Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Dr. Condy Richardson
Scripture: Acts 17:16-21
Sermon Title: “In the Marketplace ”
Acts 17:16-21 (NIV)
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Introduction
“As You Go” is our annual theme that calls for us to share our stories.
Matthew 28:18-20 encapsulates our mandate to share the Gospel with a dark world.
On Paul’s missionary journeys, he found a plethora of people and beliefs to address.
Problem
Paul is distressed because of a problem he has found in Athens.
Athens is full of idols and useless chatter about hollow philosophies.
Philosophically, they were always looking for something other than Jesus.
It seems that they worshipped anything and everything.
They even famously worshipped an “unknown god”.
Paul was moved by the lostness he found in Athens.
Solution
In Acts 17, Paul shares his Christian story with the Athenians.
Even in the marketplace, he discussed Christ by finding common ground with others.
God has not called us to win an argument as much as he has called us to share Christ.
The Right Man
As an educated man, Paul was the right man to share with other intellectuals in the synagogue.
In the marketplace, he reasoned with “those who happened to be there”.
He was the right man for the job
When we ask God to give us opportunities to share, he will do it.
Final Thoughts
As we go through life, we must be prepared to share our story and give an invite.
Who are you praying for or caring for?
Who needs to hear your Christian story?
“As You Go” is our annual theme that calls for us to share our stories.
Matthew 28:18-20 encapsulates our mandate to share the Gospel with a dark world.
On Paul’s missionary journeys, he found a plethora of people and beliefs to address.
Problem
Paul is distressed because of a problem he has found in Athens.
Athens is full of idols and useless chatter about hollow philosophies.
Philosophically, they were always looking for something other than Jesus.
It seems that they worshipped anything and everything.
They even famously worshipped an “unknown god”.
Paul was moved by the lostness he found in Athens.
Solution
In Acts 17, Paul shares his Christian story with the Athenians.
Even in the marketplace, he discussed Christ by finding common ground with others.
God has not called us to win an argument as much as he has called us to share Christ.
The Right Man
As an educated man, Paul was the right man to share with other intellectuals in the synagogue.
In the marketplace, he reasoned with “those who happened to be there”.
He was the right man for the job
When we ask God to give us opportunities to share, he will do it.
Final Thoughts
As we go through life, we must be prepared to share our story and give an invite.
Who are you praying for or caring for?
Who needs to hear your Christian story?