Gateways for the Gospel - Acts 17

Gateways for the Gospel:

Finding the altar to the unknown god

(Acts 17:16-34)

Paul finds himself in Athens.

What does he do?

Eyes and ears open, he observes:

• poetry
• architecture
• art

culture

Ears and mouth open, he dialogues:

• With Jews
• With Greeks in the marketplace

because the city

was full of idols

Paul was greatly distressed

Paul knows that he doesn't bring the presence of God.

God has been at work here, far before Paul ever arrived on the scene.

" I even saw an altar that was inscribed

' TO AN UNKNOWN GOD' "

• Creation - image of God (Acts 17:24-26, Romans 1:19-20)
• Yearning for God (the altar to the unknown god, Acts 17:27, Ecclesiastes 4:11)
• God draws people to himself

"Now what you worship as something unknown,

I am going to proclaim to you."

• Judgment of idolatry
• Repentance ( & forgiveness - Luke 24:46-48)
• Resurrection of Jesus

Gateways for the Gospel:

We do NOT bring the presence of God into people's lives.

But we can listen for it and look for it.

We plant the seed of the gospel in the soil of God's presence so that it may be fruitful.

Our witness to Christ in a pluralistic world:

God is ALREADY doing his missional work.

Jesus embodies God's mission.

Pray for:

• a HEART that beats in time with God's heart for the lost
• EYES that can see the altars to the unknown God (the presence and work of God in unexpected places)
• EARS that can listen for echoes of God's love and gateways for the gospel in our culture
• MOUTHS that SPEAK the gospel into people's lives
• LIVES that reflect the transformative, attractive power of God's love and grace through the presence of the risen Jesus

The heart of God that breaks for a lost and dying world

Idolatry leads us away from the God who is the source of life, and so, eventually, into death.