Proclaiming the Unknown God: A Call to Truth
Summary
In the heart of Athens, where the ancient world’s intellectual and cultural elite once gathered, Paul delivered a transformative message about the "unknown God." This was a society steeped in polytheism, where gods were as numerous as the people, each deity serving a specific purpose in the lives of the Greeks. Paul, understanding the cultural and philosophical context, seized the opportunity to introduce the true God, the Creator, and the one who raises the dead. This was a radical concept, especially the notion of bodily resurrection, which challenged the prevailing Greek worldview that was more comfortable with abstract spiritual ideas than with the tangible reality of resurrection.
Paul's approach was both strategic and profound. He began with what the Greeks knew—their altar to an unknown god—and used it as a bridge to reveal the God they had not yet considered. This God, Paul proclaimed, was not just another deity among many but the one true God who created all things and offers eternal life through Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus was the cornerstone of this message, a truth that was both revolutionary and divisive among his listeners.
Today, we face similar challenges in a world filled with modern idols—those things we look to for meaning, identity, and guidance. Just as Paul did, we are called to engage with the culture around us, starting from their understanding and leading them to the truth of the Gospel. This involves not only revealing the reality of sin but also offering the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Our mission is to proclaim this good news to both the biblically illiterate and those familiar with the scriptures but who have not yet embraced the truth of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill demonstrates the importance of understanding cultural contexts to effectively communicate the Gospel. By starting with the Greeks' own altar to an unknown god, Paul was able to introduce them to the true God, showing that effective evangelism often begins with meeting people where they are. [03:21]
- The concept of bodily resurrection was a radical idea for the Greeks, challenging their philosophical beliefs. This highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, which often confronts and overturns established worldviews, inviting people into a new understanding of life and eternity. [03:54]
- Paul's reliance on the Old Testament underscores the importance of being rooted in Scripture while engaging with a secular society. This balance of being tethered to the text and relevant to the culture is crucial for effective ministry today. [05:23]
- Modern idolatry, though different in form, is as prevalent today as it was in ancient Greece. Our task is to reveal how the true God speaks into the desires and needs that these idols falsely promise to fulfill, offering instead the hope and truth found in Jesus Christ. [06:52]
- The message of the Gospel is timeless, offering forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the good news that Paul proclaimed and that we continue to share, inviting all to experience the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. [09:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Setting the Scene: Mars Hill
[00:51] - The Unknown God
[01:28] - Greek Culture and Philosophy
[02:06] - Paul’s Strategic Approach
[02:44] - Introducing the True God
[03:39] - The Radical Resurrection
[04:28] - Lessons from Paul’s Message
[05:04] - Communicating to a Secular Society
[06:11] - Modern Idolatry
[07:12] - The Good News of Salvation
[08:20] - The Incarnation and Redemption
[09:17] - The Gift of Righteousness
[09:53] - Proclaiming Hope and Help
[10:09] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 17:22-34
- John 14:6
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-22
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the cultural and religious context of Athens that Paul addressed in his sermon on Mars Hill? [00:51]
2. How did Paul use the altar to the "unknown god" as a starting point for his message? [03:21]
3. What was the reaction of the Greek audience to Paul's message about the bodily resurrection? [03:54]
4. How did Paul rely on the Old Testament in his sermon, and why was this significant? [05:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why was the concept of bodily resurrection so radical to the Greeks, and how does this challenge modern worldviews today? [03:54]
2. How does Paul's approach to engaging with the Greek culture provide a model for sharing the Gospel in today's secular society? [05:23]
3. In what ways does modern idolatry differ from ancient Greek idolatry, and how can Christians address these idols in contemporary culture? [06:52]
4. How does the message of Jesus being "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) confront the beliefs of both ancient and modern audiences? [07:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the "unknown gods" in your life—those things you might unknowingly prioritize over God. What steps can you take to realign your focus on the true God? [06:52]
2. Consider how you can use cultural touchpoints, like Paul did with the altar, to introduce conversations about faith with those around you. What is one specific way you can do this in your community? [03:21]
3. The resurrection is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. How can you better understand and articulate its significance to someone unfamiliar with the Gospel? [03:54]
4. Identify a modern idol that you or someone you know struggles with. How can you gently guide them to see how Jesus fulfills the needs that idol promises to meet? [06:52]
5. How can you become more rooted in Scripture, like Paul, to effectively engage with and respond to secular perspectives in your daily life? [05:23]
6. Think of a person in your life who is biblically illiterate or has misconceptions about Christianity. What is one practical step you can take to share the Gospel with them this week? [07:30]
7. Reflect on the transformative power of the Gospel in your own life. How can you share your personal testimony to encourage others to explore faith in Jesus? [09:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Meeting People Where They Are
Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill exemplifies the importance of understanding cultural contexts to effectively communicate the Gospel. In a society filled with numerous deities, Paul strategically used the Greeks' altar to an unknown god as a starting point to introduce them to the true God. This approach highlights that effective evangelism often begins with meeting people where they are, acknowledging their current beliefs, and gently guiding them towards the truth. By recognizing the spiritual curiosity of the Greeks, Paul was able to bridge the gap between their existing understanding and the revelation of the one true God. This method of engagement is crucial for believers today, as it encourages us to listen, understand, and connect with others in a way that resonates with their experiences and beliefs. [03:21]
Acts 17:22-23 (ESV): "So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 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: Think of someone in your life who holds different beliefs. How can you engage with them in a way that respects their perspective while gently introducing them to the truth of the Gospel?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection
The concept of bodily resurrection was a radical idea for the Greeks, challenging their philosophical beliefs and inviting them into a new understanding of life and eternity. The resurrection of Jesus was not just a spiritual metaphor but a tangible reality that confronted and overturned established worldviews. This transformative power of the Gospel invites individuals to reconsider their understanding of life, death, and what lies beyond. For the Greeks, who were more comfortable with abstract spiritual ideas, the resurrection presented a revolutionary truth that demanded a response. Today, the message of the resurrection continues to challenge and transform lives, offering hope and a new perspective on eternity. [03:54]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection challenge your current worldview? What changes might you need to make in your life to align more closely with this truth?
