Bible Study - Share (5) - Share the Message - Acts 17:16-18, 22-23, 30-31 - May 23, 2021

 

Bible Study – Share (5) – Share the Message – May 23, 2021

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “How to Share CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 17:16-18; 22-23; 30-31.

Our daily conversations are opportunities to share CHRIST. The key is for us to anticipate and look for the opportunity to share JESUS.

The Apostle Paul was a good example for Christians to follow when it comes to witnessing. This is the heart of our today’s study.

When Paul entered a town, he looked around and used everyday events to get the attention of those to whom he would speak. This is a good way for Christians to establish commonality with those to whom the Holy Spirit has led you to speak.

Christians are to use their circumstances to share CHRIST with others as prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Often, relocation equals opportunity. I know within our circle of Christian friends some have relocated due to health reasons, loss of a loved one or simply downsizing where they live. This change in lifestyle gives opportunity. Those who know the truth of CHRIST and His hope of Glory are vessels of living water. They take with them the living water/the Holy Spirit which quenches the Spiritual thirst of those seeking truth.

So, what can we learn from the Apostle Paul?

When Paul was in Athens he paused and looked around. What did he see? How could he apply what he saw to establish a point of common interest with those who were also in that area?

The writer of ACTS, Doctor Luke, journaled the events taking place during the travels of these early missionaries. Paul was a key figure during these days. Bible scholars put the events recorded in Acts 17, in Athens, about 48-49 AD.

What do we do while we are waiting? Why are we where we are? Does GOD have something for us to do while we are waiting? Let’s explore!

We need to consider how GOD had prepared Paul even before he trusted JESUS as his Savior. Paul was a Jew and he was trained by Gamaliel, a Pharisee doctor of Jewish Law. In Acts 5:34-35 we read,” ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men^[c] to be taken outside for a little while. ³⁵ He said to them (the Sanhedrin), “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men.”

The Sanhedrin was concerned about the Apostles of JESUS telling others about JESUS, especially in the temple area. The temple was their domain and this JESUS was a threat to their livelihood plus they were party to the crucifixion of JESUS. Now GOD had raised JESUS from the physically dead. So, what were they to do? Gamaliel was a wise teacher as we read on ----

Then in Acts 5:38-39: ³⁸ So in the present case, I tell you (Gamaliel), stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. 

This gives us an idea of the thoughts and reasoning of Gamaliel.

Paul knew the Old Testament scriptures. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, and his time in Arabia, the Holy Spirit connected the Old Testament scripture to the fulfilment of them in the life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS and the return of the Holy Spirit.

Clarity came to Paul during his time in the dessert as written in Galatians 1:11-20:

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. ¹² For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵ But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^[d] 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

Paul knew the scripture and is an example for all Christians. We are to read, study, know and apply the scriptures in our lives as we serve JESUS wherever we are. But we must have the want to and look for opportunities. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Acts 17:1-4 (Background)

17 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. ² As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” ⁴ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

The Apostle Paul taught in the Jewish synagogue for three sabbaths. The scripture was the what we know as the Old Testament. Paul was a master teacher and connected the events of the Old Testament scriptures with the life, death, resurrection, fulfilment of GOD’S plan for the salvation of all who placed their faith in JESUS.

Notice in verse 4, “a large number of God-fearing Greeks and --- leading women” were persuaded to accept JESUS as GOD’S promised Messiah.

Those who were devout Jews saw this new teaching as a threat to the Jewish religion. Isn’t this true even today. Christians get comfortable worshipping with our group. If the Holy Spirit brings to our attention that we have been missing the mark and not fulfilling the great commission, do we embrace it or fight against change? If we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives or the body of believers, guess who does not want the body to change? You got it if you said, Satan!

So, what happened to this missionary group led by Paul?

Let’s read on in Acts 17:5-15:

Riot in the City

⁵ But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. ⁶ When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, ⁷ and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king—Jesus.” ⁸ The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. ⁹ After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.

The Bereans Search the Scriptures

¹⁰ As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined^[a] the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ¹² Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men. ¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and upsetting^[b] the crowds. ¹⁴ Then the brothers and sisters immediately sent Paul away to go to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed on there. ¹⁵ Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

Paul was escorted some 141 miles away to Athens. What would most of us do after being escorted out of the towns we had been preaching/teaching in? What did the Apostle Paul do? How could he keep on keeping on?

