Acts 17: 1-15 Paul & his friends preach in Thessalonica & Berea

Acts 17: 1-15 Paul & his friends preach in Thessalonica & Berea.

Jewish opposition chases Paul from each of these cities.

Paul is placed in Athens to “hide out” for a while.

Acts 17:16“While Paul was

waiting for [Silas and Timothy] in Athens, he was greatly distressed [his spirit was stirred][was deeply grieved]to see that the city was full of idols.”

[swamped, a forest of]

Despite many factors:- “untrained” speaker- being “on vacation”- constant persecution- working alone

Paul chooses to obey the Spirit’s leading and proclaim the Gospel in the city of Athens.

Acts 17: 17-21 Paul preaches to Jews, “God-Fearers”, and the Athenians

Called a “babbler”

Athenians think he is advocating 2 foreign gods: Jesus Christ & The Resurrection

Two Main “Schools” of Philosophy

Stoic &Epicurean

Philosophiesremain alive

in today’s world, along with

“fashionable”Skepticism& Cynicism.

The Grecian Empire was the center of their cultural world.

They thought that the quest for knowledge and a foundation of democracy would be enough

to sustain their society’s future.

But without sound morality

that was rooted in The God

of the Bible…their empire

failed, leaving all future nations a

“cautionary tale.”

Acts 17: 22-31

Paul Preaches

in the Areopagus

(on Mars Hill)

Sermon Highlights:1.) Paul uses his known info

about Athens to connect.2.) Paul appeals to Nature,

not specifically Scripture.

3.) Paul says that the 1 True “Living God” he serves is: - The Creator of all People - The Savior of all People - The Judge of all People

Paul shares with the Athenians that, unlike any of their “philosophies,”

this Living God has given proof of His power, by resurrecting Jesus Christ.

From the time of Jesus’ Resurrection onward… accepting the fact of Christ

rising from the dead is a huge obstacle for many in accepting eternal salvation.

“To an Unknown God”

God does not desire to stay unknown to anyone!

He has revealed Himself in: Nature,

Our Conscience, & in Jesus Christ

Acts 17: 32-343 Responses

to Paul’s Message:

1.) Active Rejection

2.) Passive Rejection

3.) Acceptance

“None But Jesus”There is no one else for me

None but JesusCrucified to set me free

Now I live to bring Him praiseAll my delight is in you Lord

All of my hopeAll of my strength

Forevermore