Ac.17:10…13-15 Ro.1:13; 15:22-23 Ac.17:16-34

I. The Preacher

Alone, 16 Alone, 16 (1 Th.3:1) Athens (< Athena)  University & art center of world  It’s easier to be a Christian when others are w. us Let people know what you are from the start. Hb.10

Agitated, Stirred up over city full of idols  In time of Nero, Athens had over 30,000 public statues, and countless private ones in homes (Pliny)  Easier to find a god than a man in Athens (Petronius) 30,000 idols 10,000 citizens

1. Stirred up over city full of idols 2. Stirred up over lost souls  Argumentative, Mt.7: Ac.22  Heart-breaking, Lk.19:41-44; Ro.9:1-3  Dishonest, Ac.3-5 (4:16)  Dangerous, Ac.17: Co.11:26

Active, 17 Therefore…  Concern leads to action Ezk.331 Co.9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

I. The Preacher II. The Audience

1. Conceited, Conceited, Co.1:18, 22, 26 Epicureans: Epicureans: everything (even world) is result of chance; chief goal in life: pleasure, especially tranquil life free from pain and fear of death. No life after death Stoics: Stoics: pantheistic; everything happens because god wills it; chief goal in life is found in total indifference to pain, sorrow, pleasures of world. Self-sufficiency

2. Condescending, Conceited, Condescending, 18 Babbler – 1 seed-picker (birds); 2 scrap collectors; 3 those who peddled ideas of others w/o understanding them 3. Curious (18-21) “You are the best people at being deceived by something new that is said” (Thycydides) Demosthenes reproached them for contin- ually asking for new ideas when Philip’s rise to power threatened the city

I. The Preacher II. The Audience III. The Sermon

Paul did not begin w. Scripture (22-23) but w. God They admit “unknown God”; Paul will introduce Him Polite but firm. 1 Co.9:19-22  No compromise (as some accuse)

Just the facts… Corrected ignorance (act of love), 23 Creator, 24 Sustainer, 25 Sovereign, 26 Omnipresent, 27 Provider, Judge, 31 Omnipotent, 31

Epimenides (28) Only one God fits the description hammer 29: gospel hammer pulverizes idols medicine 30: gospel medicine prescribes repentance verdict 31, gospel verdict pronounces judgment (= Ac.2)  “Cross my heart, hope to die”

Was Paul seeker-friendly? Self-sufficiency (30)No life after death (31) Determinism,30Pleasure, 27 Pantheism, 29Chance, 24 StoicsEpicureans

I. The Preacher II. The Audience III. The Sermon IV. The Result

Philosophic reaction to gospel 1. Derision: Derision: 32. Human wisdom. 1 Co.1  Jemima Wilkinson 2. Delay: Delay: 32. “Don’t call me; I’ll call you”  33, no force 3. Devotion: Devotion: 34. A handful. Mt.16:26

Lessons 1. Smart people commit silliest blunders 2. Be prepared for any opportunity to share the gospel 3. One obedient person is a success 4. Ignorance of God is no excuse 5. Prejudice hinders the gospel “I didn’t really believe in God, but I couldn’t live as though I didn’t believe in Him. I found life intolerable without God, so I lived as though I believed in God” – Madeleine L’Engle Ac.22:21 “Gentiles” Ac.17:31 “Resurrection”