Tell The Good News
| Title: | Tell The Good News |
|---|---|
| Bible Book: | Acts 17 : 10-34 |
| Author: | Franklin L. Kirksey |
| Subject: | Evolution Sunday |
| Objective: | It wasn't long ago that creationism was the basis of our society. A creation basis means there are absolutes. If you accept a belief in God as Creator, then you accept that there are laws, as He is the Lawgiver. He is the absolute authority, and we are under total obligation to Him. Laws are not a matter of our opinions but rules given by the One who has the right to impose them upon us for our good, and His own glory. |
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Introduction
Recently some churches celebrated “Evolution Sunday”. Michael Zimmerman founded this event to celebrate Charles Darwin’s (1809-1882) theory of evolution. It is my understanding that Zimmerman’s four main goals of "Evolution Sunday" are as follows:
“To demonstrate that religion and modern science are compatible,
To reach out to thousands of parishioners across the country,
To elevate the national dialogue on the topic of religion and evolution, and
To increase the awareness of The Clergy Letter.”1
Australian-born Kenneth Alfred Ham, better known simply as Ken Ham, published a book in 1999 titled Creation Evangelism for the New Millennium. Dr. Ham republished this book under the title Why Won't They Listen. Dr. Ken Ham is president of Answers in Genesis headquartered in Petersburg, Kentucky.
In a message titled “Creation Evangelism: A Powerful Tool in Today's World”, Dr. Ken Ham shares, “When we look at the United States and other countries today, we see increases in homosexuality, support for abortion on demand, disobedience to those in authority, people who do not want to work, pornography, the abandonment of marriage and modest clothing, to name but a few examples. We also note the following: The church is not as effective as it used to be. Christians are fighting for their freedoms. Parents don't automatically send their children to church programs, as used to happen even when the parents were not churchgoers themselves. The education system is no longer considered Christian. What has occurred in society to bring about this change? Why is it that many people today just scoff when we talk about Christ and the doctrines of the gospel?
It wasn't long ago that creationism was the basis of our society. A creation basis means there are absolutes. If you accept a belief in God as Creator, then you accept that there are laws, as He is the Lawgiver. He is the absolute authority, and we are under total obligation to Him. Laws are not a matter of our opinions but rules given by the One who has the right to impose them upon us for our good, and His own glory.
It used to be that creationism was taught through the school system. People who weren't Christians by and large respected and obeyed the laws based upon the Bible. A homosexual lifestyle was against the law; abortion in most instances was considered murder.
But what happened? A man called Charles Darwin repopularized an ancient pagan belief now called ‘evolution.’ It was promulgated as science, although it is not science. Many people believed that evolution was science--not understanding the real meaning of either evolution or science--and so this view of origins began to permeate our society. People who were not Christians readily accepted evolution, as it is a belief system that purports to explain the world without God. Humans are simply a result of chance. That is, no one owns you--you own yourself! This means that you are under obligation to no one. People who are not Christians would accept this view because the Bible tells us that men love darkness rather than light, because they are sinful creatures (John 3:19).
As this view became established, people started to ask questions such as: ‘If evolution is true, and there is no God who is Creator, then why are there laws about marriage?’ ‘Why are there laws against a homosexual lifestyle?’ ‘Why can't we carry out abortions on demand? After all, killing a baby by abortion is like getting rid of an animal that is not needed or wanted.’ In other words, the belief system of evolution provided a basis for the humanistic morality that says you can do what you want to do because nobody owns you--there is no right or wrong. In other words, their One Absolute is that there are No Absolutes."
Dr. Ham also states, “We need to take a lesson from the New Testament. In Acts 14 and 17 are two specific examples of approaches to the Greeks. The method was different from that used for the Jews. When Paul went to the Greeks, he didn't start by preaching about Jesus Christ and the Cross, but by telling them about the true God who is the Creator, and from there went on to the rest of the Gospel about Jesus Christ. The Greeks believed in a form of evolution, and thus, in their eyes, there was no God who had a form of evolution, and thus, in their eyes, there was no God who had authority over them.”2
Luke records Paul’s missionary journeys and in Acts 17 chronicles his ministry in Athens, Greece. Paul’s missionary journeys are extremely interesting, informative, and inspirational!
