539 Very thin footing. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.139 If human life. 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.100 Is simply the product. 00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:29.759 Of time. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.759 And chance. 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.440 And nothing else. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.980 So it's a point of contact. 00:24:37.280 --> 00:24:37.800 There are. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.860 Many others. 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:40.259 So. 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:40.720 Respect. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.400 Point of contact. 00:24:41.520 --> 00:24:41.720 Third. 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:43.000 He presented the Christian teaching. 00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:43.940 About God. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.840 In ways that resonated. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.880 With their own beliefs. 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.640 The Stoics would have agreed. 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:49.380 That there's one God. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.020 Who made the world. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.860 And everything in it. 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:51.840 And that this God. 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.340 Was sovereign. 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.500 Over the periods of history. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.900 And the boundaries of nations. 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.820 The Epicureans. 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:56.460 Would have agreed. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.740 That the divine being. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.240 Whoever it might be. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.420 Is self-sufficient. 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.840 And doesn't need anything. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.660 From people. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.559 Fourth. 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:08.140 Paul addressed their misconceptions. 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.140 And concerns. 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.799 About Christianity. 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.480 They had some. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.860 Weird misconceptions. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.920 Paul made it clear. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.059 That he's not talking about. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.120 Two gods. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.360 A male God. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:17.680 Jesus. 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.640 And a female God. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.279 Anastasia. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:19.660 He said. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.579 No. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.960 I'm talking about one God. 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.019 Who made the world. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.740 And everything in it. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.559 Let's start there. 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:27.179 He also says. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.339 The God I'm talking about. 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.740 Is not a foreign God. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.539 He made all the nations of the world. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.099 From one man. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.339 To live on all the face of the earth. 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:37.019 He's not a local God. 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:39.179 Who belongs primarily to one ethnic group. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.460 He's the God of all the earth. 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:44.119 And he doesn't need a new temple to be built. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.539 Paul says. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:44.720 You know. 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.899 I'm not trying to bargain. 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:48.139 For another piece of real estate. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.359 In downtown Athens. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.119 That's not what it's about. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:53.739 So he clears all these misconceptions. 00:25:53.739 --> 00:25:54.659 To the side. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.219 Excuse me. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.159 Fifth. 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.500 He quoted some of their own poets. 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.159 Verse 28. 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.959 The first quotation. 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:04.119 Is most likely from Epimenides of Crete. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:06.559 An ancient Greek philosopher poet. 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:08.019 The second is from a Stoic poet. 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.399 Eratos of Sicilia. 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.479 Now Paul wouldn't. 00:26:11.679 --> 00:26:12.979 Probably wouldn't have agreed. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.159 With a larger point. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:17.099 That these writers were trying to make. 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.659 If you take these. 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.099 If you look at. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.559 The whole book. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.219 Or poem. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.319 That these quotes come from. 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:26.279 But he was able to take excerpts. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:28.459 From what Greek poets had already said. 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.259 And weave them into. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.939 A presentation of. 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.279 Truth about God. 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.679 And the message of Jesus Christ. 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.919 So for those of us who are Christians. 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:42.959 Do we intentionally seek to connect. 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:43.899 As Paul did. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.939 With our non-Christian neighbors. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.299 Do you approach people. 00:26:48.459 --> 00:26:49.759 With genuine respect. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.679 Do you seek to understand. 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.099 Their world view. 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.939 What they already believe. 00:26:55.219 --> 00:26:56.699 Have you looked for points of contact. 00:26:56.939 --> 00:26:57.899 With the Christian faith. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.339 Do you see how the Christian faith. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.899 Maybe resonates with some things. 00:27:00.959 --> 00:27:01.959 That they already believe. 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:04.259 Have you sought to address. 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:05.159 Some of their misconceptions. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.079 And concerns. 00:27:06.219 --> 00:27:07.519 Have you read their favorite books. 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:09.319 Or seen their favorite movies. 00:27:12.719 --> 00:27:14.019 Now some of you might be thinking. 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:16.000 But isn't that making it more complicated. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.140 Than it needs to be. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.299 Too much beating around the bush. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.980 Too much accommodating. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.339 To people's misguided notions. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.779 Paul doesn't even mention Jesus. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.480 Until the last sentence of his speech. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.980 Didn't Paul think better of it. 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.900 And change his approach. 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.859 When he went to Corinth. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.059 Shouldn't we just aim to preach Christ. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.799 And him crucified. 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.519 And that's it. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.660 Take it or leave it. 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:37.579 None of this quoting pagan poets. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:39.559 And finding points of contact. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.920 Just tell people. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.240 Look. 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.220 Here's how it is. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.539 Take it or leave it. 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:46.359 Well in some context. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.180 Paul does take. 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.399 A straightforward. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.519 In your face approach. 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.839 Back in Acts 13. 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:53.339 Paul didn't mince any words. 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.200 When he confronted. 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.519 Alemus the magician. 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.799 With a strong rebuke. 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.379 But you know. 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.559 Luke gives us no reason. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.139 To think. 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.920 That Paul's speech in Athens. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.799 Was misguided. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.799 In any way. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.899 Or that Paul thought better. 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.700 Of it later on. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.799 In fact. 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.920 Luke highlights the speech. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.460 In the flow. 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.220 Of the story. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.740 There are three major speeches. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:16.180 In sort of the fourth. 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.519 And fifth sections of Acts. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.120 Chapter 13. 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.480 Paul gives an extensive speech. 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.400 In the synagogue. 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:24.319 In Pisidian Antioch. 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.779 Showing how Jesus was the fulfillment. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.900 Of the law and the prophets. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.559 Here he gives an extensive speech. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:32.039 To the philosophers in Athens. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.000 And in chapter 20. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.160 He gives an extensive speech. 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.880 To the elders of the church in Ephesus. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.100 And each of these speeches. 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.559 Are presented as models. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:42.359 Of how to communicate the Christian faith. 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.419 In different contexts. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.759 So. 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:49.819 What I think we can take from this. 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.819 Is that there are times. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.240 And there are times and places. 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.319 Where it is right. 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.039 To take. 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.099 A straightforward. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.220 In your face approach. 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.299 Perhaps with people who. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:03.299 Think they know what Christianity is about. 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:04.639 But are seriously mistaken. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.679 Or who profess faith in God. 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.599 But live in blatant hypocrisy. 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:10.519 Paul would probably be very straightforward. 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:12.019 In those situations. 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.379 In fact he was. 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.679 But there are times and places. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.519 Where it's right to take. 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:18.099 The approach he took in Athens. 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.899 Patiently seeking to establish. 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.719 And explain. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.980 A Christian worldview. 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:25.279 Before calling people. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.019 To repent and believe in Jesus. 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:28.719 And. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.740 And perhaps. 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.539 That's particularly appropriate. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.219 In scholarly contexts. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.799 At universities. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.139 When. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.219 Or when speaking to. 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.480 Thoughtful people. 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.460 Who have little or no. 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.240 Christian background. 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.779 That seems to be Paul's approach. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.420 What we can take from it. 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:45.100 See Paul doesn't always take the same approach. 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.980 Paul wasn't just an. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.259 In your face kind of guy. 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.779 Who was always getting in everybody's face. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.460 And Paul wasn't. 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.700 A wishy-washy. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.200 Never. 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.759 Never confront anyone. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.420 Person. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:57.500 Person. 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:00.920 Or he wasn't just a slow. 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:01.940 You know. 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.600 Take a long time. 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.640 To actually get to his point. 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.000 Person. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.400 His approach to people. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.940 Wasn't determined by his personality. 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:09.740 It was determined by what would be most helpful. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.660 And appropriate. 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:13.080 For the people he was engaging with. 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.400 All right. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.300 So that's the first thing we see. 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:15.980 Paul connected. 00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:16.960 The Christian faith. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.039 To what they already believe. 00:30:18.320 --> 00:30:19.259 But we also see. 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.660 That Paul confronted. 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.680 Their ignorance. 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.220 And their idolatry. 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:27.600 Paul didn't just agree with. 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.339 What they already knew. 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:32.240 And affirm them just as they were. 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.339 Paul also confronted them. 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.220 And called them. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:38.039 To repent. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.059 In verse 30. 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.480 So let's look at that theme. 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.220 Paul confronts. 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.400 The Athenians. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.720 Both at the beginning. 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.839 And the end of his speech. 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.220 Paul referred to their ignorance. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.120 Now. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.359 You know. 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:55.819 If you go up to a PhD student. 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.479 And say. 00:30:56.719 --> 00:30:57.779 I just want you to know. 00:30:58.239 --> 00:30:59.199 You're pretty ignorant. 00:31:01.739 --> 00:31:03.619 You might not get a good reaction. 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:05.519 Right. 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.339 But Paul says. 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.299 In verse 30. 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.579 He talks about the times of ignorance. 00:31:08.959 --> 00:31:09.459 He doesn't quite. 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:09.759 Again. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.099 He doesn't quite say it that blatantly. 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.779 But he talks about the time of ignorance. 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:14.299 And in verse 23. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:16.299 What therefore you worship as unknown. 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:17.719 Or. 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.239 In ignorance. 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.859 This I proclaim to you. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:24.119 He's saying. 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:25.719 Though you may be very well educated. 00:31:26.179 --> 00:31:28.219 You are living in ignorance of the one true God. 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.059 You do not know. 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.299 The one true God. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.639 And so some might have been offended. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.879 But perhaps some were sympathetic. 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.000 You know. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.839 The more you study. 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.859 Isn't it true that the more you study. 00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.559 The more you realize. 00:31:38.679 --> 00:31:39.759 How much there is out there. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.639 That you don't know. 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:44.319 And so Paul went on to tell them. 00:31:44.979 --> 00:31:46.039 About the one true God. 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:48.220 And he challenged them. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.519 Here's at least four ways he challenged them. 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:54.019 First he challenged popular attempts to bargain with God. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.659 Verse 24 and 25. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:55.980 He says. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:56.859 There's one God. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.940 Who made the world. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.700 And everything in it. 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.659 He doesn't live in temples. 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.700 You can't manipulate him. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:03.019 You can't contain him. 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:05.139 God is not served by human hands. 00:32:05.159 --> 00:32:06.519 As though he needed anything. 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.500 In other words. 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:09.220 God doesn't owe you anything. 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:12.339 You see the whole system. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:14.640 Of making sacrifices to idols. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:16.279 Was based on the hope. 