Acts 17
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.1
Paul in his journey at Athens was provoked by the Spirit of God because he saw the many idols of the Athenians. I think this is crucial for every Christian. Does your heart still feel for the people who worship other gods or have we become numb to the fact that it is the reality and we can’t do anything about it.
I remember watching the Jackie Chan version of “Around the Word in 80 Days” and there was a scene there where the people were worshipping the gods. Mika looked at me and said, “Dad, what are they doing?” I then explained to my 4 year old daughter about idols and idolatry and how many people still don’t worship Jesus. That night before tucking her to bed she prayed that the people of China would worship Jesus.
I believe their was a tug in her heart. She knows the truth and she cannot just do nothing about it. I prayed that I will always be like that, never settling till I know that I have by the grace of God spread the gospel.
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.
The interesting thing about idols is that they are usually unknown. Idol worship is usually passed on. I grew up with so many traditions that even my parents dont understand. In a way, we embraced a religious view we really don’t understand.
Paul leverage on the UNKNOWN GOD and preached to them the God of the Scripture. It is our duty as Christians to present who God is – his holiness, his wrath and His love. God is the gospel. Take God out and I don’t know what you are preaching.
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,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankindlife and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to liveon 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.’