Saturday, March 10, 2007

Men of Athens!

Okay, okay, I'm sorry! I was creating a new post and in the midst of trying to type after the picture, the internet cut off and I wasn't able to finish my posting. So I'm not going to tell you but I'll give you the Word, "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, 'What's this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he's picked up?' Others said, 'He seems to be preaching about som foreign gods.'
They they took him to the high council of the city (this would be the place where that big rock is just below the Acropolis).'Come tell us about this new teaching.' They said. "You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about." (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: 'Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this incsription on it: 'To the Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.
"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs--for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need...." Acts 17:16-25
And so it goes that Paul stood on that rock that you saw and explained the Gospel to a bunch of pagan philosophers. All the time I have now. Enjoy a window with a view and if you ever need place to get away, have I got the place!