Sermon Central
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Revealing The Unknown God Acts 17:16-34 We’ve Watched Paul And His Partners Series
Contributed by James Lee on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley and Pastor Tom Owen for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.
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[Luke 22:41-42, 44 NKJV] “41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will,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.
