Acts 17  Paul, Silas, and Timothy continue their mission in Thessalonica, where some believe but others stir up problems.  Then they go on to Berea, where more come to the faith, until the troublemakers show up from Thessalonica.   Then, Paul is sent off to Athens, while Silas and Timothy stay behind for a little while.

In Athens, Paul is disturbed by the number of idols and preaches in the synagogue and the market place and ends up in the Areopagus, debating philosophers.  Even here in the center of Greek culture, God calls out those who would believe.  Paul's message here is a sound and simple summary of the Gospel for anyone who does not know God ( v24-30):

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope fro Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said,'For we also are His offspring'.   Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.  Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

God is the Creator and the Master of heaven and earth.
God is transcendent above all of His creation.
God is the giver of life.
God is the One who determines even the boundaries of nations.
God desires every man to seek Him.
God has made a way for all men to find Him.


God cannot be made to dwell in human buildings and is not formed by man's imagination.
God wants all men to repent, to think differently, to know Who He really is - because there is a day of judgement coming and His Son Jesus Christ will judge in righteousness.

Father in Heaven, You alone are God, the maker of heaven and earth.  We honor Your Name and worship You alone.  Giver of life, will You open our eyes to see and our ears to here Your Word with repentant and humble hearts?  Will You give us the Spirit of Christ to speak up to those who do not know You, that they also may be saved?  Thank You that You have not closed the door to anyone who seeks You.  Thank You that we can come to know Who You are and Who Jesus is through Your Divine Word.  Thank You for speaking to our hearts today . Amen.