THURSDAY September 7, 2023
THE UNKNOWN GOD
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:”
Acts 17:22-23
In Athens, philosophers had taken Paul to the Areopagus––a place known as Mars Hill. I have had the opportunity to stand right at that exact place––the Temple attributed to Agnostos Theos, the unknown god, in Athens. It has been recorded in history that very often, Athenians would even swear "in the name of the Unknown God."
Now curious about what Paul had to say, they wanted to sit down to hear this new doctrine. The Athenians always wanted to hear of some new thing. As Paul looked out into his audience, he viewed their idolatry and knew they had such an emptiness in their hearts.
Paul examined the situation. He wanted to address them at their level so they could understand the message. He began his incredible sermon by starting with their love of worshiping all these different idols. Among the idols, he had found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Paul decided to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ from that premise. He would reveal to his audience who the unknown God was––Jesus! Paul had the wonderful freedom to speak about Him!
Be aware of the opportunities God has given you to preach the Gospel. When it happens, preach Christ with boldness.
I would rather speak five words out of this book than 50,000 words of the philosophers. If we want revivals, we must revive our reverence for the Word of God. If we want more conversions, we must put more of God’s Word into our sermons.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
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