Grace Church
Paul's Odyssey II #9 - Athens (Part 1)
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Last week we left Paul on the Aegean seashore - 20 miles S.E. of the city of Berea. The reason, as has become the norm, was that troublemakers had come from Thessalonica to disrupt his ministry.
We learned last week that many people in Berea had come to faith. The reality of that faith was evidenced by their great eagerness for the gospel and the Scriptures. It was further proven by their loyalty to Paul and the ministry.
We learned last week that many people in Berea had come to faith. The reality of that faith was evidenced by their great eagerness for the gospel and the Scriptures. It was further proven by their loyalty to Paul and the ministry.
Acts 17:14
As Paul travels, his team stays behind to build into the lives of those that have been reached for Christ.
Mentoring new believers is critical for their growth, the growth of a church, and for reaching others for the Lord.
As Paul travels, his team stays behind to build into the lives of those that have been reached for Christ.
Mentoring new believers is critical for their growth, the growth of a church, and for reaching others for the Lord.
Mentoring at Grace Church
https://gc3.org/mentoring/Acts 17:15
The new converts that Paul had made in Berea looked out for him personally. From their location on the coast, the journey to Athens would have been 300 miles by land or 250 by sea.
We assume Paul is now alone and going into the capital city of Greece.
What is the oldest or biggest city you've ever visited?
How do you think Paul felt visiting this amazing ancient city?
The new converts that Paul had made in Berea looked out for him personally. From their location on the coast, the journey to Athens would have been 300 miles by land or 250 by sea.
We assume Paul is now alone and going into the capital city of Greece.
What is the oldest or biggest city you've ever visited?
How do you think Paul felt visiting this amazing ancient city?
Acts 17:16
The city was under the control of the Roman Empire. The Romans had such a high regard for its history and contribution to civilization, they let Athens be a free city. It was like a giant Wal-mart of spiritual pursuits. Tens of thousands of idols had been carved into buildings, along the streets and in various shrines and temples.
An idol is: "Anything that we come to rely on for some blessing, or help, or guidance in the place of a wholehearted reliance on the true and living God."
In Biblical times these were often man-made images to which a person pledged their devotion and to which they sacrificed some aspect of their life.
The first two of the Ten Commandments prohibit idolatry and any kind of image or object that leads to placing something as number one in your life other than God.
Today, people make jobs, resources, possessions, physical features, and even people the center of their affections. What we worship can be understood by what consumes our thinking, efforts, passions, finances, time, and priorities.
Do you have idols in your life?
The city was under the control of the Roman Empire. The Romans had such a high regard for its history and contribution to civilization, they let Athens be a free city. It was like a giant Wal-mart of spiritual pursuits. Tens of thousands of idols had been carved into buildings, along the streets and in various shrines and temples.
An idol is: "Anything that we come to rely on for some blessing, or help, or guidance in the place of a wholehearted reliance on the true and living God."
In Biblical times these were often man-made images to which a person pledged their devotion and to which they sacrificed some aspect of their life.
The first two of the Ten Commandments prohibit idolatry and any kind of image or object that leads to placing something as number one in your life other than God.
Today, people make jobs, resources, possessions, physical features, and even people the center of their affections. What we worship can be understood by what consumes our thinking, efforts, passions, finances, time, and priorities.
Do you have idols in your life?
Weblink: What is an Idol
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-an-idolActs 17:17
While Paul was wounded by the idolatry, he didn't let the world woo him and instead he went to work.
You could describe his strategy with concentric circles: those he was closest to (family & friends), those with whom he had things in common, and those who he encountered during his daily rhythms.
The marketplace (known as Agora) provided a great day by day opportunity as it was the center of Athens.
While Paul was wounded by the idolatry, he didn't let the world woo him and instead he went to work.
You could describe his strategy with concentric circles: those he was closest to (family & friends), those with whom he had things in common, and those who he encountered during his daily rhythms.
The marketplace (known as Agora) provided a great day by day opportunity as it was the center of Athens.
Acts 17:18
It wasn't long before two distinct groups of thinkers encountered Paul.
Epicureans: believed in a universe of chance, gods who were fickle and remote, pleasure as the highest goal in life, and nothing beyond death. The Greek philosopher Epicurus promoted the philosophy of living life to its fullest extent. "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
Stoics: were pantheists who saw God within every material thing, they were fatalistic, unemotional, and considered apathy their highest virtue. The guru of the Stoics was Zeno. "Whatever"
These groups called Paul a babbler. They saw Paul's message as a random heap of ideas. The name they called him demonstrates an incredible arrogance in that somehow they contained all knowledge, and dismissed the fact that anyone else could know more than them.
