AM Scripture Reading: Acts 17.22-28

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

THE UNKNOWN GOD

(“Though He Is Not Far From Each Of Us”)

Acts 17.16-34

Introduction:

1. The Athenians were superstitious enough to erect an altar to “the unknown God” (read vs. 23-28).

2. They were not diligently seeking the Lord; they were feeding their own curiosities (read vs. 16-21).

3. In “ignorance,” they needed to “repent” (read vs. 29-34).

4. The applications for today should be obvious!

I. UNBELIEF IS “WITHOUT EXCUSE” – Romans 1.20

1. The same preacher, the same message. (Rom. 1 & 1 Cor. 1)

   1. The invisible God is clearly seen! (Rom. 1.18-22)

   2. The gospel is perceived as “foolishness” (1 Cor. 1.18-21).

2. David concluded, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god…’” (Psa. 14.1-2).

   1. The “good” any unbeliever has done is short-lived because he has failed to acknowledge God.

   2. In arrogance he presumes the omnipresence, the omniscience & the eternal attributes of God…

II. “HE IS NOT FAR FROM EACH OF US” – Acts 17.27

1. Go back to Paul’s sermon to the Athenians.

   1. Grecian society as a whole was morally & religiously bankrupt! [The American society better wake up!]

   2. Paul challenged them to “seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us…”

2. “Seek the Lord while He may be found” (Read Isa. 55.6-11).

   1. God can still be found! (Cf., Matt. 7.7-8)

   2. “Let the wicked forsake his way” (v. 7; cf., 2 Pet. 3.9).

   3. Acknowledge God’s “ways” & “thoughts” (vs. 8-9).

   4. Trust His Word! (Vs. 10-11; cf., Rom. 10.17)

Conclusion: Did you notice the commonality in the three principle passages (Rom. 1; 1 Cor. 1 & Psa. 14)? “Fools” don’t look for God, usually because they are afraid of what they might find!