Preaching to Philosophical Pagans

as most of, you know, we are in the midst of our missions, emphasis month, the month of April, And our missions conference starts. This coming Saturday at 4:45 for our for a meal that our church is providing for everyone to attend and then the services will start at 6 this Saturday. So I encourage you to come. If you can

Acts chapter 17 verse number 16. Says now, why? Now, while Paul waited for them, at Athens his Spirit was provoked within him. When he saw that, the city was given over to idols therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with a gentile worshipers and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there then certain Epicurean and stoic philosophers encountered him and some said, what does this babbler want to say? Other said, he seems to be a proclaimer of foreign Gods because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection as they took him and brought him into the air are paugus. Eroticus, saying may, we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak. For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know what these things mean. We're all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time and nothing else. But either to tell or to hear some new thing verse 22, then Paul stood in the midst of the topic has since said men of Athens, I perceive that in all things, you are very religious. For as I was passing through and considering the object of your worship. I even found an altar with this inscription to the unknown. God there for the one whom you worship, without knowing him, I Proclaim to you. Let's pray Our Father. We kind of Lord before your presence in this, our Lord to worship you in spirit. And in truth, we have already been reminded of your love for us in your grace that you have bestowed upon us through the songs and the scriptures that we have sung and heard. And father, I pray as we go through this message, Father, that you would spark Lord, a sense of urgency, in a sense of zeal for Missions. The need is great, the, the hour in which we live is late, Father, save a great move of God. Lord. We're going to continue to see our country disintegrate before our eyes. The father, I pray that you use this message to help motivate us who are believers to to be engaged in missions. And Lord, I pray that you would bless those who are here this morning who are lost to do not have a relay right relationship with you. And Lord, I pray that you would draw all them to your son Jesus today and forever save them. I pray, Law Firm missions conference that's coming up this this week, this weekend, it's the Saturday Lord. I pray that you be with brother Derek Melton. Who is our guest speaker? God, I pray that you just give him the message, Lord, that you have laid upon his heart and that you would give him freedom and liberty to preach it. And father, I pray Lord for each missionary, that's coming to speak. I pray Lord for traveling mercies as they travel from their various locations to come the father. I pray that you would use not only this sermon today but the sermons to come next week to encourage missions. Here at Barrel, Baptist Church that those who have who may never have been involved before in Michigan's lower, would get involved because of what you have done in the heart. Father, we ask you Lord, to enlarge our ministry and large our reach Lord For Your Glory. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen. On a priest. You this morning on this preaching to philosophical, pagans preaching to philosophical pagans young, very young. Charles Spurgeon said to his congregation on January 7th, 1855 It has been said by someone that the proper study of mankind is man. I will not oppose the idea but I believe it is equally true. That the proper study of God's people is God, the proper study of the Christian is the godhead. The highest science, The Loft you speculation. The mighty is philosophy which can ever engage the attention of a child of God is the name, the nature. The person, the work in existence of the great God, to whom the Christian can call Father He continues. It says, would you lose your Sorrows? Do you want to get rid of your Sorrows? Would you like to get rid of your cares? Then go punch yourself in the godhead deepest sea. Be lost in his immensity and you shall find rest and you shall find refreshing. All those spoken. These words are spoken some over 160 years ago. Spurgeon's words speak forcefully to today's Church in this age of liberalism in which were living in this age of pragmatism, in which we are living in this age of psychology and he emotionalism we're living in an age of man centered the ology The church desperately needs a proper perspective of who God is, and what the Bible teaches of who God is, not what we believe are somehow imagined who God is. But what the Bible says about God, and this tax, we're going to see Paul dealing with the Skeptics in the city of Athens. He's dealing with the intellectuals, he's dealing with the intellectual liberals abasyn in the context of Acts chapter 17, verses 16 through 34 is that Paul is on his second missionary journey, And that Journey has taken Paul and Silas to Europe to share the Glorious gospel there for the first time and upon their arrival. When they get to the city of Athens, they were struck by the rampant idolatry that literally feel the entire city. Temples and altars and statues to all kinds of gods. And goddesses were everywhere. Everywhere they turned, their was idolatry. One altar in particular caught the Apostle, Paul's attention and he used it as an introduction to his message. Paul had seen an altar with the inscription. To the unknown. God until he stood there on Mars Hill and he preached the gospel and he said I've come to you to tell you about the God. You say you do not know. And love. And I believe this sermon this morning, speaks to us of the kind of challenge that we find herself in today, as we seek to declare the gospel today and a world, that is just as a dollar trust as ancient Athens was some two thousand years ago. Because of your reality. Listen, there is no shortage. Of religion in our country today, our country is full of religion. In reality, there is no shortage of gods in our country. Yet the only God our country really needs to know. Unfortunately, it does not. So that brings us to today's passage of scripture. Athens was filled with intellectual snobbery. Intellectual synekism and skepticism. They were, you could say philosophical pagans. There were educated philosophical pagans today. Beloved. Same thing as true today. Same thing as true. Today, we're living in a, it's in the midst of philosophical pagans. Educated pagans. Listen to people who cannot Define for you, who a woman is, or what a woman is is not the uneducated dilettante.

