2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9

“What about all the lost people in deep, dark Africa?”

• Usually an accusation against God- Is God so “unfair” and “unjust” to condemn people when it was impossible for them to hear the gospel?

cp. Romans 9:14-16› Like these Jews, many who can hear the

gospel reject it because of this false way of thinking

- However, many who are truly seeking God may also be faced with this question:› Friends, family may ask this of us in sincerity› Perhaps it is our own legitimate concern for the lost in other “less privileged” places

So: “What about deep, dark Africa?”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens- A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17:22-23› These people were “very religious” and were involved in “worship”, however errant› God made man with a desire for worship

› Man will always choose whom he will worship:

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

cp. Josh 24:15; Rom 1:22-25; Ecc 3:11

either God: Josh 24:15; Deut 6:13-14or a false god (demons!, things, self): Josh 24:15; 1 Cor 10:16-22; Col 2:8, 18, 23

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens- A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17:22-23

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

- A lesson directed toward showing men God’s purpose in creation

Acts 17:24-28

“God, who made the world and everything in it…

made from one blood every nation of men to dwell

on all the face of the earth, and has determined

their preappointed times and

the boundaries of their dwellings,

so that they should seek the Lord…”

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

Acts 17:24-28

“God, who made the world and everything in it…

made from one blood every nation of men to dwell

on all the face of the earth, and has determined

their preappointed times and

the boundaries of their dwellings,

so that they should seek the Lord…”

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

Acts 17:24-28

WHEN?

WHERE?

“God, who made the world and everything in it…

made from one blood every nation of men to dwell

on all the face of the earth, and has determined

their preappointed times and

the boundaries of their dwellings,

so that they should seek the Lord…”

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

Acts 17:24-28

WHEN?

WHY?WHERE?

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens- A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17:22-23

› God made EVERYONE to be WHEN and WHERE they are SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK HIM !!!

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

- A lesson directed toward showing men God’s purpose in creation

Acts 17:24-28

Adam and Eve Israel in Egypt Jews in Babylon Christians in Rome People in Hitler’s Germany

A Eunuch in the desert A jailer in Philippi Idolaters in Athens! “Deep, dark Africa”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens- A lesson directed toward people to whom God was “unknown” Acts 17:22-23

› God made EVERYONE to be WHEN and WHERE they are SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK HIM !!!

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

- A lesson directed toward showing men God’s purpose in creation

Acts 17:24-28

› Remember: God intended for man to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth”

Gn 9:1; 11:4, 7-8› God is the one who scattered men into “deep,

dark Africa” and He is the one who confused the speech – but then He “stacked the deck”

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens

- God has left a witness of Himself in every WHEN and WHERE Psalm 19:1-6

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

› “Day unto day utters speech” [v. 2]

• Psalm 19 – A language common to all

› “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard” [v. 3]› “…their words to the end of the world” [v. 4]

“The heavens [CREATION]

declare [speaks, talks, tells] the glory of God”

!!!

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens

- God has left a witness of Himself in every WHEN and WHERE Psalm 19:1-6

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

• Psalm 19 – A language common to all

- Paul said that even some of their own “wise men” had discovered this

Acts 17:27b-28- God has done this because He wants all men everywhere to be saved

1 Tm 2:4; 2 Pt 3:9; Acts 17:30

- For this reason, men who do not seek Him are “without excuse”

cp. Rom 1:18-25 › All men knew God once cp. Gn 9:1, 8-11; Ex

20:3-6

• Acts 17 – Paul’s sermon in Athens

- God wants to be found and will answer if men truly call on Him!Mt 7:7-11; Jn

4:23

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

• Psalm 19 – A language common to all• Matthew 7 – God’s promise to seekers

› God wants to give men His Spirit cp. Luke 11:13

- Now notice the context of “the golden rule”: “whatever you want…do also”

Matt 7:12- God answers His promise to seekers by the preaching of the gospel!

1 Cor 1:21

The gospel answers the confusion of speech:

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

OBSERVE:

Miraculously – Acts 2:5-6Practically – 1 Co 1:10; Gl 1:6-9; Cl 1:6, 23The gospel proves the nearness of God:cp. Acts 17:27b-28 and Rom 10:6-8The gospel is available in every WHEN and

WHERE: cp. Matt 28:18-20; see also Rev 14:6-7

The gospel is what Paul taught the lost in Athens: What: Acts 17:16-18 How: Acts

17:24-31The gospel is what WE must teach the lost also!Remember: Mt 7:12 – “do also to them”

“What about deep, dark Africa?”

OBSERVE:

Peter’s Sermon to Cornelius in Acts 10:34-43 proves that God’s gospel reaches ANYONE ANYWHERE who is truly seeking: whether in “deep, dark Africa” or in Jerusalem’s backyard.

There are many types of “deep, dark Africa”

There is ONE GOSPELthat is suited for savingthe lost in all of them

Are YOU the key to reaching the lost with the

ONE GOSPEL where you are? Have YOU OBEYED the ONE GOSPEL?