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:18.100 That if you sacrifice to the gods. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.220 Then they'll take care of you. 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.799 And be nice to you. 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.900 And give you what you want. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:23.880 Hopefully. 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:27.000 Paul says that's completely misguided. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:30.059 You cannot earn anything from God. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:31.680 You cannot buy things from God. 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.240 He doesn't owe you anything. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.819 Rather. 00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.000 He's given you. 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:37.940 He's given you everything that you have. 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:39.700 Second. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.940 He challenged their feeling. 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.539 Of ethnic superiority. 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.620 Athenians believed that they were unique. 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.380 And exceptional. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.660 Unlike any other people. 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.519 On the face of the earth. 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:54.319 Most other nations have believed the same. 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.759 Verse 26. 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.380 Paul says. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.200 God made from one man. 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.920 Every nation. 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.860 Of mankind. 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:03.220 To live on all the face of the earth. 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.980 God is the ruler of all nations. 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:08.100 Not the exclusive property of one. 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.740 Third. 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.039 Paul challenged the Stoics. 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.100 He challenged their assumption. 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:15.559 That God was an impersonal force. 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:17.019 Or a pervasive energy. 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:18.900 Paul says. 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.940 Wait a minute. 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.920 If we are God's offspring. 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.059 In other words. 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:23.940 If we're creatures. 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.339 Made in his image. 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:29.460 And if we are personal. 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:30.940 Beings. 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.700 Then God is no less personal. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.420 Than we are. 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:35.400 God is not just a force. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.440 Or energy out there. 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.900 That would. 00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:40.080 Mean making God less. 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.880 Than we are. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.460 God is a personal being. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.559 Calling for personal. 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.380 Loyalty. 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.779 Paul also challenged the Epicureans. 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.720 Epicureans thought. 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:52.720 God is far away. 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:54.160 Not worried about us. 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.740 Paul says in verse 27. 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:57.160 But he is actually not. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.920 Far. 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.799 From each one of us. 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:02.359 You know. 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:02.960 If you've been. 00:34:03.659 --> 00:34:04.099 Exploring. 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:04.899 Christianity. 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:06.639 You know. 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.539 I wonder if you've seen. 00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:07.839 Both. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.619 The connection. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.059 And the challenge. 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.880 Of the Christian worldview. 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.779 Maybe you've seen. 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.579 That Christianity. 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.380 Really resonates. 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.199 With some things. 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.300 That you deeply believe. 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:20.340 Or feel that you really need. 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.659 Or really want. 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.300 But have you also faced. 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.880 The ways that. 00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:25.940 The Christian message. 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.519 Calls you. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:27.980 To change your thinking. 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:30.139 Or to change your way of life. 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.099 The Christian faith. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.260 Does make some distinct. 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:37.780 And countercultural claims. 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:40.059 That we must wrestle with. 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.320 And so we see. 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:43.820 Paul both. 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:44.780 Connected. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.039 To the Athenians. 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.900 And what they already believe. 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.900 But he also confronted. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.840 And challenged them. 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.519 And that's what. 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:51.760 The gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:53.139 Does to every person. 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.340 It doesn't matter. 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:55.039 If you're a scholar. 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:55.900 Or if you didn't. 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.219 Even go to high school. 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:59.659 It connects with us. 