Paul preaches in Athens at the Areopagus to both Jews and Greeks about Jesus and the resurrection. Some philosophers debate with him and bring him before the Council to discuss his new teachings. Paul finds an "unknown god" altar and uses it as an introduction to proclaim the God who created everything. He quotes pagan poets to show they are God's offspring and urges repentance due to the coming day of judgment through the resurrected Jesus. Some mock while others want to hear more.

1. Acts 17:16-34 BORROWED SERMONS: FIRST WALK IN THEIR SHOES

2. Acts 17:16-34

3. Acts 17:16-34 TNIV In Athens 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

4. 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

5. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.“ 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

6. Lord, help me to overcome my prejudices so that I can be more effective as your representative. Move me from my comfort zone, please. I’m ready to open my mind and my heart to the plight of those who are far from you.

9. ● Paul has left a dangerous situation in Thessalonica. ● In Athens he’s waiting for two missionary buddies to show up.. ● The apostle takes advantage of the spare time to sun himself at the beach and go shopping. ● No! Not this guy! He teaches in the local synagogue and proclaims the good news of Jesus in the market place. TURNING A LAY-OVER INTO A PREACHING POINT

10. ● He spoke to all who would listen. ● Philosophers overheard his message and insisted on hearing more…although it was confused them. ● Guest speaker at the hot spot of Philosophy and New Ideas CARRYING THE JESUS LANTERN INTO DARK PLACES

11. ● Although horrified and dismayed by the abundance of idols he found a way to compliment his audience: “I see in every way that you are very religious.” ● Surveyed the situation well enough to spot an entry point for the Gospel: “I even found an altar with this inscription: To An Unknown God”. A MIGHTY SAVVY AMBASSADOR FOR JESUS

12. ● Used their own story as an introduction to his message: “Now what you worship as unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” He used their current place as a launching pad for the message. ● Quoting a local poet (how’s that for knowing your audience): “We are His offspring.” A MIGHTY SAVVY AMBASSADOR FOR JESUS

13. ● “ Therefore, since we are God’s offspring…” ● A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY: “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. The day of judgment is set.” ● THE PUNCH LINE: “He has given proof of this to all men by raising Jesus from the dead.” AN AMAZING EVANGELIST: PAUL USES THE PAGAN VERSES AS HIS SERMON TEXT

14. To the Jews I became like a Jew , to win the Jews… To those under the law I became like one under the law ... To those not having the law I became like one not having the law … To the weak I became weak … I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. --I Corinthians 9:20-23 YIKES! WHAT AN AMAZING AND REVOLUTIONARY METHOD OUTREACH

16. Remembering that Jesus includes outsiders like me. Remembering the way of Jesus.

17. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I choose to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

18. Jesus Gave His Life For Us! We Celebrate This Opportunity Of Expressing Our Thankfulness.

20. ● Turn from people who are different than us ● Don’t associate with those who are odd or on a different path ● Argue our position rather than hear others out SO OFTEN WE MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FAITHFUL WITNESSES

21. ● Walk in the other person’s shoes ● Try to understand why they are who they are ● Look for a connecting point ● Know them ● Love even the unlovely and offensive PAUL TEACHES US (AND JESUS WAS THE MASTER OF THIS) TO:

22. IT IS ANOTHER WAY OF PUTTING OTHERS FIRST!

23. ● Hardware …nose, ear, bellybutton piercings? ● Blaring boom boxes and outrageous music? ● Massive tattoos? IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD …HOW COULD WE CONNECT WITH THESE FOLK?

24. BOTTOM LINE: It’s time to be a generous ambassador of God and hang up the judge’s black robe.

26. PRAYER & PRAISE

27. Lord, help me to overcome my prejudices so that I can be more effective as your representative. Move me from my comfort zone, please. I’m ready to open my mind and my heart to the plight of those who are far from you.

28. Go and bless others. Because, God can do anything, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request through you toward others.