Making Jesus Known in a Culture of Idolatry
Summary
Traveling with Paul through Acts 17, we find ourselves in Athens, a city renowned for its intellect, philosophy, and culture, yet deeply lost in idolatry and spiritual confusion. Paul’s journey from Jerusalem to Athens is not just a physical trek but a spiritual mission to make Jesus known in a world that prides itself on knowledge but lacks true connection with the living God. Athens, with its thousands of idols and endless debates, mirrors much of our own society—full of information, opinions, and religious activity, but often missing the one relationship that truly matters.
As Paul enters Athens, he is not captivated by its beauty or history, but deeply burdened by its spiritual emptiness. His spirit is stirred, not in admiration, but in anguish over a city wholly given to idolatry and empty philosophies. He sees a culture that is always searching for something new, yet never satisfied, because only Christ can fill the deepest needs of the human heart. This same restlessness and confusion is present in our own communities, where people may know much about religion or morality, but have never truly encountered Jesus.
Paul’s response is not to condemn, but to compassionately and courageously proclaim the truth. He meets the Athenians where they are, using their own altar to the “unknown God” as a starting point to introduce them to the Creator and Redeemer they do not yet know. Paul’s message is clear: God is not distant or unknowable. He is the Creator of all, the righteous Judge, and the compassionate Savior who calls all people everywhere to repent and believe in Jesus, who was raised from the dead.
The responses to Paul’s proclamation are varied—some mock, some delay, but a few believe. This pattern is timeless. The gospel always demands a response, and the invitation remains open: it’s not about what you know, but who you know. Salvation is not found in intellect, tradition, or good works, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For those who already know Him, the call is to be stirred in spirit, to carry a burden for the lost, and to make Jesus known in a world desperate for hope.
Key Takeaways
- The emptiness of a culture saturated with knowledge but devoid of Christ is as real today as it was in Athens. Intellectual achievement and religious activity cannot satisfy the soul’s deepest longing; only a relationship with Jesus can bring true fulfillment and peace. The search for “something new” will always end in disappointment unless it leads to the One who makes all things new. [10:05]
- A genuine burden for the lost is the mark of a concerned Christian. Paul’s spirit was stirred not by the grandeur of Athens, but by its spiritual need. True compassion moves us beyond complacency, provoking us to prayer, action, and a willingness to be uncomfortable for the sake of others’ salvation. Revival begins when God’s people are grieved by the sin and lostness around them and are moved to intercede. [14:57]
- Making Jesus known requires both courage and compassion. Paul did not shy away from the truth, nor did he deliver it with harshness. He connected with his audience, spoke to their context, and boldly proclaimed the uniqueness of Christ. In a world that values relative truth, Christians are called to lovingly but firmly declare the absolute truth of the gospel, trusting God to open hearts. [24:04]
- The call to repentance is both urgent and compassionate. God’s holiness demands a response, but His mercy offers hope. Repentance is not a popular message, but it is the only path to forgiveness and new life. The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance that God’s promise is real, and that judgment or salvation hinges on our response to Him. [25:46]
- The gospel always elicits a response—mockery, delay, or belief. Some will reject, some will procrastinate, but there will always be those who receive and are transformed. Our responsibility is not to control the outcome, but to faithfully make Jesus known, trusting that God will draw people to Himself. Even a simple, humble faith—like the thief on the cross—can lead to eternal life, because it’s not about what you know, but who you know. [33:29]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:15] - Paul’s Journey to Athens
[04:37] - The Mission: Making Jesus Known
[06:12] - Athens: A Corrupt Culture
[08:06] - Idolatry and Philosophy in Athens
[10:05] - The Search for Something New
[11:28] - Superstition and Ignorance
[13:31] - Parallels to Modern Culture
[14:23] - A Concerned Christian: Paul’s Burden
[16:30] - Complacency and Cultural Comfort
[18:16] - The Need for Spiritual Awakening
[20:32] - Paul’s Sermon on Mars Hill
[22:22] - The True God Revealed
[24:04] - Speaking Truth with Courage and Compassion
[25:46] - The Call to Repentance and Resurrection
[27:44] - Responses to the Gospel
[31:37] - It’s Not What You Know, But Who You Know
[33:29] - The Thief on the Cross: Simple Faith
[35:02] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[35:36] - A Prayer for a Stirred Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Making Jesus Known (Acts 17)
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 17:16-34
Paul’s ministry in Athens, his sermon on Mars Hill, and the responses to the gospel.