These who cannot Define a woman. Are the educated people, those who have degrees at Harbor, those who had two degrees in Ivy League schools in a road scholar, Those who would say we are philosophical. Those are the ones to whom is causing so much pain and listen to me. These are the ones who are have more education and more degrees and they have since be honest,

It really makes you wonder. If education is so worth it. For some people to go and get educated and come out and dumber than what they went in for. I'm being serious. I mean, it's telling you

So, let's look at this sermon. On Mars Hill and let's see what we can learn. As it relates to our task of witnessing for Christ today in a very, very volatile world. We see, first of all, that Paul is provoked in his Spirit. Paul is provoked in his Spirit again versus 16th house is now why Paul waited for them and ask them to Spirit was provoked within him. And when he saw that, the city was given over to idols therefore he reasoned in the synagogue where the Jews and with a gentile worshipers and in the marketplace daily with those who happen to be there, Then certain Epicurean and stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, what does this babbler want to say? Other said, Well, he seems to be a Proclaim or a foreign Gods because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection and I took him and brought him to the air drop. Lucas I'll never be able to say that today, your office, or we could stay Mars Hills, a very is an easier way to say that. May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak for. You are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know what these things mean for all the ice Indians, and the foreigners who were there spent their time and nothing else. But either to tell or to hear some new thing. So, here was a group of individuals who who just like to sit around who just like to talk about their, their opinions and debating And discussing life and religion. As if it really, just comes down to whatever you personally, believe in, whatever you person person, we believe is, okay with you, then, Hey, look, it's okay with me. So, this is the kind of atmosphere Paul has found himself in and the city of Athens. And we noticed a 16, we read that Paul's Spirit within him. Was provoked. His Spirit was provoked within him that were provoked is translated greatly upset. Greatly distressed. It means to be stirred. It means to be troubled. And other words his Spirit was beyond just getting upset. We could say, maybe an Arkansas language Paul was torn up this really tore him up. We could say Here's a question, why did the idolatry all the idolatry that he witnessed get him? So worked up. Why was he so trouble? Why was he so provoked? Will certainly Paul was provoked and he was stirred and trouble because those who are involved in these Pagan religions of Athens were on a path. That was going to lead them to Eternal separation from God. But that wasn't the main reason that Paul was all worked up and trouble. Paul Hayden idolatry primarily because it robbed. God of the glory that was rightly his Romans 1:23 towels is really at the idolatry. That idolatry exchanges the glory of The Incorruptible. God for an image in the form of corruptible, man, and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Hey listen. I wonder what you see when you see. I Dollar Tree that we see today that read that is often times related to false religions, or even American idolatry, that worships possessions that worships a comfort and statues. Does it provoke? You does it start you to that trouble? You like it's probably the Apostle Paul of old. Does it trouble you and stir you? That God is not getting the glory that is due unto him. I'll listen to psalmist said in Psalm 29 numbers to give unto the Lord. The glory. That is due unto him ascribe unto the Lord. The glory. That is due unto his name. I'll listen, I am praying that God would raise up a people who will be so zealous. For God and His glory that they will sacrifice that we will sacrifice our possessions and comforting, and status to lovingly, bring others to Christ. So that God then receive the glory, that is due unto his name. Paul was provoked, he was stirred. He was troubled. And I would say that we are too stirred and provoked and probably when we see the things that we are seeing today. But Paul did something that we don't typically do when we get so stirred up about things. Paul channel, the response of his troubled heart into zealously sharing the gospel. He didn't just whine and cry. He channel that. And to sharing the good news of Salvation. The Bible tells us in verse 17 that first share the good news of the Gospel to the Jews and the synagogue. And from there, he went to share the good news of the Gospel to those pagans those philosophical pagans, those who were worshipping human intellect. + 18. Some of those who heard Paul. So. Well, he's just a babbler. He's just a babbler and then others thought he was just talkin about yet. Another new foreign God. Maybe he talked about a guy. We've never yet. Worship who never heard up. but notice what they said to Paul a 20

