Revealing the Unknown God Acts 17:16-34
We’ve watched Paul and his partners, as they left Jerusalem to begin the journey to the utter most parts of the world and everywhere they went people got saved and in each city a church was established, even though Paul and his team met resistance in every place.
Now the Apostle Paul’s is in Athens Greece, an incredible city, even in Paul’s time.
Among other things, Athens was the intellectual and philosophical capitol of the world, a city filled with religion and her people were a religious people. Paul saw the statues, idols and temples to every god known to man all over the city, as he walked around the city.
Petronius, a member of Nero’s court once wrote, “It’s easier to find a god than a man in Athens.”
These people were so concerned with recognizing all the ‘gods’ of the universe that just in case there were some out there that they didn’t know about, they erected an altar dedicated to the unknown God. The altar on the screen sits in a museum in Athens. The inscription on it reads, “Agnostos Theos” or “To the unknown God”.
With all their wisdom, with all their philosophy and with all their religion they still didn’t know the One True God.
One day Paul shows up and tells the people of Athens “I’d like to tell you about this “unknown God, for you see the God you don’t know I know personally.”
My goal is for this message is to motivate us to do what the Apostle Paul did and that’s be willing to point the way to the One True God.
Several things will need to happen for EBC to be like Paul in Athens.
1. We must have a burden for those without Christ. Look at verse 16.
As Paul walks around the city he begins to realize the spiritual condition of the people and he became deeply troubled by all the idols he saw all over in the city. The more he sees, the more burdened he becomes. You and I MUST walk around and take notice of the spiritual condition of our city, our County and our nation. And like Paul we MUST take action!
Look at verses 17-21. The people of Athens loved to share, discuss and debate philosophical thought, especially if it was something new.
So here we have Paul sharing Jesus with them, something they’ve not heard before and they naturally wanted to know more. Some get excited about this new ideology, this new teaching, this new God! And Paul’s God sets up a prime opportunity for him to share the gospel with these people of many gods.
We, here in the USA are surrounded by some of the same beliefs that Paul found himself in the midst of.
Paul spoke to a crowd in the Synagogue who were Jews and proselytes, people who were legalistic and self-righteous.
Marketplace people, ordinary everyday kind of people, yet they worshipped idols.
The Epicureans in the crowd believed that all matter was eternal and had no creator.
The Stoics were Pantheists and believed God was in everything.
These were the people of Ancient Athens, but doesn’t it sound like the types of people who call the United States home?
In the US we find self-righteous religious people. There are everyday people, materialistic pleasure seekers as well as the intellectuals who deny the supernatural. We can find religious thought being brought in from every corner of the globe.
Paul’s burden was so deep for the people that it caused him to take action.
I wonder, when we, here at EBC look at the lost people all around us are we are as burdened as Paul was.
Sometimes I think we’re more bothered by than burdened for lost people.
2. We must be willing to identify with our audience. Verses 22, 23.
In verses 22, 23 Paul shows them that he understands their culture and that they are a very religious people.
Paul studies the culture of that city in order to better understand the people. If you are going to witness to someone of a different belief, don’t you think you ought to know something about what they believe?
Paul begins his sermon by identifying with the people. But he then moved on to the next important thing we must do.
3. We must present the One True God
Paul shared 4 things with this group.
a. Our God is the God of creation. Look at verses 24-25.
Notice that Paul started at the beginning. Who created it all, and how can we know for certain? Understand that if you’re wrong on this 1st point you’ll be wrong on everything that follows.
The Epicureans didn’t like what Paul was saying, because they believed that matter was eternal and had no creator. The Stoics were Pantheists and believed God was in everything…rocks, trees, the river, etc. So this teaching of creation that Paul brought was something unacceptable to the majority.
Creationism is unpopular even today. And may I say that creationism is becoming even more unpopular in the church because people don’t want to be accountable to God. Evolution today is taught as a fact, when it’s not even a good theory.
Scientific theory is supposed to be based on observable facts in controlled conditions.
So Paul shows them that the unknown God, IS the One True God who created everything and He couldn’t be housed in temples made by hands. He was too big, too self-existent, too God to be made into an image conceived in the imaginations of man. The people of Athens didn’t know this God, but they could know Him if they would simply turn away from all their idol worship and believe on Jesus Christ. Because the second thing Paul wanted them to understand and we need to reveal is:
b. Our God desires a personal relationship with His creation. Verse 27
This idea didn’t set well with those who held to Greek mythology, since they believed their gods distanced themselves from man. They believed their gods wanted little to do with mankind, or that mankind was just too much trouble…
What Paul said and I repeat, is that the God who may be unknown to you is right here in my heart!
The Almighty Creator of everything didn’t just make it all, throw it out and then walk away from it! He’s personally involved in every part of a person’s life, right down to the smallest detail! LISTEN.
