Title: Facing the Challenges of a Faltering Society
Author: Gerald Harris
Text: Acts 17:16-34
On Paul's second missionary journey he and three other preachers or missionaries crossed over the Hellesport, the narrow strait between Asia and Europe into Macedonia to preach the Gospel in Europe for the first time. Dr. Luke, the beloved physician, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles was left in Philippi. Timothy stayed in Thessalonica. Silas was left in Berea, later joined by Timothy. Paul is alone in Athens waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him.
Athens was the greatest university town in the world; and men from all over the world came to Athens seeking knowledge. Athens was a city of many philosophies, beliefs and viewpoints as well as a city of many gods. It was said that there were more gods in Athens then in all the rest of Greece put together; and in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man. In the great city square men would gather day and night to discuss some new thought or idea.
Let us consider what Paul encountered in Athens and compare it to what is happening in our nation and in our denomination; and I want to be as honest and forthright as I can be in this message. We need to see it like it is and tell it like it is. We must not live under a delusion.
I am reminded of the verbose professor who was trying to tell a man that he had a flat tire on his car. He said, "Your pneumatic contrivance has ceased to function."
The motorist was dumbfounded! He said, "Er, what did you say?"
"I say your tubular air container has lost its rotundity."
The motorist said, "I don't understand."
"The elastic fabric surrounding the circular frame whose successive revolutions bear you onward has not retained its roundness."
The little boy on the curb said, "Aw, mister, you got a flat tire."
So, I want to shoot straight with you in this message:
I. Paul's Anguish
In verse 16 we are told that when Paul got to Athens "his spirit was st ...
Author: Gerald Harris
Text: Acts 17:16-34
On Paul's second missionary journey he and three other preachers or missionaries crossed over the Hellesport, the narrow strait between Asia and Europe into Macedonia to preach the Gospel in Europe for the first time. Dr. Luke, the beloved physician, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles was left in Philippi. Timothy stayed in Thessalonica. Silas was left in Berea, later joined by Timothy. Paul is alone in Athens waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him.
Athens was the greatest university town in the world; and men from all over the world came to Athens seeking knowledge. Athens was a city of many philosophies, beliefs and viewpoints as well as a city of many gods. It was said that there were more gods in Athens then in all the rest of Greece put together; and in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man. In the great city square men would gather day and night to discuss some new thought or idea.
Let us consider what Paul encountered in Athens and compare it to what is happening in our nation and in our denomination; and I want to be as honest and forthright as I can be in this message. We need to see it like it is and tell it like it is. We must not live under a delusion.
I am reminded of the verbose professor who was trying to tell a man that he had a flat tire on his car. He said, "Your pneumatic contrivance has ceased to function."
The motorist was dumbfounded! He said, "Er, what did you say?"
"I say your tubular air container has lost its rotundity."
The motorist said, "I don't understand."
"The elastic fabric surrounding the circular frame whose successive revolutions bear you onward has not retained its roundness."
The little boy on the curb said, "Aw, mister, you got a flat tire."
So, I want to shoot straight with you in this message:
I. Paul's Anguish
In verse 16 we are told that when Paul got to Athens "his spirit was st ...
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