So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
It had been a long strange trip to Athens, the capital of Greece. The city was full of gorgeous statuary, much of which was dedicated to the gods and goddesses of Greece. Indeed, the ancient Greeks were very religious, although not in the same way we may consider ourselves religious. Their gods were less personal, very selfish, prone to the weaknesses of humanity. In addition, much of the religious activity of the ancient world was political and even economic, not devotional.
The Areopagus was an ancient gathering place of ideas. Philosophers and scholars would debate and dictate and pontificate there. Think of it as akin to the internet today, an idea exchange, or perhaps like an ancient TED conference. There, the Athenean people had set up many statues to different gods and goddesses, and in addition, to be certain that they had not left anyone out, set up a stone to the agnostos theos, or “the unknown god…”
We immediately distance ourselves from the ancient people among whom Paul ministered. We assume that we are too modern and sensible to be polytheists, or idolaters. If only that were the case.
In America today, even with rising trends in atheism, in many ways we are more religious than we have ever been. This makes perfect sense. We were after all wired to worship. Idolatry is either exchanging the one true God for the worship of a false God, or the worship of the true God in a false way. We will worship something, or someone. Either the creator, or the creation, or even at times things that we created beings have created. It is possible even for Christians to be guilty of idolatry, of placing someone or something before God in our lives, as well as to worship God in a way that dishonors Him or grieves the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:5 warns for instance against those who hold to a form of godliness but deny God’s power.
Paul recognizing the amazing opportunity set before him, leans in to explain to them that He knew who this unknown God was, and that he wanted them to know Him as well:
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.
Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man…
Paul begins by making a case for God as the creator of all… that we would worship the Creator instead of the creation, or even worse, those things which we have created. I don’t believe this is a minor point.
I only want to point out to you that time and again, when the Scriptures appeal to us about God’s power, they point to His power as Creator. In fact, Paul will later write to the Romans:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20
But we will come back to this later:
We grope in the darkness, looking for something to satisfy our thirst, searching for God-particles, and anything that will explain us, that will heal and help us. But it is only when we realize that life is found in Christ alone that we truly begin to live.
v. 28 was whispered into my ear on the day of my ordination. I can’t say for sure if I had ever read it before that. “‘In him we live and move and have our being’, reminding us that it is only by the grace of Christ that we have anything, that we are able to do anything, and that we even are. For in Him we have our being. We are made by God and for God’s glory.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Times of ignorance were once overlooked. One source noted that this means “God did not bring immediate justice to the world in previous times.” But now has fixed a day. The clock is ticking, both for us personally and for all of Creation and in the meantime, God is commanding that all people everywhere should repent. That they should turn from their sin to avoid the wrath to come. He has fixed a day. A day that we do not know when (Matt 24:36), but we know that it is coming, and that HE is coming. The righteous man that he has appointed is His Son Jesus Christ:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Cor 5:10
And how do we know this? Paul says by the historical fact of he Resurrection.
How important is a belief in Jesus being raised from the dead? Let’s hear from Paul again:
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 1 Cor 15:14
So if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain. We are then to be most pitied of all because the belief that we hold closest to our hearts is indeed a lie. Worse still, if Christ has not been raise, there is no hope of salvation:
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Furthermore, let me say that if there is any road to Heaven other than by Christ, Jesus Himself is to be most pitied, because His sacrifice was needless. Why would God subject His son to the torments of crucifixion if there was any other way? Do you hear me?
I have to appreciate here what David Platt noted last night during Secret Church, that if ignorance of the Gospel was a way of escape, then we should stop preaching the Gospel.
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Now, I know what is on the line here. When people talk like this, some will mock you… but I say “What a small price to pay for the Gospel.”
Consider if you will the Hui (“Whey”) people of China, whose families will turn them out into the streets if they forsake Islam and embrace Christ.
Consider if you will Saeed Abedini, in prison since 2012, now serving a 12 year sentence for preaching the Gospel in Iran.
Fine then. Ridicule me for believing that God spoke all of Creation into existence. Snicker at me for teaching that there is a real Heaven and a real Hell, and that both are eternal destinies for mankind. Mock me when I say that they only way to salvation is not through adherence to a religious program, or to a Christian social club, or even to a church. “He saved us, not because of righteous things which we had done, but because of His mercy… [Titus 3:5].
Some hearts are so hard that it would seem as if no rain can penetrate them.
All must hear, but only some will listen.
Then others will say, “Let’s talk about this some other time…” The thought of a 2000 year old story having any relevance to them today will seem ludicrous. Those who confuse the Christian faith with a list of rules, or a regimen of spiritual fitness exercises, might just walk away from the water cooler when you start talking about a dead man walking out of a tomb.
So I wonder today about you.
Are you listening? Have you heard? Have you trusted Christ, have you turned away from your sin?
I love what the AWANA ministry defines the Gospel as. In two words, “substitutionary atonement”, or in four words, “Jesus in my place”.
I love the simplicity in that explanation. And most often, theology is best explained in simplicity, so perhaps you caught the BC Comic floating around in cyberspace this week about Good Friday. One character says, “I hate the term ‘Good Friday” to which the other replies, “Why?” the response comes, “My Lord was hanged on a tree that day.” To which the other replies, “If you were going to be hanged on that day, and he volunteered to take your place, how would you feel?” “Good.” ‘Have a nice day”.
So one more time: God created you. He alone is worthy of worship. We worship things other than God by putting them in front of Him. That is sin. Sin breaks fellowship with God. Without a savior, sin sends us to Hell. Jesus was born for the very sake of dying for your sins so that you would not have to die. He rose again that you might live. But you have believe that he rose from the dead. You have to repent, which means to turn from your sin, and you cannot be saved by your own goodness. You can only be saved in Christ alone.
Lastly friends, I want to urge you. Don’t wait until next time. We may think that we need to think this over, but the Lord may come again, or your time may come before then. So if you have not trusted Christ, now is the time. What better day to be risen from the dead than on Easter?
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