“As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:28 [NIV]
The last three sermons from the Book of Acts that we have looked at have been to people who already had a belief in the God of Israel. Peter and Paul were preaching to Jewish people who were already deeply immersed in Scripture and worshipped God. What they were bringing to them was the news about Jesus the Messiah. In a sense they had only one hurdle to cross in coming to faith. But what would the good news about Jesus look like for people who had no understanding of the one true God? Paul is in Athens, speaking to Greeks who are deeply religious, but have no concept of the God of Israel, let alone Jesus – they are even further removed from faith. How would he help them across those hurdles? What would he say? If you have time, read Acts 17:22-34 now.
Wonderfully, Paul starts from the precise place his listeners are at. He speaks of what he has observed of Greek religion. He tells them why this is flawed in terms that they could understand – some Greek philosophy was tending towards thinking that a creator God couldn’t possibly inhabit temples and as the source of life didn’t need offerings from people (v24-25). He quotes two philosophers in saying that all human life has its source and being in God, and that we are each “his offspring.” (v28). Only having spoken directly into their situation, using language they could understand does he then speaks about Jesus (v31).
Think about people around you. Maybe in your work place, or your family. In our post-Christian culture so many people that we know are like the Greeks of Athens, several steps removed from faith. In Church we are so often inhabiting a culture that isn’t theirs, using language that they don’t understand, and talking about a God who is a stranger to them. But this truth remains: those people are his offspring. God made them and loves them, he has called them to live in this time and place (v26-27), and when God’s people go to them and use language and concepts that they can understand even people who seem far away will come to faith (v34).
Reflection: Who is the person around you who seems furthest removed from knowing God? What are the barriers that they would have to cross in order to come to faith? How can you cross those barriers to go to them? Pray that the barriers would be broken down and that person would come to believe.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that each person on this planet is made and loved by you. Fill my heart with your love for the people of this world. Help your people everywhere, and especially in Rugby, to go to people, to understand the culture around us, and speak into it a message of life and hope. And, Lord, send me. Amen.
Olly Mears
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