So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
Acts 17:22-23 NLT
The men of Athens - known for their intellect, known to be very religious, with temples and shrines to every god, wanted to make sure they were covered (so to speak), so they even had an altar 'To an Unknown God'.
Paul was deeply troubled by all the idols in Athens (vs 16). The Greek word for troubled is 'paroxysm' - meaning sudden, violent emotion. That is intense!
Paul went to the synagogue. He spoke in the public square. And then he went to Mars Hill to deliver the Good News. He took his cue from what they had, the altar to an unknown god, and made it about the only God they needed to know.
Paul's desire to see the lost brought into the Kingdom of his Christ overrode every other thing in his life. He reasoned, they ridiculed, he continued to those who would hear. I encourage you to read again the Book of Acts...
Oh, that we would dare to stand and make an Unknown God known to a lost and dying world!
Prayer:
Father,
Make us bold! Blow on the embers of our hearts and cause us to burn with holy fire and anointing to make You known to whoever will listen! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Showing posts with label Unknown God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unknown God. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2018
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Unknown God
So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
Acts 17:22-25 NLT
I once met a man named Charles, who was a master at being able to take any subject and turn it around to become a message of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was beautiful to watch in action. Sometimes, people would throw words or opening lines at him just to see if they could stump him. They never could.
In today's Scripture, Paul does the same thing! The Athenians had all sorts of idols prominently displayed in their city and just in case they missed any, there was one shrine designated "To an Unknown God." Paul takes the nameless one and makes it about the One whose Name is above all names. The only Name by which we can be saved! He takes the one not assigned to a temple and makes it about the God who doesn't live in man-made temples, but lives inside of us because our bodies are His temple. The one who has no temple servants in Athens and makes it about the Servant King who has no need for them!
Oh, that we would take our unknown God to "whosoever will" and make Him known!
Prayer:
Father,
We praise You for the glorious grace You have poured out on us who belong to Your dear Son. You are so rich in kindness and grace that You purchased our freedom with the blood of Your Son and forgave our sins. We want to make Your praise glorious! Give us fresh anointing and guide our words and steps so that we are able to make You known, no matter the situation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
Acts 17:22-25 NLT
I once met a man named Charles, who was a master at being able to take any subject and turn it around to become a message of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was beautiful to watch in action. Sometimes, people would throw words or opening lines at him just to see if they could stump him. They never could.
In today's Scripture, Paul does the same thing! The Athenians had all sorts of idols prominently displayed in their city and just in case they missed any, there was one shrine designated "To an Unknown God." Paul takes the nameless one and makes it about the One whose Name is above all names. The only Name by which we can be saved! He takes the one not assigned to a temple and makes it about the God who doesn't live in man-made temples, but lives inside of us because our bodies are His temple. The one who has no temple servants in Athens and makes it about the Servant King who has no need for them!
Oh, that we would take our unknown God to "whosoever will" and make Him known!
Prayer:
Father,
We praise You for the glorious grace You have poured out on us who belong to Your dear Son. You are so rich in kindness and grace that You purchased our freedom with the blood of Your Son and forgave our sins. We want to make Your praise glorious! Give us fresh anointing and guide our words and steps so that we are able to make You known, no matter the situation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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