Audio Sermons

Building Up the Church of Christ:

“To the Unknown God”

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 1^st October 2023

Text: Acts 17:14-34

• Those who lived in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria had been prepared to receive the Gospel through their history of God’s dealings with their forefathers.
• But as it went out to the uttermost part of the earth it became increasingly difficult to preach, because God was quite unknown to those who heard it.
• How can we overcome all the cultural barriers that stand in the way?
• We can learn four principles to do this from what Paul did at Athens:

1. Do not accommodate any sinful elements of their culture. 

• We must not adapt the Gospel to make it culturally relevant to them.
• The Gospel is a sword that cuts away all that is sinful and depraved in human human culture.
• Paul wielded this sword strenuously. (v.17)

2. Work hard to gain their interest. 

a. The Opportunity to Witness:
    Paul had the opportunity to address the highest assembly in Athens.   (vv.18-20)

• Some were curious to learn about this new ‘philosophy’.
• They invited him to speak at the city council of Mars’ Hill.

b. The Point of Contact:
Paul began by commending their religious zeal. (v.22)

• They had set up an altar for the ‘unknown god’. (v.23)
• Paul would now make God known to them (vv.24-27):

⃝ His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence

⃝ His universal claims upon all men

c. The Different Approach:

• Instead of beginning with God’s promise of salvation, Paul began with religion in general.
• Instead of using OT prophecies, Paul used the writings of Greek poets.
• The means that we use to communicate truths about God depends on the audience we are reaching out to.

3. Use concepts that are familiar to them. 

Paul’s audience at Mars’ Hill was familiar with: 

a. Greek Philosophers

• The Epicureans and Stoics believed that polytheism is not true.
• Epicureans believed that God is not concerned with what happens to man, and that the purpose of life is to seek pleasure.
• Stoics believed that everything is God, and that the purpose of life is to seek harmony with nature through using one’s rational powers.
• Paul argued against the idea that an idol could be God. (vv.24-25)
• He dealt with the purpose of life which is to seek after God and have a close relationship with Him. (vv.26-27)

b. Greek Poets

Their writings contained some universal truths (v.28).

• Epimenides (600 BC) had written concerning God, “But thou art not dead; thou livest and abidest forever, For in thee we live and move and have our being.”
• Aratus (300 BC) had written: “It is with [God] that every one of us in every way has to do, for we are also His offspring.”

c. Greek Reasoning

Paul used logical reasoning:

• God has ended the times of ignorance concerning Himself. (v.30)
• Therefore, all idolatrous beliefs and practices should now cease.
• God validated His revelation by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. (v.31)

Paul was dismissed when he spoke about Christ’s resurrection. (v.32)

The resurrection of Christ cannot be omitted from the Gospel.

4. Present the Gospel fully and trust God for the results.

• The content must always be the same.
• Expect to face disappointments, doubts and excuses.
• God alone does all the saving, not our efforts or skill. (cf. v.34)
• Culture is no barrier to the Gospel. (cf. Revelation 7:9-12)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What opportunities are there for cross-cultural witnessing among your own social contacts?
2. What good things can you appreciate in other cultures? How can these help to present the truths of the Gospel?
3. How can you prepare yourself to share the gospel cross-culturally?