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### Observation Questions
1. When Paul arrived in Athens, what did he notice about the city that stirred his spirit? (Acts 17:16) [[06:12]]
2. What kinds of people and philosophies did Paul encounter in Athens? (Acts 17:18) [[08:06]]
3. How did Paul use the Athenians’ altar “to the unknown God” as a starting point for his message? (Acts 17:23) [[20:32]]
4. What were the three different responses people had to Paul’s message about Jesus and the resurrection? (Acts 17:32-34) [[27:44]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul was so deeply burdened by the spiritual state of Athens, rather than impressed by its culture and intellect? [[14:57]]
2. What does Paul’s approach to sharing the gospel in Athens teach us about connecting with people who have different beliefs or backgrounds? [[20:32]]
3. Why is the call to repentance both urgent and compassionate, according to Paul’s sermon? [[25:46]]
4. The sermon says, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” What does this mean in the context of salvation and faith? [[31:37]]
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### Application Questions
1. Paul’s spirit was “stirred” by the idolatry and spiritual confusion in Athens. When was the last time you felt a real burden for the spiritual needs of your community, family, or friends? What would it look like for you to pray for a stirred spirit this week? [[14:57]]
2. The Athenians were always searching for “something new” but never satisfied. Are there areas in your life where you keep searching for fulfillment apart from Christ? What are they, and how can you bring those to Jesus? [[10:05]]
3. Paul met the Athenians where they were, using their own culture as a bridge to share Jesus. Who in your life might need you to meet them “where they are” spiritually? What’s one practical way you could do that this month? [[20:32]]
4. The gospel message demands a response—mockery, delay, or belief. Have you ever delayed responding to something God was prompting you to do? What happened, and what did you learn from it? [[30:05]]
5. Paul courageously and compassionately spoke the truth, even when it was unpopular. Is there a situation where you need to lovingly speak truth, even if it’s uncomfortable? What’s holding you back? [[24:04]]
6. The call to repentance is not popular, but it’s necessary. Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to repent or change direction? What step could you take this week? [[25:46]]
7. For those who already know Jesus, the sermon challenges us to “make Jesus known.” Who is one person you can intentionally pray for and reach out to with the hope of Christ this week? [[35:36]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to stir your spirit, give you a burden for the lost, and help you make Jesus known with both courage and compassion.
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing a Corrupt Culture
Paul arrived in Athens and was immediately struck by the city’s intellectual achievements, beautiful architecture, and storied history, but beneath the surface he saw a culture deeply corrupted by idolatry, empty philosophies, and spiritual confusion. The Athenians were constantly searching for something new, yet their hearts remained unsatisfied because they did not know the one true God. In our own communities, we can be surrounded by knowledge, progress, and even religious activity, but still be lost if we do not know Christ. The world’s wisdom and pursuits will never satisfy the deepest needs of the human soul—only Jesus can do that. [10:05]
Acts 17:16-23 (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. 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. 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.
Reflection: Where do you see the emptiness of “new things” or misplaced devotion in your own community or life, and how might God be calling you to see it with spiritual eyes?
Day 2: Becoming a Concerned Christian
Paul’s spirit was stirred within him—not with admiration for Athens’ beauty, but with a deep burden for the lostness and sin he saw all around. He was not complacent or indifferent; instead, he was moved to action and prayer. In our own lives, it is easy to become comfortable and lose sight of the spiritual needs around us, but God calls us to be burdened for our neighbors, our schools, our nation, and our world. True concern for the lost should move us to prayer, compassion, and a willingness to share the hope of Christ, even when it is uncomfortable. [14:57]
Acts 17:16 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: When was the last time you felt a genuine burden for the spiritual state of your community, and what is one step you can take today to pray or act on that concern?
Day 3: Speaking the Truth with Compassion and Courage
Paul did not shy away from the truth when he addressed the Athenians. He met them where they were, using their own altar “to the unknown God” as a starting point, and then boldly proclaimed the reality of the Creator, the Lord of heaven and earth. He spoke with both compassion and courage, declaring that there is one God, one truth, and that Jesus is the answer to their searching. In a world that values relative truth and is often hostile to the gospel, we are called to speak the truth in love, with clarity and boldness, trusting that God will use our words to make Jesus known. [24:04]
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.”
