S. Acts 17: 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
O. Some Christians do not see the damage they are causing when they shared Christ without grace. If we merely argue and mocking other people’s culture, rather than show the love of Christ, it can cause offense and raise new barriers. In today’s passage, Paul gives us an insightful example as to how to engage with our culture during his time in the pagan city of Athens.
a) Paul established common ground (16-23). Paul did not begin with an exposition of Scripture. Instead, Paul began respectively and carefully with general references to religion. Paul proceeded to reveal the identity of the UNKNOWN GOD in one of their temples. Paul took their ignorance and superstitions, to introduce them to the true and Living God.
b) Paul told the Athenians who God is (24-29) Paul spoke about the God who created everything yet is distinct from His creation. Paul told them of our responsibility to seek the true God because we are His offspring. As God’s offspring they must reject the wrong idea that gold or silver or stone could represent God.
c) Paul explained the Athenians the Good News (30-31) Paul assured that God is not far from them if they would seek Him. And God has appointed Jesus, who was raised from the dead, to judge the world with justice. But as soon as Paul mentioned the resurrection, they stopped him short. The results at the Areopagus brought more opportunities for conversation in the future, with some sneered and some believed.
A. With Paul as our model, we should be disturbed but actively engaged with the unbelieving world. He spent time understanding the cultures of Athens and was bold to preach Jesus as a minority. Because of that, a door was opened to him to engage with the philosophers there. Therefore, we should equip and prepare ourselves how to lovingly defend our Christian worldview. When we share our faith, we should establish common ground with our audience, distinguish our Christian worldview from other philosophies, and call unbelievers to respond rightly to the truth of Jesus.

P. Lord, thank you for choosing us to know the Truth about You. Please give us the wisdom and heart for the lost. We pray for wisdom and opportunities to share Jesus so that people will not be lost today.


cityreach.com.au/oakden

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