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.500 At a very deep level. 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.440 Because we're creatures. 00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:02.800 Made in the image of God. 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:04.199 And it confronts us. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:06.199 As people who are fallen. 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.539 And sinful. 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.280 And who have. 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:10.340 Turned away from God. 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.719 Verse 27. 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.820 Says that God's purpose. 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:17.619 For us. 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.780 Was that we should seek him. 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.320 And find him. 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:22.639 But you know. 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:24.099 The sad irony is. 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.039 In that verse. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:28.440 Is that. 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.199 Though God made. 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.739 The world. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.579 And everything in it. 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.360 Though he gives us. 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.179 Life and breath. 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:33.719 And everything. 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:35.099 He actually isn't far. 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:35.880 From each one of us. 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.059 But. 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.039 And he made us. 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.519 To seek him. 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.039 And find him. 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.420 But we're. 00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:41.340 We never complete that process. 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.659 We're still groping. 00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:44.279 In the dark. 00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.380 You know. 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:45.699 The word. 00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:47.079 The word that's translated. 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.619 Feel their way. 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.400 Toward him. 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.039 Is a word. 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.039 In verse 27. 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.840 Is a word used. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:54.019 Of people in a dark room. 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.460 Stumbling around. 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:57.659 Trying to find their bearings. 00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.759 Trying to feel. 00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.659 On the walls. 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:01.719 You know. 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:02.539 Paul's not saying. 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:02.780 That. 00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:03.739 Some people. 00:36:04.119 --> 00:36:04.880 Seek after God. 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.380 On their own. 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.780 And successfully find him. 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:09.099 He uses a word. 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:09.579 Translated. 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:10.179 Perhaps. 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:13.039 To express a wish. 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:15.400 It expresses a wish. 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.539 That something would happen. 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.019 But no guarantee. 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.960 That it actually will. 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:23.240 Paul doesn't say. 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:23.780 God made us. 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.280 To seek him. 00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:24.880 And find him. 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:26.159 Because he's not far. 00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:26.840 From each one of us. 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:27.400 He actually says. 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.139 God made us. 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.599 To seek him. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.119 And find him. 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:29.960 And yet. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.340 He's actually not far away. 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:33.320 Even though he's not far away. 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.159 We still. 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:35.679 Can't find him. 00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.280 On our own. 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.599 And that's why. 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.539 Paul comes to Athens. 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.460 To say. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.240 What you worship. 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.300 As unknown. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:44.099 What you recognize. 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:44.760 Is out there. 00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.240 This. 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:46.460 I'm going to tell you about. 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:49.500 It's possible. 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.559 That in verse 27. 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.579 Paul was alluding. 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:54.159 To an old story. 00:36:55.179 --> 00:36:56.420 Told by the most famous. 00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:57.880 Athenian philosopher. 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.019 Of all. 00:36:59.220 --> 00:36:59.659 Socrates. 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:01.340 Recorded by Plato. 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:01.800 In his book. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.420 The Republic. 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:03.860 Socrates. 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.940 Compared the human condition. 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.059 To living in a dark. 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:06.920 Cave. 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.539 A dark. 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.000 Underground. 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:09.659 Cave. 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.260 He said. 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:11.539 Outside. 00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:12.440 There is light. 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.420 And truth. 