I. Paul’s Deliverance To Athens (Acts 17:10-15)
Paul recounts his suffering for Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.”
II. Paul’s Deduction About Athens (Acts 17:16)
Sherlock Holmes is the character invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), known for his brilliant deductions. The apostle Paul makes a brilliant deduction as he surveys the city of Athens. He states that it is “given over to idols.”
John C. Hogan and Mortimer D. Schwartz explain in The Manly Art of Observation and Deduction, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes knew how to tell at a glance the history of a man and his calling. Mr. Holmes could do this because he had trained himself in the art of observation and analysis. Based on what he saw and heard in those first few moments, he could make startling deductions about a stranger. 'By a man's finger-nails, by his coat-sleeves, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by his callosities on his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt-cuffs--by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed,' says Mr. Holmes. 'What ineffable twaddle!' cried Dr. Watson. Science has shown, however, that Mr. Holmes was correct and that Dr. Watson was wrong, for in the solution of crime much valuable information about a suspect can be learned simply by observation and deduction.
It is not necessary to be a professional detective in order to practice this art. Anyone can sharpen his faculties for observation and can make deductions as Mr. Holmes did, if he knows where to look and what to look for.”3
As Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra stated in his unique way, “You can observe a lot by watching.”
It is important for us to make some deductions about the condition of the United States of America. If we return to July 4, 1776, we read the following in The Declaration of Independence: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Please note the forefathers of our nation used a capital “C” when referring to the Creator.
III. Paul’s Debut In Athens (Acts 17:17)
On his missionary journeys Paul followed the pattern recorded in Romans 1:16 when he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Luke reveals, “he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17). In Isaiah 1:18 we read, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, / They shall be as white as snow; / Though they are red like crimson, / They shall be as wool.” Peter writes, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Paul’s debut began in the synagogue and moved to the street.
IV. Paul’s Declaration At Athens (Acts 17:18-31)
Paul employs a diplomatic approach when he says, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To The Unknown God” (Acts 17:22b-23a).
We could say that citizens of the United States of America are “very religious”; however, many are religious but lost.
Paul’s declaration at Athens clearly proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Paul unapologetically declares the need for repentance in his message to those at the Areopagus. He makes it clear that even very religious people need a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Dr. W. Phillip Keller (1920-1997), shares about “The Normal Christian Life” (Acts 17:28 / Acts 17:24-31) in his classic titled As a Tree Grows, “The new, inner life of the reborn Christian is in reality the very Spirit of Christ Himself imparted to mortal man. This is what is meant by ‘receiving Christ’ into the heart. It is achieved through the invasion of man’s spirit by the Spirit of the living God. Only the Spirit of God responding to the stimuli which, surrounding him on every side, emanate from God. This correspondence with God is the normal Christian life. It is what Scripture calls walking with God or ‘fellowship . . . with the Father’ or being ‘alive unto God.’
A genuine Christian moves and lives and has his being in God (Acts 17:28). God becomes his very environment. And it is only in this atmosphere that he grows in Christ.”4
V. Paul’s Desire For Athens (Acts 17:32, 34)
Paul writes, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:1-4). Paul also writes, “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them” (Romans 11:11-14).
VI. Paul’s Departure From Athens (Acts 17:33)
We see that he was on the move to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May each of us echo the sentiment of Dr. Arthur T. Pierson (1856-1928), "To go as I am led, to go when I am led, to go where I am led--that has been for twenty years the one prayer of my life."
While the missionary journeys of Paul are extremely interesting, informative, and inspirational, we can learn a lot from others like Peter and Andrew. Dr. Lorne Sanny (1920-2005) shares the following in The Art of Personal Witnessing, “We may not be like Peter who preached one day and 3000 were added to the church. We can be like Andrew, however, who after he had been brought to the Savior, found his brother, Peter, and brought him to the Lord Jesus. Peter fished with a net, so to speak, and caught large numbers. Andrew fished with a pole and line, catching one fish at a time. We may not be called upon to preach to great multitudes or even to groups, yet we can witness effectively to individuals one by one—the pole and line method. What a privilege that can be! We, like Andrew, might lead someone to the Lord, and that one, in turn, might lead thousands.”5
Dr. S. D. Gordon (1859-1936) shared the following in his addresses given at the Annual Meeting of the South African General Mission, April 10th, 1910, in King’s Hall, Halborn, London, England:
“I MET in England, a lady who told this bit of a story. In a book that came into her hand that statement was made that one might pray here in London, for example, for someone two thousand miles away, and that something would happen at the other end; that always when one prays something is happening at the other end, and is changing because of the prayer. This lady had a brother in India, a long distance away, who was not a Christian, and she once thought, ‘Now, if I pray especially for him, will something happen?’ She felt led to prayer especially for that brother, that he might come to Christ. She went on praying, day by day, saying to herself, half wondering as she said it, ‘Is something happening at the other end?’ and, in her heart, saying, ‘Something is happening; but I wish I knew!’
