The Agitated Apostle in Athens
Paul and Silas were in Berea, sent there for their safety from Thessalonica. The Berean Jews were different and listened to Paul. But they also investigated and searched the scriptures to make sure that what Paul said was actually in the Bible (Acts 17:11). We too must test the preachers we listen to.
New Zealand is embracing postmodernism more and more, believing that there is no real or absolute truth. They think that everyone can have their own "truth." But Christians believe in absolute truth, which we find in God and His word. We believe that truth does not change with the times. This clash with secular society is constant. And even in churches, we have false teaching. Then how do we respond? How do we continue to be salt and light in these days?
Acts is a book of action. The first half is about Peter's life and the second half is about what Paul did. In Acts 17, we see that Paul comes to Berea. The Jews who were troubling Paul in Thessalonica followed Paul to Berea and troubled him there. So Paul went to Athens, where he was waiting for Silas and Timothy.
Athens was a place of idolatry. This is where Paul continued to preach. He preached in the market place where the common people were all the way to the Areopagus where the leaders were.
Spurgeon quote about Paul: "here we have an apostle who might be called Paul the Ready. The Lord Jesus no sooner called to him out of heaven, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” than he answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” Almost directly after, his question was, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He was no sooner converted, than he was ready for holy service; and “straightway he preached Christ” in the synagogues at Damascus. All through his life, whatever happened to him, he was always ready. If he had to speak to crowds in the street, he had the fitting word; or if to the elite upon Mars’ hill, he was ready for the philosophers. If he talked to the Pharisees, he knew how to address them; and when he was brought before the Sanhedrim, and perceived the Pharisaic and Sadducean elements in it, he knew how to avail himself of their mutual jealousies to help his own escape. See him before Felix, before Festus, before Agrippa, he is always ready; and when he came to stand before Nero, God was with him, and delivered him out of the mouth of the lion. If you find him on board ship, he is ready to comfort men in the storm; and when he gets on shore, a shipwrecked prisoner, he is ready to gather sticks, to help to make the fires. At all points he is an all-round man, and an all-ready man; always ready to go wherever his Master sends him, and to do whatever his Lord appoints him."
Paul did not lighten up the message, and he was fearless. [it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:25-26] In Gal 2, we see that he was not afraid to point out Peter's mistake. But we know that he knew that he was a sinner too, 1 Tim 1:15. God performed many miracles through him, as we see in Acts 19:12 that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. And yet he had a thorn in the flesh that troubled him. Paul had endless energy, and he had great tenderness for the brethren, so he writes in Phil 1:7, saying, "I hold you in my heart." This is apostle Paul.
PROVOCATION OF THE APOSTLE Acts 17:16 Paul was provoked by the idolatry. Are we concerned by the lostness of the people around us. Only the gospel saves. Idolatry steals the glory that rightly belongs to God. For zeal for your house has consumed me Ps 69:9.
PASSION OF THE APOSTLE Acts 17:17 When Paul is provoked, he acts. He shared the gospel with anyone and everyone who crossed his path. Work your circle for the gospel. Sharing your faith can be scary. [For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Rom 10:13-14] Let's use our freedom while we can.
PERCEPTIVENESS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 17:18-23 Paul was wise. He understood the epicureans who thought they knew a lot. They believed that pleasure was the most important thing in life. Much like people in our day. Paul also understood the stoics, who were like today's climate-change advocates, in the way they cared for the world and creatures without caring about the Creator. God had taken a provoked Paul to the Areopagus to preach there, and on the way he had noticed this altar to the unknown god, and he was able to use this in his preaching. We need the same perceptiveness to use our opportunities. [but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect 1Pet 3:15]
PREACHING OF THE APOSTLE Acts 17:24-31 This was Paul's first sermon to a non-Jewish audience. In Vs 24-28, we read of how he speaks about the characteristics of God. 1. God is the Creator of the universe 2. God is self sufficient 3. God created humanity. All lives matter. Daniel faithfully saved God, regardless of which kingdom he was serving in. 4. God desires for us to seek Him. 5. God is.the preserver of life. In Christ we live. He who began a good work will not let go of us. [I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20] In Vs 29-31, we read of what Paul says about our responsibilities to this God. 1. Do not commit idolatry. It is foolish to fit this God of the universe into a manmade image. 2. Repent. God overlooked the idolatry for a season. But now Jesus has come. [And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42] [For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, Jn 5:22] In Vs 31, we see that the proof of the gospel is the rising of Jesus, and Paul had to preach it. [For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor 9:16]
PERSEVERANCE OF THE APOSTLE Acts 17:32-34 Paul was not discouraged by the response, but he persevered. The Greeks did not believe that the body would be resurrected, although they believed that the spirit was eternal. The response was threefold. Some mocked Vs 32. Some wanted to hear more Vs 32. And some joined him, stuck to him like glue, and believed. Vs 34. No matter what the response is we, must persevere. We do not save. That is God's work. We only need to faithfully preach.
Are we provoked like Paul? Are we passionate like him. Are we perceptive? Do we work our circle? Do we preach the gospel? What is the worst case scenario if we do not share the gospel? They may not be saved. What is the worst case scenario if we do share the gospel? They may not like us. It is easy to see why we much persevere in preaching the gospel. May this encourage us to contend for the faith in this post modern hostile world.