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:13.900 And beauty. 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.639 And justice. 00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:15.960 But inside. 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:17.139 We live in darkness. 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.980 We are bound in chains. 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.519 And we can only see. 00:37:21.679 --> 00:37:22.119 Shadows. 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:22.699 Images. 00:37:24.220 --> 00:37:25.179 Dancing on the wall. 00:37:25.220 --> 00:37:25.820 Of the cave. 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.960 And we're fascinated. 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.840 By these images. 00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:30.639 These idols. 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.699 We think that's all there is. 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.119 Because. 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.940 That's all we've ever seen. 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:36.059 And we're not far. 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:36.800 From the light. 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.920 But we're living in ignorance. 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.940 And in idolatry. 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.679 And Socrates said. 00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:44.280 We're not only. 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.740 Unable to free ourselves. 00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:46.639 Because we're in chains. 00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.059 He says. 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:48.079 We're also unwilling. 00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.279 To be freed. 00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:50.839 Socrates said. 00:37:50.959 --> 00:37:51.659 If one of the prisoners. 00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:53.259 Was freed from his chains. 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:55.619 And dragged out of the dark cave. 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.339 And into the light. 00:37:56.419 --> 00:37:57.139 He would resist. 00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:58.439 At every step of the way. 00:38:01.139 --> 00:38:02.639 And he would cover his eyes. 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.379 Blind. 00:38:05.579 --> 00:38:06.819 In the blinding light of day. 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.679 And he says. 00:38:08.719 --> 00:38:09.239 If a man. 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:10.899 Who had been brought. 00:38:10.979 --> 00:38:11.819 To see the light. 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.819 Came back into the cave. 00:38:13.820 --> 00:38:15.740 Seeking to free his fellow prisoners. 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:16.720 They would turn on him. 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:17.539 And kill him. 00:38:17.620 --> 00:38:18.180 If they would. 00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:19.400 If they could. 00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:21.760 It's a fascinating analogy. 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.220 But the Christian message. 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.980 Is that there was one free man. 00:38:28.680 --> 00:38:30.039 Who came from the light. 00:38:30.820 --> 00:38:31.940 Into our darkness. 00:38:32.740 --> 00:38:34.640 In order to set the captives free. 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:37.659 And we turned on him. 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.519 And crucified him. 00:38:39.579 --> 00:38:40.739 And yet this Jesus. 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:42.079 Who was crucified. 00:38:42.319 --> 00:38:43.480 God raised him from the dead. 00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:44.079 To demonstrate. 00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:44.940 That he was. 00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:45.659 And is. 00:38:45.759 --> 00:38:46.759 And always will be. 00:38:46.839 --> 00:38:48.099 The rightful king. 00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:49.359 Of glory. 00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:50.879 And justice. 00:38:51.219 --> 00:38:52.059 Over all the world. 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:54.039 Verse 31. 00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:55.319 Paul concludes his speech. 00:38:56.339 --> 00:38:56.699 He says. 00:38:56.699 --> 00:38:57.940 God has fixed a day. 00:38:58.440 --> 00:39:00.079 On which he will judge the world. 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:00.719 In righteousness. 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:01.779 By a man. 00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.720 Whom he has appointed. 00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:04.800 And he has given assurance to all. 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:06.019 By raising him from. 00:39:06.200 --> 00:39:06.860 The dead. 00:39:08.120 --> 00:39:09.519 It's a message of future judgment. 00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:10.880 And future hope. 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:13.380 And in the context of Athens. 00:39:14.160 --> 00:39:15.900 It was a radically new message. 00:39:17.160 --> 00:39:18.200 No one in Athens. 00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:19.980 Believed in the bodily resurrection. 00:39:20.080 --> 00:39:20.620 Of the dead. 00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:23.760 The Epicureans believed. 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.720 That you live. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:25.300 You die. 00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.080 That's it. 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:29.719 They had no fear. 00:39:29.779 --> 00:39:30.500 Of future judgment. 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:32.719 But they also had no hope. 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:35.239 That evil would ever be conquered. 00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:37.940 And so the Epicureans. 00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:38.519 Were friendly. 00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.099 And kind. 00:39:39.179 --> 00:39:39.819 Among themselves. 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:40.960 But they remained. 00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:42.079 Largely isolated. 00:39:43.299 --> 00:39:44.119 From the troubles. 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.759 Of this world. 00:39:46.319 --> 00:39:47.239 Epicurean philosophy. 00:39:47.319 --> 00:39:48.039 Attracted people. 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:48.819 Who had the leisure. 00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:50.900 To enjoy good food. 00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.679 And good friends. 00:39:51.799 --> 00:39:52.799 But it gave no comfort. 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.980 To those who were suffering. 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.340 Terribly. 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.680 Or facing untimely deaths. 00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.680 Stoics believe. 00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:02.400 We're all part of this larger whole. 00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:05.760 This universe. 00:40:05.880 --> 00:40:06.900 Pervaded by reason. 