WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:04.219 Good morning everyone, have Acts 17 open in front of you, this is where we're going to be today. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:11.339 And here's what I want to do as I start, I want to tell you about my good friend called Gordon. 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:15.679 Gordon is a pastor in another part of the city. 00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:19.660 Gordon and his family just live around the corner from us in Libertin. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:23.719 Gordon's a really good friend and here's why I love Gordon, I love his passion for Jesus. 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:28.820 And here's what he started doing on Tuesday afternoons over the last couple of months. 00:00:29.559 --> 00:00:37.880 He gets on a bus at Libertin, jumps on it, he pays the fare and he makes his way all the way down to Edinburgh University campus. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:40.600 And here's what he's doing, he's talking to people. 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:43.620 So no agenda really, he's just talking to people. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:47.980 He's lovingly interested in what is going on in people's lives. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:52.780 So he asks them, tell me about some of the biggest problems that you're facing in your life right now. 00:00:52.900 --> 00:00:53.400 What are they? 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:56.159 Tell me about some of your biggest fears. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:00.679 It's amazing, he was telling me the other day what's coming back. 00:01:01.319 --> 00:01:02.319 I'm sure it won't surprise you. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:08.379 Mental health concerns, the pain of loneliness, the worries about the cost of living. 00:01:08.479 --> 00:01:10.079 Am I going to be able to finish this degree? 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:11.319 What comes after it? 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:12.199 But here's what he does. 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:15.019 He concludes every single conversation with this question. 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:20.959 He says, would you consider yourself a religious or a spiritual person? 00:01:22.039 --> 00:01:26.079 So he's telling me the other day, he's spoken to 25 students over the last couple of months. 00:01:26.399 --> 00:01:28.640 Which I think is pretty good going actually, 25 students. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:33.199 Question for you, how many of them do you think identified as Christian? 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:35.820 None of them. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:37.680 None of them. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:41.079 I wonder how that strikes you this morning. 00:01:42.100 --> 00:01:44.219 Maybe it's something you identify with. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:47.120 Maybe you're here and you would say, that's exactly where I'm at. 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:48.920 I just want you to know you're so welcome here. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:50.060 I love that you're here. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:54.439 Or maybe you listen to it and it causes you to despair. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:57.000 Here's my reaction to it. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:01.379 I heard Gordon say it and immediately I'm asking the question in my mind. 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:03.219 I wonder if it's the one that hit you. 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:11.159 That when it comes to reaching people in our city, for whom Jesus just isn't even on the radar. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:15.740 Can Christianity cut it? 00:02:18.419 --> 00:02:23.579 In the book of Acts, last week, do you remember where we were? 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:25.960 Here, flick back to the first half of 17. 00:02:27.260 --> 00:02:32.280 We can kind of get our heads around the fact that the gospel, the message of Jesus, 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:35.880 made a big splash in a place like Thessalonica. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:37.480 I can kind of get your head around that one, okay? 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:40.040 Because verse 2 of chapter 17, come with me. 00:02:40.720 --> 00:02:42.220 What do these people know? 00:02:42.420 --> 00:02:44.000 What do these people have? 00:02:45.040 --> 00:02:46.939 What do these people know inside out? 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:48.920 What do these people devote themselves to? 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:50.060 Do you see the words? 00:02:51.700 --> 00:02:52.140 Scriptures. 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:53.040 The Scriptures. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:55.739 This is what the people in Thessalonica have. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:02.259 So if you like, the religious kindling was already there for Paul to kind of use it and 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:06.599 place it and pray that the Holy Spirit would take it and get the Jesus fire started, yeah? 00:03:07.579 --> 00:03:11.840 But Athens, this is a different ballgame completely. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:16.699 This is the intellectual capital of the world we're talking about here. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:21.399 This is the place where culture is shaped, just to throw some names at you. 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:22.259 This is Plato. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:23.519 This is Aristotle. 00:03:23.739 --> 00:03:24.519 This is Socrates. 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:27.579 All these years later, we've even heard of these guys. 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:29.560 This is Athens. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:34.379 This is where the leading thinkers of the day all come together to do their thing. 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:39.780 And I think somebody rightly compared the Athens then, everything that it represented, 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.740 to the Oxford and Cambridge of today. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:46.240 I think that's a pretty good comparison if you're trying to get your head around it. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:50.340 So can Christianity cut it in a place like Athens? 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:57.879 The message of Jesus, the gospel, will it run out of gas? 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:01.900 Has the gospel made its match? 00:04:04.859 --> 00:04:09.639 Here's why whoever you are here today, whatever you think about this God, 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:15.659 whatever that survey would find you, I want you to listen to what this passage is telling you. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:21.659 It's telling you that nothing is going to stop the Spirit of God doing the work of God 00:04:21.659 --> 00:04:25.259 as he takes the Word of God, where we read about the Son of God, 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:30.519 and he applies it to the hearts of people all over the world despite their background. 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:35.819 This should give us confidence, I take it today, that the gospel works. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:39.899 And it's because of who this God is, 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:45.740 and it's because of who you and I are as human beings. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:49.620 Here's what I loved being reminded of this week. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:51.420 Ready for this? 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:53.579 One truth to carry with us through this. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:56.159 Everyone's a worshiper. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:04:58.939 Everyone's a worshiper. 00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:00.919 Everyone's worshipping something. 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:02.199 What was that Bob Dylan song? 00:05:02.979 --> 00:05:04.959 We have a certain era. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:07.120 You've got to serve somebody. 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:08.039 Right? 00:05:08.099 --> 00:05:11.159 Maybe the Lord, maybe the devil, but you've got to serve somebody. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:13.740 Everyone's worshipping something. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:15.419 So there's that inbuilt desire, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:20.240 one that's hardwired into the DNA of every single human being 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:23.460 that longs to find something to live for. 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:27.560 You see, in Athens, hardly anybody's heard of Jesus, 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:32.800 and yet the local comics in the day used to joke about the fact that it was a city 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:36.300 where it was more likely that you were going to bump into a god than you were to a man. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:43.060 These gods, or as the passage says, to get into it, it says idols. 00:05:43.400 --> 00:05:44.139 Now, what's an idol? 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:47.639 Try not to think miniature Buddha. 00:05:48.400 --> 00:05:49.400 Get it way bigger. 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:51.480 Way bigger. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:52.860 What's an idol? 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:56.240 It's something that I'm ploughing myself into 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.579 because I'm convinced that that is the thing 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:02.019 that will in turn provide me 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:05.360 with satisfaction and meaning and pleasure in my life. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:06.280 It's an idol. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.199 It's an idol. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:09.960 You've got to see before it's a physical thing. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.259 It's a heart thing. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:17.540 There was a female American tennis player years ago called Chris Avert. 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:22.100 She was one of the greatest singles players the women's game has ever seen. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:24.860 She gave a fascinating interview towards the end of her career. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:26.900 A journalist asks her, 00:06:26.960 --> 00:06:29.120 how are you feeling about retirement? 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:32.360 And she said she was petrified. 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:33.379 Why? 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:34.740 And this was her line. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:39.120 Because tennis makes me feel like I'm somebody. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:41.100 Isn't it fascinating? 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:43.800 Tennis makes me feel like I'm somebody. 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:45.120 You take the word tennis out, 00:06:45.580 --> 00:06:47.220 insert in it whatever you will. 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:48.680 Is that not what we're all longing for? 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:51.480 Is that not the thing we're all searching for, 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:52.300 that we're pursuing? 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:54.639 Is it not why people in our city 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:56.860 are throwing money at cars? 00:06:58.300 --> 00:06:59.979 Is it not why people in our city 00:06:59.979 --> 00:07:01.500 are queuing outside the Apple store 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:02.759 to get the latest iPhone? 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:04.060 If you get caught up in that trap, 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:04.860 when it comes out, 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.180 got an iPhone myself, 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:07.259 nothing wrong with an iPhone. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.199 Is it not why people plow themselves 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:12.079 into showing themselves in the best light 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.500 on social media? 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:15.099 Is it not why the house market 00:07:15.099 --> 00:07:17.159 in our city right now is bonkers? 00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:19.279 Because people are throwing money at things, 00:07:19.719 --> 00:07:21.139 thinking if only I get that, 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:22.979 then that will provide me with the lifestyle 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:24.379 that I want to get the things 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.659 that I need in my life. 00:07:25.919 --> 00:07:28.519 Is it not why the magazines at WH Smiths 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:31.120 are full of celebrity magazines? 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:32.560 Because we want to know 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.759 what that life is like. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:35.099 Is it not why the magazines 00:07:35.099 --> 00:07:37.620 are also full of self-help and image? 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:41.399 Is it not why we still talk about 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:43.079 this thing called midlife crisis? 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.579 Because people hit post 45, 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:47.819 having run hard at life for a season, 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.360 and get to a point, 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.379 they think to themselves, 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:53.180 when the monotony of it kicks in, 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:54.259 that they stop and say, 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:56.459 what on earth is my life all about? 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.240 Edinburgh's full of idols. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:03.699 Our hearts are full of idols. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:05.019 Everyone's a worshipper. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:07.259 The question is not if we're worshipping. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:10.359 The question is what we're worshipping. 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.839 I love C.S. Lewis. 00:08:12.979 --> 00:08:15.039 This is the most over-quoted thing 00:08:15.039 --> 00:08:15.839 I've ever heard, 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:16.839 but I tell you it 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:17.659 because I think he gets it 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:18.359 bang on the money. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.839 Here's what he says about human beings. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.719 And I love C.S. Lewis 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:23.120 because he just makes observations 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.240 about human beings 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.099 that we know are true. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:25.740 He said this, 00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:27.819 we are half-hearted creatures, 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:30.459 fooling about with drink and sex 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:32.240 and ambition when infinite joy 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.759 is offered us. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.539 Like an ignorant child 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.319 who wants to go on 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:37.819 making mud pies in the slum 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:39.059 because he cannot imagine 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:40.220 what is meant by the offer 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.039 of a holiday at the sea, 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:46.659 we are far too easily pleased. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.980 What he's saying is that 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:50.779 we were made in the image of God. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.319 We were made to know him. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.279 We were made to enjoy him forever. 00:08:54.819 --> 00:08:55.960 But what's happened is 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:58.379 the sin in each of our hearts 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:00.840 has bent us in on ourselves 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:03.220 so that we take the good things 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.460 that God gives us 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:06.840 and we make them God things. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.740 The tragedy of humanity 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:10.800 is that we prefer to worship 00:09:10.800 --> 00:09:11.960 the created 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.660 rather than the creator. 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:16.800 And that's idolatry. 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:20.180 Athens is a city full of gods 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:22.420 because its people's hearts 00:09:22.420 --> 00:09:24.560 are full of idols. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:28.379 And so here goes Paul 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:29.599 into this city 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:31.879 with the message of Jesus. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.019 Really quickly Paul, 00:09:34.619 --> 00:09:35.599 Luke tells us 00:09:35.599 --> 00:09:37.579 four things happen to Paul 00:09:37.579 --> 00:09:38.819 when he hits Athens. 00:09:38.939 --> 00:09:39.539 We'll run through these 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.619 really quickly, okay? 00:09:40.699 --> 00:09:41.519 Here's number one. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:43.699 His heart breaks. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.439 Verse 16. 00:09:45.719 --> 00:09:47.059 He's waiting for Silas and Timothy 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:48.379 to come from Thessalonica. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.219 You see? 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:52.019 And he goes sightseeing. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:52.960 So verse 16. 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:53.819 Luke wants us to know 00:09:53.819 --> 00:09:56.279 what's going on in Paul's heart. 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:58.360 Are you going to come with me 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.279 and see the words here? 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.019 He wasn't impressed. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:01.620 Do you see the words? 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:04.059 He was distressed. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.319 Because the praise 00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:08.679 that God alone deserves, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.659 the people of Athens 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:10.519 are taking it 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.799 and they're giving it 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:13.360 to something else. 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:14.960 The word distressed, 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.559 it's almost like, 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:17.919 it's like a jealous yearning for. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.360 Remember, 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:22.399 Paul's grown up steeped 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:23.039 in the scriptures. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.599 God has consistently said 00:10:24.599 --> 00:10:25.039 all the way through 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:25.539 the Old Testament, 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:26.919 I will not give my glory 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:27.559 to another. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.759 You will have no other God 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.539 before me. 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:32.620 I will be number one 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.360 in your life. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:34.879 Long to be number one 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:35.519 in your life. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.799 And you can imagine Paul 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.679 then he's with each 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:39.439 passing idol 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:40.519 saying to himself, 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:42.539 God alone should get 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.179 that praise. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:47.219 the God alone 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:48.059 who has made you 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:48.620 so that you would 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.639 give him that praise 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:51.159 and you would enjoy 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.739 him forever. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.819 You see the idolatry 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:53.899 that's going on in Athens, 00:10:54.219 --> 00:10:56.719 it breaks Paul's heart. 00:10:58.819 --> 00:10:59.899 And you've got to understand 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.059 it brings God's judgment. 00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:03.399 And so the question 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.439 I think we've got to ask ourselves 00:11:04.439 --> 00:11:05.599 as we respond to this 00:11:05.599 --> 00:11:07.740 is do our hearts 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.740 feel the same? 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:11.579 Do our hearts long 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:14.060 that the people of our world 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:15.120 lovingly 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:17.139 would take their eyes 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:17.879 off their idols 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:19.000 and give praise to God 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.060 alone that he deserves? 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.240 You've got to say 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.560 who's Paul emulating here? 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.700 Where's he got this from? 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:29.020 He's got it from 00:11:29.020 --> 00:11:29.660 the Lord Jesus. 00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:30.580 You know, I love it 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:31.460 when reading the Sporn 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:32.440 in Mark chapter 10 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:34.660 where the rich young ruler 00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.700 comes to Jesus. 00:11:36.520 --> 00:11:37.400 What must I do? 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:37.660 He says, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.540 I've kept the commands 00:11:38.540 --> 00:11:39.160 and Jesus says, 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.180 sell all that you have 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.620 and give it to the poor 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.459 and the young man 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:43.339 walks away empty. 00:11:43.459 --> 00:11:43.739 Why? 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.899 Because he had tons of stuff. 