Acts 17 Paul at Mars Hill

Maybe you’ve heard about the gorilla in a zoo holding a Bible in one hand & a book about evolution in the other.

He was looking confused, so someone asked, “What are you doing?”

 The gorilla answered, “Well, I’m trying to decide if I’m my brother’s keeper or my keeper’s brother.”

There are people in this world that are very confused.

They literally think that the material universe is all that there is. 

They believe that there is only the box of this world and this cosmos.

They believe that the universe got here by chance – the earth was created by a random explosion.

And then after billions of years – through random chemical processes life on earth began as a single cell organism and then evolved into the high complex life forms that we see today.

Discoveries in astronomy and physics have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning.

Prior to that moment there was nothing; during and after that moment there was something: our universe.

Was there really just a big bang that started what we call the starry universe and planet earth? Or was there something else behind it all?

 Was it/is it actually the creation of a divine being?

I’m sure there are many people in our world today and even here in America who still question how we got here and how the universe came into existence.

ILL.- The story is told that Sir Isaac Newton had a replica of our solar system made in miniature. In the center was the sun with its planets revolving around it.

A scientist entered Newton’s study one day, and exclaimed, “My! what an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?”

 “Nobody!” replied Newton to the questioner who was an unbeliever. The man said, “You must think I am a fool. Of course somebody made it, and he is a genius.”

 Laying his book aside, Newton arose and laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder and said:

 “This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you and I know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer and maker;

yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker.

Now tell me, by what sort of reasoning do you reach such a conclusion?”

Newton was right.

 If a person can believe that someone built such a simple thing as a doghouse, when they why can’t they believe that there is a creator for the starry universe in all of its limitless wonder!

Friday night I got home very late, but it was a beautiful clear night. 

I stopped in my driveway for just a minute and looked at the sky and saw the vast starry host.

I wish we could get a glimpse into the night sky without light pollution and see what the ancients saw.

We might just have more respect for this wonderful universe that God created.

We might just sit back and think about the Creator behind this majestic creation.

It is just a mere glimpse into the Glory of God. 

We know deep in our bones that there is more to life than just the material world of stuff.

We know that there is a God who is There and Has Spoken.

A God that directed all of this – is Sovereign and is in control.  A God who has directed all the beginning of life on earth and has a purpose for us.

Our Text this morning is in Acts 17- We find Paul sharing the Gospel with people that think like many of the confused people of this world.

Lets pick up this morning with our passage in Acts 17

Acts 17: 16-21

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say ?" Others , "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,"-because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming ? 20 "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears ; so we want to know what these things mean ." 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) 22So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Paul is going to share the Gospel with some of the educated elite of the ancient world.

In our text, the apostle Paul was in Athens, a city of a great many philosophers and great thinkers of the day.

The Areopagus or hill was a place of assembly. There the supreme court of Athens met.

Areopagus translated literally into English is the phrase Mars Hill

This is where we get the title the sermon at Mars Hill.

This was the meeting place of Athens elite and most educated.

Paul is going into what would be considered the very cradle of Western Civilization.

This is the birthplace of Greek Philosophy and the concept of Greek style democracy. 

 And it was from this place that Paul gave his speech about the God who made the world and what He did.

The God who made the world: just who is He? And what has He done?

PROP.- What about the God who made the world?

1- The God who made the world wants to be known

2- The God who made the world no longer overlooks ignorance

3- The God who made the world proves Himself convincingly

I. THE GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD WANTS TO BE KNOWN

Paul is going to launch into his sermon and make his case for the God that wants to be known.

The God that is revealed in Scripture is not an impersonal force.

The God of Scripture is a God that loves and communicates- God wants a relationship with us and that is the case Paul will make:

Acts 17: 26-27

26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

A few ideas we can take from this – God is in ultimate control.

He has set the very boundaries of the nations.  He has set the times and boundaries of our nations of the world.

Think about that –even our own country – God has set a plan for us.

If you ever wonder if there is a purpose in this life, just remember this passage – God has a purpose and God is working out His will in this world.

God wants us to seek Him.  To grope for him.

We live in a time when people are searching for something.  They are looking for spirituality in all the wrong places.

