Paul's Address In Athens Acts 17:22-34

Introduction In Athens Paul delivered one of the greatest sermons of his life

Acts 17:22-23 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

I. An unknown God (vs. 22-23) Their inscription of the unknown God proved that they did not know the true God It was possible for them to know God Christ reveals God --- The Bible

Acts 17:24-25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things

II. God and the world (vs. 24-25) 1. God made the world – He is Creator Heb. 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

The idols of the city of Athens were not creators, but creatures – the works of men’s hands

2. God is Lord of the universe If God is Creator, it naturally follows that he must be the Possessor and Ruler of heaven and earth

3. God is everywhere present 1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”

God cannot be limited to one place or confined to a temple made with man’s hands

4. He is self-sufficient Unlike the idols, God is not served by men’s hands Man can give God nothing that he does not already have

5. God is the source of life The idols were lifeless – they could not give life Life only comes from life

1 Jn. 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Jn. 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men

Acts 17:26-29 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

III. God and the human race (vs. 26-29) 1. One family – the human race all came from one source – all descended from Adam

2. We are limited – we cannot exist beyond this world

3. Man is capable of knowing God – and of knowing our obligation to him

4. Man should be fully convinced that God is not material substance Beings with life cannot be the offspring of lifeless idols

Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

IV. The call to repentance (vs. 30-31) 1. God commands all men to repent Lk. 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Lk. 24:46-47 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

2. All accountable souls will face the judgment of God

2 Cor. 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works

Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter

V. The reaction 1. Some mocked and ridiculed 2. There was delay – “We will hear thee again of this matter” 3. Some believed

Acts 17:33-34 So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

This is the reaction that we strive for – to lead lost souls to obey the gospel

Conclusion What is you reaction to Paul’s lesson on the only true God?

References Points taken from outline by Michael Hatcher