By-and-by, in the course of the usual family correspondence, she put this sentence in the letter to her brother: ‘Has anything unusual happened to you lately!’ That was the only reference she made to her special praying. Back, in the course of the mails from India, came a letter from him, saying this: ‘Yes, something has happened. Two months ago my thought was turned to God; I do not know why. It was not any book that I was reading; it was not any sermon that I heard; I did not go where I would hear sermons; but I do know that my thought was turned to think about God.’ He had been trained in a Christian home, he knew the whole Gospel story, and he now said, ‘I was led to give my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, and as I write to you I am a Christian man.’ She ran her mind quickly back over the calendar. The letter said, ‘Two months ago,’ and she found that the two months carried the story back to the time when she began her special praying for her brother. That is, something had happened at the other end.”
Dr. Gordon concludes, “And, I have no doubt, that as one prays and centers all the power of one’s thought upon, say, South Africa, upon those whom you may name here and there, upon this station and that, for my part, I am very clear about this: something is happening in South Africa. And, if it be true that you and I can join in prayer, or can go aside singly, or in twos, or threes, and pray that something may happen, something be changed through our prayer, then surely we will get more time alone with the Master to change things. And if things are not changed that ought to be, it will be a bit of reproach upon us that it is not so.”6
VII. Conclusion
Dr. Paul Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University shares the following in the foreword of How Christianity Changed the World:
“Even knowledgeable believer will be amazed at how many of our present institutions and values reflect a Christian origin. Not only countless individual lives but civilization itself was transformed by Jesus Christ. In the ancient world, his teachings elevated brutish standards of morality, halted infanticide, enhanced human life, emancipated women, abolished slavery, inspired charities and relief organizations, created hospitals, established orphanages, and founded schools.
In medieval times, Christianity almost single-handedly kept classical culture alive through recopying manuscripts, building libraries, moderating warfare through truce days, and providing dispute arbitration. It was Christians who invented colleges and universities, dignified labor as a divine vocation, and extended the light of civilization to barbarians on the frontiers.
In the modern era, Christian teaching, properly expressed, advanced science, instilled concepts of political and social and economic freedom, fostered justice, and provided the greatest single source of inspiration for the magnificent achievements in art, architecture, music, and literature that we treasure to this present day…. No other religion, philosophy, teaching, nation, movement—whatever—has so changed the world for the better as Christianity has done.”7
Eugene M. Bartlett, Jr., (1918-1989) encourages us in the chorus of his evangelistic hymn,
“Tell the good news, / Tell the good news, / Tell the good news that Christ has come; Tell the good news, / Tell the good news, / Tell the good news to everyone.”8
1Evolution Sunday, Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_Sunday Accessed: 03/13/10
2Kenneth Ham, “Creation Evangelism: A Powerful Tool in Today's World” Available from: http://www.icr.org/article/creation-evangelism-powerful-tool-todays-world/ Accessed: 03/11/10
3The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, Vol. 55, No. 1 (Mar., 1964), pp. 157-164
4W. Phillip Keller, As a Tree Grows (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1966) cited by Al Bryant in Song of My Soul: Devotional Thoughts from the Writings of Phillip Keller, compiled and edited by Al Bryant (New York: Inspirational Press, 1998), p. 191
5Lorne Sanny, The Art of Personal Witnessing (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1957), pp. 8-9
6S. D. Gordon, Prayer Changes Things (New York/Chicago/Toronto/London/Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company, n. d.), pp. 9-11
7Alvin J. Schmidt, How Christianity Changed the World (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001, 2004)
8Gene Bartlett, “Tell the Good News” (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1968)
