Virtual Service January 16, 2022
“Perspective for the Future” (Part 2)
New year series Frank W.R. Benoit
Introduction – When we get high enough to get some perspective, then what? We need to get more or a better perspective! There are many things from Scripture that show us the way to prepare and what’s coming. They give us a biblical perspective for the future. Today we’ll cover them in Part 2 of our series – “Get More/Better Perspective!” to see who God is and what He says. So, let’s go!
Part 2 – “Get More/Better Perspective!”
1. Acts 17:16-21 and Paul preaches in Athens.
2. Acts 17:22-31 and Paul addresses the Areopagus.
3. Acts 17:32-34 and Paul gets mixed results.
1. Acts 17:16-21. Paul preaches in Athens. Paul was provoked by the massive idolatry (“full of idols”). So, he began to “reason” with (or teach) the people. Some philosophers misunderstood what he was teaching about Jesus. They brought him to the Areopagus to clarify his “teaching” & “know” what he was “proclaiming”. We should know how to share the gospel, but it will often be misunderstood.
2. Acts 17:22-31. Paul addresses the Areopagus. He didn’t tell them God loved them, or that they were sinners needing salvation. He started with their “worship” to teach about the one, true God who exists, who “made” the universe and gives life to all and wants us to “seek God…He is not far from each one of us” and “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world.” A judgment day is coming.
3. Acts 17:32-34. Paul gets mixed results. Some “sneered” at the resurrection, others wanted to “hear” later, and a few “believed.” Many times, the gospel of Jesus’ death & resurrection will be rejected, but some unbelievers will accept Christ!
Just to review:
1. We need to proclaim, preach and teach the true gospel of Jesus’ life, death and His resurrection, not a particular theological, political or social agenda.
2. Our sharing of the gospel will be misunderstood by the world, even rejected, but sometimes, some unbelievers will accept Christ as their Savior.
3. There is only one, true God who exists, He created the whole universe and gives life to everything; and He wants us to “seek” Him.
4. Racism is not from God. There is only one race on the Earth (“made from one blood, every nation of mankind”): humanity or mankind.
5. In Jesus, God has provided a way for all people to be reconciled to Him and asks for “all everywhere to repent” (vss. 30-31). He does not have favorites!!!
6. There is a judgment day coming and Jesus Christ will be the Judge.
Matthew Henry said, “God hath given assurance unto all men, sufficient ground for their faith to build upon, both that there is a judgment to come, and that Christ will be their judge; the matter is not left doubtful but is of unquestionable certainty. Let all his enemies be assured of it, and tremble before him; let all his friends be assured of it, and triumph in him.” (Matthew Henry)
Conclusion. A key part of having a right perspective for the future, is to know what the Bible teaches about:
* who the only one, true God of the universe is,
* how He has provided for reconciliation, and
* what the gospel is that we need to preach from the Bible: Jesus Christ the resurrected Savior.
Perspective for the future comes from seeing who God is in the Bible, what He has done in Jesus Christ to reconcile us back to Himself, and what the Gospel is that we should be proclaiming.