The God of the Bible is a Holy God who created us to live in relationship with Him and others. He is a God with a definite plan and mission for our life. Selfish and sinful people reject God because they are their own god.
It wasn't long before two distinct groups of thinkers encountered Paul.
Epicureans: believed in a universe of chance, gods who were fickle and remote, pleasure as the highest goal in life, and nothing beyond death. The Greek philosopher Epicurus promoted the philosophy of living life to its fullest extent. "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
Stoics: were pantheists who saw God within every material thing, they were fatalistic, unemotional, and considered apathy their highest virtue. The guru of the Stoics was Zeno. "Whatever"
These groups called Paul a babbler. They saw Paul's message as a random heap of ideas. The name they called him demonstrates an incredible arrogance in that somehow they contained all knowledge, and dismissed the fact that anyone else could know more than them.
The God of the Bible is a Holy God who created us to live in relationship with Him and others. He is a God with a definite plan and mission for our life. Selfish and sinful people reject God because they are their own god.
Acts 17:19-21
The Areopagus (Mars Hill) refers to both a council that had judicial authority in Athens and a prominent rock outcropping located 140 feet below the Acropolis.
In Paul's day, the Areopagus was the meeting place of the main governing body of the city. The group served as guardians of the city's religion, morals, and education. Their role was to examine a new person's teaching to see if they would be allowed to continue to do so in public.
Paul is very aware that the Athenians had turned on their greatest scholar, Socrates, and had him put to death because his teaching upset the people.
The Areopagus (Mars Hill) refers to both a council that had judicial authority in Athens and a prominent rock outcropping located 140 feet below the Acropolis.
In Paul's day, the Areopagus was the meeting place of the main governing body of the city. The group served as guardians of the city's religion, morals, and education. Their role was to examine a new person's teaching to see if they would be allowed to continue to do so in public.
Paul is very aware that the Athenians had turned on their greatest scholar, Socrates, and had him put to death because his teaching upset the people.
1. There are those who believe they have the right to determine the validity of our Gospel message and our ability to share it with others.
This could be the government, legal system, education, social media influencers, our peer group and family.
Our manner of faith must be greater than our moment of fear.
This could be the government, legal system, education, social media influencers, our peer group and family.
Our manner of faith must be greater than our moment of fear.
2. Our commission by the risen Lord transcends the authority of this world.
Our choice is very simple...to obey or not to obey.
Our choice is very simple...to obey or not to obey.
3. People will pick the beliefs and lifestyles that agree with their heart condition.
Our standing up for Christ does not stand in the way of a person's destiny.
Our standing up for Christ does not stand in the way of a person's destiny.
Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/2024 Bible Reading - Grace Journals
If you haven't already, you can pick up your 2024 Grace Journal in CJ's coffee shop. You can find an at-a-glance list of the reading each week at the link below. We are excited for you to grow in your faith as we read and study through the writings of Paul together!
https://gc3.org/bible/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on Sunday, September 22nd, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
August/September Grace U Classes
New Grace U classes will be starting up in September: Here's Grace (required for church membership) and Love to Pray. Register with the link below.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Wednesdays at Grace
To check out all of the Wednesdays @ Grace activities, visit the "Events" link at the website. We hope you'll join in on the fun!
https://gc3.org/events/Barry County Cares Donations
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Camp Michawana Women's Retreat
Attention Ladies! The Camp Michawana Women's Retreat registration is open now. A handful of ladies from Grace Church are participating in the September 27th-29th retreat and we'd love for you to join us! Use the LINK below to learn more and register. When it asks if you are registering as an individual or as a group, click group and choose "Grace Church" from the drop down list. If you have any questions about the retreat, you can ask Sandy Schilz (rappingrama@gmail.com) or Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org).
https://michawanacamp.org/services/womens/H.O.M.E. Groups Starting Soon
September is right around the corner which means the Grace Church H.O.M.E. Groups will be starting back up! You can learn more or sign-up for a group at the link below.
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, August 31st - Grace Conklin
Sunday, September 1st - Randy Sears, Steve Hester
Tuesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Trinity Burkett, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Wednesday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Frankie Berry, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Thursday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Friday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel
Sunday, September 1st - Randy Sears, Steve Hester
Tuesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Trinity Burkett, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Wednesday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Frankie Berry, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Thursday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Friday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel