The Unknown Known Acts 17:22-34 Lesson for January 13-14, 2018 Brad Goad

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1 The Unknown Known Acts 17:22-34 Lesson for January 13-14, 2018 Brad Goad When I think of Athens Greece, I always think of the Olympics. It is the place where the First Olympics were held. We are about two (2) weeks away from the Winter Olympics which are not as popular as the Summer Olympics for most Americans, especially those of us living in Houston, TX where we get excited and close schools for a mere quarter inch of snow that melts in two (2) hours. The Olympics are a time for the World to set aside Politics (as much as possible) and to focus on the athletic competition and the athletes themselves. The athletes have prepared their Mind, Body, and Spirit for this occasion. For many of them, it will be the only time they are on a World Stage. Years of training and sacrifice have brought them to this moment in time.this moment in History. And for some, it comes down to a race that lasts no longer than 90 seconds on two pieces of fiberglass that their feet are locked onto. For others, it comes down to a team of people working together for a common goal, not just one time over the two week period, but multiple times facing adversary after adversary. I have always been a fan of the Olympics. Sometimes I find myself watching sports that I know little or nothing about but by the end of the two weeks I am a fan of the Sport and have come to know the athletes and their backgrounds. And it all started in Athens. At one time in history, Athens was the City of the World. Politically..Athens was Unsurpassed as the Place of Power and Honor. Financially Athens was Unsurpassed as the Barometer of World Economy. Mentally.Athens was Unsurpassed Philosophically, Mathematically, Scientifically, etc. Emotionally.Athens was Unsurpassed in Literature that would make you Think and Feel. Religiously.Athens was Unsurpassed as the Gateway to Understanding the Spiritual Realm. In fact, during the time which we call the "400 Years of Silence" where nothing is recorded of the Word of God.the Time between the Old Testament and New Testament.Athens ruled the World. But in the First Century a mere years since Jesus was born and years since his Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension, Athens was still a major city with major influence, culturally and intellectually. Some of its power and influence had been shared with cities such as Ephesus and Rome.especially in the political realm. Today we are focusing on Acts 17 and we will be looking at Paul s visit to Athens. Paul knew the secret of all public speakers which is to know your audience. We are going to see that Paul not only knew his audience, he understood his audience. Athens was not a City that was living in the Past.they were not focusing on the Glory Days. Athens was still thriving and they were focusing on their strengths, one of which was the intellectual and philosophical influence of society. It was the place people would travel to if they wanted the latest and greatest Thoughts of the Day. Athens was the pulse of those seeking something more in life than merely the ordinary. It was a place where people from all backgrounds and cultures would gather to learn from one another. Paul knew the importance of Athens and the audience of the people who gathered in Athens. The world had come to Athens.and Paul was going to have a Moment in History that may not come again. He had trained for this moment. He had sacrificed for this moment. He was prepared for this moment in Athens.

2 Let s look at Acts 17: Acts 17:16-17 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. Since Athens was a World City they did not want to offend anyone. Therefore there were idols everywhere. Big and Small; Elaborate and Simple Carvings and Statues Plaques and Paintings making sure that all backgrounds and Religions were recognized. When Paul was going around in Athens he would see the Carvings.he would see the Statues and the Plaques he looked at the Paintings and his heart was heavy. History tells us there were more than 30,000 idols in Athens at this time. The City of the World was just that..the City of the WORLD; a world that had turned away from God. Paul would talk to people in the Synagogues..he would talk to people in the marketplace. Notice the phrase at the end of vs. 17 who happened to be present. Paul did not wait for the perfect opportunity or the perfect person or group. Paul s heart was so heavy for the people in Athens he would speak to whoever happened to be present. And people took notice..and they became curious. Acts 17: And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, What would this idle babbler wish to say? Others, He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities, because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean. 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) The Epicureans and Stoic philosophers were conversing with Paul. Now these two groups of Philosophers did not agree on many things at all. The Epicureans were, in simple terms, Materialists and Atheists. Their goal in life was pleasure. The Stoics rejected the idolatry of pagan worship and taught there was one World God. They focused on self-discipline and self-control. The most important thing in life was to follow one s reason and be self-sufficient, unmoved by inner feelings or outward circumstances. Epicureans would say Enjoy Life. Stoics would say Endure Life. (The NT Wiersbe Bible Commentary, page 377). And yet both of these groups were conversing with Paul. I believe Paul s primary goal was communication. If Paul was able to have them converse than he was able to share the truth with them. They were not only conversing, but they were also curious enough to want to hear more and in a more formal setting. They took Paul to the Areopagus. The Areopagus was a Council of people who were responsible for watching over both religion and education in the city of Athens. It was not unusual for people to be given an opportunity to speak to this group. In fact, that was one of the draws of Athens; it was a place to hear new ideas of thought. Paul had an incredible opportunity and he did not take that for granted.

