Acts 17 It Disturbed Paul

Do you like to travel? Acts 17 takes us to 3 very different cities, let's visit them with Paul. Thessalonica sat on a deep protected harbor on the Aegean Sea. Ships from Rome, Asia Minor, Egypt and Macedonia docked there. Rome's Superhighway, The Via Egnatia, ran straight through the city making it a major travel hub. It was one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire — politically, economically, and culturally. It was a free city under Rome, which meant no Roman garrison occupied the city and local leaders governed themselves. It was culturally and spiritually diverse. The blend of cultures and religions made it a strategic city for spreading the gospel globally. Arriving in Thessalonica Paul and Silas found a large Jewish community with a synagogue where for three Sabbaths Paul discussed and thoroughly explained the gospel to the people. His overarching message was  "This Jesus I am proclaiming  to you is the Christ." 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.   The Jews were jealous and stirred up a mob that sent the city into an uproar.  That night the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea.   While Thessalonica was loud, political and strategic… Berea was peaceful, and tucked away. It was a tranquil place with fertile farmland, olive orchards, quiet courtyards, where families gathered, and cool streams to refresh them. When Paul describes the people as more noble; he was referring to their receptive hearts and not their heritage. When Paul preached, they listened and received the message eagerly! They weren't gullible. They were serious students, not philosophers, that searched the Scriptures for accuracy! When they saw it was true…they believed.   Their quietness was shattered when the Thessalonian Jews discovered Paul's whereabouts. They arrived personally to agitate and incite the crowds.   14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.   15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.   Maybe your geography and history are much better than mine, but I never realized what Paul was walking into when he arrived in Athens. Paul was born in Tarsus, which made Paul a Roman even though both of his parents were Jewish. Tarsus was a major Roman city, wealthy, strategic, and influential.   Paul didn't grow up in obscurity. He grew up in a cosmopolitan, educated, prosperous city. Ships from all over the empire docked there. It was famous for its schools. Paul grew up in a city where ideas were debated in the streets. He wasn't just spiritually sharp — he was intellectually trained. God had prepared him long before Damascus.   16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, Here I go interrupting another verse, but this is important. Maybe you think you know what Paul was about to experience? You've seen the pictures or maybe you have been there! You might know the grandeur and the breath-taking splendor, of the Acropolis the highest place in Athens—a massive limestone hill rising above the city, decorated with temples dedicated to the gods. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the other imposing marble temples stood in commanding splendor on the Acropolis—the massive high place that overshadowed the city. It was considered the spiritual heart of Athens, the place where religion, culture, and civic pride came together in gleaming marble. When Paul walked through Athens, the Acropolis dominated the skyline, its temples visible from every direction.  But dear, Dr. Luke, doesn't tell us any of that…not a single word of the ancient, magnificent beauty… Instead, he tells us what Paul FELT when he entered the city of ancient marble buildings. "he was DEEPLY DISTURBED in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols."   I need to make this very personal. When you see your city filled with idol worshippers, (Yes, our cities are filled with idol worshippers, just not the statue kind.) ·       WHAT DO YOU FEEL? o   Anything? §  Disgust? §  Frustration? §  Hopeless?   Dr. Luke used a special word here that is only used twice in the Bible. It means exasperate, but the Discovery Bible explains "to provoke feelings, spurring someone to action". Then Dr. Luke tells us what Paul did about the grief and frustration he felt when he saw a city filled with idols.   17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day. ·       Reasoned means ·       taught, ·       asked questions, ·       answered ·       questioned ·       LISTENED. ·       OBSERVED.   I wonder how Paul, more importantly,  how Jesus would view OUR excuses for NOT being DEEPLY DISTURBED enough to be a bold witness for Christ.   Father, Forgive us for hoarding. Help us to quit making excuses, but to begin to love you and the lost, so much that we share what we've be given-JESUS- in the church, AND in the marketplace! You have given us Holy Spirit Power to enable us, remind us to access His wisdom and His power as we go! In the Might Name of Jesus. Amen.   Want To Be Stronger?   Join me every Saturday for faith-filled encouragement, inspiring articles, and helpful resources delivered right to your inbox. I'd love to connect with you! Or subscribe to this podcast on your favorite Podcast Provider.