CONFRONTING LITTLE “GODS” ACTS 17:16-34
I. Paul’s Audience in Athens
II. Paul’s Approach in Athens I Pet. 3:15, 16
III. Paul’s Apologetic in Athens
I. Paul’s Audience in Athens
- The Confused Culture of Idolatry
- The vain pursuit of religion
- The vain pursuit of pleasure Eccl. 2:1; I Cor. 15:32
- The vain pursuit of spirituality. 2 Tim. 3:5-7
II. Paul’s Approach in Athens I Pet. 3:15, 16
- The Clear Gospel of Jesus 2 Cor. 4:2-6
- Paul appeals to man’s need for something greater than himself Rom. 1:18-20
- The irrationalism of human foolishness confronted by divine wisdom. I Cor. 1:18-25
- The unsatisfactory nature of created things is trumped by the gracious provision of the Creator. Rom. 1:20-23
III. Paul’s Apologetic in Athens
- The Creator God of Salvation Isa. 66:1, 2
- The true God is sovereign and eternal, not dependent and temporal. Isa. 40:18-20; 45:20, 21
- The true God gives you physical life, thus will be the judge of your life. Rom. 14:8, 12; 2 Cor. 5:10
- The true God provides forgiveness of sin and spiritual life through the death and resurrection of His Son Jn. 5:20-27; Rom. 3:23-26