Culture Shock (Acts 17:16-34)

Acts 17:16 (ESV) --- 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

Can you imagine stepping foot in the first-century city of Athens, Greece? Athens was once the most fantastic city on earth. It was the capital of the kingdom of Greece. At this time, it plays a lesser role with the Romans maintaining the city for its learning and philosophy, not to mention its beautiful architecture. The Greeks are the ones responsible for creating and spreading their language throughout the world. It became a universal language that everyone would learn to speak and write. Most of the New Testament was written in Greek. But what's probably most notable about this city is that it contained one of the most outstanding universities at that time. Philosophers and lecturers would travel to the city to share their insights and beliefs. It was the home of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zino, and Epicurus. Men transformed society with their questions about the meaning and purpose of life. They created methods of reasoning that are still being taught and used today.

But imagine going there as a first-century Jew. When Paul arrives in Athens, he sees idols everywhere. Paul is no stranger to idolatry, but this is excessive. This place is way beyond what he had seen in the past. It was like walking into the Las Vegas Strip for the first time. The massive amount of sin would have repulsed Paul not too long ago, but at this time, we read, "his spirit was provoked within him." Paul feels a sense of zeal and compassion within him. He wants these men and women to understand the truth and put away all of this ridiculousness.

As modern American readers, we might be sharing Paul's feelings. All of that bowing down before a statue or symbol seems ridiculous. What power could that have? But these people had feelings similar to our superstitions and knew something had happened in the spiritual realm.

Teaching In The Marketplace

Acts 17:17--21 (ESV) --- 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”---because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.‌

So, after seeing all of the idolatry, Paul goes to the Jews in the synagogues as he always does. He speaks to them on the Sabbath but spends most of his time in the marketplace reasoning with the Gentiles. When we think of a marketplace, we must realize that this wasn't a shopping mall. The marketplace was the center of interaction in the city. People would visit the marketplace for the latest news, theatrics, financial exchanges, and learning. It was the central hub for everyone to interact. Thousands of people would go through there every day.

He is working hard to find someone who will listen. We might think that there wouldn't be much hope in helping people so idolatrous. But Paul finds some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who seem interested in what he says.

Epicureans

Epicureans are basically Millennials. When you think of Epicurean, think about the #Vanlife or #TinyHouse movements. These people are trying to escape the materialism of their day. It was all started by a man named Zino, who lost everything and determined that happiness is not found in acquiring much stuff. The happiest people are those who have the least. We can lose all of our stuff and still be very happy. These people focus on experience over materials. They attempt to gain serenity and remove stress and anxiety. It would be the opposite of their day's commonly held idol-worshipping beliefs.

It would make sense for these men to be drawn to Paul's message. They can see that Paul isn't trying to sell them anything. Paul himself gave up a life of glory and fame. He was once a religious leader among the Jews. They were wealthy people who enjoyed great prosperity. He gave that up because true happiness is not found in those riches. He claims it is found in the hope of eternal life and treasures in heaven. It's no surprise that the teachings of Paul struck a chord with the Epicureans because they weren't that into idol worship or material wealth. They were poor and did not have much to give up. They just wanted to find peace and serenity. Jesus is the answer for them.

Stoics

When you hear the word "Stoic," think of peak performers. We commonly use the term stoic to refer to someone who appears unaffected by their circumstances. They don't get overly excited about the good events, nor do they get overly upset by the bad things that are outside their control. They remain like statues. That is their goal. They believe in having complete self-control and restraint over their emotions. They want to find life's greatest pleasure and satisfaction, but they know it's often a mirage. They want to develop the willpower to accomplish as much as possible and perform at the highest level.

When Paul speaks about pursuing true righteousness and holiness, he speaks their language. They typically hold up values that will improve their goodness and righteousness. Their four values are 1. Virtue 2. Self-control 3. Acceptance, and 4. Resilience. All of these values help them achieve great success. That is why stoicism is so popular among peak performers today as well. But the major problem with this view is that it becomes very self-focused and independent. Plus, it doesn't allow for the optimism and joy that can be found in the blessings we have in Christ.

These are not religious views but philosophical opinions about what is good or bad in the world. They are man's best attempt at explaining how to live the fullest life, but they tend to be irreligious. These men and women do not get wrapped up in idolatry or worship of gods like everyone else. That's why they are interested in Paul's message. They have heard of many religious beliefs and philosophies that say, "Worship the gods and everything will go well for you," but none seem real. The teachings of Paul seemed strange because they revealed something so different. It is strange enough for them to bring Paul to the Areopagus so that he can present these teachings before the intellectual elites. This is like Paul being invited to a conference for Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Princeton faculty and top students. It would be an excellent opportunity to have an impact on the future leaders of society. What is it about this god that stands out?

Modern Implications

Before we see what Paul is teaching, I want to pause and say that these philosophies are quickly changing our landscape. Religious teaching has been lazy. We have relied on our desire to belong to the world around us, but these groups seek to be different. They reject traditional views and see religions like these Greeks saw idolaters in their day.

Teaching In The Areopagus

When Paul comes to the Areopagus, everyone appears excited to hear a new teaching. This is more like a screening process for new teachers and ideas. They want to know what Paul is recommending to ensure that it will not negatively impact society.

