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That Strange TeachingActs 17:16-34 (pew Bible p853)
Resisted
Received
Ridiculed
That Strange Teaching
AthensKnown for its culture and educationVery religious/spiritualLooking for the latest religious idea
“The Greek religion…was a religion which ministered to art and amusement, and was entirely destitute of moral power…One wit jested that in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man”—Warren Wiersbe
That Strange Teaching
AthensDevoted to idolatryDevoted to philosophy—Socrates, Aristotle Epicureans—marked by indulgence
Pleasure was the highest and most sought
Stoics—marked by self-disciplineTo understand life—remove your desires
Paul is in front of the councilGetting his license to preach publicly
That Strange Teaching
What was this “Strange Teaching”?
Acts 17:16-34Introduction—v22-23
He put them at easeComplimented them—“I notice that you are very
religious in every way”Spoke to their particular circumstances
Their religious practices The “unknown god”
That Strange Teaching
We need to be people who put people at ease around us!—be positive
We need to speak to people where they are at!
Epicureans today—trapped in self-indulgence
It leads to obesity, binge drinking, abuse, addictions
Are we able to filter through the signs and reach the problem?—give hope?
That Strange Teaching
Stoics today—trapped in discipline
Over-exercised, over-worked, need a soldier’s mentality just to make it through the day
Bodies that look like the sculptures of the Greek Gods
Keeping up appearances
The health, fitness and image industries that lead us in a spiral down into behavioural and eating disorders
Can you love them for who they are without heaping more expectations on them?
That Strange Teaching
IntroductionBody—v24-31
God made everything and orders everythingCan’t be confined to man-made things
God made you for a RelationshipHe wants a relationship with YOUEverything around us points to HimIn Him we move, live, exist—He is not distant
Don’t worship idolsDon’t focus your attention on things—man-madeBut on Him—Who made it all
That Strange Teaching
Conclusion—v29-31There is a day of Judgement Coming
You will be judged by your relationship in HimThe Person who will judge us is Jesus
The ResponseSome ridiculed—called him a babblerSome believed and became disciples
That Strange Teaching
Application for Today
Introduction† Use movies, music, anything that will get them
relaxed† Keep your ears, eyes open for what people
are saying† Study and learn our culture so that we know
enough to be dangerous on most subjects
That Strange Teaching
Message † Relationship—ruined by an enemy
† We’ve been manipulated, exploited, out-manoeuvred into lives that are enslaved to our indulgences and excesses
† Excess hides our pain and numbs the levels of anxiety
† The answer?† We don’t have the answer BUT we know someone who
gives PEACE and POWER to overcome them† We have peace with God which gives us peace in
adversity
That Strange Teaching
Message† Revelation—God loves you!
† He wants to heal, transform, meet with you† People flocked to see Jesus because of His
miracles, but † They were convinced about God because of His
love
That Strange Teaching
Response
That Strange Teaching
Response—Respond to the love of God and embrace the solution † Jesus is calling revolutionaries who will stand
in His Peace and Power† If you embrace the solution—Jesus’ death
and resurrection—He will never leave or forsake you
That Strange Teaching
Conclusion † The world is out of control BUT you can
change the world† How? † One life at a time. Starting with yours!† Transformation starts with your life being
transformed† Others are changed because we are changed† The more you are changed—the more you’ll
become an agent of change for God† People will look at your life and see God
That Strange Teaching
How will you respond?† Are you here and considering exchanging
your life for Jesus’ life in you?† Are you saved but living in anxiety and
defeat?† Are you saved but needing a fresh anointing
of the transforming power of Jesus’ Spirit in you?
† Are you God’s agent of change?
Good News! Jesus is here and wants to have an intimate relationship with you!