Confronting Intelligent Ignorance – II (17:16-34)

1 Corinthians 9:20-24 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD

Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings

1 Chronicles 28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent

2 Thessalonians 1:8 …in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Confronting Intelligent Ignorance II Acts 17:22-34 I.The Creator God

1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

Acts 7:48-50 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

Isaiah 42:5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it

Psalm 50:9-12 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

There is, Paul is saying to these cultured elite pagans who knew nothing of Jesus, who knew nothing of the Old Testament, who knew nothing about Abraham or Moses or David or the story of redemption, he’s saying to them there is a commonal memory that lies within the heart of every natural man and woman that goes all the way back to Eden. --Boice

Confronting Intelligent Ignorance II Acts 17:22-34 I.The Creator God II.The Providential God – 26-27

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Acts 14:17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

Confronting Intelligent Ignorance II Acts 17:22-34 I.The Creator God II.The Providential God – III.The Worship of God – 28-29

Deuteronomy 4:28 And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

Isaiah 40:18-20 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. 20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.

Isaiah 44:9-11 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.

Man’s mind is a perpetual factory of idols. --Calvin

Confronting Intelligent Ignorance II Acts 17:22-34 I.The Creator God II.The Providential God – III.The Worship of God – IV.The Judgment of God – 30-31

Romans 3:25 …whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Confronting Intelligent Ignorance II Acts 17:22-34 I.The Creator God II.The Providential God – III.The Worship of God – IV.The Judgment of God – V.The Response – 32-34

3 Reasons to Repent God has been patient, overlooking ignorance for a time (v. 30). God commands repentance. God has appointed a final day of judgment when Jesus will be the final judge.