00:11:47.239 --> 00:11:48.299 And I love it there. 00:11:49.359 --> 00:11:50.839 Why did Jesus speak to him? 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.319 Why did Jesus tease out 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:53.319 the idol in his life? 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.599 Because he loved them. 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:57.739 I love it. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.500 And then the same Jesus 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.500 would sit on the cusp 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.079 of the city 00:12:00.079 --> 00:12:00.500 and would say, 00:12:00.599 --> 00:12:01.659 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 00:12:02.219 --> 00:12:03.739 how often I would have 00:12:03.739 --> 00:12:04.859 gathered you like a hen 00:12:04.859 --> 00:12:06.120 gathers her chicks 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.139 but you would not come. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:08.539 His heart breaks 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.899 for the idolatry 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.919 in people's hearts. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:12.179 And that's why he goes 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:12.819 to the cross. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:14.179 This is the gospel. 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:16.519 Jesus, the perfect worshiper, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.759 goes to the cross 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.759 to die the death 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.899 and to take the punishment 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.840 that idolaters 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:24.039 like you and me deserve. 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.340 He takes our hell. 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:27.860 He dies 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.659 and he takes it 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.720 on himself 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:32.720 by grace alone. 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.500 His heart breaks 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.100 and I take it 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:36.820 that's what's going on 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.620 here with Paul. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.899 His heart breaks. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.320 His heart is distressed 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.299 for what's going on 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.879 in people's lives. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.580 His heart breaks 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:49.759 and his eyes look. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.320 Number two, 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.139 where does he go? 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.279 Verse 17. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:56.080 He goes to the synagogue 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:58.120 and he goes 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.940 to the marketplace. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.019 You see? 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:01.580 So what's he going 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.460 in search of? 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.360 He's going in search 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:04.919 of people. 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:07.080 Verse 17. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.100 He reasoned. 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.159 He spoke. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.440 Presumably he listened. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.620 What's he doing? 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.200 I think he's just 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.440 listening for clues 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:16.200 as to what makes people think. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.080 What are they doing? 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.000 What do they value? 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.240 Where are they? 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.560 Where are they? 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.700 What are they believing? 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.759 How are they living? 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.399 He's spending time 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:27.840 with people 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:30.060 so much so 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.820 that he can 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.399 get up in front 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.399 of the Areopagus 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.279 which I guess 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:34.759 in this day 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.639 is like a mashup 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.939 between a debating chamber, 00:13:37.079 --> 00:13:37.720 a high court, 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.679 and a university 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.639 teaching department. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.639 And he can say 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.199 verse 22, 23. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.779 People of Athens, 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.000 I see 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.500 that in every way 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.840 you are very religious. 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.240 For as I walked around 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.419 and looked carefully 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.500 at your objects 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.299 of worship. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.480 Do you see what he's doing? 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:55.959 He's saying 00:13:55.959 --> 00:13:57.100 I walked around, 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.659 I listened, 00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:58.500 I looked. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.279 He talked, 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:00.879 he observed, 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.759 he engaged. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.659 Do you know what I love? 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:03.740 I love how ordinary 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.539 that is. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.319 It's not like 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:06.959 he's enrolled 00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:09.699 in night classes 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:11.139 at the Athenian college. 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:11.819 Would you teach me 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.759 how the locals think? 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:13.360 He's not got one 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.179 of those tapes 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.980 listening to how 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.879 the locals speak, 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.319 has he? 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.480 He doesn't bring 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.480 his PhD game 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.059 to the floor. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.919 He just spent time 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.199 with people. 00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:26.019 You know, 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.699 comedians today 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:27.240 they always talk 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.539 about observational comedy. 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:31.079 I take it 00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:31.699 this passage 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:32.480 challenges us 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.360 and calls us 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:35.779 to be observational evangelists. 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:38.659 You know, 00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:39.439 I was spending time 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:39.939 with people. 00:14:41.599 --> 00:14:42.539 I was spending time 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:44.120 lovingly listening 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.099 to where people are at, 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:46.019 what's going on. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:47.459 You know, 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:47.879 I've got a friend 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.339 called Pete 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:49.199 who lives in Glasgow. 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:51.679 He's a fellow pastor 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.419 and also a parent. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:52.879 He was telling me 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.199 the other day 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:53.779 what he does 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.559 to help him 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.199 get good at this 00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:56.120 is he just blocks out 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.719 in his calendar 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:58.159 8.30 to 9.30 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.620 every Monday to Friday 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.339 blocks it out. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.139 Do you know why? 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:02.459 School run time. 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.379 He says, 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:04.919 I make time, 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.679 we get there early 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.500 so we can spend time 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.039 with the parents. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.639 I want to know them. 00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:08.179 I want to listen 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.839 and when I've dropped 00:15:08.839 --> 00:15:09.379 the kids off 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:09.899 I give myself 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.939 a good half an hour 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:12.179 just to be available 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:12.699 for people 00:15:12.699 --> 00:15:13.579 if they want to talk. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:14.719 Are you walking 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:15.259 that route? 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.399 I'll come that route 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:16.719 with you. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.600 Just speaks to them. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.079 Take it, 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.719 that's the heart 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:20.339 behind 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:22.659 our evangelism cards. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.919 Just writing names 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.600 down of people. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.019 Who can we 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.419 care and serve 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:27.939 this week? 