Scripture Reading: Acts 17:22-34

Bible Question Box: "The Unknown God"

(February 2005)

Intro.

1. Apostles preached what people needed to hear – not always what they wanted to hear – Acts 17:16-17 (20:20; 2 Tim. 4:2).

2. Various reactions: Rejection, mockery, postponement, acceptance.

3. Acts 17:18-21 – Paul preached Jesus & the resurrection: Philosophers reacted with ridicule (17:18) & curiosity (17:19-21).

4. Had to teach them about the true God before they could benefit from Jesus. (Acts 17:22-34)

Question: "Does God want to make mistakes & how was he created?"

1. No, God does not want to make mistakes & He does not make them – Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Mal. 3:6; Jas. 1:13, 17 (Heb. 13:8).

2. God was not created, He is eternal – Psa. 90:2; Isa. 57:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:4, 8.

3. Who is God? – Acts 17:22-34

I. GOD IS NOT…

A. God is not Unknowable – Acts 17:23-24.

1. Proved in two parts: Nature (17:24-29) & Revelation (17:30-31).

2. Nature – Created by God. Why believe?

a. “Nothing comes from nothing” (First cause, Prime Mover) – Rom. 1:19-20.

b. “Design demands a designer” – Acts 14:15, 17; Psa. 19:1-2.

c. By observing the universe we can know: Presence, power & righteous judgment of God – Psa. 50:6; 97:6.

d. Need revelation to know the mind/will of God – 1 Cor. 2:11-12.

3. Revelation – Accomplished in Jesus – Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 1:1-3, 14, 18.

4. Can know this revelation – Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17.

B. God is not Limited by Men – Acts 17:24-25.

1. God is not the creation of men to be served as men decide best – Jer. 10:1-11.

a. Acts 17:24 – Lord (Sovereign, Ruler) – Jer. 10:7, 10.

b. Acts 17:25-26 – Self-sustaining Sustainer & Giver – Isa. 42:5; 44:15-20.

2. Therefore: God is not limited to…

a. Temples built by men – 17:24 – cf. Acts 7:47-50.

b. Men’s provisions – 17:25 (cf. Idols – Jer. 10:3-5).

C. God is not Far from each of Us – Acts 17:27; Jer. 23:23-24.

1. Universal access – Acts 10:34-35.

2. Grope for Him…find Him…not far from each one (Christ).

D. God is not an Image made by Man – Acts 17:29.

1. God cannot be represented by the art & imagination of man – Acts 17:23.

2. Thus, don’t try to “make God” into the image you want Him to be! (Lev. 26:1) (Jesus – Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3).

II. GOD IS…

A. God is our Creator – 17:24-29 (of all things).

1. Therefore, He should be honored & obeyed by man (His creation) as He decides (Rom. 1:18-23).

2. Philosophers cannot explain how, who & why of this universe – Bible does.

B. God is our Savior – 17:30.

1. Calls men (sinners) to repent – cf. Psa. 78:37-39.

2. 2 Cor. 5:18-21 – God sent Christ to save man.

C. God is our Judge – 17:31 (cf. Heb. 9:27).

1. Divine judgment is assured by resurrection of Jesus – 17:18 (Rom. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jn. 12:48).

2. This is how Paul preached Jesus & the resurrection (17:18).

III. REACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL OF GOD – Acts 17:32-34.

A. Some Mocked – 17:32 (cf. Acts 26:8).

B. Some Delayed – 17:32 (cf. 17:21; 24:25).

C. Some Believed – 17:34 (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29).

Conclusion

1. Creation & revelation teach us about the true God.

2. We can only find the true God through Christ (Jn. 14:6, 9).

3. Saved from our sins & its punishment when we repent & obey Jesus – Heb. 5:8-9.