SERMON OUTLINE:
Athens: A City of Extremes (vs 16)
Paul: A Man of Courage (vs 17-21)
Communication: A Message of Impact (vs 21-34)
Response: some varied reactions (vs 32-34)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Eggheads is a British quiz show shown on channel 5
• Hosted by TC presenter Jeremy Vine.
• The show has gone on to inspire three spinoff series:
• Are You an Egghead? (2008),
• Revenge of the Egghead (2014)
• And Make Me an Egghead (2016).
• The term egghead refers to a person who is highly academic or studious; an intellectual,
• I am looking around the room for an example,
• But alas I am not finding anyone!
• In this morning’s talk,
• The apostle Paul encounters the eggheads of Greece.
Note: During his life the apostle Paul made three missionary journeys:
• We have read and already studied his first missionary journey in Acts chapters 13 & 14.
• This first journey lasted at least two years,
• We care currently looking at his second missionary journey,
• Found in Acts chapters 16, 17 and 18.
• This trip seems to have lasted about least three years.
• And sometime in the future we will read and study his third missionary journey.
• Recorded in Acts chapters 19, 20 and 21.
• This final trip would last about five years.
Note: In the book of Acts we have several examples of gospel preaching.
• e.g., Three sermons by the apostle Peter.
• e.g., Two sermons by the evangelist Philip.
• e.g., One sermon by the apostle Paul.
• Now all these sermons were preached to people who believed in one God,
• e.g., Jews and Samaritans or to Gentile God-fearers like Cornelius.
But now in this chapter,
• The apostle Paul gets to Athens, the centre of Greek culture,
• And we get the first sermon preached to polytheists,
• To those who believed that there were many gods.
• If you know anything about Greek mythology,
• You know they believed in a huge number of gods,
• e.g., Zeus, Hera, Hades, Ares, Poseidon, and the list goes on and on.
(1). Athens: A City of Extremes (vs 16)
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. ^
• For centuries, Athens had been the cradle of democracy and education.
• Athens had been home to some of the greatest ancient philosophers.
• i.e., Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Epicurus etc.
Joke: How many Philosophers does it take to change a light bulb?
• Socrates (469-399 BCE)
• "A light bulb unexamined is not worth changing."
• Plato (circa 427 - circa 347 BCE)
• "There is no need to change the light bulb because the only true light is knowledge."
• Aristotle (384-322 BCE)
• "First we must understand what we mean by change."
• Epicurus (circa 342-270 BCE)
• "We must consider whether changing the light bulb will bring pleasure or pain before we decide whether to change it at all."
And in response – how many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?
• Charismatic:
• 1 – Because their hands are already in the air.
• Pentecostal:
• 10 – One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
• Reformed:
• None – Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
• Roman Catholic:
• None – Candles only.
• Baptists:
• At least 15 – One to change the light bulb,
• And three committees to approve the change.
• Anglicans:
• 3 – One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks.
• And one to talk about how much better the old one was.
• Christian Brethren:
• 0 – What do you mean change?
• TRANSITION: Athens was the home of the greatest ancient philosophers,
• It has been called the cradle of democracy and education.
Note: Athens was also a city of extremes:
• Even though the entire city was a showcase of past intellectual achievement.
• The people of Athens still hungered for spiritual things.
• Their thirst for knowledge was not quenched by their human eggheads.
Ill:
• It was the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Christian philosopher,
• Blaise Pascal who said in his book, ‘Pensees’:
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.”
• TRANSITION: This city was awash with knowledge and intellectual arguments.
• But the people of Athens were spiritually hungry,
• And knowledge and information does not satisfy the heart of a person.
That hunger was most evident in what Paul first noticed about the city,
• He saw something (vs 16) that disturbed his soul.
• “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens…”
• Pause and say that the ‘them’ in verse 16.
• Were Paul’s fellow workers and friends.
• Dr Luke was coming from Philippi and Silas and Timothy from Berea,
• The apostle Paul was very much a team player,
• But here at this stage of his second missionary journey:
• He is forced to leave his travelling companions (Silas and Timothy) behind,
• And heads to Athens,
• He is safe from persecution, but he is alone in this city (vs 14-15).
• So, while he was waiting for them to arrive, he saw something that distressed his soul.
• Verse 16: “…he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.”
• Athens was a city idol:
• Tens of thousands of idols had been cut into the public buildings,
• Stationed along the streets and memorialized in shrines and temples.
Quote:
• According to R. C. H. Lenski,
• Even the ancient historians were amazed by the vast number of them.
• Quote: Petronius (Pet-ron-i-us):
• Satirically remarks that “in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man”.
• Quote: Pausanias (Pau-san-i-as):
• States that “Athens had more images than all Greece put together”.
• Quote: Xenophon (Zen-o-fan):
• Calls Athens "One great altar, one great offering to the gods."
So, Athens was a city of contrasts.
• A contrast between great scholarship, great education, great learning.
• And yet a city bound up in idolatry!
(2). Paul: A Man of Courage (vs 17-21)
“So, he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, ‘What is this babbler trying to say?’ Others remarked, ‘He seems to be advocating foreign gods.’ They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.’ 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)”
Ill:
• In St Giles, Old Town Edinburgh,
• There is a stone with "J. K." on it,
• It marks the spot where John Knox's dust reposes, left to rest.
• John Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation.
• Who in the 1500’s brought reformation to the church in Scotland?
• It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer
• One time she even exclaimed that.
• “She feared Knox's prayers more than an any army in Europe."
• When the Regent Morton saw John Knox laid in the grave, he exclaimed,
• "There lies he who never feared the face of man!"
• TRANSITION:
• Like John Knox the apostle Paul was a man of great courage!
• He never seems to, "fear the face of man!"
• Even without his team of helpers and support workers.
• The apostle Paul was determined to plant God's flag of truth,
• In this spiritually dark and idolatrous city.
Note: Paul has a threefold strategy, a threefold plan:
• Because there is no “One size fit all” mentality in evangelism.
• Different people will need to be reached with the gospel in different ways.
• We have an expression, “Horses for courses”.
Ill:
• The apostle Paul in one of his letters describes his versatility in reaching out to people,
• (1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 19b- 22 TLB.)
“I have freely and happily become a servant of any and all so that I can win them to Christ. 20 When I am with the Jews I seem as one of them so that they will listen to the Gospel, and I can win them to Christ. When I am with Gentiles who follow Jewish customs and ceremonies I don’t argue, even though I don’t agree, because I want to help them. 21 When with the heathen I agree with them as much as I can, except of course that I must always do what is right as a Christian. And so, by agreeing, I can win their confidence and help them too.
22 When I am with those whose consciences bother them easily, I don’t act as though I know it all and don’t say they are foolish; the result is that they are willing to let me help them. Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”
Paul has a threefold strategy, a threefold plan:
First: In the Synagogue.
• We have noted this several times now,
• The apostle Paul always started on familiar territory - in the Synagogue (vs 17).
• "So, he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks."
• When talking to Jewish people looking for a Jewish Messiah,
• The apostle used the Jewish Old Testament scriptures to argue his case.
• He will prove to them that Jesus is the Messiah,
• That the Jewish people have been waiting for
Second: At the Marketplace
• After talking to fellow Jews.
• The apostle Paul then takes his message onto the streets, to the marketplace,
• In any marketplace (or we would say, town centre high street),
• You will find a much wider mix of people,
• Verse 17b: “…in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there.
• As well as those out to do the weekly shop,
• Or looking for the latest line of Nike sandals or fashionable handbags etc,
• Were another group (vs 18).
• A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him”
Two groups of eggheads/thinkers,
• Started to react to this curious foreigner and his new teaching:
• One group were called ‘Epicureans’,
• Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus,
• The other group were called ‘Stoics’.
• Stoicism is predominantly a philosophy of personal ethics,
• Which is informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world.
• You can ‘Google’ them when you get home if you want to know what they believed.
• But they were philosophers at widely divergent ends of the spectrum.
• ill: Philosophy simply means:
• Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline
Note: Paul had captured their attention, and these ‘learned’ men react differently:
• Some call him a “babbler” (vs 18).
• The word literally means "seed-picker,"
• ill: They viewed Paul like a small bird.
• "One who picked up scraps of learning here and there and spread them where he could."
• Others (vs 18): are curious about Paul's teaching.
• Especially about Jesus and the resurrection.
• They know of course about Zeus and their numerous gods but who is Jesus?
• And so, as they discuss with one another (vs 19):
• And they come to a decision to take him to the Areopagus!
Third: On the Areopagus:
• Now by ‘chance’ or as part of the plan,
• The apostle Paul visits The Areopagus (“Ares' Hill”),
• In Roman times it was also called “Mars' Hill”.
• The Areopagus or Mars Hill is a bare marble hill next to the Acropolis in Athens;
• It was a place of learning.
• And they particularly enjoyed listening to itinerant lecturers passing through the area.
• Verse 21:
“(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)”
• It sounds like an early version of Speakers Corner in Hyde Park London.
• It was a very tough life for men in that city, spending their time talking,
• But…somebody had to do it!
The wise courageous apostle Paul stands in this majestic yet intimidating place:
• And grasps the opportunity.
• He speaks eloquently and clearly,
• But notice he does not speak about philosophy or culture, but about God and his Son.
(3). Communication: A Message of Impact (vs 22-31)
Ill:
• The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike,
• Unlike todays wireless mics, this had a wire attached to it.
• He was an energetic preacher and as he preached, he swung his hands.
• And he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.
• Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping.
• Before jerking it again and repeating the process on the other side of the platform.
• After several circles and jerks, a little girl leaned toward her mother and whispered,
• "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul was let loose to preach.
• His message is brief in content,
• But one in which every word counts.
• In fact, five factors stand out.
• That we would do well to note as we seek to communicate our faith with others.
FIRST: He started on common ground (vs 22b-23a):
“People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.”
• These people were so devout, or caught up with so many different gods,
• That they were worried about missing one and offending him or her.
• And scared that the offending god might then show wrath towards them.
• So, they set up an altar with the inscription: "To The Unknown God"
• Just to make sure that they have covered all their bases.
So, the apostle Paul uses this opportunity,
• To preach to them concerning the One True God that they did not know!
• Verse 23b.
“So, you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what
I am going to proclaim to you.”
Notice the apostle Paul used tact.
• He acknowledges their spirituality, even though that spirituality is misdirected.
• Many people may be theologically wrong,
• But they can also be very, very sincere.
Ill:
• Last week at Speakers Corner (Hyde Park. London)
• I had a great chat with a Unitarian (a nontrinitarian).
• I said to him,
• “I admire your sincerity and devotion but let me share why I believe that is not enough”
• Our job is to show respect but also to declare the truth!
• Our job is to explain the way of God more accurately.
• To do this, the apostle Paul preaches the following message.
THIRD: He Developed His Theme Forcefully and Clearly (vs 25-28a).
“And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.””
In these verses the apostle Paul reveals five key facts about God.
• #1: God is the Creator, and therefore God cannot be contained (vs 24).
• The apostle Paul is telling these people that all of their temples and shrines will not do.
Ill:
Psalm 135 verse 15 -17.
“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.
• #2: GOD IS THE ORIGINATOR; He has no needs (vs 25).
• The apostle Paul told these people that they could not give him anything
• He is self-sufficient - “He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.”
• #3: GOD HAS A DEFINITE PLAN (vs 26-27).
• “and he marked out their appointed times in history”
• The apostle Paul told these people that he is in control,
• Mankind may resist his will and win the battle(s), but God will always win the war!
• #4: GOD IS THE FATHER OF MANKIND (vs 28a).
• “From God we come; and in Him we live, move, and have our very being.”
• The apostle Paul told these people that they are dependent on Him,
• He gives them life, physically and spiritually (we need his grace, mercy, and love).
• #5: GOD IS THE JUDGE OF MANKIND (vs 29-30).
• “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice.”
• The apostle Paul told these people that they need to repent,
• To get right with God while they have the opportunity to do so.
FOURTH: The apostle Paul kept Their Attention with Relevant Illustrations (vs 28b)
“As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.””
Ill:
• Illustrations and quotations should be like windows that let the light in.
• Jesus used illustrations (Matthew chapter 13 verse 34 TLB)
• And so do all the best communicators and speakers.
• You do not need too many or you end up with a greenhouse!
• But you need a few to ‘let the light in.’
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul quotes from Aratus, a Greek poet.
• To show that even their own poets believed in a creator-god.
• Paul was very astute because he took a poem about the Greek God Zeus.
• And turned it.
• Revealing the God of the Bible – not Greek mythology – as the source of creation.
FIFTH: He Applied the Message, Personally (vs 29-31)
“‘Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’”
• Philosophical discussions and debates can often lead to verbal fisticuffs.
• They might challenge the mind as to who won or lost the argument,
• But that is all.
• Notice that the apostle Paul brings his truths to an uncomfortable conclusion.
• God was not only their creator,
• He was also their judge.
• Our actions and lifestyles today.
• Will impact their lives beyond the grave, where the resurrected Jesus awaits.
• Don’t miss verses 31-32.
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’”
Note:
• Mentioning the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
• Would have been a huge stumbling block to the apostle Paul’s hearers.
• Since childhood,
• The Athenians had been taught a certain motto that denied bodily resurrection
• "Once a man dies and the earth drinks up his blood, there is no resurrection."
• Now before them stands a Christian lecturer/preacher.
• Telling them that not only was there a resurrection,
• But there was also a judgement as well!
(4). Response: some varied reactions (vs 32-34)
“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’ 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
This chapter finishes with three responses:
• FIRST: Some of them openly rejected Paul and his teaching.
• Verse 32: “…some of them sneered,”
• They rejected his message as nonsense, it did not fit with their mind-set.
• Come with me to Speakers Corner one Sunday,
• And you can see for yourself the exact same response from some of the atheists there.
• SECOND: Some put off the decision to follow Christ.
• Saying they would get back with him later.
• ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’
• They appear to be genuinely interested in the message.
• And they planned to hear the apostle Paul again.
• That is good but it is also dangerous because we are never promised a second chance!
• “Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time!”
• THIRD: There were those who believed.
• “Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed”
Note two people are mentioned by name (vs 34).
• Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus council.
• We might say an important somebody.
• That is why he gets a mention.
• But we also told of
• “…a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
• She might not be as important as Dionysius,
• But she too was important to God, therefore, she gets a mention.
And finally…
• Which of the three responses best describes you?
• Unbelief, interested, believer!
MP3 AUDIO:
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YOUTUBE VIDEO:
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