Easter: A Whole New World
Acts 17:16-34
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES
“Humanity doesn't need a better, more enhanced world; it needs a whole new world. Jesus had to die (death) for the Old World so that He could usher in (resurrection) the New World."
“What is the good news? That the Cosmic King, Jesus Christ, has come and through His death and resurrection is making all things new."
DIGGING DEEPER
When Paul shared his faith in Athens, he taught that people needed to stop worshipping idols made by hand and start worshippinghe one true God who created everything from the beginning. Paul shared how the resurrection of Jesus proved that God is the only God. “For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him (Jesus) from the dead." (Acts 17:31)
Paul knew that there was power in the resurrection of King Jesus. This resurrection power was something new to those in Athens. Paul taught how the message of the resurrection held the true meaning of existence, and while it was a difficult concept, Paul boldly proclaimed it. Some of the people of Athens laughed at Paul; some wanted to know more, and a few believed.
In our present-day culture, we will encounter the same reactions that the people of Athens had to Paul's message. Some will laugh and mock us for what we believe. Some will seek and ask questions. Some will hear, and the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and they will believe that Jesus Christ is risen. Those who accept Jesus will enter into the wonder and excitement of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let us be bold, like Paul, and take advantage of opportunities to share with neighbors and nations about King Jesus as we advance the Gospel with a world that desperately needs a Savior.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Humanity doesn't need a better, more enhanced world; it needs a whole new world.
Jesus had to die (death) for the Old World so that He could usher in (resurrection) the New World.
What is the good news?
The Cosmic King, Jesus Christ, has come and, through His death and resurrection, is making all things new.
The church proclaims this message and lives it out.
In the early first century, this message “turned the world upside down."
The Apostle Paul took this Gospel (good news) message and engaged the people in Athens, Greece, who were far from the Lord.
Athens, 2000 years ago, has similarities to our culture and cultural context.
Three principles of how Paul engaged the Old World and told them about the New World.
1. We should be broken-hearted over the Old World. (Acts 17:16)
Paul is provoked, and his spirit is unsettled. He is broken over the spiritual darkness and depravity of the city of Athens.
We should be broken-hearted, not bull-headed.
2. We should be bridge-builders between the Old World and the New World. (Acts 17:17, 19, 22-23)
Christians should be bridge-builders, not bridge-destroyers.
Christians, as followers of Jesus, are called to engage, connect and bridge-build.
A bridge-builder is driven by God's love, aware of their surroundings, works toward a cultural intelligence, complements the good they see, finds connection points and asks good questions.
3. We should be bright and bold witnesses declaring and demonstrating the New World.
Bright witnesses find an entry point, like Paul. He used the statue of the “unknown god" to tell the people of Athens about the one true God they can know.
Paul demonstrated brightness, sharpness and winsomeness to connect with the people around their own categories. He deconstructed their categorical thinking and then reconstructed it through the Biblical worldview.
What is an entry point for Americans?
There could be many entry points depending on the person.
Paul, in Athens, took something the culture would have known about and used it as an entry point to be a bright and bold witness.
An example of an entry point for today is our nation, the [supposedly] New World.
Paul would likely tell us we have gods similar to those of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures and societies.
Paul would probably also tell us that America is the baby of the Enlightenment with Judeo-Christian values.
Paul would probably say that America has many enhanced and better features than other nations and cultures. It is not the supposedly New World that many people thought it was or should be—or everyone hoped it would be.
Therefore, an entry point could be America, as it was painted as the New World. While it has enhanced features we are so grateful for, it isn't the New World we are truly longing for.
Paul shifts from being a BRIGHT WITNESS to a BOLD WITNESS.
Bold witnesses declare the bad news and the good news.
Paul declared the judgment and the resurrection.
Paul declared the judgment of God directed toward the sin of the world.
Virtually no one present (other than Jews) would have believed in an afterlife, and certainly not an afterlife where an ultimate God of judgment judged you.
The Bad News
We are sinners who deserve death.
The Bible teaches that humanity has sinned against the Cosmic King of Creation.
There is a due date when God will come and collect the sin debt of human beings, and He will judge them and sentence them to eternal punishment for their sins.
The GOOD NEWS!
Paul is going to declare the GOOD NEWS, the resurrection of Jesus which is the entry point into the New World God is creating.
Jesus Christ, on the cross, died for the sins of all humanity, but Jesus did not stay dead. He rose from the grave.
God made a way for human beings, marked by judgment, to be forgiven and freed — and not only forgiven and freed but reconciled to Him. So that rather than facing judgment, humans can experience and live in the New World made available by His Son, King Jesus.
What is so special about this New World, this New Creation?
The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—give glimpses of this New World, this New Creation, and the in-breaking of God's Kingdom on earth.
In this new creation, there is unity and harmony among people from every tribe, nation, and tongue, as well as from every kind of background. There is life — abundant life. There is shalom—total flourishing.
This is the New Life, the New World, the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to usher in.
And this New Life, this New World, the Kingdom of God, is ushered in through the death and RESURRECTION of Jesus.
The only way to get into this New World, the only way to get into God's Kingdom, and the only way to get and experience this New Life is to REPENT! (Act 17:30)
Repentance means you have to change your mind and life from believing and behaving the way you are and to put your faith—your confidence, your trust, your commitment—in Jesus. Now, Jesus shapes your beliefs and behaviors.
Your repentance is your admittance.
There are three options you have today. We see these three options in the text from Acts 17.
(1) Reject—You can flat-out reject both the bad news and good news.
(2) Return and hear more—You can say you would like to hear.
(3) Repent and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Some of you have respect for Jesus, and you recognize Jesus, but you have never repented. Today, you need to REPENT and receive Jesus!
LIFE APPLICATION
Paul used what he saw around him in Athens to reach out in a culturally relevant way and create entry points as he was sharing the Gospel. Just like Paul, we can observe what is happening around us and use what we observe and experience to make the Gospel message relevant and bring glory to God to others who need to hear the Good News. This week, look for entry points you observe in the culture around you. As you recognize these areas of bridge-building, seek ways to relevantly point people away from their idols to the one true God as you advance the Gospel.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What idols do people today love and cherish more than God?
What did Paul do when he was in Athens?
How did Paul use the inscription on an idol, “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD," as he shared the Gospel with the people of Athens?
How did Paul share the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 17?
What are entry points and places where we can effectively build bridges to share the Gospel with others today?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Search-Jeremiah 29:13; Colossians 3:1-2; Luke 11:9-13
Day 2: Repent-Acts 3:19; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9
Day 3: Believe-Hebrews 11:6; Galatians 3:26-27; John 6:35
Day 4: Share the Gospel-John 3:16; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:16-17
Day 5: Jesus is Risen!-John 11:25-26; Romans 10:9; 1 Peter 1:3
PRAYER
Lord, I am so thankful for the resurrection and that I live in the presence of the living Christ. May I celebrate my risen Savior and keep my eyes on Him as I live more fully for God each day. Let everything I do this week reflect God's glory and be carried out knowing that Christ is with me. In the everyday and simple things that occur, let me see those seeking and needing comfort and encouragement and share the Gospel with them. I ask that this week be filled with joy, peace and love no matter where You lead me.
