The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Acts 17:1 – 18:18
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Acts 17:1 – 18:18
Paul shared the gospel with Jews in the Temple and with Greek philosophers in the Areopagus, and he did so in a way that connected with both groups. Ares was the Greek god of war; he was called Mars by the Romans, so the mount of Ares is sometimes known as Mars Hill. At this public gathering place, the thinkers of the time would gather and dispute one another about new ideas (the progressives) and old ideas (those who sought to “conserve,” or the conservatives). Paul came with what seemed to be new ideas, but they were actually quite old. The gospel goes back to the Garden of Eden, and the story of Christ unfolded throughout all of human history. Paul didn’t ridicule them for their beliefs, but instead found a point of contact with them. The Greeks had many gods, and just in case they had missed one they built an altar to the unknown god. Paul told them that he knew who this God was, in fact he was the only true God. This God is the maker of all things and is not served by humans because he doesn’t need anything from us–we need everything from him. This very same God determined exactly when and where all people would live in order that they would reach out and find God, though he is always nearby and not far away. The Epicureans believed in a god who was not involved in human affairs, a belief known as deism, while the Stoics believed in a kind of pantheism where god is indistinct from the cosmos. Paul taught that the one true God is very near and very involved, and he is not a part of the cosmos–he created it. In both the Temple and the Areopagus, the outcome was the same. Some ridiculed, some were curious but unconvinced, and some believed the gospel. The Cosmos creator has determined the exact time and place you would live so that you would find him. If you have believed the gospel, he has set you in your time and place so that you would faithfully make him known to others. You don’t have to be an expert in the gospel or in the current thinking trends of your time. You do need to know this: God has placed you and all the people you know in this exact time and place. Now, what will you do with this opportunity and responsibility?
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Isaac & Suzanne as they serve as teachers at BFA. Pray for endurance through the short days of winter and for them to shine the light of Christ to their students.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.