This Weeks Chapters: Acts 17 - 21
Pastor Matt Beemer
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Acts 17:16
Paul was left alone in Athens. Only a short time before he had been beaten, thrown in prison and then chased through the countryside by a mob of angry Jews and hired thugs. It was time for a break! He could hide away now that he was safely in Athens.
above: Pastor Matt & Julie, Mars Hill - Athens
He had sent a message to have Timothy and Silas join him in Athens, so all he had to do is hide away, rest and recover from the physically and emotionally draining ministry he had in Macedonia, until they came.
But as Paul ventured out into Athens he saw the hundreds of stone carved idols and saw how people worshipped them in such ignorant darkness. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore! His heart shouted at him - How can you rest with all of Athens going to Hell! So every day he would go and find anyone who would listen to him and tell them about Jesus.
One day some of the leading thinkers in Athens heard Paul in the market. They wanted to hear more and brought him to Mars Hill where such ‘new things’ were discussed by leading men of the city.
What follows (Acts 17:17-34) is a great example on how to connect with an unsaved group of people. As you read notice how Paul draws from their own culture and the society of the day. He refers to one of their idols – ‘The Unknown God’, as well as their Poets as he tells them about Jesus.
Paul’s example shows us that we must be relevant as we endeavour to reach out to the unsaved people in our lives. Though Jesus never personally sinned, the sinners enjoyed hanging out with him. If we become so ‘Churched’ that we cannot relate to those around us, we are too churched!
Even so, no matter how relevant you are, not everyone you speak to will receive the Lord. They weren’t all convinced by Paul’s preaching either, but there were a few who believed. One in particular, Dionysius, a leading man of the city is said to have been the first pastor in Athens. The equivalent today would be like one of our leading politicians getting saved and then starting a church! Not a bad day witnessing in the market!
Something to think about - what if Paul had ignored his heart’s cry, and instead of being in that market, he did what was most comfortable and safe and never ventured out of his hotel while waiting for Timothy and Silas?
This week, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient, make a decision to follow your heart cry and in a relevant way tell others about Jesus!
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4 Comments So Far
- ferdinand bakoshi
- April Hewitt
- Philip & Tracey Johnston
- Chenayi
Pastor Matt i believe the church must leave the building. The apostles didn’t hang around one another always sitting but were always willing and ready to move, roll up their sleeves, dig in deep and get their hands dirty for service.
Stephen with all that anointing and wisdom, full of faith was humble enough to serve and wait on tables while the ‘super apostles’ preached the word and he wasn’t offended and maximised the gifts he had and is credited as the first to die for the gospel after Jesus.
I think we forget that we didn’t just get saved to serve one another but to shine the light of salvation in dark places not condemning people but telling them look, i lived like this and understand your pain and struggles. To love those that unbelievers themselves will not touch.
Alot of unbelievers feel they are not even worthy to come into the church (I know this). They feel, what’s the point? they’d come and hear someone tell them how bad it is to be bad and not have someone say, look i had a smoking addiction, or drugs and alchohol issues, or i was even suicidal @ a time in my life but Jesus saved me. They can’t relate to and with us and so they either go for rehab or visit psychologists for help who can identify with their pain and listen to their failures, but we know, we know a good doctor that charges nothing and yet gives freely with more.
Paul learnt to be all things to all men and never failed to tell all who cared to listen his past life and how God saved him.
Jesus was more popular with the gentiles and sinners than he was with his own people.
I pray God helps me personally to stop judging others and look out for ways to be a blessing rather than amplify their issues.
posted June 04, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Great word Pastor Matt. God loves to use people as vessils if only they are willing to be used. Ferdinhands comments have hit the nail on the head - people who feel bad sometimes dont feel worthy of attending church. I now understand how important it is to speak out and tell others about situations that you have been through, as this lifts and encourages people to know that there it isnt only them that are going through or have been through desperate times and he needs people who are steady and humble.
As the word says - he who thinketh, speaketh. Christ is in me and i in him. Praise you Father!
Lord your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path - and with you by my side i will never be in fear and trust in you always. No matter what the situation Lord - I give thanks to you always! Thank you Lord Jesus! Amen and Amen.
posted June 04, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Woncerfull words Ps Matt what a good example to think that Paul followed his heart’s cry and told people about Jesus . We also thank you for following your hearts cry to tell the world about Jesus. We thank God for Paul’s example and for your example Ps Matt I believe we all must keep following our passion and keep following our compassion. Like our greatest example Jesus He was move or followed His Heart’s cry passion & compassion and lives were tranformed.
posted June 07, 2008 at 01:54 AM
One saturday whilst i was waiting outside the house for some friends who were visiting (namely Patricia and Rose), one of my neighbours from across the street came to talk to me he stood very close that I could see his face so clearly, and as I looked at his rough stoned face God immediately said in my heart"There is a place for him in my kingdom and I have a purpose for his life.” And on Sunday the next day as pastor Matt started the word on reaching the unsaved, before he got to the part God said “but these things are only his whilst he is still alive.” So what do i do about that??? for every person on this earth, the is a place for him in the Father’s kingdom and a purpose for his life here on earth.
posted June 10, 2008 at 05:02 PM
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