SERMONS IN ACTSActs 17

What would you doif you were alone,in a foreign city,surrounded by Buddhists, Hindus, & Jews

SERMONS IN ACTS

Paul in Athens: Our efforts will be frustrated Isolated & outnumbered Mocked & ridiculed Few good hearts

Acts 17

SERMONS IN ACTS

Background

Sermon

Results

Acts 17

SERMONS IN ACTS

BackgroundActs 17

Paul faced persecution everywhere Philippi, Acts 16:22-24 Thessalonica, Acts 17:5 Berea, Acts 17:13-15

SERMONS IN ACTS

BackgroundActs 17

Athens was filled with idolatry, Acts 17:16 Human wisdom Advanced in art & poetry Immoral

SERMONS IN ACTS

BackgroundActs 17

Paul was provoked in his spirit, Acts 17:16-21 Reasoned with the people• In religious assemblies• Outside religious assemblies• Of different beliefs

SERMONS IN ACTS

BackgroundActs 17

Paul was provoked in his spirit, Acts 17:16-21 Viewed with contempt & curiosity• Proclaimer of foreign gods• New doctrine• Strange things

SERMONS IN ACTS

BackgroundActs 17

Lessons to learn The gospel is distinct from doctrines of men,

1 Cor. 1:20, 21 Some people willing to hear the “new” thing

…only for a while, Jn. 6:66

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul addressed the need of the audience, Acts 17:22, 23 Very religious: lost Worshiped w/o knowing: ignorance Needed true knowledge

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul addressed the need of the audience, Acts 17:22, 23 Address the needs of the listeners• Believers in Jesus⁃ Plan of salvation, Acts 2:38⁃ Church, Eph. 4:4

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul addressed the need of the audience, Acts 17:22, 23 Address the needs of the listeners• Atheists, skeptics⁃ God’s existence, Heb. 3:4⁃ Inspiration of the Bible, 1 Cor. 2:10-13

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul preached the one true God, Acts 17:24-29 Made the world, Gen. 1:1 Does not dwell in temples Does not need us, Ex. 3:14 Controls all nations, Dan. 4:25 Supernatural

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Men tend to “make” God in their own image Church of your choice God accepts homosexuals God wants me to be happy

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul commands the audience to repent, Acts 17:30, 31 Times of ignorance God overlooked• Gentiles rejected God, Rom. 1:18-21• God left them in ignorance, Rom. 1:22-26• Accountable for sins, Jude 6, 7• Now evangelized

SERMONS IN ACTS

SermonActs 17

Paul commands the audience to repent, Acts 17:30, 31 Judgment coming• In righteousness• By Christ, Jn. 12:48• Resurrection – proof

SERMONS IN ACTS

ResultsActs 17

Some mocked Paul’s preaching, Acts 17:31 Resurrection too much Some will mock us• One church• Baptism• Modesty

SERMONS IN ACTS

ResultsActs 17

Others interested to know more, Acts 17:32-34 Hear more lessons Few converted

SERMONS IN ACTS

ResultsActs 17

Were Paul’s efforts a failure or success? Few converted Truth taught Success!