1. One of the Greatest Sermons ever Preached

2. Mar’s Hill Sermon Acts 17:1-34

3. Acts 17:1-4 17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

4. 1. Paul’s custom or manner was, he went where the people were, And out of the scriptures, explained to them the will of God. 2. Everywhere he went, he told the people, that Jesus, whom he Preached, was the Christ.! 3. The response: Some believed and some didn’t.

5. From Thessalonica, Paul and Silas were sent to Berea where the Bereans are called noble Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

6. Yet, when the unbelievers from Thessalonica heard, they come and stir up the people V.13 V. 14 Paul was sent away toward the sea V.14 Silas and Timothy remained at Berea. V. 15 Those that had taken Paul, brought him to Athens. V.16 Paul’s spirit was stirred within him when he saw that the whole City was wholly given over to idolatry. V.17 As was his custom….he met with those who would hear him, And

7. It has been said of Athens: ‘there were more gods in Athens than men, and wherever Paul looked, in niches and on pedestals, and on street corners, were gods and demigods. Everywhere! The whole city given over to idolatry!. What would you preach????

8. Remember: As was Paul’s manner (custom) 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection The Epicureans: Teachings of Epicurus 341-270 BC “Pleasure is the highest end of living “ The Stoics: Teachings of Zeno of Cyprus (335-263 B.C.) Died at age of 96. “Self- denial contributes to the highest end of life. A desire to suppress all passions.” Look what they called Paul: What will this babbler say?

9. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

10. 22 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. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, T O T HE U NKNOWN G OD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you

11. # 1 The Power of God Point # 1 Acts 17:24 God, that made the world and all things therein. GOD MADE EVERYTHING! Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

12. The Psalmist David said: Psa.19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Paul told the Christians in Colosse that by Christ "all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (Col. 1:16-17).ColosseCol. 1:16-17 As the Apostles saw demonstrated, even the winds and waves of the sea are subject to Him (Matt. 8:23-27).Matt. 8:23-27

13. #2 The Omnipresence of God Point # 2 "He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:27-28).Acts 17:27-28 My friend, Paul states GOD IS EVERYWHERE! Does that make an impression upon you? And look what Solomon said: Our God is not limited by space. At the dedication of the first Temple, king Solomon said, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!" (1 Kings 8:27).1 Kings 8:27

14. Where can you go where God is not there? Psalms 139:1-24 1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O L ORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

15. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee

16. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

17. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O L ORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

18. . Neither is our God limited by time, for "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (1 Pet. 3:8).1 Pet. 3:8 Moses, in prayer, said, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psa. 90:1-2).Psa. 90:1-2

19. #3 God has appointed a day Point #3 The final point of Paul's sermon was that God "has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).Acts 17:31 God's plan was that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations" (Luke 24:47).Luke 24:47

20. All men will be saved the same way! Conclusion: All men will be saved the same way! When Peter went to the house of Cornelius, the first Gentile to obey the gospel, he said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.." (Acts 10:34-35).Acts 10:34-35

21. In Jesus Christ… John 14:6 Acts 4:12 Rom. 5:8,9

22. Paul Preached the same thing as Peter..2 Pet. 3:16 Stephen preached the same thing as Paul Acts 7:51-60 Philip preached the same thing as Apollos Acts 8:12,13 Preach the Word. 2 Tim. 4:2-4 Gospel is God’s power to save. Rom.1:16 Word of God is powerful. Heb. 4:12 Jesus tells us plainly : Matt. 4:4

23. The Plan of Salvation is still the same! All men will be saved the same way… Jew or Gentile Male or Female Rich or Poor Young and Old American or Africa

24. Remember One of the Greatest Sermons ever preached 1. The Power of God. GOD MADE EVERYTHING 2. The Omnipresence of God. GOD IS EVERYWHERE 3. The Day Set for Judgment. GOD WILL JUDGE EVERYONE.