“Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy — The Second Missionary Journey: Paul in Athens, Pagan Capitol of the Gentiles — Part 3”

Today we will focus on what Paul preached in Athens and how that was at the heart of his preaching to the Gentiles, whether we look at the record in the Acts or in his letters.  Interestingly, his letter to the Romans, both in chapters 1 & 2 and in chapter 10 reflect and build on the fact that the Lord God revealed himself to sinful mankind through his creation, both in the heavenly realm and on earth.  In every way it is revealed, Paul affirms, that all are “without excuse” as Romans 1:20 states so boldly.  In our lesson for today, we will go back to the foundations of this teaching in the Old Testament, to Genesis 1, to Job, and to the Psalms, especially the great Psalm 19, where Paul also goes as he applies that teaching of the ages to his current day in Rom. 10:18: “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”  In the Psalm David poetically describes God’s revelation of his eternal power and glory in 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”  So, there is a revelation given and described in terms of human language and knowledge.  The bottom line is this:  No one has an excuse before God the Creator and Sustainer.  His revelation of himself is sufficient to at least render all men accountable and therefore in need of redemption.  The gospel of grace is God’s message of Redemption for our current dispensation.  But as with all dispensational plans, anyone rejecting that fundamental revelation of God as Creator would normally reject the other as well.  For unless one knows he is in need of a Redeemer, he cannot be saved.  Amen.