They are trying to get in touch with the transcendent.  But they neglect the very source of information.

The Bible – we have access to God’s word like never before.

In the 1400’s up until the year 1500 there were only 90 bibles in all of Europe.

Now imagine that in the Western world only 90 Bibles.

By the end of the 1600’s there were over 50,000 bibles in Europe because of the printing press.

Never has God worked to show us His will in history like He has now.

In our day science has made great strides to show that Evolution is a bankrupt theory. 

Scientists are now in agreement that he Universe had to have a beginning.

For a long time people believed in two theories ins science – the eternal material world or the rebounding universe.

Now we have science telling us for sure time and matter had a beginning.

Scientists are now calling the Universe an Elegant Universe.

It is one that shows signs of design.

Today God’s creation is crying out – I am the Creator God – I am Majestic and all powerful.

And the Bible is telling us that this God has spoken to us through His word. Through verbal communication. 

God wants to be known – he wants you to find Him – he loves you and wants a relationship with you.

The same God that made the Milky Way wants you to be His child.

That is mind blowing.

Sherlock Holmes and Watson go on a camping trip.

Several hours later Holmes awakes and looks up at the sky and says tell me what you say?

Watson – I see millions and millions of stars.

Holmes replies – no Watson  What do you see?

Watson – well astrologically I see that Saturn is part of the constellation Leo, meteorologically we are going to have a good day of weather tomorrow, and theologically God is all powerful.

Holmes  is quiet for a minute and them remarks – Watson you idiot, Someone has stolen our tent!!

Today Satan has stolen some people’s good sense – Good ole fashioned sense sees that the world has been specially created by God.

Let me tell you some things that modern science tells us about how finely tuned our earth is:

1)    Our galaxy – the milky way is just the right size

Scientists tell us that if the milky way were any larger life on earth would not exist .

If it were any smaller life would not exist.

The milky way is just the right size for life on earth to exist.

2)   Our tilt is just right

If you tilt were any different of this earth we would have drastic tidal changes.

Our seasons are set just right with the tilt of the earth.

Not tilt of the earth no life on planet earth.

3)    The moon’s size and the moon’s distance away are just right.

The moon is perfect in size and perfect in distance so that our tidal patterns are just right.

Any different and life on earth would cease to exist.

4)    Our rate of rotation

If it were any faster atmostpheric winds would be too fast

5)    Our magnetic field of the earth is just right

Strong enough to hold in the ozone layer but not too strong to cause too big of electromagnetic storms.

6)    The thickness of the earth’s crust – if it were any thicker too much oxygen would be absorbed into the crust and we would die

If too thin there would be too much volcanic and earthquake activity.

You see God made this earth special.

God set it up for us to have a habital planet because He cares and wants to have a  relationship with you.

II. THE GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD NO LONGER OVERLOOKS IGNORANCE

Acts 17: 30-31

30"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

Walter Heller was a leading American economist of the 1960s, and an influential advisor to President John F. Kennedy He said one time:

While I was speaking to the Denver Independent Banker’s Association, one of the bankers suddenly hollered out, “You’re stupid!”

Well, that may be true, but you don’t like it publicly acknowledged.

 Five minutes later, I tried to keep my composure when he said the same thing.

I noticed a slight slur in his voice.

So I was ready for him the third time.

When he said, “You’re stupid!”

 I retorted, “Yes, and you’re drunk.”

 He replied, “Yes, but tomorrow I will be sober and you will still be stupid.”

Brothers and sisters, I tend to believe that many Americans are not too bright.

 I mean, how can a person live in the US and not believe in Jesus where there are so many churches and so much preaching of Christ on TV?

There is a point, however, when God will no longer overlook ignorance. It is beyond me how anyone living in America and in most parts of the world where anyone can say, “Who is Jesus?”

But our ignorance goes even further.

This ignorance overlooks how God has communicated in Christ to us.

Shown us His love in the cross and hope in the resurrection. 

What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy??

I don’t know and I don’t care.

Many people don’t know about Jesus and don’t care to know about Jesus.

BUT THERE IS TIME WHEN GOD WILL NO LONGER OVERLOOK IGNORANCE AND INDIFFERENCE.

 And I think we’re living in that time!

I think it’s high time for people to believe in Jesus and become a follower of His.

 I think it’s time for people to surrender the Lordship of Jesus!

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Are we ever guilty of not doing as Jesus tells us to do as recorded in scripture?

 Well, yes! We’re all guilty.

 It’s relatively easy to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ,” but it could be a different matter when it comes to “doing” what we know He wants us to do.

It’s time for people to quit playing ignorant.

 I am quite confident that many people in America believe in Jesus but they just don’t want to commit to Him in any form and that’s probably because they are having too much fun right now.

They may well fear that when they make a public confession of faith in Jesus that the fun times may stop but that’s when the real fun begins!

ILL.- In “The Worry Clinic,” columnist Dr. George Crane tells of the disclosure made by a clerk in the law office of Clarence Darrow, the famed criminal lawyer and self-acclaimed atheist.

Said the clerk, “As Darrow lay dying, he hastily summoned three clergymen—a Presbyterian minister, a Catholic priest, and a Jewish rabbi.

 “He said to them, ‘Gentlemen, I have written and spoken many things against God and the churches during my lifetime. Now I wished I hadn’t! Now I realize it is entirely possible that I may have been wrong. So I should like to ask a final favor that each one of you intercede for me with the Almighty.”

Judgment’s coming! The God who made the world no longer overlooks ignorance!

III. THE GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD PROVES HIMSELF CONVINCINGLY

Verse 31 of Acts 17 tells us that God gives us evidence of his presence.

He give us evidence that He loves us and created this world.

God has given solid proof that some day He will judge the world.

ILL.- The renowned artist Paul Gustave Dore (1821-1883) lost his passport while traveling in Europe.

When he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards.

Giving his name to the official, Dore hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass.

 The guard, however, said that many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to be persons they were not.

Dore insisted that he was the man he claimed to be.

"All right," said the official, "we’ll give you a test, and if you pass it we’ll allow you to go through."

Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby.

Dore did it so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His work confirmed his word!

God’s work confirms His Word as well.

What word? In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

 God confirms His Word with another proof. What’s that? Why are we here today? It’s the resurrection of Jesus Christ that proves the God who made the world!

ILL.- One writer put it this way:

1. Jesus predicted His own resurrection.

2. The Old Testament prophesied it.

3. The tomb was empty and the grave clothes were vacant.

4. Many people saw the resurrected Christ. They looked on His face, touched Him, heard His voice, and saw Him eat.

5. The lives of the disciples were revolutionized.

6. The resurrection was the central message of the early church.

The church grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and was the Lord of the church.

7. Men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives.

In Acts 25-26 we have the account of the apostle Paul standing before King Agrippa defending himself and his faith in Christ.

Acts 26:6 “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.”

Then Paul said these startling words: Acts 26:8 “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?”

I mean think about it, what I have shared with you this morning – knowing all of this is It impossible to believe that God does not raise the dead?

If the God who made the world can fling the stars into the sky and He can make planet earth and keep everything together and He can make you and me, why should we think it so incredible that He could raise Jesus from the dead?

The God who made the world does raise the dead!

The God who made the world raised Jesus and will raise us from the dead and give us eternal life through our faith in the resurrected Christ!

Today I want you to rest assured that there is a God.

That God is present and active in our world.

And that God has spoken conclusively. 

Let me close with this thought.

There are two groups of people here today:

1)    The Saved – in Christ.

A recent survey by George Gallup Jr. revealed a startling trend in our culture.

 According to Gallup the evidence seems to indicate that there are no clear behavioral patterns that distinguish Christians from non-Christians in our society.

 We all seem to be marching to the same drummer, looking to the shifting standards of contemporary culture for the basis of what is acceptable behavior.

That is a sad state of affairs – if you are in Christ today you should be different.

God has called you out of this world to be different a peculiar people.

If we believe any of what I have said today it should make a difference in our lives.

God has spoken through His bible and we should be people that align our lives with the book.

2)    IF you are lost today – Jesus died for you.  God wants to know you personally and have a loving relationship with you.

 

God wants to forgive you of your sin and set you free.