Paul’s Ministry In Berea And Athens Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 26

Paul’s Ministry in Berea and Athens

Acts 17:10-34

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)

- Last week we saw the driver of Paul’s ministry, which should drive us as well

-- Fact is: society is no different today than it was in the 50AD … they need Jesus

-- The challenge is will we be the ones who are faithful to share Him today

- Today, let’s continue to follow Paul’s journey through Berea and Athens

-- Want us to focus on the truth being shared here – it is not biting/argumentative

-- However, it is truth … this is the lesson we have to see for ourselves – why?

-- Because we are called to share the truth -- to be witnesses for Jesus

- Read Acts 17:10-34 / Pray

Point 1 – Paul teaches on false worship, or idolatry

- Start with the obvious: Paul continues into Berea and Athens

-- In Berea, he was able to preach – but once again, trouble rose up against him

-- It is those from Thessalonica who opposed him who come to stir trouble

- See this for what it is: He was able to share, and the truth was confirmed!

-- How? (BIG) They (people) used the scriptures to verify what Paul was saying!

-- Scripture will always testify to scripture … we must understand that

-- CH: The Bible is either the complete and truthful Word of God, or it isn’t

- Due to the uprising, Paul was sent to Athens by fellow believers

-- APP: This was an attempt to protect him, and to get him out of town quickly

- SEE: He was a faithful man, not idle in his work but willing to share always

-- In Athens, one particular thing captured his attention: idolatry (v16)

-- The Greek wording refers to this city being “filled with idols”

-- This sight caused him much grief Greek: paroxuneto; stirred; irritated

- Being who he is, moves him to speak in such a way to challenge others

• Why? Because the salvation of mankind meant everything to Him

• But more than that – God sacrificed His Son for all of them!

• This one thing motivates Paul in Athens (everywhere)

- TRUTH: Confronting idolatry is never an easy task (“we like our stuff”)

-- RE: Idolatry is sinful – it is placing something above your worship of God

-- Exodus 20:3-5, “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.”

- Understand this … as Paul speaks the crowd is always a mixed bag

• Even at church on Sunday, we have a mixed crowd

• We come from different walks of life, with diff experiences & preferences

• Face it: Witnessing is a bit of a balancing act … but truth is still truth!

• OBV: The truth should always be your platform to speak from!

- Let’s take a look at the audiences Paul encounters in Athens: (vv17-18)

1. The religionists (Jews)

• Regular attender of synagogue, believed in God, familiar with scriptures

• They are the logical ones to seek out first (they have common reference)

2. The God-fearing men and women

• Non-Jews (Gentiles) but those who worship God in some form

• Not just people looking for change in society, but honest seekers of truth

• Know: They were looking for change that was not rooted in hypocrisy

3. The average person in the community

• These gave little thought to things like religion, God, or eternity

• They just tried to get along – deal with life as it came at them

• Really have no plan for the future … just accept it as it comes

• Who? Your average person with a job, at the market, with bills to pay

4. The Epicureans (the pleasure seekers)

• They believed the world happened by chance; accident

• If there are “gods” – they are distant and unreachable by us