St. Paul's Woodstock NB - May 10, 2026 with Rev. Shirley DeMerchant

We gather around the story of Acts 17 and see how the gospel meets a city full of gods and a people full of longing. We stand with Paul in Athens, noticing first how pervasive idolatry distorts life and how that provokes righteous grief. We move from synagogue into the marketplace because faith belongs in public life, not only behind sacred doors. We present God as the Creator who made the world and everything in it, a God who does not need human service yet gives life and breath to all, who determines times and places so that people would seek him. We show that the true God is both more powerful than the idols and intimately involved in human affairs, inviting a relationship rather than demanding cultic maintenance.

We watch how the gospel engages culture by starting where people already live. Quoting familiar poets and language, the proclamation connects present shadows of truth to the reality of Christ. We then unfold the claim that God has fixed a day of judgment and has validated his claim by raising the appointed man from the dead. The empty tomb becomes the decisive answer to every altar to an unknown god. Some hear and scoff, but others receive and follow, proving that seeds planted across time and cultures can bear fruit when the risen Christ is named.

We commit to a posture of respectful engagement. We will listen to stories, learn cultural touchpoints, and point out how longings and half-truths culminate in the resurrection. We will be prepared to give reasons for our hope, and we will do so with gentleness and clarity. The gospel speaks to the restless heart by naming the Creator, offering life, and calling people to repentance. We embrace the mission to bring the risen Christ into marketplaces, neighborhoods, and conversations so that the unknown God they seek becomes the known God who saves.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God is creator and sustainer The true God made everything and does not depend on human worship for existence. This God gives life, determines our seasons, and sustains every human being. That reality inverts cultural hierarchies and calls us to worship the One who authors being rather than an idol fashioned from it. [33:32]
• 2. Idols reveal a restless heart Altars to unknown gods expose a fear that something essential remains missing. That restlessness points to created desire for relationship with the living God, not merely religious ritual. When we see idols, we should see opportunities to name longing and offer the resurrection as the solution. [26:32]
• 3. Meet people where they are Public faith requires moving into marketplaces rather than waiting for seekers to enter sacred spaces. Listening to rhythms, words, and writings of a culture creates bridges for truth to cross. Presence and humility open doors for the gospel to be heard and tested. [29:40]
• 4. Use shared language and hope Quoting familiar poets or cultural touchstones lets truth resonate instead of sounding alien. Connecting those kernels to the Creator and the risen Christ helps people move from vague longing to specific faith. Such bridges respect listeners and invite reflective response. [39:16]
• 5. The empty tomb answers longing The resurrection turns religious curiosity into saving knowledge by showing God’s power over death and his personal reach to us. The empty tomb insists that God redeems our incompleteness and calls us to repentance and life. Where hearts ache for more, the risen Christ offers reconciliation and hope. [42:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:27] - Athens and the Gospel Context
• [26:32] - Idolatry Provokes Distress
• [29:40] - Taking Faith into the Marketplace
• [31:49] - Areopagus Inquiry and Unknown Altar
• [33:32] - God as Creator and Self Sufficient
• [39:16] - Quoting Poets to Bridge Gap
• [42:53] - Jesus, Resurrection, and Repentance
• [47:17] - Longing, Mission, and Engagement

1. In Acts 17:22-23, how did Paul use the Athenians’ altar to an “unknown god” as a starting point for sharing the gospel?
2. What two key attributes of God did Paul emphasize in Acts 17:24-28 to contrast Him with the Greek gods? [33:32]
3. How did Paul connect the words of Greek poets (Acts 17:28) to his message about the true God? [39:16]
4. What were the two distinct reactions to Paul’s message about the resurrection (Acts 17:32-34)?

1. Why do you think Paul began his message by affirming God as Creator rather than immediately mentioning Jesus? How does this approach address the Athenians’ worldview? [33:32]
2. The sermon states, “Idols reveal a restless heart.” How does idolatry (ancient or modern) expose humanity’s unfulfilled longings? [26:32]
3. Paul quoted pagan poets to build bridges for the gospel. Why is understanding cultural “touchpoints” vital for meaningful spiritual conversations today? [39:16]
4. Why might the resurrection have been a stumbling block for some Athenians, and how does it uniquely answer the fear behind their “unknown god” altar? [42:53]

1. Where do you see modern “altars to unknown gods” in your community (e.g., cultural obsessions, anxieties, or pursuits)? How could these become opportunities to point others to Christ? [26:32]
2. Think of a friend or neighbor with little biblical knowledge. What shared language, values, or cultural references could help you start a gospel conversation? [29:40]
3. The sermon emphasizes “public faith.” What is one practical way to move your faith beyond private rituals into everyday spaces (work, hobbies, community)? [29:40]
4. When have you encountered skepticism or rejection when sharing faith? How can Paul’s response in Athens (gentleness, clarity) shape your approach? [47:51]
5. The resurrection calls for repentance (Acts 17:30). What area of your life might God be inviting you to surrender to His authority this week? [42:53]