You are bringing some strange things to our ears. You're bringing some things strange things to our ears. And so we see the message of Jesus Christ, his dad and his resurrection was a strange message to the philosophical, pagans ears in that day. And again, not much has changed, has it not? Listen to gospel. Still sounds strange. The gospel steel is offensive to those who here today.

For example, most people feel like they are pretty good. And therefore to be told that they are guilty. Sinners before a holy God, that is a bit of pensive.

Most people feel like well, all roads. Lead to Heaven, all roads. Lead somehow to God in Salvation. Yet the gospel proclaims that there's only one road. There's only one way and that is Jesus Christ through his death and his resurrection.

You see, like Paul in Athens, when we declare the gospel to this postmodern Pagan World in which we live in, it is often times met with a sense of hostility.

But nevertheless we preach Christ, we preach the gospel. And I know that there are some, some Christians. There are some churches that seeing the issues that we're facing today would just say something like this. Well, to church. This needs to batten down the hatches

Try to ignore the world and Hope. Some how some way we can escape from this sinful culture? Listen, escapism is not possible. It's not an option. And nor is it helpful to the work of Christ, who has called us to do of the preaching of the Gospel.

It was certainly not what Paul did when he was in the city of Athens. Paul did not take a man. I hope I can escape all this. I'd Dollar Tree. Know that in really empowered. Paul it provokes him to preach the gospel because of all the idolatry. again, I ask you does a lost mess around, you provoke your spirit Does it stir? You does it trouble you? And then if it does, what are you doing? Because, because your heart is being so troubled, does it grieve you that? So many claim that? So many claim, the name of the Lord, and yet their lives bear? No, resemblance of one, who has truly been born again. Does it grieve you that so many who are deceived in thinking themselves? Christian and so many, who have never heard the gospel are headed for a little place. Called hell, does that provoke? You does that trouble you? listen, if it does take it to the next level,

Take it to the next level. Share the gospel. You do not have to be a preacher to share the gospel. You do not have to have a degree in seminary or theology to share the gospel.

T'pol is provoked in the spirit in that provoking. He does what we ought to do. That is share the gospel, notice. Secondly, Paul preaches to the Skeptics He preaches to the Skeptics. It's a what? We learn from the Apostle Paul here, is that a burdened heart? A burden heart must drive us to action. A troubled hard must drive us into action. First of all. If we are provoked and stirred in trouble at the idolatry that we see today it off to, first of all, provoke us to pray, right? Where to be praying for the Lost. But also speaking to the Lost. It ought to provoke us to at least engaging missions. And support missions. but one thing we can learn in this text, is that Is a great application for us. And then is The Narrative of Paul in Athens is that we are to speak the gospel in a way that connects to the to the lost in different context.