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:07.480 And energy. 00:40:08.140 --> 00:40:08.820 And one day. 00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:09.420 We'll all. 00:40:10.120 --> 00:40:10.519 Die. 00:40:10.600 --> 00:40:11.720 And sort of merge into that. 00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:13.980 One day. 00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:15.320 The universe will go up in flames. 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:16.180 And then repeat itself. 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:17.200 All over. 00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:17.720 And over. 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.559 And over again. 00:40:20.120 --> 00:40:21.059 Stoics were dutiful. 00:40:21.579 --> 00:40:22.280 And disciplined. 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.900 Some of them were calm. 00:40:23.980 --> 00:40:24.460 And composed. 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:25.320 In the midst of great pain. 00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:25.519 Pain. 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:26.120 But. 00:40:27.120 --> 00:40:28.260 Stoic fatalism. 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:28.880 Allowed. 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.559 No room. 00:40:29.640 --> 00:40:30.579 To truly grieve. 00:40:31.640 --> 00:40:32.400 Over injustice. 00:40:32.539 --> 00:40:32.980 And cruelty. 00:40:33.100 --> 00:40:33.980 And it offered no. 00:40:34.280 --> 00:40:35.180 Hope or promise. 00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:36.460 Of everlasting joy. 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:38.300 Because history was a cycle. 00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:39.220 That would repeat itself. 00:40:39.300 --> 00:40:39.940 Over and over. 00:40:39.940 --> 00:40:43.320 But Paul proclaimed. 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:44.119 Paul proclaimed. 00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.539 A message. 00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:47.159 That history. 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:49.059 Was moving towards a conclusion. 00:40:50.019 --> 00:40:51.639 It wasn't just going to end. 00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:54.139 And it wasn't just going to go around and round. 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.900 But it was moving toward a day. 00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:58.099 When God would come and judge the world. 00:40:58.240 --> 00:40:59.860 And rule the world in righteousness. 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:01.220 Through the man he had appointed. 00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:02.900 On that day. 00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:03.980 Evil would be defeated. 00:41:04.179 --> 00:41:04.659 And judged. 00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.280 And removed. 00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:07.200 And idols would crumble and fall. 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:10.500 And the created order would joyfully welcome its rightful Lord. 00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:12.640 As Psalm 96 says. 00:41:12.720 --> 00:41:13.880 Let the heavens be glad. 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.980 Let the earth rejoice. 00:41:16.620 --> 00:41:17.800 Let the sea roar. 00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:18.960 Let the field exult. 00:41:19.060 --> 00:41:21.440 The trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord. 00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:23.640 For he comes to judge the earth. 00:41:24.100 --> 00:41:26.560 He will judge the world in righteousness. 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:28.579 And the peoples in his faithfulness. 00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:31.639 You see when it's talking about judgment. 00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:35.960 It's not only talking about removing the evil. 00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:38.980 But it's also talking about setting up his eternal kingdom. 00:41:39.920 --> 00:41:42.079 Where he will rule the world in righteousness. 00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:44.059 And faithfulness. 00:41:44.779 --> 00:41:46.059 It's a message of future hope. 00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:47.699 But it's also a call to repent. 00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:51.440 Every knee will bow before this king. 00:41:52.039 --> 00:41:53.259 Who has been raised from the dead. 00:41:53.739 --> 00:41:55.579 Paul says God commands all people everywhere. 00:41:55.579 --> 00:41:56.860 Without exception to repent. 00:41:57.319 --> 00:41:58.420 To forsake our idols. 00:41:59.779 --> 00:42:02.219 And come under the lordship of this king Jesus. 00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:07.980 Have you come under the lordship of this king Jesus? 00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:12.559 Who will one day rule the world in righteousness. 00:42:14.679 --> 00:42:15.940 Verse 32 to 34. 00:42:16.059 --> 00:42:17.579 We see the responses of people in Athens. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:19.179 Some mocked. 00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:21.400 Didn't bother to listen anymore. 00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:22.719 Others said we'll hear you again. 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:25.679 Perhaps they were sincere. 00:42:25.839 --> 00:42:27.239 Perhaps they were just procrastinating. 00:42:29.359 --> 00:42:30.439 Some joined Paul. 00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:32.959 Started following him. 00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:36.259 And either that day or later on. 00:42:36.319 --> 00:42:36.919 They came to believe. 00:42:38.399 --> 00:42:39.619 Including one of the members. 00:42:39.879 --> 00:42:41.319 Of the Areopagus itself. 00:42:42.279 --> 00:42:43.879 And a woman named Damaris. 00:42:43.980 --> 00:42:44.659 And others as well. 00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:49.319 What is your response to this Jesus? 00:42:51.639 --> 00:42:52.319 Let us pray. 00:43:05.899 --> 00:43:07.039 Father we thank you for. 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:11.400 That you are the God who made. 00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:12.900 The world and everything in it. 00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:14.639 And that you have made. 00:43:14.960 --> 00:43:16.199 Human beings in your image. 00:43:18.840 --> 00:43:20.079 Lord we thank you for. 00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:22.119 Paul's. 00:43:24.199 --> 00:43:25.059 For giving. 00:43:25.320 --> 00:43:26.659 Filling Paul with your Holy Spirit. 00:43:26.759 --> 00:43:27.320 And with wisdom. 00:43:28.320 --> 00:43:28.980 To connect. 00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:30.800 This message of the gospel. 00:43:30.920 --> 00:43:32.320 To what the Athenians believed. 00:43:33.320 --> 00:43:33.719 Already. 00:43:33.719 --> 00:43:34.339 And yet. 00:43:34.799 --> 00:43:36.159 To boldly confront them. 00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:38.519 With the unique message. 00:43:39.139 --> 00:43:40.259 Of Jesus Christ. 00:43:40.879 --> 00:43:42.419 The crucified and risen Lord. 00:43:44.579 --> 00:43:45.779 Lord we pray that you would. 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:49.439 Draw us near to you this morning. 00:43:51.579 --> 00:43:52.679 We pray in Jesus name. 00:43:52.959 --> 00:43:53.199 Amen. 00:43:59.339 --> 00:44:00.899 Well this morning we come to celebrate. 00:44:01.279 --> 00:44:01.899 The Lord's Supper.