Sermon: The Unknown God Revealed | Acts 17:16-32

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters. Today, we will explore a powerful passage from Acts 17:16-32, where Paul addresses the people of Athens. His approach and message offer profound lessons on how we can proclaim Christ in a diverse and pluralistic world. Our sermon will be divided into three sub-topics: "Seeing with Compassion," "Engaging with Wisdom," and "Proclaiming with Clarity.".

In Acts 17:16-32, Paul introduces them to the "Unknown God" they had been worshiping without knowing. This passage offers profound insights into how we can engage with those around us who are searching for truth, meaning, and purpose in life.

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, permit me remind you all that, here at Christian Family Home Fellowship, after presenting the gospel we usually have a session where the audience share with us what they have learned, as well as ask questions about what they still have doubts. Therefore dear brothers and sisters, as we dive into our message, kindly do well to be very attentive and take down notes. If you are reading this message instead, kindly ask your questions or make any contributions right below or whereever comments are appropriate.

Scripture Reading | v16-32

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Then also, some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, “What is this pseudo-intellectual trying to say? ” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities” — because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the Resurrection.19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you’re speaking of? 20 For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these ideas mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new. The Areopagus Address 22 Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it — He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring. 29 Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.”

1. Seeing with Compassion:

Biblical text | Acts 17:16

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

Identification of a gap is fundamental to making a change in the community. In the above passage, we learn that Paul sees a city full of idols - this was the problem identified through the Holy Spirit. His heart was moved with compassion and distress when he saw this in Athens. He saw the Athenians as sheep without a shepherd, and this was a deep concern for him.

Matthew 9:36 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Having the holy spirit within us entails our personal responsibility, among other positive traits, to consistently take appropriate action in introducing those around us to the savior. Paul recognized the significant opportunity to introduce the Athenians to the Savior. How would you address this situation? Would you react emotionally or proceed as Paul did with his usual activities?

Regrettably, in modern times, many of us tend to react emotionally, which may not be the most effective approach. This is why Paul focused on what he knew best, spreading the gospel in the synagogue and the public market. Paul favored this method because he had faith that his God was more powerful than the idols, and he believed that his God was sovereign, with every knee bowing at the mention of His name.

Imagine a teacher who observes students facing difficulties in their academics with books that they think will assist them in passing their exams. However, these books turn out to be unsuitable for the students' needs. Rather than scolding them, the teacher shows compassion and provides additional assistance and support by engaging in conversations about suitable books in their environment. Similarly, we are called to see the spiritual needs around us with compassion and a desire to help.

Talking about Jesus in the synagogue and in public places drew the attention of the Athenians and created a friendly environment for Paul to introduce God to them in a wise manner. This takes us to our second sub-topic, which is....

2. Engaging Wisely:

Biblical text | Acts 17:22-23

22 Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it — He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.

Discussing a new deity with a community devoted to other gods can present significant challenges, particularly when the potential outcome is uncertain. It was crucial for Paul to carefully select his words in order to avoid being stoned by the people and to ensure they would be receptive to the new God - a task that was his paramount mission..

Faced with this challenge, filled and guided by the holy spirit, Paul engaged the Athenians with wisdom, acknowledging their religiousness and using it as a bridge to introduce them to the true God.

Colossians 4:5-6 - Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Think of a doctor who explains a complex medical condition to a patient using simple and relatable terms. The doctor’s wisdom in communication helps the patient understand and accept the necessary treatment. In the same way, we should seek wisdom in how we communicate the gospel.

Paul then goes ahead to reveal to the Athenians that the unknown gods they have been worshiping is actually the one who created everything and who sustains all life. In Him, we find our true identity and purpose. This God, though is not far from any of us (v27), is not confined to temples or idols.

In our world today, people create modern idols out of money, success, or technology. However, Psalm 115:4-8 reminds us that idols have no life, breath, or power.

Psalm 115:4-8 - Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. Those who make them are1 just like them, as are all who trust in them.

 Learn more important lessons about Paul's approach are found here>>.

3. Proclaiming with Clarity:

Biblical text | Acts 17:30-32

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 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.

Paul boldly and clearly proclaimed the message of repentance and the resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing that God is not far from any of us and desires a relationship with us.

Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Like Paul, our role as believers is to help others understand that God is accessible and longs for a personal relationship with each of us.

Consider how a parent longs to be close to their child, to guide and support them. Similarly, God longs to be close to us, His children.

This message is as relevant today as it was then. People need to understand the gravity of their choices and the reality of God's judgment. However, the good news is that God has provided a way of salvation through Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead.

Romans 10:9 assures us, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

The reactions to Paul's message were mixed—some sneered, while others were intrigued and wanted to hear more.

Matthew 13:1-8 - Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

In conclusion, as we go about our daily lives, let us be like Paul—seeing with compasion, engaging with wisdom, and proclaiming God with clarity. We may face rejection, but we will also encounter those whose hearts are prepared to receive the gospel. May we be faithful witnesses, pointing others to the God who made them, loves them, and desires to be known by them.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to recognize the spiritual hunger in those around us and to share the truth of Your love and salvation with boldness and compassion. May we be instruments of Your grace, leading others to seek and find You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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