Matthew 23:13 . . . “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

1 Peter 3:15 . . . But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and ALWAYS be ready to give a defense (apologia-a reasonable answer) to everyone who ASKS YOU A REASON for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

•What is Religion? – the attempt of mankind to relate beyond the material world into the unknown world of the spiritual or supernatural.

1) A nagging awareness of God - There is a nagging awareness that there is something or someone greater than ourselves, that we are not responsible for our own creation, that we are not the top of the chain.

Romans 1:18–19 . . . For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

2) An internal struggle with sin - There is an internal struggle in all of us that recognizes, not only our imperfections, but also our own evil thoughts.

Romans 2:14–15 . . . for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.

3) An innate sense of Justice – we rise up when we sense an injustice against us and seek justice. Innately we understand that our injustices toward others must also somehow be handled as well.

Romans 2:1 . . . Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

4) A need for reconciliation – we feel the scales have to be balanced somehow. We need forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.

Acts 16:27–31 . . . And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1. You must Know your own faith first – “He reasoned with them” to give a logical argument that fit within their own teaching and understandings.

2. You must know something of others as well – Epicurean and Stoics.

•Epicureans – Epicureanism taught that the highest state a person could attain was absolute peace and complete absence of mental, emotional, and physical distress or need.

•Stoics – Stoicism, emphasizes rationalism and logic, and to align one’sexpectations with the natural law of the cosmos—and not worry about the rest.

3. Do not fear the public platform

Acts 17:19–20 . . . And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying,“May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what thesethings mean.”

4. Find the common ground – “To the Unknown God”

5. Keep the message centered on the issues in the human heart

•Origin- God created the world and everything in it

•Justice- God is a near God, and rules the world in such a way that you would seek him and find him, and he made it available to everyone, all you have to do is repent and be saved.

•Judgement- God will judge the whole world, by Jesus, who has already come and the world said no to Him by crucifying him.

•Reconciliation- that judgement was overruled by the resurrection

6. Accept the responsibilities

1 Corinthians 1:23... but we preach Christ is crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness...

•Some Will Mock

•Some Will Put Off A Decision Until Later

•Some Will Join The Faith

What will you do today?