"Distressed By Idolatry"

 "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols"

                                                                               ACTS 17 : 16

It must best timing experience for Paul to come to Athens, the intellectual center of the first-century world. As a native and longtime resident of the educational center of Tarsus, and as one who was reared and educated by leading Jewish thinkers in Jerusalem, he is comfortable in academic circles. Though Athens has lost much of its politcal and commercial influence since Roman conquered it in 146 B.C. It remains a major center of art, literature, and philosophy. 

        Buf Paul discovers that the city is thoroughly, sickeningly devoted to pagan idolatry. Luke says the city is  "given over" to false gods. "In spite of its distinction of being the center of learning and artistry, this city. Exceeded all others in spiritual blindness and indulged in unrivaled idolatry." Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes in his commentary on Acts. Luke says Paul's spirit is "provoked" by this situation; other Bible translations render his action. As "greatly disressed" (NIV) and "stirred" (KJV). Perhapshe is offended by this large-scale affront to God and moved to compassion for the misguided people (Matt.9:36). In any event, he realizes he cannot kerp silent, and he begins to reaso. In the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearers, and in the marketplace with anyone he encounters.

       The maketplace is where Athens' philosophers gather to debate, and Paul's words are heard by the Epicureans, who teach that every being seeks happiness by maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain; and the Stoics, who teach that humans find happiness by accepting their fate submissively. They disdainfully call Paul a "babbler," and in their ignorance of Christisnity they mistakenly assume he is speaking of two gods (Jesus and Anastasis, Greek for 'resurrection"). They then take him to the Areopagus, literally the "hill of Ares." The governing council once met there; and the name became attached to the council even when it met elsewhere; it appears that Paul is taken before the council, not to the hill. This council supervise education to ensure that new teaching didnot constitute a threat to the state; its members ask to hear Paul's doctrine that they might pass judgement on it. But they are curious , too, for, as Luke notes, they love ti hear new things. So the door is opened for the Gospel to be preached to the governing council in the cultural center of the world. (Acts 17:16-21),

"MOTIVE OF HEART"

         "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, 

                   but according to His mercy He saved us"

                                           Titus 3:5

Are you involved in various activities at your church with the mistaken purpose of ensuring your place in  Heaven? Those activities may be valuable as good deeds, but none of us can work our way into Heaven.

         In the early days of the church, the nee believer fellowshipped and prayed together. They lived God and their outflow of devotion to Him waa expressed in their love for one another. Sadly,that initial passion faded in time and was replaced by effort. Through history, many "good deeds" have been done with a desire tolease God, but that doesn't always ensure that He is genuinely pleased with such effort!

         The Scriptures teach us that God looks on our hearts, and He loves to see us glowing with passion for his work, His will and His people.

         Do you sometimes struggle with doing more rather than loving God more? The Lord looks at the motives of the heart, not the sweat of the brow. Serve the Lord because you love Him, not because of what you might earn.

         For you do not desire sacrifice, or else i would give it,

          you do not delight i  burnt offering. The sacrifice of 

        God are a broken spirit, a brokenand a contrite heart

        these, O God, you will not despise Psalm 51:16,17

"Bring people to Jesus"

"He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, " We have found the Messiah"

(Which is translated, the Christ).

JOHN 1:41(KJV)

  People become known for many things. Noah is known as a righteous man in an evil age. David is known as the man after God's own heart. Peter is known outspoken disciple. John is known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Judas is known as the betrayer. Paul is known as fearless of the gospel. Andrew is known for bringing other to Jesus.

  The first person andrew brought to Jesus was his brother peter. As soon as Peter joined the disciple, he became the spokenperson for the Twelve, while Andrew remained in the background. It was Peter, not Andrew, who rose to prominence as one of Jesus' inner circle of three. We do not read of Andrew resenting Peter, it seems he was satified to bring others to Jesus and leave the result to Him.

   It is not surprising that Andrew found the boy with the boy with the loaves  and fishes and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). Andrew brought Greeks to Jesus, even though they were despised by pious Jews (John 12:20-22). There is no record of ever preaching a sermon, performing a miracle, or  writng a book of Scripture. He is remembered for those whom he brought to Jesus.

  Andrew is a good role model for us. Our job is not to transform people into Christians nor to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibilty to make people do what they ought to do.

   Our task is to bring them to Jesus, and He will perform His in divine work in their lives.

" Hidden from the Wise"

 "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden These things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

 LUKE 10 : 21

 One hindrance to hearing a word from God may be our own wisdom. Wisdom, like success, can delude us to think we should take the role of teacher rather student. Our knowledge lulls us into thinking we have sufficient wisdom to meet any challenge. Believing we are wise unaware of how much growth is still required in ourselves.

     The Pharisees were the religious experts of their day. They possessed much information about God, but they had no personal relationship with Him. Their knowledge clouded their view of their condition before God. Jesus thanked His Father that it was not to these "expert" that the Father had revealed spiritual truth, but rather to those were humble and who recognized their need for God's revelation.

