Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Acts - Our Story, Our Mission
Sermon Title: Paul in Athens
Passage: Acts 17:16-34
Preacher: Robin Philip
A Provoked & Burdened Spirit (17:16-21)
God stirs your spirit, He unsettles your comfort
Luke uses the word where we get the English word paroxysm; this was a righteous grief and burden.
Paul’s provocation (Romans 1:25) does not lead to anger, withdrawal, or numbness. It leads to conviction
Reflect on the following?
When was the last time lostness truly broke our hearts?
When was the last time we looked at your city with compassion instead of irritation?
Proclamation of the Living God (17:22–29)
He exposes their deepest problem: misdirected worship = they were worshiping in ignorance; an idol, not God.
“They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Romans 10:2
Every person longs for meaning, purpose, hope. That is why all people worship.
That is why people chase success, relationships, pleasure, money, and power over Jesus - it is misdirected worship.
“An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything that is so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.” - Tim Keller (Counterfeit Gods - The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters.
Reflect on the following?
What is absorbing your affection and devotion more than God?
What are you holding onto more tightly than Jesus?
What do you run to for comfort, identity, and peace before you seek His face?
A Pressing Call to Repentance (17:30–34)
So what is Paul inviting the people of Athens into? He is calling them to repentance just like God calls us to repentance.
Because God demands repentance from all (v30) - Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 2:1-3; Acts 3:19
Because God delays judgment in mercy (v310 = 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4
Because God declares a Day of judgment (v31) - Matthew 12:36; 2 Peter 3:10
Because God designates a Judge in Christ (v31) - Acts 10:42; John 5:22; Romans 3:10