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.139 Who can we invite 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.899 to come and see? 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.539 Who can we 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.839 go and get to know 00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:32.839 and go and tell? 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:33.839 This is about people. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.279 Long to hear 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.559 people, 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.799 what makes them tick. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.019 Do you know 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.599 a wonderful way 00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:40.079 of doing it 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.399 is you're going 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.179 to work tomorrow 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:41.799 listing what 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.500 makes people tick? 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:43.919 What did you do 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.579 at the weekend? 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.159 Wonderful opportunity. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.000 I always find it 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.959 on a Friday 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:49.979 what do people ask you? 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.439 What are you doing 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:51.959 at the weekend? 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:52.559 On Monday 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.439 what do they ask you? 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.019 What did you do 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.599 at the weekend? 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.840 Two wonderful 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.420 opportunities. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.120 You miss the boat 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:58.560 on a Friday 00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.320 get in on a Monday. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.920 Telling people 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.440 what you did. 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:02.100 Listening to people 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.759 what they did. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.500 What's going on 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.200 in their lives. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.240 But do you see 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.300 how Paul looks? 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:07.879 He looks. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.820 And number three 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:12.000 his mind thinks. 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.940 How can I connect 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.460 these people 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.740 with the Bible story? 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.600 He's got a grasp 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.700 of a biblical 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:20.500 world view. 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:22.980 You know I love 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.180 how he convinced 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.659 this morning 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:26.039 that the world 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.979 the Bible describes 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:27.479 as the world 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.259 that you're living in. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.139 Are you convinced 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.779 that the biblical 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.379 world view 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.839 is the best? 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.459 It makes sense 00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:34.179 of life. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.699 That God 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.319 by his grace 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:37.179 has opened our eyes 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.199 to see it. 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.979 I was thinking 00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:41.659 this week 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:43.039 but for the grace 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.439 of God 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:44.199 what are the things 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:44.719 that I would be 00:16:44.719 --> 00:16:45.859 pursuing in my life? 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.979 By his grace 00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:48.759 he's opened my eyes 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.379 to see that this 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.039 Bible story 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.019 this world 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.439 that I'm living in 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.040 he helps me 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.220 understand it. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.200 The world 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.620 that the Bible 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.220 describes 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.160 I'm convinced 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:57.560 that it 00:16:57.560 --> 00:17:00.000 makes sense 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.520 of the world 00:17:01.520 --> 00:17:01.980 in which you 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.580 and I live 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.980 every day. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.100 And so what he does 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:06.100 is he takes Athens 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.820 and he tries to 00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:07.580 connect them 00:17:07.580 --> 00:17:08.279 into the biblical 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.779 world view. 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:09.120 Do you see 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:09.620 it's in 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:12.200 verse 23 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.700 he spots 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.120 an idol 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:15.620 with a line 00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:16.160 on the front 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:18.120 to an unknown 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.920 God. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:19.880 This is what he 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.299 quotes. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.279 I take it 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.019 what's going on 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.139 here 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:22.740 the Athenians 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.039 are just 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.660 spreading their 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.099 bets. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.920 They set up 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.200 an idol 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.960 to a random 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.319 God 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.819 just in case 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.039 they've 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.519 accidentally 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.059 missed one 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.259 out 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.519 and they 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.059 offend 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.799 them. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.460 Your hearts 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:33.920 are so full 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.279 of idols 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:34.740 says Paul 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:34.980 that you 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.599 worship a 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:35.819 God 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.220 you don't 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.940 even know. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.480 And here's 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.899 his end. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:40.920 How much 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.339 more then 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.740 should you 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.259 worship the 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.759 God of the 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.039 Bible 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.639 the creator 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.000 of the 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.240 world 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.819 who has 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.460 made himself 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:45.859 known? 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.379 And I 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:47.700 take it 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.240 this is the 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.359 whole point 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.680 of what 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.259 Paul does 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.220 here is 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.599 he just 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.220 talks about 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.660 the God 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.000 who has 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.839 made himself 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.900 known. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:57.839 And it's 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.180 such an 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.859 important point 00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.140 that we 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.779 understand 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:01.019 what he's 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.440 doing. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.299 You know 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:02.660 one of the 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.140 toys that's 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:03.599 been passed 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.019 down through 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.579 our children 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:06.879 is Mr. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.680 Potato Head. 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.579 Remember him? 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:09.700 Mr. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.240 Potato Head 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.059 a classic 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.819 timeless toy. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:12.640 Why it's so 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.180 much fun? 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.319 It's Mrs. 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:15.799 Potato Head 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.059 as well 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.279 isn't it 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.460 now? 