When we know the truth, the truth never changes. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit Who compels us to keep on keeping on.

So, Paul is now in Athens waiting for his team to catch up with him.

How could Paul not be embarrassed and keep a low profile? NO! Paul knew the truth and would not hide the truth from those seeking the truth. What would we do? What did Paul do as we read on ----

Let’s read Acts 17:16-18:

Paul in Athens

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off^[c] trying to say?”

The Apostle Paul was waiting for Timothy and Silas to come from Berea, some 141 miles away. Paul was in Athens. As he waited, he looked around, and was deeply distressed. He saw idols all around Athens. He even saw an idol to the unknown god. Paul knew that those in Athens wanted to have all of their bases covered when it came to religion. In essence, they did not want to tick off a god.

When we look around at the world around us or listen to the local and world news, how do we feel? Are we helpless? Or do we pray for the people of the area where we live or for those in other neighborhoods, cities, states, areas, or countries.  

The communication system we have today gives us great opportunity to pray for those locally and around the world. When you hear a siren, what do you do? It means trained first responders, medical, fire, accident personnel are either traveling to or from a situation that needs or needed their attention. Wisdom, safe travels and their personal safety are needed and we can join them as we pray for them.

Our communication systems give us opportunity to ask our LORD to come along the side of those rushing to help those in need.

What is the greatest need of all people? It is the need of salvation. We who know the truth are equipped with the Good News for those who are in need. Some may need comfort and others may need salvation. Are we, who know the truth, ready to respond when the opportunity is given to us?

We see in our scripture that Paul went to the synagogue. Why the synagogue? What was being taught by those who were supposed to know the truth. What is being preached and taught in our churches today? Is truth being taught or what feels good?

Where do we go when we want to find or hear truth? We go to church or the pastor of a church.

Paul went to the synagogue to reason with those gathered there.

The brainiacs had some unkind things to say about Paul. Isn’t that true today? What was Paul’s foundation for what he believed? It was the scriptures, the indwelling Holy Spirit and putting into practice or responding to the indwelling Holy Spirit. The same is true for Spirit-born Christians today. That is why all Christians must know the truth; not about the truth but know the truth. Plumb the depths of scripture both the Old and New Testaments. Ask the LORD JESUS to reveal truth to you and to help you to know the fullness of JESUS and not just about JESUS.

What could that mean to you? It could mean and likely will mean that you will be led to get rid of some human notions about your relationship with JESUS.

The Apostle Paul was looking for an opportunity to share the truth of JESUS with the people of Athens. As Christians, do we have the desire to share the truth of JESUS with others? If not, why not?

Let’s read Acts 17:22-23:

The Areopagus Address

²² Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. ²³ For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 

Paul began his address on common ground with those gathered to hear what he had to say. Religion was important to those gathered. Paul knew that religion is man-made whereas Christianity is from GOD. A person cannot earn his or her way to GOD’S Heaven without faith in JESUS, the true Messiah.

As already stated, Paul found common ground to build his message upon. He referenced something he saw as he explored Athens; “I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. ²³ For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

I think that was certainly an attention getter. When you share, you want your audience to listen.

Paul presented the message.

We have to read Paul’s message in verses 24-29:

²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live-in shrines made by hands. ²⁵ Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. ²⁶ From one man^[e] he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. ²⁷ He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸ For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ ²⁹ Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.

Sometimes the truth hurts or may be uncomfortable. But when we as Spirit-born Christians are called to present the truth, we are compelled to do so and trust GOD to apply the truth as needed. Paul addressed the nature of GOD as we read on ------

Let’s read Acts 17:30-31:

³⁰ “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

People were under the law and were ignorant of GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS. Now that JESUS has come into the world and fulfilled all that GOD had planned for HIM to fulfill, people are now accountable. JESUS is GOD’S standard of perfection. Whereas no human can reach that standard through their own merit, GOD declares righteous all who place their faith in JESUS, acknowledging JESUS as their Savior. JESUS is the redeemer of all who will place their faith in HIM. Simple! That is what GOD wants for every person; even a child can understand.

JESUS is the giver of eternal life to all who ask HIM to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives. Faster than the twinkling of the eye JESUS comes into a person’s heart and he or she is Spiritually born into the family of GOD, never to be unborn.

Now that is worth shouting about!

Blessings!!!