Beyond Provocation: Is Your Gospel Invitation Powerful Enough?

[00:07:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Well, good morning everyone.
[00:07:53] Thank you for being here.
[00:07:56] I know the clock, the countdown didn't officially go all the way to zero, but you know what they say, start early, finish late.
[00:08:04] So, isn't that what they say?
[00:08:06] So that's what we'll do.
[00:08:08] We'll do this morning.
[00:08:10] I'm just so glad you're here.
[00:08:11] My name is Seth Danvers, senior pastor here at First Baptist.
[00:08:14] Welcome.
[00:08:15] You are not here by accident.
[00:08:17] We believe that you are here today by the grace of God.
[00:08:21] And we believe that God has something for us this morning.
[00:08:23] Hey, if this is your first time here, I would love for you to fill out a Connect card.
[00:08:27] You can find those in your pew.
[00:08:29] If you'll find that out and then after the service if you'll turn that in to a smiling face back there at the connect table we have a gift for you we have a beautiful mug and notebook and just some information about the church that I think you will like and you can learn more about the church and so make sure you do that because we would love to just send you a message keep up with you and tell you how grateful we are that you came to join us this morning well normally
[00:08:57] Pastor BJ always does our welcome, but today I'm going to do it because we want to start the service out this morning in a really special way.
[00:09:04] Today we're going to start with a baby dedication, and I want to ask at this moment if Eli and Caroline Harden will please bring their beautiful daughter, Miss Ruth, up here.
[00:09:29] Well, First Baptist, this is Ruth Elizabeth Hart.
[00:09:34] Isn't she precious and gorgeous?
[00:09:42] Would you listen to this?
[00:09:43] This is, and we'll put it up on the screen here.
[00:09:45] This is Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 4.
[00:09:48] It goes like this.
[00:09:50] Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
[00:09:54] You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.
[00:10:00] And these words that I command to you today shall be on your heart.
[00:10:04] You shall teach them diligently to your ears.
[00:10:06] Children and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise.
[00:10:16] You see we know the reality that it takes a village to raise a child but we also know that it takes a church to raise a missionary.
[00:10:24] Amen.
[00:10:26] We're so excited to see the grace and the mercy is going to be poured out in Ruth's life as she grows into womanhood, the woman that God calls her to be, as she glorifies the name of Jesus.
[00:10:39] And so today we're just going to pray over Ruth.
[00:10:42] We're going to pray over her sweet parents as she continues to...
[00:10:46] She continues to grow and mature that she is sensitive to God's grace.
[00:10:52] We're also going to make a commitment to Caroline and Eli this morning that they're not going to walk alone.
[00:10:57] We're going to be with them.
[00:10:58] We're going to keep them accountable.
[00:10:59] We're going to encourage them.
[00:11:00] We're going to lift them up as they raise this missionary.
[00:11:05] So I want to ask you to do a couple of things.
[00:11:08] there's just too many people for us to gather around this morning and plus you know there's flu things like that you know these parents they never say this okay they didn't ask me to say this but for anyone who has baby here listen if it's not your baby don't pick it up okay don't don't let babies crowd surf or anything like that don't pinch their cheek their cheeks there's too much sickness around so instead of everyone gathering around would you just do this would you just lift your hand up in the air
[00:11:35] And Father, we pray for Eli and for to walk with you.
[00:11:37] We want to pray for you.
[00:11:38] We want to keep you accountable.
[00:11:40] We love you.
[00:11:41] And so, Father, we thank you for this new life and may it be used to glorify you and you alone.
[00:11:46] We pray this in your holy name.
[00:11:48] Amen.
[00:11:49] Amen.
[00:11:49] Well, why don't you stand right where you're at and today let's worship together as we give God all the glory.

[00:11:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, good morning, everybody.
[00:12:04] We worship a sovereign God.
[00:12:07] And as we open in song this morning, we're having some technical difficulties.
[00:12:14] The computer's not responding quickly enough back there.
[00:12:18] From Colossians we read, For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him.

[00:12:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
So let's sing together Wonderful, Merciful, Savior Wonderful, Merciful, Savior Precious Redeemer
[00:13:06] Who would have thought that a man
[00:13:34] In Jesus' name we pray.
[00:13:52] Amen.

