6th Sunday after Pentecost (A)
Acts 17:16-31
May 10, 2026
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The text I have chosen for this morning’s sermon is the first reading from the book of Acts.
The Greek city of Athens was unlike most others. While Athens had lost much of its influence and prestige, it was adorned with beautiful art and architecture. As the former stomping ground of philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, the educated continued to endlessly discuss philosophy and religion. The city was also known for its idols of the Greek gods. They lined the streets, decorated homes, stood outside businesses, and filled the marketplace. While waiting for Silas and Timothy, Paul took in the sights, and the countless idols filled him with indignation. He was going to preach anyway, but the idols gave him an opening. His sermon focused on three things: their ignorance, their delusions, and their helplessness. And, of course, he preached the Gospel, the solution to all three problems.
He begins: “I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” They tried to cover all their bases by honoring a god they hadn’t met yet, but idols mean nothing. Made up of wood and stone, they’re useless. The true God though is living! He made the world and everything in it. He gives life and meaning to all people. He doesn’t live in temples or inhabit stone sculptures; He’s everywhere, longing for all people to find Him. Even the Athenians with their idols of Zeus, Ares, and Athenea were loved by God. Paul says, “He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” How do they know that God loves them? How do they know that He’s the true God? Jesus was raised from the dead! Only a living God can give life where there is death. Dead idols can’t give life.
Luke says: “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” Is the United States that much different? Influencers and pundits are constantly giving their opinions. The debates over religion are never ending. There are as many opinions as there are people. Christians and churches are continually changing to fit the times and the prevailing attitudes. And yet, what are they? Ignorant! Like Paul we should be indignant that so many people don’t know Jesus or they don’t know Him rightly! They don’t know the Son of God who died for their sins and then rose from the dead to prove that He everything He said is true!
I once said in Bible class that many who argue about Jeus, the Bible, or Christianity aren’t smart enough to do so, and I mean it. When critics of Christianity or Christians cherry pick Bible verses to defend their abortions or their immorality, they’re revealing their ignorance. Paul says, “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” We faithful Christians must be clear in our witness to the world and tackle these issues head on, while always speaking the truth in love. These people don’t know Jesus as He wants to be known, but you do! Share the knowledge that leads to eternal life and see what God will do with it. It’s not God’s will to remain unknown, He wants men to seek and to find Him and to enter into communion with Him, and all His dealings with men and women show that this is His great purpose.
Paul begins by complementing the people of Athens by acknowledging that they were very religious. They had gods for everything, and they obeyed religious instruction by sacrificing animals and demonstrating other types of devotion. But their faith wasn’t just misplaced, it was delusional! Paul says, “Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.” Despite the fact that these idols just sat there and never responded, the people were blind to the truth that trusting in stone or wood objects is delusional behavior. Nothing will ever happen, no matter how long or how hard they pray.
If Paul were to visit America, he might complement our religious faithfulness because everyone believes in something. Christianity is the still the majority religion. Muslims follow Allah who blesses violence and atheists fervently believe in the non-existence of God. People are constantly striving for help and meaning, but in their delusions, they look at idols and gods made of stone, wood, steel, and fiberglass. Money and possessions are idols, so also is the option to murder a baby, socialism, or sexual promiscuity. People put their hope and trust in politicians and policies. Look at the hostility and viciousness of discourse and you’ll quickly see which religion people follow. But people are delusional because none of these offer true hope or help. Isaiah says, “Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.” Of course, people may not realize their gods don’t offer these things. Idols can’t offer more than nothing. Money won’t give you eternal blessings. Unless you’re seriously coldblooded, an abortion won’t fill you with joy. You can be buried in your car or best suit or whatever, but they’ll decay right along with you. Delusions and false idols will only lead to more and more helplessness and hopelessness. Yes, I know there are many who are happy despite being deluded by earthly desires, but they’ll never know the true joy or relief that comes from the real and living Jesus Christ.
Luke mentions two groups which Paul encounters: Epicureans and Stoics. The Epicureans believed that the gods didn’t care about this world, that there is no life after death, and mankind’s sole purpose is to find pleasure by being free of pain, trouble, and the threats of divine judgment. The Stoics believed that reason was most important, and that while an individual’s fate is decided, they decide how they will respond. Since reason drives all behaviors, when life becomes meaningless or a stoic loses his joy, suicide was perfectly acceptable.
Are there American Epicureans and Stoics? Of course! Are many Americans hopeless, helpless, and seeking meaning. Absolutely. An American Epicurean says there is no God, there is nothing to look forward after death, so do what you want. The use of prescription and illicit drugs, overindulging in food and alcohol, assisted suicide and the hook up culture, tell me that there are many who are hurting even if they can’t or won’t admit it, and these things won’t help. Americans are like the Athenians; neither realize that their condition.
Provoked by the presence of so many idols, Paul couldn’t help but preach. And we heard what he preached earlier: there is a God who creates and sustains life, who wants to save us, who rescued all people through His Son, and who is near to each of us. What do we say to the ignorant, delusional, and helpless? The same things! The true God is the living God who creates and sustains, who gives life meaning, who lives near to each of us, who wants all people to repent and believe. As the living God, He gives the knowledge that leads to eternal life, the forgiveness of our sins, and a meaningful life, none of which idols of wood or stone or fiberglass can provide.
Paul says, “He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” The word judge can have negative connotations, and for those who rejected Paul’s message, and for those who reject Christ’s message today, judgment will be negative. But for those who believe? Judgment is good! You’ll be declared holy and innocent. Jesus died despite being the sinless Son of God, so that His perfection, His righteousness is now yours! You are forgiven! And how do you know? Jesus rose from the dead! That is the proof that Sin and Death don’t control you. Meaninglessness doesn’t exist with Christ. To help you understand this Paul quotes a Greek poet: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Where God is, and He’s everywhere, there’s no meaninglessness, no need for suicide, no hopelessness for He is near each and every one of you, and He has promised to give you strength for the day.
Like Athenians, we’re surrounded by idols and people who worship them. Like Athenians, we frequently worship our own idols. People rely on idols for happiness, meaning, relief, and help. But these idols are dead! Stone and wood are worthless when it comes to the needs of people. Praise God that He is the Living God who is near us! He sustains us, preserves us, and most of all, loves and forgives us. Once we were ignorant, delusional, and helpless, but by God’s grace, we’ve been brought to faith. You’re surrounded by the ignorant, the delusional and the helpless. By God’s grace and help you can bring Jesus to them that they will know the living God who loves and forgives them, just as He loves and forgives you.
Amen
Now the peace which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen