The Unhindered Harvest Acts: The Unhindered Harvest

Acts 17:22-27 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.

“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’

Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

A Time to be Different Athens Wisdom and philosophy Non-Jewish Historical polytheism Wisdom and philosophy Learning and teaching Debate and dialogue of competing philosophies

A Different Message??? Began with common ground Spirituality Need to appease “god” Compulsion to worship or pay homage

A Different Message??? He appealed to their culture…wisdom and learning Their desire to engage thought Their admitted ignorance

“The emphasis…is not on the identity of the ‘unknown god’ but on the ignorance of their worship.

Paul, in the city of ‘the lovers of wisdom’, focused on the ignorance they admitted about the identity of God.

Paul used his knowledge of Athens and its culture not in order to agree with them, but to point out their failings all the more clearly.” (Toussiant, Bible Knowledge Commentary)

The Message Ignorance of their own worldview…a personal defense Ignorance of God’s identity Ignorance of worship

The Message Ignorance regarding judgment Verification and validation Jesus Resurrection Noticeably incomplete

Reaping the Harvest Keep the big picture in focus Think critically The gospel is our verification Incomplete is ok Reaping the Harvest