| Athens was regarded as the philosophical centre | | | | area of life. |
| of the day where the cultured and the clever | | | | A few came to believe in Jesus. It would be their |
| were supposed to gather and talk and discuss | | | | task and role and ministry to speak to the |
| their various theories! Speaking about repentance, | | | | academics. |
| a coming day of judgement, and the resurrection | | | | How do you address those who consider |
| from the dead, can raise more than eyebrows, | | | | themselves to be among the intellectuals? You |
| and did raise more than eyebrows. In Athens it | | | | address them in exactly the same way as you |
| got people's backs up. | | | | speak to anyone else. Sometimes the intellectual |
| Paul introduced these essential elements and | | | | and the pervasive academic atmosphere can be |
| foundational facts when preaching to the so-called | | | | no more than a mask hiding the real needs of an |
| wise men of the University. Some sneered and | | | | empty heart. |
| sniggered thinking, "That was some clown we had | | | | All our needs are the same. We have to be |
| today." | | | | forgiven, and have our sin washed away through |
| Others wanted to hear more, and suggested, | | | | the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us on the |
| "Come again to-morrow and develop your | | | | cross. |
| philosophy." | | | | Paul saw people move from curiosity to |
| A few, seeing and becoming so aware of their | | | | commitment, from philosophy to faith, from |
| sinful condition, came to believe in Jesus Christ. | | | | interest to involvement, and from discussion and |
| When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed | | | | debate to discipleship. |
| there will be those who realise something of the | | | | Why bother with human philosophies, when you |
| horrendous nature of sheer sin. | | | | can have what is true? Why feed from garbage |
| Dionysius was one of the brainiest men in the | | | | dumps on empty husks, when you can have |
| world, and he came to believe in Jesus. Not only | | | | wholesome nourishing bread? Why be satisfied |
| was he clever. He was wise. | | | | with sparkling thoughts, when you can possess |
| Damaris, a cultured and highly educated lady, | | | | treasure? |
| realised the wisdom of becoming a disciple of | | | | Perhaps only a few came to faith in so-called |
| Jesus Christ. | | | | cultured Athens, but no, Paul certainly was not a |
| Even though he was laughed at and mocked and | | | | failure, as he invested in those who really wanted |
| ridiculed, Paul was no failure in Athens. Here was a | | | | to know what he had to say and share. |
| most powerful leader speaking to those who | | | | Jesus begins with us where we are, so that one |
| considered themselves to be leaders in another | | | | day we can be where He is. |