Paul's Odyssey II #9 - Athens (Part 1)

July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.

Last week we left Paul on the Aegean seashore - 20 miles S.E. of the city of Berea. The reason, as has become the norm, was that troublemakers had come from Thessalonica to disrupt his ministry.
We learned last week that many people in Berea had come to faith. The reality of that faith was evidenced by their great eagerness for the gospel and the Scriptures. It was further proven by their loyalty to Paul and the ministry.

Acts 17:14
As Paul travels, his team stays behind to build into the lives of those that have been reached for Christ.
Mentoring new believers is critical for their growth, the growth of a church, and for reaching others for the Lord.

Acts 17:15
The new converts that Paul had made in Berea looked out for him personally. From their location on the coast, the journey to Athens would have been 300 miles by land or 250 by sea.
We assume Paul is now alone and going into the capital city of Greece.
What is the oldest or biggest city you've ever visited?
How do you think Paul felt visiting this amazing ancient city?

Acts 17:16
The city was under the control of the Roman Empire. The Romans had such a high regard for its history and contribution to civilization, they let Athens be a free city. It was like a giant Wal-mart of spiritual pursuits. Tens of thousands of idols had been carved into buildings, along the streets and in various shrines and temples.
An idol is: "Anything that we come to rely on for some blessing, or help, or guidance in the place of a wholehearted reliance on the true and living God."
In Biblical times these were often man-made images to which a person pledged their devotion and to which they sacrificed some aspect of their life.
The first two of the Ten Commandments prohibit idolatry and any kind of image or object that leads to placing something as number one in your life other than God.
Today, people make jobs, resources, possessions, physical features, and even people the center of their affections. What we worship can be understood by what consumes our thinking, efforts, passions, finances, time, and priorities.
Do you have idols in your life?

Acts 17:17
While Paul was wounded by the idolatry, he didn't let the world woo him and instead he went to work.
You could describe his strategy with concentric circles: those he was closest to (family & friends), those with whom he had things in common, and those who he encountered during his daily rhythms.
The marketplace (known as Agora) provided a great day by day opportunity as it was the center of Athens.

Acts 17:18
It wasn't long before two distinct groups of thinkers encountered Paul.

Epicureans: believed in a universe of chance, gods who were fickle and remote, pleasure as the highest goal in life, and nothing beyond death. The Greek philosopher Epicurus promoted the philosophy of living life to its fullest extent. "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

Stoics: were pantheists who saw God within every material thing, they were fatalistic, unemotional, and considered apathy their highest virtue. The guru of the Stoics was Zeno. "Whatever"

These groups called Paul a babbler. They saw Paul's message as a random heap of ideas. The name they called him demonstrates an incredible arrogance in that somehow they contained all knowledge, and dismissed the fact that anyone else could know more than them.

The God of the Bible is a Holy God who created us to live in relationship with Him and others. He is a God with a definite plan and mission for our life. Selfish and sinful people reject God because they are their own god.

Acts 17:19-21
The Areopagus (Mars Hill) refers to both a council that had judicial authority in Athens and a prominent rock outcropping located 140 feet below the Acropolis.
In Paul's day, the Areopagus was the meeting place of the main governing body of the city. The group served as guardians of the city's religion, morals, and education. Their role was to examine a new person's teaching to see if they would be allowed to continue to do so in public.
Paul is very aware that the Athenians had turned on their greatest scholar, Socrates, and had him put to death because his teaching upset the people.

1. There are those who believe they have the right to determine the validity of our Gospel message and our ability to share it with others.
This could be the government, legal system, education, social media influencers, our peer group and family.

Our manner of faith must be greater than our moment of fear.

2. Our commission by the risen Lord transcends the authority of this world.

Our choice is very simple...to obey or not to obey.

3. People will pick the beliefs and lifestyles that agree with their heart condition.

Our standing up for Christ does not stand in the way of a person's destiny.