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.559 You can 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.119 make Mr. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.660 Potato Head 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.140 look however 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.539 you want him 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:19.900 to look 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.319 can't you? 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.200 Take his 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.660 nose out 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:22.900 put it 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.400 where his 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.839 arms should 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.160 be. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.039 Mustache 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.460 on or 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.900 off. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.779 Angry 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.299 eyes or 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.900 normal eyes. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.259 You can 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.740 make Mr. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.259 Potato Head 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.819 look however 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.220 you want 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.500 him to 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.859 look. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:32.980 But you 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.319 can't do 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.619 that with 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:33.960 God. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.839 It's like a 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.460 WhatsApp chat 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:36.819 isn't it? 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.039 Where you 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.599 can see but 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.079 you cannot 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.240 comment. 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:39.660 You cannot 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.180 make it 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.180 fit to 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.720 your own 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.379 image. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.119 God has 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:44.740 made himself 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.140 known. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.559 Right? 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.700 He's revealed 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.299 himself in 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.819 creation. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:50.000 He's revealed 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.099 himself in 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.859 his words. 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:53.899 He's written 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.779 because we're 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.179 made in his 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.399 image. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:55.980 Our 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.700 consciences. 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.439 What we 00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:58.980 understand to 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.439 be right and 00:18:59.439 --> 00:18:59.700 wrong. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.460 Again it 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.859 comes from 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.399 the fact that 00:19:01.399 --> 00:19:01.759 God has 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.299 made himself 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.759 known and 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.700 he's revealed 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.700 himself supremely 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.319 in the person 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.899 of Jesus. 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.980 If you hear 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.579 today and you 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.319 wonder what is 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.879 this God? 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.619 Who is this 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:11.879 God? 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.359 What is he 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:12.599 like? 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.379 You look at 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.179 Jesus Christ. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.500 He's the 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:17.179 image of the 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.200 invisible God. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.160 What Paul 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.500 does in 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.660 verse 23 is 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.200 he connects 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.259 Athens to 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.740 Genesis. 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.120 You spend 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.500 your time 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.799 trying to 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.340 make a 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:30.759 home for 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.259 your God 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.600 so that 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:31.920 they can 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.320 live in 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.039 your world. 00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:33.700 But let me 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.019 tell you about 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.400 the God of 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.600 the Bible who 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.120 made you and 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:36.640 you're living in 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.200 his world. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.980 You spend 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.440 your time 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:39.980 making your 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.799 own gods, 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.060 making gods 00:19:42.060 --> 00:19:42.400 in your 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:42.840 image. 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:43.519 But let me 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:43.820 tell you about 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.140 the God of 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.680 the Bible who 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.299 made you and 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.319 made you in 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.960 his image. 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.319 That yes, I 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.000 was reading a 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.619 stat this week 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.180 that if the 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.099 chemical elements 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.700 of your body 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.159 were lumped 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:55.659 together and 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.159 sold you 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:56.419 wouldn't have 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:56.839 enough money 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.399 to buy two 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:58.119 flat whites. 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:00.200 But make no 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.839 mistake that 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.460 you're matter 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.440 that matters. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:03.659 Why? 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:04.940 Because you're 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.159 made wonderfully 00:20:06.159 --> 00:20:06.720 and beautifully 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.619 in the image of 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.019 God. 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:09.799 And it's why 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.359 it's so important 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:10.839 isn't it when we 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.359 look at stuff 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:11.819 that's going on 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.460 in America that 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:12.899 will probably 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.500 come here that 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.240 we understand 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:16.359 that from the 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.779 moment of 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.799 conception every 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.039 life matters. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.880 Every life 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.400 matters. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.559 And you can't 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.880 help but not 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.900 get involved in 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.220 that. 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.019 That every life 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.700 whoever you are 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.319 has value, 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.140 has dignity, 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.880 has worth. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.140 Not because you 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.799 earned it. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.220 Because this God 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.900 made you in his 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.319 image. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.660 Paul is saying 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.640 the very breath 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.700 that you breathe, 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.660 God who created 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.140 all things, 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.840 gave you that 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:44.380 breath. 00:20:45.040 --> 00:20:45.840 The very food 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.500 that you eat, 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.680 God who makes 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.300 all things and 00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:49.019 sustains all 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.519 things, 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.120 he's given you 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.680 life. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.300 You see what 00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:52.759 he's saying? 