Acts 17:22--31 (ESV) --- 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Notice a few things about Paul's approach with the Athenians.

The Unknown God

The first thing Paul does is remind them that they have an altar to an unknown god. I don't know why they have this altar set up. They may have tried praying to every other god during a famine or plague, and it never worked. So, they decided to build an altar in desperation, fearing that they had angered a god they did not know. This shows that they do not claim to know every god who may be out there. What Paul is doing is getting setting up their frame of mind. He wants them to be open to the unknown God he will reveal to them.

In our conversations with people, this might be very helpful. The God we proclaim is not like the gods of our world. In every religion out there, including humanism and materialism, there is a limited view of God. The human imagination limits the gods of this world. This God is not. His character and existence are beyond anything we could ever imagine.

Creator

This God was the creator of everything that exists. When we talk to our children, we ask them who made something. Maybe we start with honey and work our way to the honey company. Then, we go to the honey bees and the beekeeper. But then we ask who made the bee and the beekeeper. God did. God made the honey. Nothing on this earth has an origin apart from God's hand. He is the one responsible for everything we enjoy in life.

Lord

His second point is that God is the Lord of heaven and earth. To be the Lord of heaven and earth indicates that he controls what is going on there. There is not a star in the sky that does not obey his command. He controls the climate. He controls the weather patterns. Look at verse 26. He says, "He (God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." Do you see the level of control God exhibits over the nations of mankind? God has the power to plant and pluck up kingdoms on Earth. He has revealed that throughout the Old Testament, nations like Egypt, Israel, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece were destroyed. He makes his ability known by prophesying before destroying. In Daniel 4, he shows his power over the greatest ruler on earth. He can remove his sanity if he wants to. Our imagination does not limit this God. He can do above and beyond all that we could imagine.

The Epicureans are very gratitude focused. They try to have serenity and joy in their lives, and now they are being shown to whom their serenity and joy are owed. They are being shown the God who is responsible for everything they enjoy.

Sustainer

Verse 25 moves from Lord to Sustainer. In verse 25, he says God doesn't need anything. He gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. There is not a thing that we have that is our own. Do you see how he is speaking to the Stoic? Stoics are very self-sufficient, but they need to understand that God is ultimately responsible for sustaining their lives. They could not do anything without the breath he provides them daily.

God is our sustainer as well. He doesn't need anything from us. He does not live in temples. He does not require sacrifices to be alive and strengthened. This God existed before us, and he could exist without us, but he doesn't want to. In verse 25, he says God doesn't need anything because he gives to all mankind. This is different from every other god man creates. We only know what it's like to live in need, so we create gods like us who need us to do something for them. Not the God of Paul. He gives and provides with a desire and a purpose, but not because he needs something.

Seek & Find

Notice Paul's next point is about God's purpose. Verse 27 says, "They should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us." God created us, sustains us, provides for us, and rules over all of creation in a way that would cause us to seek a relationship with Him. He doesn't need it but wants it because it is for our good.

I like how this is portrayed. God is not far from each one of us. It's an image of us in a dark room, reaching for the light switch, and it's right beside us. All we have to do is flip the switch, and we will immediately have light. That's what God is offering each one of us.

Judge

The last part of Paul's sermon explains how God is not material, but he has created us after his likeness, as their poets teach. Because God has provided the light switch, so he will hold men accountable for choosing not to turn it on. Jesus is the light. He is the full revelation of the nature of our creator. All men everywhere must understand who Jesus is and submit to him. Reread verses 30 and 31.

Acts 17:30--31 (ESV) --- 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Friends, I don't think we want to be unprepared for that day. The fact that there is one God who created everything sustains everything, rules over everything, and provides everything we enjoy in life should cause us to consider this choice very carefully. Will we submit to him, or will we mock him? Every mistake we have made in ignorance until this good news was preached has been overlooked, but now we have no excuse.

He raised Jesus from the dead to remove all doubt that he exists and that his power is beyond everything we can imagine. Now, he promises to raise everyone from the dead and judge them on the basis of their choice. Will we believe in his grace and mercy at the cross of Jesus, or will we continue to trust in ourselves and live in the dark, refusing his grace and commandments?

Message

We should understand that we face the same battle when we look at Paul's attempt to persuade the Greeks. There are idolaters, Stoics, and Epicureans around us today. Some see religious people go to church services driving all their nice, fancy cars and wearing their fancy clothes and think, "I don't want anything to do with that." Or they see us whining and complaining over things outside our control and lacking all self-control and think, "I don't want anything to do with that." They are self-righteous in many ways because of what they don't do. But Paul's explanation of God and Jesus reveals that we do not stand on our own two feet. We all need the grace and help of God every day.

Conclusion

There is a judgment day coming. Jesus, raised from the dead, will decide your eternal fate. The choice is yours as much as it was theirs. What will you do? Some mocked, some wanted to hear more, but some knew they needed to obey, and they did. Is that you?

If you are a Christian here today, please take this lesson home with you and explain this to your Stoic and Epicurean friends. Please explain it to everyone who worships the things of this world as though those things will make them happy. Some might mock and ridicule, but it is worth it if one obeys.