We know that there is only one gospel, right? Is only one way of Salvation. There's only one good news that saves loss centers, there is not a special gospel for the Jews. There is not a special gospel for the Gentiles. There is not a separate gospel, for those with Muslim background with Hindu background, or a Buddhist background. Is there is only one gospel. I also know that that it is God ultimately, God who opens monetize it is. God who gives opens up deaf ears and draws lost people to himself. I'm also fully aware that it is not our elliquence or are our relevance that save the Lost. But listen, that is not an excuse for us to be lazy. In our presentation of the unchanging gospel, in a way that meets a lost person where he is based on their background and knowledge. Listen to what Paul said in First Corinthians 9:22. He said, he really describing his own Ministry. He said, I am made all things to all men that I might by all means. Save some 2. MM, Paul Sermon. We get an idea of what Paul meant about being all things to all men. Listen when Paul shared the gospel with the Jews, he typically began with the Old Testament scriptures because the Jews were so familiar with the Old Testament. So he would begin to read from the Old Testament scriptures. Again, they were very familiar with this, that clearly the Old Testament, clearly taught that a messiah who was the come. And so the message to the Jews is that the Messiah and that they were looking for has come, and his name is Jesus Christ. And then Paul, after opening up with the Old Testament, he would then present the unchanging gospel to them. He would preach to them using first, the Old Testament, he would go to the synagogues and he would reason with them and preach to them using the Old Testament. however, Paul knew that the people of Athens had zero Old Testament background. Okay, dare back. Ground was polytheistic Their background was full of many false gods and that is where Paul then started with. And we noticed that Paul did not start off denouncing them, he did not begin with attacking their idolatry hidden knowledge that they were super naturalist that they believe in a supernatural power.

That they had a concept of there being a non-material. God, they had that concept even though they that they were warped spiritually, So, even though the people of Athens were policy Ustick, Paul didn't insult them by telling them how idiotic their man-made gods were even though it is idiotic and very foolish. No, impulse sermon. We learned some principles about sharing the gospel with those who have a different background than what we do. Notice he gives them. First of all, the revelation of the unknown. God, he gives them the revelation of the unknown. God, again, and verse 22, it says, then Paul stood, in the midst of the raucous and said men of Athens, a see that in all things you are very religious for as I was passing through considering the object of your worship. I even found an altar with this inscription to the unknown God there for the one, whom you worship, without knowing him, I Proclaim to you. It's always see the Greeks hunt hunger for something more than their mythical gods. That amidst all their Idols. They had a certain alter that was dedicated to the unknown. God, it's was Paul walked around the city of Athens. He sees this, as his opening To communicate the gospel to them when he sees an altar to the unknown. God, he says in essence, he says, I know this unknown, I know this unknown to you, God, and I can tell you who he is, and how you can know him.

How can we make an application from this today? Well, when we are trying to reveal to those who are lost, when we are trying to convince those who are all set, there that God exists, that God has revealed himself. This is very important passages of scripture.

And this is very important because the Bible does not offer formal or detailed proof of the existence of God. For example, the Bible does not begin with an airtight argument with 25 irrefutable. Proof of the existence of God. The very beginning. You don't have these in the Book of Genesis, you don't have 25 proves that why you should believe God exists. What you have is a declaration that God does exist Genesis 1:1 in the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. You are to believe it. You are to believe it. To God, declares his existence and he says in essence, you must believe this. So believing that that there is a God is where we must begin. And, by the way, it takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of faith to be an atheist, right? It takes a lot of faith to become an atheist. An atheist has an individual who it is. Not an individual who says, well I just lacked Faith. Known atheist is a person who has a lot of faith who has more faith than I do that out of nothing. Came everything And we had on our son a few days ago. Atheist, logic. Here's atheist logic right here. This is what they say. There is no God and I hate him. That's your logic. An atheist claim that they have, no religion. But yet, atheists are the most religious people there are because they have faith that there is no God in the Bible, tells us in Psalm 14 verse 1 that they are fools But I'm convinced that people who become Asia's, primarily become atheist because they hate God so much. They try to suppress their conscience and even acknowledging that there is a God, because every person I don't believe there is an atheist in the world today, if they were honest, I don't believe in The Atheist exist because every person knows God exists. Every person believes that And every person knows that there is a God for two reasons, what the Lotus call, General Revelation, General Revelation, that all of mankind, whether they have heard the gospel or even seen. A Bible can know that there is a God. Generate General, Revelation has two sources. The First Source is creation. The First Source is creation, So just looking at the immensity of this universe that vastness of our universe that every year scientists are discovering how large and fast it is. And then also looking at the complexity of our universe in looking at the complexity even of a single human cell, all mankind to know that there is a terrible and infinitely wise, Creator a Romans 1:18 houses for the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Because why that, which is known about God is evident within them. Even atheist know within them. That there is a God For God, made it evident to them for since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes. His personal, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse. So, creation, creation itself, declares that God exists. God has revealed himself to all mankind everywhere. That he is the creator.

The second source of this General Revelation that every individual has and sees is not only Creation, The Second Source is conscience conscience, Roman 2:14 SAS 4, when gentiles Who do not have the law. Do extinct extinct of Lee, the things of the law. These not having the law or a law to themselves in that, they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience, bearing, witness, and their thoughts, alternate Lee accusing or else defending them. So, listen here. Are he speaking about those who are Gentiles who do not have the Mosaic law, did not have the law of God and even though they didn't have the Ten Commandments was say these pagans. These Gentiles still had a sense of knowing that killing is wrong, stealing was wrong. Coveting was wrong. Now, why do they have that Revelation? Because God put that in their heart, They put God has put upon every person a moral code of ethics even though they don't have a AAA Bible, even though they have never heard the law, God has written it upon their heart. They know right from wrong.

Now listen. Even though God has given us these two general Revelations, that all mankind can know that God exists these two in and of themselves do not save in anybody. The knowledge of creation, the knowledge that we have God's law written upon our hearts that General Revelation does not save, there has to be that special Revelation, where we take the word of God and we explicitly share the word of God. Until these residents of Athens, in a sense really represent all mankind, who are without God. They know deep down that there has to be a god, even if that God is the unknown, God So Paul uses the Athenian concept of the unknown, God to meet them where they are and bring them to the gospel.

Same principle of showing kindness and finding a window to where people are to bring them to Christ applies to all people. So, we have this revelation of the unknown. God, that Paul gives notice. Secondly, the description of the unknown, God, the description of the unknown. God hear. Paul describe the truth of the one true. God, that is the unknown, God to them. Verse 23, it says therefore, Paul says what you Worship in ignorance, this him, I Proclaim to you. So Paul says, let me describe this God to you because he does not have to be unknown to you. He is a knowable God. And the Bible is very clear that this one true, God can be known Praise the Lord, right? I John 17:3 Jesus said this is eternal life that you may know that they may know you father. The only true God and Jesus Christ. Whom you have sent for this is eternal life that you screwed me that they may know you the only true God and beloved listen The God Who can be known is the God. We must Proclaim. The God Who can be known is the guy we must Proclaim because he is the only God who can save. He is the only God who is worthy of all glory. And because God is knowable. Is my missions exist. Because Don is knowable is because this is why we have Mission Converses is why we emphasize missions once a year. And an intake an entire month to do. So this is why we give to missions so that missionaries can take this Noble God's to those who do not know him.

