'The Unknown God



"The Unknown God!"

Acts 17:15-34

INTRO. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD...". This nation was built upon a love for God and His Word, but that seems to be quickly fading. America has, in the last 20 years, slowly forsaken God and His Holy Word. This can be evidenced by 30 million abortions since 1973, the name of God almost a reproach to be spoken in our schools unless used in profanity, God's people being classified as fanatics, unstable or unlearned. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." We are living in those times!

The United States, a nation built on God, is bowing down to many strange altars! Worshipping many strange gods! The god of pride, the god of power, the god of pleasure, and the god of sensuality; just to name a few. America has deified man and dethroned God in the process. America is fast becoming the land of the "Unknown God." I want to title the message, "The Unknown God!"

In Acts 17, we see a similar situation in the city of Athens, but to a greater extent. Athens was the center of learning and culture of its day. Many beautiful pieces of Art and Architecture could be viewed as one strolled down the streets of Athens. In fact, even today, in its ruins, we can see the Athenian's appeal to refinement and culture. But one thing was missing in Athens. The worship of the Almighty God! The Athenians were religious-minded people who worshipped many gods, except the true, almighty, living God! When the apostle Paul arrived in Athens this grieved his very soul; to see the city wholly given to idolatry.

Paul saw all the strange gods of paganism, but he saw no worship or fear for the true God. How sad! A city of great learning and culture, yet no evidence of the fear of the true God! Paul tried reasoning with the people. First, the Jews in the synagogue. Then to the Epicureans and Stoics, but all was to no avail. To the Athenians, Paul seemed to be a teller of strange gods, because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

They took Paul to the Areopagus, Mar's Hill, to plead his case. Here Paul would stand and proclaim to them the true God, who they'd forgotten. Let's see Paul's proclamation of God.

PAUL PROCLAIMED:

(1) The God Of All Creation

Text: Acts 17:22-26

*Mars Hill, from this point all of Athens could be viewed

*V22—“Superstitious”--In the Greek this word has a double meaning; first

of all, it means "religious", and secondly, it means "superstitious." The

Athenians were both “religious” in that they worshipped many gods, but

"superstitious” in having an idol to the "unknown god", not willing to leave

any out.

A. THE TRUTH OF CREATION. In Genesis 1:1 we read, "In the beginning God...". John 1:1-3 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Psalm 19:1-3 tells us, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16 Jesus Christ is the power of creation. The little baby who was born in a manger was the great Creator talked about in Genesis, chapter one. In fact, that little baby created His mother Mary in the first place. When He was born, He was as old as His Father, and older than His mother. If you look up the little word "for" in our passage today, you will discover that it means "motion toward an object." The reason for everything was Jesus. Not only was everything made by Him, but it was made for Him. And everything is coming back to Him. All of life will climax in Jesus Christ. He is the power of creation, the preserver of creation, and the purpose of creation.—Adrian Rogers

B. THE TRAGEDY OF CREATION. Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible

things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being

understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and

Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Matthew Henry said, “Our

Creator's invisible power and Godhead are so clearly shown in the

works he has made, that even idolaters and wicked Gentiles are left

without excuse.” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

God not only created all things, but controls all things!

(2) The God Of All Sustentation

Text: Acts 17:28

A. HE SUSTAINS (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3).

B. HE SUPPLIES. (Matthew 5:45b—“for he maketh his sun to rise on the

evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Romans 2:4 asks, “despisest thou the riches of his goodness and

forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God

leadeth thee to repentance?”

(3) The God Of All Salvation

Text: Acts 17:27, 29-30

A. SALVATION IS NEAR ALL. V27 says, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” Notice the word “seek” it is translated from Greek word which means "To reach out for" and "to diligently search for." Isaiah 55:6-7 exhorts us to, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Note also the words, “though he be not far from every one of us.” Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

B. SALVATION IS NECESSARY FOR ALL. NO ONE will reach Heaven apart from Jesus! He is the ONLY WAY! (Acts 4:11-12; John 14:6).

But the Lost must reach out in faith (Hebrews 11:6) and repent-Greek

word is "Metanoia" which means to "Change one's mind about sin and

turn from it to God." (Luke 13:5).

(4) The God Of All Judgment

Text: Acts 17:31

*One day all men from all ages will stand before God (Romans 2:16).

The Bible speaks of TWO JUDGMENTS (2 Timothy 4:1):

A. JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST FOR THE SAVED (2 Corinthians 5:10).

B. JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE FOR THE LOST

(Revelation 20:11-15).

All men will one day stand before God in one of these two judgments!

CLOSING: What altar are you bowing at this morning?

Lost Friend, Who is your god? Is your god meeting your need? Come meet the God Who can meet every need!

Christian, are you fully trusting and worshipping the Almighty God

today? Is He your life, your strength, and your all? If not, what

god has your attention?

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