Jesus knows my name.
[John 10:2-3 NIV] “2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Jesus knows my needs
[Mat 6:31-34 NIV] “31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
**How many here could give testimony to a time when there was a need in your life and all you knew to do was pray and when you prayed, God supplied?
[Phl 4:19-20 NIV] “19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Jesus knows how I feel.
[Heb 4:15 NIV] “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.”
He knows how you feel and I’ll tell you something that you may not want to believe. He really cares about you!
Have you ever felt rejected…? Guess what…He’s been there!
[John 6:66 NIV] “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
Are you physically worn out…? He’s been there! [John 4:6 NKJV] “Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from [His] journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.”
How about all those who pulled at Him, looking for their miracle.
Battling with the demons who possessed so many in His day must have been physically draining.
Are you disappointed in others…? Have you been let down by those around you? In the NKJV Jesus makes that “Oh you of little faith” statement 4 different times in Matthew’s gospel. Why did you doubt? Why are you afraid? Why are you thinking that way? In the Garden the night He was arrested… “Can’t you guys stay awake and pray for one hour!?
Is the Burden you are carrying today more than you feel you can bear…?
[Luke 22:41-42, 44 NKJV] “41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." ... 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Can I share something with you?
I want you to understand that:
The One who was the bread of life began His ministry hungry…40 days of fasting before He spoke His first word of hope.
The One who was the water of life ended His ministry thirsty, as He hung on that cross He said “I thirst”.
He who was weary is our rest. “I will give you rest”
He who paid taxes is the king of the universe.
The One who was called a devil cast out demons.
The One who prayed is the SAME One who hears our prayers.
He is the One who wept, yet He dries our tears.
He was sold for 30 pieces of silver Yet He and only He has the authority to redeem, to buy back the world.
Isaiah predicted that He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is our Good Shepherd.
Ladies and gentlemen I want you to know that our God is a personal God!
I read about a man who, while visiting a friend, noticed a picture of Jesus on the wall. The eyes looked like they were looking right at him and even made him feel uncomfortable so he moved across the room. The eyes still appeared to be staring right at him, so he said, “doesn’t that make you uncomfortable?”
His friend said “no, that picture tells me that He loves me so much, He can’t keep His eyes off me!”
This unknown God is the God of ALL creation. He is a God who desires to have a personal relationship with you…But I want you to also know that:
c. Our God is the God of repentance. Look at verses 28-30
At this point Paul steps on their toes now and in verse 28 even quotes the Greek poet Erastus.
Then in verses 29-30 He shows them the foolishness of mythology.
In verse 30 the KJV says that “God winked at…” What Paul was saying to those present is, “God has been patient with you.” Paul tells them, in the past God has overlooked your ignorance but now God has brought you more information and with the coming of this new information there is more responsibility. Paul says, Now that you have been given this information it’s time for all of these gods, made by the hands of man, to be done away with! He tells them that because of this new information that God expects them to repent.
At this point in the message I want each person here to understand something. Never make the mistake of thinking you have gotten away with sin.
Just because judgment hasn’t come yet for something doesn’t mean it won’t.
People who refuse to accept Jesus shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that because they haven’t seen hell that it doesn’t exist, because:
Not only is this unknown God the God of ALL of creation. This unknown God desires a real and personal relationship with you. This unknown God is a God of repentance. BUT hear me well because if you DO NOT repent…
d. Our God is the God of judgment. Look at verse 31
A judge doesn’t need the people in the court room to believe in him in order to have authority to pass judgment. But when the judge passes sentence you can appeal to a higher court.
When you are found guilty of a crime, it won’t matter what you believe about the judge and any argument of ignorance won’t help. Many stand in our courts today, hating the judge and filled with bitterness towards that judge! Many will appeal until they get a sympathetic judge to see things their way.
BUT let me remind you that there is coming a day when all of mankind will stand before the judge of all eternity, Jesus Christ, and His Word will be final, regardless of what you may think. There is no higher court to appeal to. HIS Word is final!
When Paul told this to the Athenians he got 3 responses.
Look at verses 32-34. When you and I give testimony of the One True God we can expect these same 3 responses.
a. Some will laugh and mock.
b. Some will procrastinate and say, “Not today, maybe later we’ll talk…”
c. But some will believe.
The truth is; they all heard the same message and they all had the ability to choose whether they would believe on Jesus or not. Some did and some didn’t. The point is, it wasn’t Paul’s persuasion that got them to buy into this ‘Jesus philosophy’. It was the power of God that convinced these people that Jesus was really God.
You see, all we have to do is give people the Truth and then trust God to do a work with that truth.
Thank you Pastors Tom Owen/Jerry Shirley