so, having established that God exists, And how he could be known Paul. Give the Athenians a 5 at full description of this one. They call the unknown God. First of all, Paul says, he is the creator of our God is the creator of all verse 24, God who made the world and everything in it since he is, Lord of Heaven and Earth. Now, listen to me when you're witnessing, or you are telling somebody about the Lord, Jesus. Somebody who was lost. Creation starting with creation, is a great place to start, as you get them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. the writer of the book of Acts, Luke gives us two of the Alternatives that the Athenians had to choose from when it came to this approach of life when they approach life Verse 18 towels, who said there were epicureans This those epicureans taught that pleasure and the avoidance of pain is the chief end of man. A second. There was the stoics and verse 18, who taught that self-mastery is the chief virtue of, man. That is whatever you face with her pain or pleasure. You simply had to take it in stride. And the ultimate for a stoic was to reach the place. That one feels nothing, one feels nothing. Listen, neither of those philosophies. And really there were religions, had any concept of a creator. And Paul blew away both of those false philosophies. When he simply said, The God Who made the world and all things in it. Three takes them and he points them to Creation. That creation. If there is creation, we know that there is creation, there must be a Creator. There has to be a creator. Now, we may be thinking, you may be thinking that these I send you into a really backward people and their undeveloped philosophies, I mean this is 2,000 years old. My friend, listen to me, this culture, the culture in which we exist, today is no better than the Athenians of old. The concept of a Creator. God who made all.

Has zero acceptance, near-zero Acceptance in our culture today?

The Athenians had Miss. The head, no grounding in evidence. We today. Many today hold to Evolution, which has no grounding in evidence. In reality, the scientific evidence for Origins lines up with a simple statement of Genesis 1:1 in the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. It so creation is a great launching point is a great starting point to share the gospel with someone Because more than likely, they whole to Evolution that, we're just all an accident of evolution. So he starts their didn't notice in verse 24. He teaches Paul says that God is ruler over all. He is ruler over all God. It says were 24, God made the world and everything in it since he is. Lord of Heaven and Earth does not dwell in temples made with hands. So God is ruler over all. Why? Because of his right of creation A Psalm 24 verse one. Tells us the Earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants belong to the world are belong to the Lord. Now, why? Because he created it is. So, because he created the world, he is there for the ruler of the world. It's so creation. Beloved is the foundation. It's so critical. I believe this is one of the enemy focuses, his big guns on shooting down what the Bible says about creation. And let me just say, the enemy has hit his Target. As millions of children today believe that, we're just an accident of evolution. Who are now being raised by parents who believed, who believe in evolution and whose grandparents. Now, believe in evolution, they're all just an accident, but listen, if you have not a Creator, then you have no ruler. So the devil knew exactly what he was doing when he introduced. Evolution. To our culture that had to accept. It is so quickly and easily. Paul says a 25. He is The Giver of all. God is The Giver of all. It says, verse 25 nor is he worshipped with man's hands as though he needed anything since he gives to all life breath and all things are. So as The Giver of all God needs, nothing from us. Verse 26. Paul says, God is the controller of all verse 26 has and he has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the Earth and has determined their pre appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings. So God is not only the creator of all he is, Sovereign over the very details of life. So listen, we can rightfully say that. God is a micromanager. and I'm thankful that God is a micromanager because that everything that happens is either caused or Allowed by God, he controls his creation, the timing of events, the actions of rulers and even the weather, he controls all The nearest First 27. Paul says, he is the revealer of all verse 27 says, so that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope for him and find him though. He is not far from each one of us for in him. We live and move and have our being as also, some of your own poets have said for we are also his offspring therefore since we are The Offspring of God through creation. We ought not to think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone something shaped by Art and men's devising. And so, now that the foundation is laid now that Paul has laid the foundation, he now boldly attacks their idolatry. Because God is the creator because he is the ruler because he's The Giver because he is the controller of all all mankind. Should seek God. And Paul at this point, even quotes to other poets, to illustrate, that God is the revealer of all.

