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Acts 17:16. Here is Paul in the great University city of Athens - one of the centres of man's learning and wisdom and knowledge.

All the great brains are here. All the foremost philosophers and thinkers. So what!

In the U.K., we have had all the so-called great brains transforming education over these past years, and now they are searching, for some basic guidance to try and teach children the difference between right and wrong - and failing miserably. Wander away from the Word of God and you will soon be in deep and serious trouble.

Athens was so full of temples and shrines, and today we have all these around us too. No wonder Paul was 'greatly distressed'. As Paul looked at the city, what he saw troubled and disturbed him. He becomes upset and exasperated by what he hears and sees.

Paul goes into the synagogue, and meets with the Jews and seeks to reason with them. Many were devout and sincere, but they had no signs of the life of God within them.

Then he met the philosophers - the so-called wise men - those who were regarded by others as wise - and they probably regarded themselves as wise.

The first group he met with - The Epicureans - they said and taught - "there is only one thing worth seeking - pleasure. Enjoy yourselves - life is for pleasure - and when you die that's it." Sound familiar? There are many such around today. (We have a shop called Epicurus just next to where we meet for worship.)

The second group - the Stoics - they said - "Be self-sufficient - independent - rely upon no-one but yourself - need nobody." They held to the view that virtue and morality and self-control were of great value. They were humanists - teaching that man can rise by his own efforts, and there is no God to help him anyway.

"Enjoy it" - or - "Stick up and stand up for yourself". Strangely modern.

Some people might admire these philosophers for being broad-minded and so tolerant of other people's beliefs. But the sad truth is - they were blown about by every wind - every shade of opinion - with no anchor and no rock.

And they said - "What will this babbler say?" They are regarded as wise and well-educated, but note how they speak when referring to a man of God.

Some said, "He appears to be setting forth some strange gods. This is something new and strange we are hearing." What was it that was so new? Jesus and the resurrection.

He preached to them Jesus - the life and ministry of Jesus Christ - the cross and the resurrection and their significance and importance.

Verse 19. They brought him to the Areopagus. This was the university area where they licensed philosophers. This was where the philosophers spent their time hearing new things - new ideas - fascinating philosophical concepts - they were interested more in what was new than what was true. And, Paul went.

Paul would go wherever there was the opportunity of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he preached the full gospel - not just half a Gospel. He would preach that people should repent and turn to God as they believed in Jesus Christ, be baptised in water and receive the Holy Spirit.

That is our task - to go wherever there is an open door and opportunity - and to proclaim the whole Gospel. The early church was courageous and fearless in preaching the full Gospel. Is our witness courageous and bold and fearless? Do people know where we stand regarding Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the gospel?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A Great House Falls