The Unknown God wants to be Known.
Mars Hill
Acts 17v 23 (AKJV).
‘For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.’
(Ideally please read v15-34)
The Apostle Paul is brought to Athens and his spirit is stirred as the whole city was in idolatry. Some philosophers are there calling Paul a ‘Babbler’ but they did understand however, that Paul was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. They are questioning him on this new doctrine.
The ‘mars hill’ reference in v22, relates to a Roman Hill in Athens. It was steeped in mythology and seen as an important meeting place. Things like philosophy, religion and law were taught and discussed. The civic leaders were there and the Apostle Paul stands in their midst warning them of their superstition. It is a sermon to heathens who were worshipping false gods. He wants to bring them to the truth and worship the One true God.
Isn’t that a lot like our role today?
Paul had found an altar; this is out in the open in public and Paul passes by and sees it. It has their devotions, but their devotions really were blind and meaningless as it was all ignorance as to who God really was.
‘To the unknown God’- They had no real relationship or understanding as to who God really was. Some thought there was a God, some thought that God was the soul of the world. Sadly, their worship was in ignorance.
In the United Nations Building, there is a prayer room! A small room dedicated to silence it has been said a place where people can withdraw into themselves, regardless of faith or religion. I believe that it is known as the ‘meditation room’ and some say that some Christians and people of other faiths were consulted during its design.
In the centre of the room is a huge black rectangular block made of iron ore. There is a light that shines down on the rectangular rock. There is also, I have heard it said, an empty altar to ‘an unknown god’!
What do people do? Maybe touch the rock or pray to the rock or the empty altar? The United Nations building, a place where major decisions are made regarding the countries of the world influencing millions for better or worse. The unknown God- the world in most part sadly has learned little!
‘Him I declare unto you’ Paul says. He wants to give them understanding and tell them the truth.
Q. What does Paul preach in the remaining verses?
• God is the Creator.
• He is Lord.
• The Giver of life.
• He is not afar off but present.
• That we are to seek the Lord.
• God Commandeth repentance.
• There’s Judgement to come.
• Jesus died but raised.
That just a brief summary! However, this is what Paul preached/taught and we ask ourselves-
However, what is the outcome?
Some mocked and we know in the last days there will be scoffers and mockers.
Some said ‘We will hear thee again’- they are going to consider the matter. However, the Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation. Therefore please do not consider it for too long!
Certain men clave to him and believed, a man and a woman are mentioned by name in v34.
Therefore, there was some success. His word will not return to Him void. Paul’s labour was not in vain. He preached Christ and Him crucified wherever he journeyed. People repented and were saved.
What can we learn from this passage and apply it to our Christian lives today?
• It is like ‘Mars Hill’ out there in the world at times. Some will mock, some will consider, some will believe. That is the way it has always been.
• There is much idolatry today. This is such a huge area; we know there is false religion and no religion. There is apostacy and heresy. But Idolatry can take many forms. Its definition is best described as ‘idol worship’ the worship of a physical object as a god. The worship of anything other than God!
• Our spirits too must be stirred.
• The answer is preaching and delivering the gospel to them.
• Some will mock, some may want to learn more, some will believe and turn to the Lord.
Conclusion
To anyone reading here that does not know Jesus. My message to you is this- The unknown God wants to be known! And you can know Him. He is not made of wood, stone or iron or fashioned by man. He is the Living God. The one true God. You can know Him in a very personal way. You can know the forgiveness of your sins; you can know that God loves you and wants all to come to repentance.
We should come away from Idolatry, heresy and false religion. Turn away from anything you worship that is other than God and turn to Him today. It is like Mars Hill in our land! But the answer is always with God.
God wants to be known and worshipped!
Acts 17v 23 (AKJV).
‘For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.’
(Ideally please read v15-34)
The Apostle Paul is brought to Athens and his spirit is stirred as the whole city was in idolatry. Some philosophers are there calling Paul a ‘Babbler’ but they did understand however, that Paul was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. They are questioning him on this new doctrine.
The ‘mars hill’ reference in v22, relates to a Roman Hill in Athens. It was steeped in mythology and seen as an important meeting place. Things like philosophy, religion and law were taught and discussed. The civic leaders were there and the Apostle Paul stands in their midst warning them of their superstition. It is a sermon to heathens who were worshipping false gods. He wants to bring them to the truth and worship the One true God.
Isn’t that a lot like our role today?
Paul had found an altar; this is out in the open in public and Paul passes by and sees it. It has their devotions, but their devotions really were blind and meaningless as it was all ignorance as to who God really was.
‘To the unknown God’- They had no real relationship or understanding as to who God really was. Some thought there was a God, some thought that God was the soul of the world. Sadly, their worship was in ignorance.
In the United Nations Building, there is a prayer room! A small room dedicated to silence it has been said a place where people can withdraw into themselves, regardless of faith or religion. I believe that it is known as the ‘meditation room’ and some say that some Christians and people of other faiths were consulted during its design.
In the centre of the room is a huge black rectangular block made of iron ore. There is a light that shines down on the rectangular rock. There is also, I have heard it said, an empty altar to ‘an unknown god’!
What do people do? Maybe touch the rock or pray to the rock or the empty altar? The United Nations building, a place where major decisions are made regarding the countries of the world influencing millions for better or worse. The unknown God- the world in most part sadly has learned little!
‘Him I declare unto you’ Paul says. He wants to give them understanding and tell them the truth.
Q. What does Paul preach in the remaining verses?
• God is the Creator.
• He is Lord.
• The Giver of life.
• He is not afar off but present.
• That we are to seek the Lord.
• God Commandeth repentance.
• There’s Judgement to come.
• Jesus died but raised.
That just a brief summary! However, this is what Paul preached/taught and we ask ourselves-
However, what is the outcome?
Some mocked and we know in the last days there will be scoffers and mockers.
Some said ‘We will hear thee again’- they are going to consider the matter. However, the Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation. Therefore please do not consider it for too long!
Certain men clave to him and believed, a man and a woman are mentioned by name in v34.
Therefore, there was some success. His word will not return to Him void. Paul’s labour was not in vain. He preached Christ and Him crucified wherever he journeyed. People repented and were saved.
What can we learn from this passage and apply it to our Christian lives today?
• It is like ‘Mars Hill’ out there in the world at times. Some will mock, some will consider, some will believe. That is the way it has always been.
• There is much idolatry today. This is such a huge area; we know there is false religion and no religion. There is apostacy and heresy. But Idolatry can take many forms. Its definition is best described as ‘idol worship’ the worship of a physical object as a god. The worship of anything other than God!
• Our spirits too must be stirred.
• The answer is preaching and delivering the gospel to them.
• Some will mock, some may want to learn more, some will believe and turn to the Lord.
Conclusion
To anyone reading here that does not know Jesus. My message to you is this- The unknown God wants to be known! And you can know Him. He is not made of wood, stone or iron or fashioned by man. He is the Living God. The one true God. You can know Him in a very personal way. You can know the forgiveness of your sins; you can know that God loves you and wants all to come to repentance.
We should come away from Idolatry, heresy and false religion. Turn away from anything you worship that is other than God and turn to Him today. It is like Mars Hill in our land! But the answer is always with God.
God wants to be known and worshipped!
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