Warren wiersbe said this description of God. LED Paul to this conclusion. God made us in His image, so it is foolish for us to make gods in our own image. Amen. The revelation of the unknown, God the description of the unknown, God, and then notice the demand of the unknown. God wear sturdy, truly these times of ignorance, got overlooked. But now, commands, all men everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day in which the, in 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. So, this is Paul calling for a response from the Athenians. this this presentation of the true, this presentation of the Gospel Demands a response from those who hear it. Listen, it is not enough to just bring people to a knowledge of who the one true God is. It is not enough to just bring people to the facts of who God is. Now, yes, truth is foundational but truth in itself is not saving. Because we have all sinned against this one. True. God, we need to come to the realization that we need a savior. So, therefore, we must respond to the truth. We must respond to the facts of the Gospel. Well, how do we respond to the facts of the Gospel? How do we respond correctly to God? Well, Paul tells us our first response is to what repent. Repent, turn from a rebellion against this one. True God submit yourself to this, holy God, turn from their Wicked Ways and turn to him by faith believing that he is. The only means of salvation. notice first 32 Paul list, three different ways, they responded first 32 says, and when they heard of the resurrection of the Dead, some While others said, we will hear you again on this matter. So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed I love that. So those are the three responses to the gospel. Some mop, they sneer, they ridicule Paul some number to inverse 32, some delayed a decision, which is in reality, a rejection of Christ. And then, thirdly some believed. A mercy. I love this. That do the unknown. God will remain unfamiliar to many people. God's word teaches that. Whenever, and whenever the gospel is preached, that there are always going to be those who will say, I want to know more about that God. Tell me more about this. Jesus who died and rose again.

All this in my prayers that we will stand boldly. On the Mars Hill of this, modern-day world and tell the old story to a world. That does not even know, they need to hear it. And I asked you this morning. What is your response to this one? True God. What is your response? Here we only see three responses, two of which are in the category of rejection, those who Mock, and those, who delay, those who procrastinate, go to say, well, hey, maybe some other time, I'll hear this gospel Now respond. Then that's a rejection of the Gospel who is really only two logical response to the gospel. One rejection, the other submission to the gospel. How have you responded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Have you submitted to his lordship? Have you repented of your sin turn? Have a change of mind, having a change of heart. Tour, the things of seeing and turning to God and him alone for your salvation. And then I pray for those of us who are saved for those of us who are born again that through this message and even the messages to come, that it would just motivate us more for the cause of missions and why we need Mission conferences and why we need to support missions and missionaries, that will go out and proclaim the gospel. The good news to every creature. and Proclaim this unknown, God, to many that God is knowable Oh, I pray that the Lord would stir our hearts. Because of his work in us. Let's pray together, Our Father where we come before you Lord. This this Lord's day. We thank you, Father for allowing us this opportunity to worship you in spirit and in truth and Lord. I pray that that those who are here. That have not responded correctly to the gospel. Lord, I pray that you would draw them to your son Jesus today. Lord, I pray that they would believe I pray that they would come by Fates. Acknowledging and submitting themselves before a holy God? And father, I pray that every Christian here, every church member here, a lord would have a greater fervency and Zeal for emissions. While we realize what are our country has become? Because we have neglected to counter the culture and speak truth into the culture and that's allowing the culture to dictate what truth is. The father I pray that the we are all stirred and many of us are provoked within our spirit. Lord it would motivate us. Not just to complain. But Lord do something. Help us to have the faith of Paul. Lord help us to, to begin with praying for those who are lost praying for an opportunity, for us to share the gospel. Praying that Lord, you will lay upon our heart. The, the amount of our possessions are money that we need to give to missions to help support those who preach the gospel.

Thought I pray that you just use this message for your honor and your glory. We ask all these things in Christ name.

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