     When religious leaders experience spiritual failure, their down fall is often met with surprise. It shouldn't be. Religious people with the most knowledge can easily lead to pride, and pride impedes us from seeking God.

      How do you know if you are a "pharisee"? When you do not have a teachable spirit. When you become defensive if a fellow Christian shares a concern about your spiritual condition. When you do not seek to hear from God, believing you already know what He thinks. When you feel that you are capable of helping others in their spiritual lives, your actions and pinns others thinking that was right for you and in the sight of God. But no one teach you anything. Don't allow the limited knowledge you now have to blind you to the great truths God still wants to reveal to you. Next time make it straight so we can run the race that is in us.

" Fearlessness"

       "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words 

        may be given so  that I  will  fearlessly  make  known the

         mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in 

         Chains. Pray that I may deckare it fearlessly, as I should"

                                                             ---Ephesians 6 : 19-20

        The apostle Paul may be considered one of the most bold and courageous ambassador of the Gospel, but even he got butterflies in his stomach. In one paragraph, he twice asks for prayer for courage i. Sharing the truth of the Gospel. How odd to think that even the great apostle felt fear 

         We can identify with Paul's struggle. When it cmes to declaring the Gospel, whether pointing an unbeliever ti Christ, or exposing sin in the life of a fellow believer, many would rather drop broad hints abd hope tgat the Holy Spirit would do the rest. Often we are an emotional mixed bag, fearful of saying the right thing in the wrong place or the wrong thing in the right place

        Sometimes we are fearful of not only de karing the Gospel but of demonstrating it. Compassion may have suited our Lord, but perhaps we would rather drop coins in a Salvation Army bucket and remain at an arm's-length distance from people with real hurts

        Fear is natural for humans. Fearlessness is a supernatural grace God gives when we, like Paul, pray and ask for courage.

        We may fumble wutb what to say. When and how to say it; we 

        May struggle with what to do, when and how to do it. That's 

        Why prayer is the best preface to either declaring of demon-

        strating the Gospel. The Lord is our resources for courage.

        Lord, I need Your courage today. Help me to look for opportunities

        To make known Your Gospel. And when I open my mouth, please

        Give me words so that I can fearlessly declare and demonstrate

        Your Gospel of love.

"WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON"?

       "So I say, love by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires

         Of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires whphat is

        Contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the 

         Sinful nature. The are in conflict with each other"

                                                                   --Galatians 5 : 16-17

         Remember the old game of Tug-of -War? Line up the strongest guys on your side, wait for the signal, then dig your heels in, strain hard, and pull till it hurts.

         I think of Tug-of-War when I consider the average Christian's daily experience. It's like two forces that wrench you in a fierce contest of push-and-pull--- the Holy Spirit pushes you up and the flesh pulls you down. It's constant struggle to crucify the flesh and keep walking in the spirit. To starve the old and feed the nes. To reckon yourself dead to sin abd alive to God 

         And who wins? It depends on whose side you choose to be. In this contest you are on one side or the other and never in the middle. Every day you're either following the claims of your fallen nature or believing the promises of God. Who prevails in this contest depends on the attitude you adopt toward either side.

        

         Every mo ent of the day, each devision you make, every

         Choice and every thought is a chance to crucify the old 

         and encourage the new. Remember, you can't be neutral,

         you can't renain in the middle. You are either walking in the 

        Spirit or you're not.

        

         Lord, as I begin this day. I want to choose you and your 

         Promises. As each hour, each moment passes, help me 

        to keep choosing to walk in Your Spirit and thereby starve

        The desires of my sinful nature. I praise You for the difference 

        You will make in my life.

         

"AT A LOSS FOR WORDS"

       "Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a Throne

        of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a

          man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked 

            like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he 

              looked like fire; and brilliant ligh surrounded him."

                                               EZEKIEL 1:26--27    

        How would you describe God the Father? Try gropping for the right words and you'll fall short because He's not exactly like anything or anybody. 

        The prophets strained to come up with words to describe what they saw.

       A. W. Tozer puts  it this way, "when the Spirit would acquaint us with something that lies beyond the field of our knowledge, He tells us that this thing is like something we already know....."

       Even when Ezekiel hunted through his dictionary for adequate nouns and adjective to describe God, he to fall back on language that was old and familiar. Thus he talk about likes about something that looks like a throne or someone who looks like fire. In  fact, read the first chapter of Ezekiel and you'll discover that the nearer the prophet approached God, the less sure was of his words!

       

           When you read a book like Ezekiel, Daniel, or even the book

           Of Revelation, please don't be confuse by the strange and 

           Mysterious descriptions of God, or heaven, or terrifying

           Accounts of the last days. These descriptions are man's 

           best effort to explain the unexplainable. Instead of avoiding 

           Those books rejoice that your God is high and lifted up, and

            Never be reduced to terms that we can manage.

            Great and Sovereign Father, I acknowledge that your Glory and 

            Majesty cannot be reduced to mere words. Yet I feel I must 

           offer up words about how great and grand you are. Teach me

           To know what I cannot know and  let my faith take over when 

           word fail me.