3 Look at the opening line of Paul s speech/sermon. Acts 17: 22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. Paul knew and understood his audience. Paul did not demean them or condemn them for their thoughts or beliefs. Paul did not ridicule them or bully them in any form or fashion. Paul did not lie to them in saying he believed what they believed. Paul was very respectful in his words to this audience an audience of the world. Now, look at how he continues. Acts 17: 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. Paul recognized what they already knew.there were a lot of objects of worship in Athens. Everywhere you turned you could see one, yet Paul did not make fun of that fact. And the people of Athens wanted to make sure all their bases were covered. So they even had an altar with the inscription To an Unknown God. You name an Activity.there was a god for that Activity. You name an Emotion there was a god for that Emotion. You name an Interest there was a god for that Interest. And there was one just to make sure something wasn t overlooked. Unknown God. You have to give them credit they must have recognized that all these 30,000 idols in Athens were not able to cover it all. They must have recognized that even with these idols and various gods there was still something missing. Paul wanted to make sure they didn t miss out on the very thing they were missing. He acknowledged what they had already knew..that in their eyes there was something missing.there was an unknown god. Paul said what you worship in ignorance (not used in a derogatory manner), this is what I want to proclaim to you. Paul proceeds to preach the Gospel in a very succinct and honest way. Acts 17: 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His children. 29 Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. In a mere eight verses, Paul takes them from Creation to Relationship. They had settled for manmade idols to try to meet their various needs (30,000 + an unknown god)..and it wasn t enough. God made the World and all things in it. (vs. 24) God doesn t dwell in temples made with hands. (vs ) God made from one man, every nation (remember the World came to Athens) (vs. 26)

4 Don t miss vs that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Every nation would seek God even grope for Him Paul knew that the people in Athens had been groping for Centuries.in building and making and creating 30,000 idols they were searching for something more. And the Good News of Paul s message is found in 2 words. FIND HIM (vs. 27). This Unknown God can be KNOWN. This Unknown God that they have been searching for and perhaps you have been searching for.can be FOUND! In the late 70 s there was a campaign simply called I Found It. There were billboards and bumper stickers. It was started by Campus Crusade for Christ. It was brilliant in its simplicity. For months it was simply the words I Found It then they added an 800 number. And it caught fire and people were talking about it not just in the United States but around the world. The I Found It! evangelistic crusade was an exciting time for us in % of all Americans were exposed to the campaign! It was established in more than 100 countries and as a result, more than 3.5 million people became Christians. Debbie Croley Ignite the Day Paul was saying God can be FOUND! And then Paul got personal. in vs. 28. Acts 17: 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His children. It s about a Relationship not an Idol. We are in Him.and this relationship impacts all of our lives.. For in Him we live and move and exist. As we are starting a new year.what a great opportunity to be reminded about Finding God in such a personal way we Live and Move and Exist.not by ourselves.not just on Sundays at Church.but we Live and Move and Exist IN HIM! That is Good News for All People in All Generations. That is Good News for Athens and the World. Paul shared Truth to these people. And remember Paul knew and understood his audience. Paul also knew and understood his role. Paul s role was simply to share the truth as God laid it on his heart. He was willing to do that in the marketplace to whomever happened to be present and he was willing to do it in the Areopagus the center of Athens. The Response of the People was not the responsibility of Paul. Let s look at (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story. Acts 17: 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, We shall hear you again concerning this. 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

5 This could not be a more realistic ending to the story. 1. Some began to sneer---there will always be people who reject the truth of the Gospel 2. Some wanted to hear Paul again concerning this----there will always be people who are curious interested but just not ready yet. 3. Some believed on the spot----there will always be people who are ready, their hearts are tender and ready for harvest. Paul had trained and sacrificed for such a moment as this. The world had come to Athens and as a result lives were changed not as a result of a Gold medal or Silver or Bronze. But lives were changed for Eternity.the Unknown God had become Known. If you happen to watch any of the Olympics or just see some commercials, be reminded that we still live in a World where people are searching and they are even looking for that unknown god may this year be the year God is Known!