A Spirit-Filled Word to Religious People

Continuing in the book of Acts this morning, the ascended King Jesus by the leading of the Holy Spirit has directed Paul to spread the gospel of the kingdom of God to Macedonia (chapter 16) and now south to the Roman province Achaia and its ancient city—Athens.

Introduction: Thessalonica > Berea > Athens

SPIRIT-LED OPPORTUNITIES: "While Paul was waiting...at Athens" (VV. 16–21)

o "he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons" (v. 17)

o "he reasoned...in the marketplace [Greek: agora] everyday with those who happened to be there" (v. 17)
• "Some of the Epicurean...philosophers also conversed with him" (v. 18)
• "Some of the...Stoic philosophers also conversed with him" (v. 18)
• "Some said, 'What does this babbler' [Greek: spermologos] wish to say?" (v. 18)
• "Others said, 'He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities" (v. 18)

o "They took [seized, dragged] him and brought him to the Areopagus" (v. 19)
SPIRIT-FILLED SPEECH: "Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus" (VV. 22–31)

o "I perceive that in every way you are very religious" (v. 22)

o "I found also an altar with this inscription: 'To the unknown God'" (v. 23)

o "What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you" (v. 23)
Paul says 3 things about God:
➢ God is the Creator
➢ God is the Sustainer
➢ God is the Consummator

Conclusion: Spirit-Filled Application for Us
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