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In Acts 17:22, Paul accepted the invitation to contribute at the Areopagus in Athens, the philosophical centre, in the University city, where they enjoyed philosophical arguments, debates and discussions. Paul discerns the situation as he rises to speak - "Men of Athens - I see in every way that you are very religious - superstitious.

If we get the first two commandments wrong, we will have difficulties and problems with the other eight. Note carefully what is being taught - 1. Only ONE GOD and - 2. No graven images. If your ideas of God are wrong, you'll get your ideas of goodness wrong. If your beliefs are wrong your behaviour will be wrong. If your creed is wrong you conduct may be suspect.

I see all your superstitions. Your many religious idols and altars are all around me. In one place I read of an altar to AN UNKNOWN GOD. How did this appear in Athens? 500 year previously - a pestilence - a disease came - and many died. People asked, "Which god is angry? How can we placate him and please him?" A poet called Epiminides suggested - send a flock of black and white sheep down the street - and where they lie down - at the nearest altar - that will be the god that is angry. We will sacrifice the sheep to him!

The sheep passed every single altar and lay down in a field and Epiminides said, "There is a god we don't know about. We will build an altar to this god about whom we know nothing. There is a god who is unknown!" Now - Paul is saying - "I have come to tell you who He is."

That was a most useful walk he took when he was 'greatly distressed'. Times of distress and upset and loneliness CAN be productive and profitable.

"You are very religious, but you are not very sure. You may be learned and educated but you don't know everything. This unknown God is the God Who made everything. He is the Creator and He cannot be limited to a building. It was God Who gave us breath. HE made us from ONE MAN!"

Paul quotes, not from the Bible, but from their own literature - and, God is not far from us. Is it not significant that Paul speaks about CREATION - a topic which is at the very heart of our agenda today. We can uphold the authority of Scripture from the very first verse, and we never need to feel embarrassed or intellectually inferior for believing the Bible. Jesus quotes from Genesis Chapter 1,2 and treats the record of Noah and the Flood as fact.

But the shock comes in verse 30 when referring to the idolatry in Athens Paul says that God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. Paul confronts them with reality. They have floated around on philosophical clouds for long enough. Paul faces them with the reality of their own sin. Sin makes us worship idols. Sin can blind us even when we are looking for Jesus Christ. The call is repent - turn from your sins to Jesus. Turn from walking in one direction - to walking with Jesus Christ.

v. 31. He reaches a climax, and speaks about a day of judgement, when the risen Lord Jesus Christ will judge the world. Paul lost most of his hearers!

1. Resurrection from the dead. 2. Repentance. 3. Judgement. Most of these well-educated sinners could not take this. This was NOT philosophy. This was reality, and it offended them. This was far too much. Too extreme. One day when these people meet Jesus Christ, then there will be no doubt that HE is risen and alive.

There were 3 reactions - Firstly - Laughter or ridicule or mocking. "That was some clown we had today." Secondly - Those who were convicted and uncomfortable as a consequence said, "You were very good - I'd like to hear you again sometime, but not today." Did they think there would be a later opportunity of coming to faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus was so near - meaningful - forgiving - merciful and loving. 'Not today' is a dangerous response. Procrastination is highly dangerous when it comes to salvation.

Thirdly - As Paul was leaving Mars Hill - a few became followers of Paul and believers - interesting order. Not many, just a few, but there is fruit.

Dionysius, one of the brainiest men in the world, Damaris, a cultured lady, and a number of others, knew they needed Jesus Christ. Paul was no failure in Athens. That day there were people converted from curiosity to commitment to Jesus Christ - from philosophy to faith - from discussion and debate to discipleship - from interest to involvement.

Jesus begins with us where we are, so that one day we can be where HE is.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

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