Sunday, May 24: Stand Boldly Against Idols

 ACT 17:13-21 (NIV)    
13) But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14) The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15) Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. 16) While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17) So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18) A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19) Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20) You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21) (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

TAKEAWAYS

1. What did Athens say?  
2. What did Paul do?   
I. Saw Idolatry   
 II. Felt Intensely   
 III. Spoke Reasonably & Powerfully