From Religion to Relationship
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· 5 viewsMoving beyond superficial observance to true relationship with our Creator
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Intro: Paul in Athens
Intro: Paul in Athens
Why Paul was in Athens?
Athens was not Paul’s primary destination; he reached Athens only after being forced out of Berea by Jews as recorded in verses (Acts 17:14–15). Paul then went to Athens while he was waiting for Silas and Timothy. He then was disturbed by Athens, “seeing the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Paul spent time in the Jewish synagogues and the Agora of Athens (Acts 17:17). The Agora was the Athenian marketplace, an open area surrounded on all sides by buildings, or Stoa, that served as an economic and social center of life (Schnabel, “Contextualising Paul in Athens,” 172–174; Hammond, A History of Greece, 523).
My topic & text were not randomly chosen. I felt led to this particularly because the city where Paul is preaching in this text was the site of the world’s first great democratic experiment. And here, in the midst of a convergence of ideologies from across the empire, stands a man who represents a worldview like no other; a view that is in such stark contrast that he was compelled by his listeners to defend this worldview. Reading again from Schnabel:
"Paul met many Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (who obtained their name from the surrounding Stoa-buildings in the marketplace- where they used to debate). These philosophers were upset with Paul’s preaching of the Gospel (Acts 17:18). They denounced Paul: ‘What does this babbler wish to say?’ (Acts 17:18). These philosophers also believed that Paul was ‘preaching foreign gods’ (Acts 17:18). Because of this, they took Paul to a meeting at the Areopagus (Air-ree-ah-pah-gus) in Athens—named ‘Mars Hill’ by the Romans. The Areopagus overlooked the Acropolis and initially functioned as the seat for the Council of Elders—a small aristocratic council in the 7th and 6th centuries BC before democratic reforms (Hammond, A History of Greece, 155–156). During Paul’s day, the Areopagus most likely served as a judicial or law court (Schnabel, “Contextualising Paul in Athens,” 175). At the Areopagus, Paul preached his famous sermon about the Athenians’ “unknown god” (Acts 17:23; Schnabel, “Contextualising Paul in Athens,” 172–190).
3 questions to ask yourself to determine if you are merely religious or in genuine relationship with God:
Are you disturbed by idols…or distracted by them? Paul’s destination was Berea, but he recognized a simple truth: God’s assignment for your life goes wherever you go! Paul couldn’t ignore the spiritual state of the Athenians. Behind the idol worship was a people who were SEEKING truth. A nurse may work in a particular hospital; a police officer may work at a particular Precinct; but if they observe a need which requires their skills, training and resources, they cannot turn a blind eye to it! behind the rhetoric, the protests & arguments, are people who’s hearts are desperate for truth- and we know that truth is not merely a set of facts that correspond with reality, Truth- with a capital T- is a person! Jesus said, I am the Way, the TRUTH and the life in John 14:6. Don’t get distracted by noise- focus on the need.
Are you reaching the crowd…or retreating from them? While Paul was waiting for Silas & Timothy, he made use of his downtime. He engaged the crowd. How do you use your downtime- the time between assignments, between one task the Lord gives you until the next thing? Again, God’s assignment goes wherever you do. We should either be “doing” or “preparing to do”. It is clear that Paul was prepared to engage his audience- he prayed, and studied God's Word. We too must “always be ready to [given an explanation} to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you...with gentleness and reverence” as it says in 1 Peter 3:15. But don’t mistake this for an expectation that you become a professional evangelist or expert in scripture- and for a church ministry, it doesn’t mean that you have to have an organized event for members to engage people. We need not get could in what Dr. King referred to as, the “paralysis of analysis”- the first word of the Great Commission is “Go”! Instead of reaching, some of us are retreating because we feel unworthy. Please don’t worry…the truth is, you’re NOT! But Christ is worthy! A witness is someone who simply reports what they saw- and that’s the job of the Christian. We are all qualified to do it! Some of us may just have the testimony of Lazarus…not through mere words, but through your very existence. “You were dead- now your alive! How?” and you have only to point to the source of life feasting with you- Jesus! The saying goes, “The believer is the only Bible most people will ever read; the question is, are you a good translation?”
Are you compromising…or contextualizing? It our current pluralistic society, where people want to hold onto “their truth” it can be challenging to represent THE Truth. In a society with many gods, Paul could’ve softened his presentation of Jesus as one of many options; but instead, he found a means to put their vague concept of God into a very specific context…and he used their frame of reference to do it! Today we have more information at our fingertips than ever in human history; we have the means to search for the truth, but few possess the will to do so. We are crippled by what Dr. King referred to as soft-mindedness. You may have noticed this was the 2nd time that i referred to Dr. King, as I have been reading his book, “Gift of Love” with my classmates in Biblical ethics. I want to conclude this point with an excerpt from chapter three of his book, the second point of his sermon on a familiar story, known as the Good Samaritan:
“The Samaritan possessed the capacity for a dangerous altruism. He risked his life to save a brother. When we ask why the priest and the Levite did not stop to help the wounded man, numerous suggestions come to mind. Perhaps they could not delay their arrival at an important ecclesiastical meeting. Or perhaps they were on their way to an organizational meeting of a Jericho Road Improvement Association (Jericho was a dangerous road which…) . Certainly this would have been a real need, for it is not enough to aid a wounded man on the Jericho Road; it is also important to change the conditions which make robbery possible. Maybe the priest and the Levite believed that it is better to cure injustice at the causal source than to get bogged down with a single individual effect.
These are probable reasons for their failure to stop, yet there is another possibility, often overlooked…that THEY WERE AFRAID.”
(King, “Gift of Love,” 25)
Conclusion: Be Strong and Courageous!
Jesus took the Pharisees vague philosophical question and anchored it in a reality that his listeners knew well. Dr. King referred to the Samaritans altruism as dangers because…well, it is! In real life, this parable may not have ended so well. the wounded man could’ve been a trap; the rescuer could’ve have needed rescuing. But rather than ask, “what may happen to me if I do this.”, paraphrasing King’s own thoughts on the matter, he asked the greater question, “What may happen if I don’t do this?”
As I said, my topic & text were not chosen at random. We are called to stand in the city square, just as Paul did, and be provoked at the condition of our society. America is the ultimate expression of the democratic experiment that began so long ago- but if we as Christians stay on the sidelines, we will have front row seats to the end of this society.
I will end with a word of encouragement. You may not feel up to the task God has given to you to apply works to your faith…to become the answer to prayer, to be His instrument of change. The truth is…no one that God uses ever does!
When Joshua was given the mantle of Leadership for Israel AND command of its army, he was immediately given an assignment. Take the land of promise; no excuses, no delays. Yes Moses is gone; but I am with you. I AM GOD.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 “Only be strong and very courageous; abe careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”