Sermons on Acts 17:16:

Paul's Sermon At Athens: The Historical Background

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 31, 2021

This is the first of a series of messages centering on the sermon that the Apostle Paul gave before the groups of philosophers in Athens, and how it is a perfect model for Biblical apologetics and evangelism.

People today tend to sidestep, ignore, deter, apologize for and question the concept of reality in a world which gladly embraces the concept that reality, truth, and fact are not absolute but just a matter of opinion, experience, or personal interpretation. We have become terrified of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-21, 1 Peter 3:15, Luke 12:12-15, John 16:8-15, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Colossians 2:1-3, 1 Corinthians 1:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Sermon At Athens: The Evidence Of A Shepherd's Heart

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jun 6, 2021

When Paul arrived in Athens, he was grieved over the rank idolatry of the city with statues and temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. He knew that the Gospel had to be proclaimed. Souls hung in the balance. This is the heart of a man of God and the example we need to follow today.

When Paul arrived in Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy to join him, he looked around the city and did not marvel at the beauty of the city's temples or the culture or anything typical of a tourist's curiosity. If he were to be classified as a "sightseer", the sights he saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-36, Mark 1:14-15, John 10:27-30, Acts 17:16-18, Romans 1:16-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Minsitry Of Paul At Athens Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 17, 2021

Paul was greatly distressed seeing full of idols in the city of Athens. His thirst for the souls motivated him to pray, observe and share the gospel despite the previous experiences of imprisonment and persecution. Paul won the hearts of few men who became followers of Christ.

Acts 17:16-34 Ministry of Paul at Athens 17:16-21 Paul’s Distress 17:22-31 Paul’s Discourses 17:32-34 Mixed responses to Paul’s preaching 7:16-21 Paul’s Distress Paul was greatly distressed seeing full of idols in the city of Athens. Paul reasoned with the worshippers at the synagogue and with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Methodist

Building Bridges, Not Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 26, 2021

If we’re going to reach unbelievers with the gospel, we must build bridges, not barriers.

Last weekend, Pastor Ed and Sheila, Gary and Kathy Pinger, and Beth and I had the privilege of attending the Keep Believing Ministries retreat. KBM is one of Edgewood’s Go Team Partners. One of the many highlights was learning how the free gospel book, Anchor for the Soul has now been distributed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism And Football Series

Contributed by William Jones on Oct 21, 2023

This morning we continue our study in Acts and we will be looking at Acts 17:16-31. In Our passage we see Paul and his band of missionaries and evangelist continue to share God’s Good News with the lost and continue to be persecuted for it

Evangelism and Football By Paul Dietz Evangelism and Football We are now in the midst of one the hottest seasons of the year. No, I'm not talking about the weather and its accompanying temperatures. After all we have just finished having our two weeks of “summer” this past week and autumn is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

Denomination: Baptist

From The Unknown To The Known God

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Nov 15, 2025

Believers are to engage an idol-filled modern culture with the same wisdom, compassion, and courageous clarity Paul displayed in Athens—understanding people’s longings, building bridges to the truth, and faithfully proclaiming the risen Christ!

How do we, as Christ’s ambassadors, engage a modern culture with wisdom, courage, and gentleness—so that the gospel is not just another opinion in the noise, but a message carried on “beautiful feet” bringing good news? Everywhere we look, the signs of moral fracture are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are The Nine? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 21, 2025

Acts 17:15-19 teaches us about thankfulness to Jesus.

Introduction In 2000, my wife and two children visited Cape Town, South Africa. We had the opportunity to visit Robben Island. Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, about 6 miles north of the city of Cape Town. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals, hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Greatness Of Our God

Contributed by Les Buttolph on Aug 15, 2025

Great is an overused word today, but right to describe our Great God. Awesome is even better

Watching the Browns’ exhibition game last week, I was very critical of the announcer’s overuse, even misuse of the adjective ‘great’. Ask Cathy. Their effusive descriptions focused on one rookie, who wasn’t even chosen until late in the draft because of concerns about his ability to play ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:10-22, Acts 17:16-28

Denomination: Methodist

Acts 17, The Gospel Travels Series

Contributed by Shaun Smith on Aug 28, 2025

The gospel changes lives wherever it goes and on Paul’s 2nd Missionary journey we see even more evidence of this; and More resistance to the Mission As Paul wandered the streets, waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him, he was “deeply troubled” by what he saw. -. 30,000 statues, 10,000 people

The Gospel Travels ________________________________________ Introduction The gospel changes lives wherever it goes and on Paul’s 2nd Missionary journey we see even more evidence of this; and More resistance to the Mission Quick update on Paul’s travels since chapter 13: - In Acts 9:16 Jesus told ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, John 14:21, Acts 9:16

Unknown God

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jan 27, 2026

Paul on Mars Hill shares the gospel and shows them they can know God

Knowing the unknown God Acts 17:16-33 Good morning, please turn to the book of Acts chapter 17- I am excited to be home from a bucket list vacation to Greece and Turkey to experience the footprints of Apostle Paul as he journeyed on his second missionary trip to spread the gospel. His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33

Denomination: Nazarene

Three Attitudes Toward The Resurrection

Contributed by Grant Adams on May 20, 2023

What attitudes were seen toward the resurrection? Some attitudes were understandable, but some weren't. What is your attitude toward the resurrection?

This is Easter Sunday, an especially important day in the heart and lives of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. Over 2000 years ago our Lord was crucified, buried, and rose again, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. This was a new beginning for us and all who would follow and serve Christ. This is why we meet ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-34

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Revelation Of The Unknown God Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 8, 2023

Christ came to make His Father known. Mankind was created to worship. If God is not clearly revealed, man will create something to worship. We are called to reveal the Unknown God to the world!

Sermon – Paul’s Revelation of the Unknown God Scripture Lesson-Acts 17:16-33 “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33, Acts 17:1-16, John 16:7-11, Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Methodist

Yes - God Is At Work In The World

Contributed by John Huyser on Jun 4, 2024

As people of God’s Word, we may approach the Bible with a bad assumption: We presume somehow God is less active now than he was in the narrative of the Bible.

I. Introduction – Slide 1 In Acts 16 and 17, Paul’s second missionary journey left little question. God was at work in the good and tough times: • In Derbe and Lystra, the churches there are growing. There God brings Timothy into Paul’s life. • In Phillipi, God brings Lydia and her entire ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Paul’s Ministry In Berea And Athens Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 15, 2024

Paul's continued journey gives us two things to focus on: We must be sure that our own hearts are right and that we’ve chosen Christ, and we must be sure that we have told everyone that we know about Him! This is our calling as the Church, and where we must focus today.

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 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:10-34, Exodus 20:3-5, Nehemiah 9:6, Isaiah 55:6, John 5:22-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In A Diverse Culture Part 1 Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 19, 2024

Be willing every day for God to use you to tell people what’s so good about the Good News.

LIVING IN A DIVERSE CULTURE – PART 1 Text: Acts 17:16-21 Introduction 1. A conversation I had recently with someone in the church struck me as very profound. He said, “I never knew that inviting people to church was so hard!” 2. The truth is, in the culture we are living in it has become harder ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-21

Denomination: Methodist