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:54.660 It's what 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.540 scientists today, 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.320 I take it they 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:58.160 observe when they 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.779 call what's going 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.340 on in the world, 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.779 they call it 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.940 fine tuning. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.500 And as a result, 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.640 because you're 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.259 made in God's 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.800 image, you're 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.540 accountable to 00:21:09.540 --> 00:21:09.800 him. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.500 You see, 00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:12.019 he even quotes 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.400 some of their 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.019 own poets to 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.720 help them see 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:15.960 that deep down 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.000 you all know 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.920 this to be true. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.259 Something in you 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.240 that clicks with 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.000 what I'm saying. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.379 But you see 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:24.879 what he's doing? 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.819 He taps into 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.500 what they are 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.839 doing and he 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.960 unearths their 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:31.299 inconsistencies and 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:33.460 he lovingly and 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.599 logically connects 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.139 them to the 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:36.500 Bible story. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:41.480 So simple and 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.559 yet so brave to 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:42.960 do it. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.039 You know, 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.620 comedian Frank 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:47.160 Skinner, who 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.720 from what I can 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.460 tell has got some 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.180 kind of belief in 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.420 God. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.240 I love this story. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.380 He was debating 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.480 with a friend of 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.539 his who refused to 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.319 believe that God 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.240 created the world. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.559 So the two of them 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.200 are going back, 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.220 back and forth and 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.880 his friend said, 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.180 we're getting 00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.900 nowhere with this, 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.460 listen, do you 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.120 fancy a cuppa? 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.420 So his friend goes 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.160 away and puts the 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.440 kettle on, turns 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.099 around and gets 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.960 back into the saddle 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.860 of the conversation 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.759 and they chat some 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.400 more and all of a 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.860 sudden they hear 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:10.220 the kettle, it 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.120 pings and his 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.660 friend comes out 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.960 with the line, I 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.980 better go and see 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.660 to that cup of 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.280 tea because that 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:15.860 cup of tea won't 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.740 make itself, will 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:16.940 it? 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.440 To which Frank 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.019 Skinner simply 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.700 said, why not? 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:22.660 You know, there's a 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.880 simple logic to what 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.860 Paul is doing here. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.080 He's taken something 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.700 unknown, something 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.000 people haven't quite 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.780 thought about and 00:22:30.780 --> 00:22:31.840 he's just bringing 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.620 out the simplicity 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.259 of it. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:36.379 his mind thinks 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:38.180 and then lastly, 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.900 his number four, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.079 his mouth speaks. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.259 You see verse 18, 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:43.160 Paul's taken to the 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:45.839 Areopagus and you 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.339 see how he's been 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.039 taken there by the 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:47.799 people who heard him 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.400 speak in the 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:48.940 marketplace. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.299 I was thinking 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:53.160 about this week, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.259 this wasn't part of 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:58.519 the script, this 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.160 wasn't part of the 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.920 plan, this wasn't 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.940 the diary that Paul 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.839 would end up getting 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.099 this opportunity to 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.179 speak and yet to 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:06.000 see how God is 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.959 sovereign over every 00:23:06.959 --> 00:23:07.839 single incident. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.799 Becky Manley 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.480 Pippert in her 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.279 wonderful book, 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:12.899 Out of the Salt 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.480 Shaker and Into 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.079 the World, she 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.859 calls these kind of 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.939 things the divine 00:23:16.939 --> 00:23:18.219 appointments, love 00:23:18.219 --> 00:23:20.339 that, as if to say 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.859 there is no such 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.980 thing as chance. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.039 Every single person 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.759 that we come across 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.539 in our lives is 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.279 somebody who God 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.000 has ordained would 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.839 be there and it 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.419 changes how you 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:32.019 think about your 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.679 life, doesn't it, 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.259 what you do. 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.320 Paul preaches the 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:38.420 cross, I take it 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.180 Luke's focus here 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.700 is on the 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:42.440 resurrection because 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.980 that's the thing 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.440 that brought the 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.120 sneers, you see 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:46.759 verse 32, quite 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.440 literally they 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.360 burst out laughing, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.920 that's what that 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.900 sneering word means, 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.580 they burst out 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:50.980 laughing. 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:52.560 Who is this 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:52.980 babbler? 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.580 The image there, 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.160 I think the word 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.720 is of a little 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.539 pigeon going around 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.180 just picking up 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.799 little seeds, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.759 different seeds and 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.340 trying to cobble it 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.880 together in its 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.460 mouth, that's what 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.880 they're saying of 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.520 Paul, he's just 00:24:02.520 --> 00:24:03.300 picking up threads 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:04.100 and nonsense and 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.280 trying to patch it 00:24:05.280 --> 00:24:05.920 together and make 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.300 something. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.540 The Greeks thought 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.280 that any notion of 00:24:09.280 --> 00:24:10.040 an afterlife was 00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:12.640 laughable, but what 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.300 does it prove? 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.400 It proves the 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.140 resurrection that 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.020 this Jesus, we 00:24:16.020 --> 00:24:16.720 will all need to 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.460 give account to 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.280 him for how we've 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:19.320 lived before him 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:20.600 and God has raised 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.360 this Jesus and 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.760 seated him in the 00:24:22.760 --> 00:24:23.260 place of all 00:24:23.260 --> 00:24:24.080 authority and one 00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:24.920 day he will return 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:27.000 and I want you to 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.740 hear those words 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.840 and perfect justice 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.780 will be done when 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.700 this King Jesus 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.519 returns. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.200 Perfect justice. 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.139 We've seen in the 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.720 world this week, 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.200 haven't we? 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.799 Soldiers being 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.539 caught and the 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.079 only reason they 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.519 were caught is 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.859 because we happen 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:41.180 to see it on the 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.619 CCTV. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.079 Makes you think, 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.720 doesn't it, what on 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.779 earth is going on in 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.579 the world right now 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.279 in that part of the 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.779 world that we will 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:48.480 never see and no 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.220 one will know about 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.319 except those who've 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.740 been murdered. 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.240 But this God sees, 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.460 he sees everything 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:56.240 and one day perfect 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.380 justice will be done 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.700 by King Jesus. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.940 The fact that he 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.960 has not come yet is 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.720 nothing to do with 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.759 his incompetence as 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.460 we thought about a 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.759 few weeks ago, it's 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.759 to do with his 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.220 mercy. 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.640 He longs for people 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.519 who are lost in 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.340 idolatry to come to 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.880 know him. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.600 People sneer, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.539 others mull, we 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.120 want to hear you 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.860 again in this, I 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.420 take it that's what 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.920 that means. 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.860 People think there 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.440 might be something 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.240 in this, can I 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.360 rethink it through? 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.579 Let me just say we 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.259 flagged this book 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.099 last week and it 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.099 really hit with a 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.799 lot of people which 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.920 is wonderful and I 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.140 bought 25 copies 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.559 that are out the 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.460 front, just grab 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.740 your own, put a 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.400 little donation in 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:32.940 if you want, it's 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.519 just called Are 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.740 You 100% Sure You 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.319 Want to Be an 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.740 Agnostic? 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.319 And it's a 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.960 wonderful little 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.480 book that just 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.000 takes you through 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.839 some questions. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.519 If you're in this 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.640 category of mulling, 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.200 we might want to 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.940 hear you again on 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.400 this, is there 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.039 something in this 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.079 Christianity business 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.480 will really help you 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.019 think through some 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.779 big questions you 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.420 might have. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.379 But as we draw 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.099 this to a close, 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.579 do you see how 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.440 other people join? 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:56.019 verse 33, people 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.640 believed. 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.579 Have a look at the 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.579 two people who Luke 00:25:58.579 --> 00:26:00.099 specifically mentions at 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.960 verse 34. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.680 And again, nothing is, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:05.119 no name is wasted 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:05.319 here. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.079 Don't just skip over 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.960 the names, think about 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.900 what's going on, right? 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.680 The two people, 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.059 Damaris. 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.319 So Luke's dignifying 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.420 her by mentioning her 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.779 name. 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.259 Again, what we saw 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.619 about the counter-cultural 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:18.000 nature of the gospel, 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.579 because Athens in 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.960 particular, a woman's 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.920 role was to serve her 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.960 husband and her home, 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.119 whereas the man, I 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.079 take it, was expected 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.460 the boys will be boys. 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.039 And Luke is saying, 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.960 Jesus rescued Damaris, 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.700 and I'm honouring her 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:35.059 by telling you about 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:37.380 her response of faith. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.839 But talking to which, 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.660 who's the other guy? 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.339 Dionysus. 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:47.720 This guy who was named 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.139 after the Greek god of 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:50.139 wine and revelry. 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.519 And maybe he lived 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.480 right up to that name, 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.139 we don't know. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.579 Maybe he was caught up 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.579 in the worship of those 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.379 gods, thinking that 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.079 those things would 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.439 fulfil and satisfy him. 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.240 Because that's essentially 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.319 what an Epicurean is, 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.779 if you're wondering 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.299 about that. 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.980 What's life about? 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.859 It's about squeezing 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:06.119 as much pleasure as you 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.839 can out of it. 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:07.539 Right? 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.279 I take it as what 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.959 young people today 00:27:09.959 --> 00:27:10.980 call YOLO, right? 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.119 You only live once. 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:15.779 I've got to squeeze 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.479 as much pleasure 00:27:16.479 --> 00:27:17.939 out of life as I can, 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.939 possibly, because time 00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.439 is short. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.679 God, I've heard that 00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.439 one before, people 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.199 living for that. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.939 But his story, I take it 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.819 as he comes to believe, 00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:26.159 is that of Psalm 4. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.719 That God, you filled 00:27:27.719 --> 00:27:28.779 my heart with greater 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.719 joy than when 00:27:29.719 --> 00:27:30.739 their grain and 00:27:30.739 --> 00:27:31.919 new wine abode. 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.839 There is a greater 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:34.000 pleasure in 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.799 Dionysus' life. 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.619 But more importantly, 00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:37.079 do you see what 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.019 he's part of? 