Day 3: Rooted in Scripture, Relevant to Culture
Paul’s reliance on the Old Testament underscores the importance of being rooted in Scripture while engaging with a secular society. This balance of being tethered to the text and relevant to the culture is crucial for effective ministry today. By grounding his message in the Scriptures, Paul was able to present a coherent and compelling case for the Gospel that resonated with both Jews and Greeks. This approach serves as a model for believers, encouraging us to deepen our understanding of the Bible while remaining attuned to the cultural contexts in which we live and minister. [05:23]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to better engage with the culture around you? How can you ensure that your message remains both biblically sound and culturally relevant?
Day 4: Confronting Modern Idolatry
Modern idolatry, though different in form, is as prevalent today as it was in ancient Greece. Our task is to reveal how the true God speaks into the desires and needs that these idols falsely promise to fulfill, offering instead the hope and truth found in Jesus Christ. Just as Paul addressed the Athenians' worship of various deities, believers today are called to confront the idols of our time—whether they be material possessions, status, or personal achievements—and point others towards the fulfillment and purpose found in a relationship with God. This involves recognizing the ways in which modern idols can distract and detract from our spiritual journey and offering a compelling alternative in the Gospel. [06:52]
1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Reflection: Identify a modern idol in your life that competes for your attention and devotion. How can you begin to shift your focus from this idol to the true God who fulfills your deepest needs?
Day 5: The Timeless Message of the Gospel
The message of the Gospel is timeless, offering forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the good news that Paul proclaimed and that we continue to share, inviting all to experience the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. The Gospel transcends cultural and historical boundaries, speaking to the universal human condition and offering hope and redemption to all who believe. As believers, we are called to carry this message forward, sharing the love and grace of God with a world in need of hope and healing. [09:37]
Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
Reflection: How can you actively share the timeless message of the Gospel with someone in your life this week? What steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects the hope and transformation found in Christ?
Quotes
Paul, understanding the cultural and philosophical context, seized the opportunity to introduce the true God, the Creator, and the one who raises the dead. This was a radical concept, especially the notion of bodily resurrection, which challenged the prevailing Greek worldview that was more comfortable with abstract spiritual ideas than with the tangible reality of resurrection. [00:54:48]
Paul comes to this cultural center of the world. Rome was the political and the military power, but Greece was the center of culture. We called it the Greco-Roman World. Paul came here to Mars Hill, where people would gather to have deep discussions and philosophical analysis and religious thought. [00:20:59]
Paul being a relevant proclaimer but also so being steeped in his understanding of Greek language, Greek thought, Greek philosophy, as well as Judaism and the Old Testament, was able to take their worldview and turn it on its head, taking what they knew about that there would be an unknown reality that they still had to learn about. [00:29:36]
Paul's sermon first of all he was resting on the truth of the Old Testament since the New Testament hadn't been codified yet, and he was preaching based on the word of God to a people who did not know it, did not have it, and could not relate to it. [00:47:40]
He showed how you communicate to a secular society who does not have and is not rooted in the scriptures and that you can be relevant starting with where they are for what they need to know. Biblical preaching needs to be that today. [00:51:52]
Paul did then and what we should do now is to show people the true God because we're inundated now with, we'll call them American Idols. They're not the same polytheistic idols of the first century, but they are the idolatries that people look to as their source of meaning, as their source of guidance, as their source of identity today. [01:06:39]
These false gods have blurred them to the true God. We are to take what they are looking for and show how the true God speaks into that, not only by revealing their sin but by offering the good news of Salvation to steer them to the true God through the means of getting there. [01:11:04]
This is what we are proclaiming at the urban alternative, the good news of Jesus Christ to the biblically illiterate as well as to those who've grown up around the scriptures but who've not gravitated and who've not responded to Jesus Christ. [01:16:59]
The good news of the gospel and that is that sin can be forgiven, eternal life can be freely granted if a person will place their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ who died on the cross in their place for their sin. [01:29:44]
He will give the credit of a lifetime. He took on the cross the credit of our sins upon himself, and he then gives us the credit of forgiveness and righteousness as he imparts the perfect Life of Christ and credits it to our account so we stand before a holy God with the righteousness of Christ. [01:34:16]
God's word is true, the true God can be known, and when the proclamation of that word is made relevant to people, people who need to hear the gospel, then they hear the good news that they can have hope for eternity and help for history. [01:40:76]
Paul proclaimed the true God. So I'm sitting in a great spot led by a great Apostle, the Apostle Paul, with the message of the ages, and that is the true God can be known. He has manifested himself in history in the Incarnation, the in flesh, the coming as a man in the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. [01:26:39]
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