Do You really know God?
Acts 17: 22-34
Do you really know God?
Introduction;
During Paul’s second missionary journey; after passing through Amphipolos and Apollonia he arrives in Thessalonica and reason with the Jews in the synagogue three Sabbath days the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some believed and the Jews that didn’t believe were moved with envy and caused a lot of trouble for Paul and Silas, saying that these men have turned the world upside down. They were forced to leave and the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. He preached there and many of them believed. But, the Jews in Thessalonica heard that the word of God was being preached by Paul in Berea. They came there also and caused more trouble for Paul. Again Paul leaves and is brought to Athens. Silas and Timothy stay behind in Berea. Those who escorted and brought Paul to Athens were given a command for Silas and Timothy to come to Athens as soon as possible.
While waiting in the city for them, he spent some time sightseeing. He noticed that the people of Athens have put up statues of all the gods, and even to the unknown gods. Paul described Athens as a city “wholly given to idolatry”.
During his visit, Paul met “certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and the Stoicks” and preached to them about Jesus. This led them to bring him before the court of Areopagus. This court met upon a hill call Mars Hill. Members of the court were curious about Paul’s proclamation of the god they worshipped without knowing.
Paul is now standing before the court of Areopagus and begins to say; Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.[1]
Body:
A. Vs. 24-26 - God is creator of the world and is sovereign in all the activities that go on in the world.
1. God is creator – someone wrote; “Look around and see how big God is”. It is important for all of us to look around and notice and thank God for His handy work. The Bible says in Is. 42 - 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: We as human beings are very speacial to God because we have been made in the image and after the likeness of God. We are spirit being that have a soul and live in a body. If men and women want to have a relationship with God we must be born again so we can worship Him in spirit and truth.
2. God is sovereign – God has absolute rule over creation as King and total control and determination over all that happens. The Bible says in Daniel 4: 34-35 - His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the people and things of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the people and things of the earth, and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “what have you done?” I n response to Moses question (what is your name?), God said to Moses “I AM WHO I AM” (YAHWEH – LORD).
3. God is independent – God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify and bring joy to Him. God does not dependent on us, but we depend on Him. He is our Shepard and we shall not want. He supplies our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
B. VS. 27 – 30 – Seeking God and a call to repent. People are searching for God with the hope they might find Him. There is something that we should know. Every person that’s not born again is still walking in darkness. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how much or even how far they search they will never get to know God without submitting to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; being taken out of darkness and brought into His marvelous light, to be declared righteous –holy – to have peace with God. The Bible says in Romans 5: 1; Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is calling all men to repentance. The word repent means to change one mind. In order to understand it completely it must be accompanied with faith. The Bible says; repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It also says; repent and believe the Gospel.
C. Vs. 31 – Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.
D. Vs. 32 – 34; There are three responses to the message.
1. Some mocked him.
2. Some were undecided.
3. Some believed.
Conclusion: Do you really know God?
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[1] The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.