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.379 And Luke wants us 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.879 to see this. 00:27:39.959 --> 00:27:41.039 What is he part of? 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.599 He's part of the 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.359 Areopagus. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.839 Can Christianity 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.659 cut it? 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.559 The Dionysus says, 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:51.240 yes it can. 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.180 I've heard no message 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.319 like the risen Jesus. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.920 You know, just as we 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.779 close, let me take you 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.399 back to my mate 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.779 Gordon. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.500 Remember him? 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.519 He's doing his thing 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:01.960 down Edinburgh 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.039 Uni campus on a 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.980 Tuesday afternoon. 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:06.259 Spoken to 25 people. 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.920 And he has spoken 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.859 to 25 people. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.759 One said, no sorry, 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.420 none said they were 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.759 Christian. 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.839 Question, I've given 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.460 away the answer. 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.920 How many people do 00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.759 you think said they 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.379 were atheist? 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.059 One. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.279 Now in my day when I 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.859 was at university, 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.400 that would have been 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:21.079 at least double digits 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.420 there. 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.720 But one person said 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.079 they were. 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.200 Which means that the 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.420 other 24 he told me 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.359 said they were open, 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:28.640 curious or agnostic. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.079 Is that not 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.539 interesting? 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:30.980 Is that not 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.879 interesting that all 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.980 these years later, 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.299 when you ask people 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.180 what their lives are 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.940 all about, what they 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.700 believe, what they're 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.339 doing, that people 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:39.879 still go, I don't 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.199 know. 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:42.059 I don't know. 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.299 Friends, what an 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.019 opportunity we have 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.980 right now to display 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.799 the countercultural 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.579 nature of who our 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.039 God is. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.939 Because what does 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:52.519 Paul do? 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.639 He says to people who 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.539 said that they worship 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.519 an unknown God. 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.139 He says, let me 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.879 declare to you the 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.419 God who's made 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:59.099 himself known. 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.759 Everyone's a 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.159 worshipper. 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:05.440 the question is, 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.460 what are you 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.360 worshipping? 00:29:07.820 --> 00:29:08.460 Just close with 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:10.779 this lovely line 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.540 from Richard 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:13.180 Chevenot Trench. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.540 An Anglican 00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:15.380 Archbishop from 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:16.259 way back in the 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.180 day said this, 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.180 none but God 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.660 can satisfy the 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.320 longings of an 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:21.320 immortal soul 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:23.100 that as the heart 00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:24.259 was made for him 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:26.180 so only he 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.500 can fill it. 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.960 So let us just 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.560 be quiet then, 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.400 just as we close 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:33.259 and sing our 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.880 song and then 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.680 we'll spend time 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.100 together. 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.300 I take it as God's 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:36.940 word has gone 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.640 forth. 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.300 His spirit will be 00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:39.940 taking it and 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.820 moving amongst us. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.280 So why don't we 00:29:42.280 --> 00:29:43.480 just be quiet and 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.080 now is a wonderful 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:45.060 opportunity to think 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.560 about the things 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.120 we've been speaking 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.880 about this morning. 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.140 Where do you stand 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.040 before this God? 00:29:49.800 --> 00:29:50.500 And then I'll pray. 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.680 And so Father, 00:29:55.780 --> 00:29:57.400 I pray particularly 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.180 this morning for 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.840 those who would 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:00.720 not know you. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.540 Oh Father, 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:03.360 I pray that by 00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.860 your spirit as 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.759 your word goes 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.680 forth today that 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.759 you would make 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.920 yourself known. 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.519 That as the old 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.820 hymn says, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.140 flowers unfold, 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:18.040 hearts unfold like 00:30:18.040 --> 00:30:19.040 flowers before you 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:20.100 responding to the 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.700 sun of day. 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.600 Lord, would you 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.840 shine on hearts 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.680 today and open 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:25.019 blind eyes and 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.080 unblock deaf ears 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.019 to understand who 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.600 you are. 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.019 Just thank you for 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.500 your word, 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.759 Heavenly Father. 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.759 give us confidence 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:33.279 today that wherever 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.319 we are in the world, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:36.420 whoever we're 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.079 rubbing shoulders 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.879 with, that your 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.440 gospel is sufficient 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:41.079 and your word is 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.599 true. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.180 And Father, I pray 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:43.839 that you would help 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:45.220 us to compassionately 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.759 love the people of 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:48.640 our city, in our 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.599 offices, in our 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:51.279 universities, in our 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.299 homes, in our 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.640 streets, in our 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.220 communities. 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.259 Father, would you 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:57.319 help us display the 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.539 compassion of Christ. 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:58.579 Christ. 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.859 So Father, I pray 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.379 that you would be 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:02.759 with us as we 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.680 finish this morning, 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.639 as we spend time 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:04.980 together. 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:05.819 Lord, would you 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:07.099 glorify yourself. 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.619 We pray these things 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:10.420 in Jesus' worthy 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.759 name. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.559 Amen.