Acts 17:16-34 - How the lonely seedpicker educated the intellectuals
Paul was run off from Berea by the Thessalonians. Silas and Timothy meeting him in Athens.
Athens = cultural center of Greece. At its pinnacle, home of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.
Epicurus - developed Epicureanism; Zeno - developed Stoicism. These were the predominant philosophies of the day.
Acts 17:16 - Athens = beautiful city. But Paul's spirit provoked. "Angered or irritated by all the idols. Psm. 69:9 Other examples: Moses (golden calf), Jesus - drove money changers from the temple. They all had great zeal for God, and took the worship of Him very seriously.
There was the Parthenon to worship Athena; the Erectheion - worship of multiple gods; a temple to the goddess Roma, and tons more. Paul could not help himself. Had to do something. Had a great zeal for the Lord.
Things needed to be a good missionary.
A. Good missionaries must have a zeal for God's Glory.
Acts 17:17 - Paul went to the synagogue. Also, the market place everyday. He couldn't stop. Had a love for the people.
B. Good missionaries must have compassion for people. Mark 6:34 - Jesus had compassion for people.
Acts 17:18 - While on the streets, ran into the Epicureans and Stoics. According to John MacArthur, "Epicurean philosophy taught that the chief end of man was the avoidance of pain. Epicureans were materialists - they did not deny the existence of God, but they believed He did not become involved with the affairs of men. When a person died, they believed his body and soul disintegrated. Stoic philosophy taught self-mastery - that the goal in life was to reach a place of indifference to pleasure or pain."
Least self-aware statements ever made "what is this babbler trying to say?" - word for seed picker (bird) just picking up bits of knowledge.
Acts 17:19-21 - Areopolis = place where the council that used to convene. The used to govern the city-state. Council was the gatekeeper of religion and morality. On the hill of Ares - the Roman equivalent of Mars (god of war and agriculture). This was a very big venue. Was Paul nervous? Probably not!!
Acts 17:22-23 - was a common group. Started off with a compliment.
C. Good missionaries meet people where they're at. ie: Zacchaeus - Luke 19:5-10 (tough person to love)
Acts 17:24-28 - Paul hits truth. Who GOD is. (greater than all the gods) One man Adam, Greeks and Barbarians, build kingdoms. All this flies in the face of pagan Greeks.
D. Good missionaries are bold!!!
Comes fro righteous living and right standing with God - Prov. 28:1
Comes from time with Jesus - Acts 4:13
Comes from knowing the truth.
E. Good missionaries call people to repent and turn to Christ.
Acts 17:27-31 - God is not far,is omnipresent. He is invested here. Philosophers not like that. Judgment is coming.
Paul quotes Epimenides of Crete and Stoic Poet Aratus. Connection point = truth in God's word. Does not agree with everything.
Acts 26:24 - Paul = brilliant. Stands on truth and the Holy Spirit.
F. Good missionaries know their audience.
G. Good missionaries aren't ashamed of God or His Word - Rom. 1:16, Col. 2:6-10
Paul talks a lot about the resurrection even though ghe Greeks mock it. (thought he was talking about two deities.)
But, Paul on solid ground. Polytheistic Greeks were not. Philosophers were not. We are to be ambassadors, serving Christ as King, building the Kingdom, He is head over every power and authority.
H. Good missionaries know God will handle the results. Acts 17:32-33
Some mocked, some looked down noses, some postpones, but some believed - Dionysius - member of the council and possibly a bishop; also a woman named Damaris, and others.
We don't control the results. Must be faithful, have passion for God, compassion for people, proclaim the truth of the Word, have guts to share. Paul had a burning passion. Do you?
Maybe you are headlong into religions and philosophies but left empty. Thirsty.
Come to Jesus.
Closing Scripture: Psm. 72:17-19
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