INTRODUCTION - GOD SENDS HIS TRUTH TO THE RICH & THE POOR, TO THE WISE AND TO THE UNWISE EQUALLY

• Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin Court- and was killed- Paul stands-Supreme Court of Athens
• Here the wisest of the Philosophers sat in judgement on new ideas and doctrines
• But here, it is the court and the judges who are on trial of God- will they accept the truth of the Gospel as it is presented to them or will they go on in darkness?

I. HOW GOD USES MEN

Here is a great city- much worship, very religious, many temples,-but lost & Hell bound

A.  GOD USES MAN AND HIS PROBLEMS, OVERRIDING MAN'S CIRCUMSTANCES TO WORK HIS GLORY

1. V. 13 Paul had a good ministry in Berea- but Judaizers stirred up the people-he had to leave
2. He had to leave his friends- not of his choosing, but for the sake of friends he would not fight
3. He had to wait for his friends in Athens- the center of the Intellectual world- great city-culture

B.  GOD USES MAN'S FREE TIME, AND EVEN OUR WAITING CAN BE OF REAL PROFIT FOR US-

1. Paul's spirit was stirred at the Idolatry he saw- v16, from Pireaus-60' high Long Walls-Athens
2. He reasoned with Jews in Synagogue- then in the Agora v.17 wherever he could find listeners
3. This great white city- temples, idols, Great Statues surrounded by mountains-& hill within

C.  GOD USES MAN'S CURIOSITY, AND THE PEOPLE WERE CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT NEW THING PAUL HAD

1. Paul met the -Epicureans-atheists, materialist, highest aim-to gratify self-pleasure-sensual
2. and the Stoics- Pantheists,-stern legalists, educated pride, opposed humility-self denial
3. They were curious- He preached Jesus & resurrection- 14b so to Areaopagus - Supreme Court

It was here that they had condemned Socrates- now searching for some new doctrine-

II.  HOW A MAN OF GOD DELIVERS GOD'S WORD

There are many different types of sermons used in the Bible- & used today- but observe this

A.   THE INTRODUCTION - YOU MUST HAVE THE ATTENTION OF THE AUDIENCE, SO PAUL USED A GOOD WAY - v. 22,23

1. Paul used their own interests- he knew the hearts of men- Began with a compliment-22b-
2. He had seen their Idols- & did not deny them- but had seen one- "To an unknown God"
3. His introduction included the startling promise of info-"I know YOUR unknown God"

B.  PAUL PICTURED THE UNKNOWN GOD TO THE SCIENTISTS, LAWYERS, PHILOSOPHERS, WHO KNEW THE WORLD!

1. His first point- God made the world- v.24, is spiritual, -v.25 -not dependent upon man!
2. God created man-(of one blood- did you know? & established times- & natural boundaries.-
3. v.27-8- Men should seek the God who created them He is not far - Paul quotes Poet- 28b.

C.  NOW PAUL MOVES HIS LOGIC & ARGUMENT TO THE REAL MESSAGE - DOWN WITH IDOLS, UP WITH JESUS CHRIST

1. v.29 - Idols are not reasonable so v. 30 -Ignorance is inexcusable- so repent-(change minds)
2. God will Judge the Judges-v.31.and God has ordained "that man"- Jesus will judge hearts
3. As proof (authority) - a miracle- to all men! -"He raised Him from the dead" (bombshell)

No matter how easy the soulwinner might creep up on a person- here it is-Jesus- God!

III.  HOW MEN REACT TO GOD'S MESSAGE

Sooner or later- strategy, courtesy, kindness, -all come to this point-Behold the Man!

A.  SOME MOCKED - The hardest thing for many to bear today- RIDICULE & MOCKERY - v.32b

1. They prided themselves on being open minded- giving everyone right to speak- but they didn't
2. The Philosophers blamed Paul for unveiling their ignorance-of resurrection-, not scientific
3. The idolaters took their sin out on Paul- but God is not mocked- look to history

B.  SOME WOULD HEAR AGAIN, SOME JUST PUT OFF A DECISION, ETERNAL DELAY - v.33

1. This saying echoes through many hearts today- religious, sincere (almost) -but procrastinate
2. Most of them never again heard Paul preach- they had lost their one chance- & died in sin & gone!
3. The eternal procrastinator today- keeps putting off until he is dead

C.   SOME BELIEVED - CLAVE UNTO PAUL, AND LET GOD WORK A MIRACLE IN THEIR HEARTS v.34

1. One of these was Dionysius-Supreme Court Judge- he had a record of a day of darkness- when Christ Died
2. Another was a woman- Damaris - Thank God for women who are receptive to the Lord-
3. v.27- God is near enough to be found by any of us- if we will have faith-

The Gospel was plain enough to save a Judge and a woman- what about you?

CONCLUSION - GOD HAS COMMANDED THAT YOU REPENT, v.30 - AND THOUGH YOU HAVE SURVIVED THUS FAR - NOW!

1. The Holy Spirit's message of salvation is reasonable & scientific- why not accept him now
2. If you delay- & procrastinate- you are mocking God just as these did long ago!

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