Reflection: What is one relationship or setting where you need to speak the truth about Jesus with both compassion and courage this week?
Day 4: Responding to the Compassionate Call of Christ
The message of Jesus is both a call to repentance and a promise of hope. God, in His holiness, commands all people everywhere to repent, but He also offers the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection through Jesus Christ. The choice is clear: we can either turn to Christ and receive His grace, or face judgment on our own. The compassion of Christ is seen in His invitation to all, regardless of background or knowledge, to come and know Him personally. Today, that invitation is still open—He is not far from any of us. [26:46]
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.
Reflection: Have you personally responded to Jesus’ call to repentance and faith, and if so, how can you share that hope with someone who may feel far from God today?
Day 5: It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know
At the end of Paul’s message, the responses varied—some mocked, some delayed, but a few believed and were transformed. The gospel is not about intellectual achievement or religious knowledge, but about a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Like the thief on the cross, it is not our background, education, or good works that save us, but simply knowing and trusting Jesus. Each of us must answer: Do I know about Jesus, or do I truly know Him? Today is the day to make that decision, and for those who already know Him, to pray for a renewed burden to make Jesus known to others. [34:13]
John 17:3 (ESV)
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Reflection: Do you have a specific moment when you placed your trust in Jesus, and if not, will you take time today to call on Him and begin a real relationship with Him? If you have, who is one person you can pray for and seek to introduce to Jesus this week?
Quotes
All that Athens wanted was to find something new. All of their intellect, all of their philosophies, they still were not satisfied. And by the way, philosophy and intellect and wisdom and knowledge will never satisfy man. They'll always be looking for more until they find Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can satisfy mankind. [00:10:23] (25 seconds)
People outside of this building today, perhaps someone inside this building today, you have all of the knowledge, you have all of the wisdom, you can debate and you can argue and you know all the different religions, but you've never called on the name of Jesus to save you. You know about God, but you don't know God. [00:13:48] (19 seconds)
Where are the Christians that will be burdened for our communities? Where's the Christians who will be burdened for our schools? Where's the Christians who will be burdened for the government? Where's the Christians who will be burdened even for our churches? Burdened for our lost family, and burdened for our lost friends, and catch a burden for the evil in our nation? Listen, I love living in America. [00:15:32] (24 seconds)
Relativism is simply your truth is true for you, and my truth is true for me, and if we have different truths, that's okay. Well, that's dumb. Okay, can I just... That's stupid. What is truth? Truth is a standard. It's an absolute. You can't have multiple absolutes. It's false. But how many churches now are preaching relative truth? Well, this is how I see the Bible. And if you see the Bible differently, that's okay. The Bible itself says that it is of no private interpretation. What it says is what it says. It's absolutely true. There has to be a standard. [00:17:31] (35 seconds)
We'll just come to church, and we'll worship, and we'll put on our best clothes, and we'll make sure we smell nice, and we'll worship the Lord on a Sunday, and then we'll go to our job, and we'll go through our week, and we'll not one time think about those who are dying and going to hell all around us. [00:18:24] (17 seconds)
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth. He dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshiped with men's hands as though He needeth anything, seeing He giveth to all life and breath and all things, and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed in the bounds of their habitation that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us. [00:22:22] (34 seconds)
Paul said, let me present to you Jesus. There is a God. He's not like these other gods, these 30 ,000 idols that you have on your street. No, this God is different. He's the creator of the world. He's the creator of every man. He doesn't dwell in temples. He's omnipresent. He dwells outside of space and time. He created space and time. He is almighty. He's holy. He's righteous. And Paul demonstrates how great God is against the weakness of their false gods. [00:22:56] (38 seconds)
He took the penalty of Christ on himself. He paid the debt of our sin with his blood on the cross of Calvary. He made a way where there was no way previously. And so now, Athens, now, America, you have a choice to make. You can repent and call on Jesus Christ who's been raised from the dead and let him pay for your sin, or you can meet God on judgment day and try to pay for it yourself. [00:26:46] (23 seconds)
Of all the stuff in our culture, all the confusion, all the different ideas, all of the intellect, this is simple truth. Jesus loves me. Jesus died for me. Jesus rose so that I could have eternal life with him. And if I call on the name of Jesus, I can be saved. [00:30:49] (22 seconds)
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