October 13, 2024 - Acts 17:22-34
October 13, 2024
Acts 17:16-34
Lessons Learned
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. “Athens was home to many philosophers, including Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno.” F.F. Bruce
2. “The Epicureans did not believe in life after death, their goal was to gain the greatest amount of happiness possible through life’s experiences.” Stagg {They indulged}
3. Stoics placed thinking above feeling and tried to live in harmony with nature and reason, suppressing the desire for pleasure. {They were indifferent}
4. “The city of Athens was comprised of three parts:” David M Wallace
The Acropolis- A spectacular outcropping of stone rising some 500 feet about the surrounding plain and city where the temple of Athena was built.
The Agora- The business center.
The Areopagus – A marble hill adjacent to the Acropolis from which a governing council ruled over the religious and moral life of Athens.
5. “In Athens it is easier to find a god than a man.” Greek Philosopher
6. Athens was the intellectual capital of the world.
7. Athens was named for the goddess Athena.
8. Athens was a center for pagan philosophy and pagan worship.
9. Greeks rejected the resurrection of Jesus. 1 Cor. 1:23, Acts 17:23
10. Jews rejected the suffering of Jesus. 1 Cor. 1:23
11. Paul’s message. Acts 17:22-31
God is creator.
World
God is supreme authority
God created all people came from one man (blood)
Man is designed to worship
How are men to respond to God? Repent
Why? A judgment day has been set.
Justice will be served.
How do I know this? The judge was raised from the dead!
12. Three responses to preaching the gospel.
A. Rejection
B. Not now, latter
C. Acceptance
13. Paul preached on a level they would understand.
14. Application:
Wherever you find yourself—make known the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Everyone will one day stand before Jesus the righteous judge to be judged by His standard of righteousness.
The title of our lesson is ‘Believe.’ Our goal is to help people believe Jesus died for their sins and rose from the grave so that they might repent of their sins to become children of God.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12 NKJV
Athens Aeropagus
Acropolis of Athenson