[00:14:15] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Pentecost

[00:14:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Here in our weakness you find
[00:15:24] All our hearts always on the Lord All our hearts always on the Lord You are the one that we need

[00:16:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let us pray.
[00:16:13] Our Father in heaven, we come before you this morning with grateful hearts, acknowledging that all things were created by you and for you.
[00:16:22] Everything we see, the heavens above, the earth beneath our feet, things visible and invisible, all were made through your Son Jesus Christ and for his glory.
[00:16:32] Lord, we recognize the thrones and powers, rulers and authorities all exist because you ordained them.
[00:16:39] And so we bow before you now, Creator of all things, the long-expected Jesus who came to set your people free, free from fear, from our sins, and free to worship you in spirit and in truth.
[00:16:53] Lord, may we be keenly aware of your presence in this place this morning.
[00:16:58] Open our hearts to your word.
[00:17:00] Open our minds to your truth and help us to worship you, not just with our lips but with our lives.
[00:17:07] We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and all who agree say, Amen.

[00:17:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Jesus, born to set my people free From our tears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israel's strength and God's obey
[00:18:07] Deity, Father, Father,
[00:19:08] Amen.

[00:19:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Please be seated.

[00:19:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Good morning, church.
[00:19:32] We have some wonderful things to celebrate and share today.
[00:19:34] First, we have just completed our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Campaign.
[00:19:40] As you know, 100% of every dollar given goes directly to missionaries around the world, many of whom are serving in hard-to-reach places among unreached people groups, making the name of Jesus known where He is still unknown.
[00:19:55] Our goal was $15,000.
[00:19:58] But I am thrilled to report that as of today, we have officially collected over $30,000.
[00:20:10] You went above and beyond in your generosity.
[00:20:14] We believe with all our hearts that this gift will not return void.
[00:20:18] The Lord will use it and everything that you've given to make his name known, to strengthen his servants, and to change lives for eternity.
[00:20:27] Thank you for your obedience and your faith and your generosity.
[00:20:31] Also, tonight our youth are going to be gathering for game night at 530.
[00:20:37] We will be playing a fun game called the best of 2025 and we're going to be finishing up or continuing our Daniel study.
[00:20:45] We're also going to be working on a service project and we're going to have subs for dinner.
[00:20:49] So if you're a middle or high school student we would love for you to join us for a great fun night of fellowship and discipleship.
[00:20:55] We're going to be meeting in the fellowship hall.
[00:20:58] Also, if you are looking for a way to support our youth, Ms. Marion Greenhill has created some t-shirts and things like that and they are for sale and you can look and see what they look like over in the fellowship hall and those will go to support our youth beach camp.
[00:21:20] Funds.
[00:21:21] So thank you for that.
[00:21:22] Third, we're going to be gearing up for Wednesday Night Live and this year is going to look just a little bit different.
[00:21:30] We're going to kick things off with a special launch night on January 28th at 6 o'clock with a chili cook-off.
[00:21:37] You can sign up today in the foyer to bring chili.
[00:21:40] We'll enjoy some friendly competition and the winner will receive a prize.
[00:21:45] That night, you'll also hear about the ministries, Bible studies, and programs that happen every Wednesday night here at First Baptist Church.
[00:21:53] Then, the following week, we will officially begin our Wednesday night live with several incredible Bible studies that you can sign up for.
[00:22:01] These are going to be amazing opportunities to grow deeper in God's Word and in community.
[00:22:10] Church family, the Lord is moving at First Baptist.
[00:22:13] and we believe that in 2026 he is going to continue to pour out his grace and radically change Mooresville.
[00:22:20] So let's be a part of what God is doing, not just through our singing, not just through our listening, but through our obedient lives and our sacrificial giving.
[00:22:29] Let us pray.
[00:22:33] Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude and praise.
[00:22:38] We thank you for the way that you are moving among us and through our church family.
[00:22:43] Lord, we rejoice in what you have done through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
[00:22:49] You have taken our gifts, multiplied them, and are using them to send hope of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
[00:22:55] Thank you for missionaries who go, for hearts that obey, and for the privilege that we have to be a part of your global mission.
[00:23:04] Father, we thank you for the life and ministry happening here at First Baptist Church, for our students who are gathering tonight, for opportunities to serve, grow, and build community, and for the new season of Wednesday Night Live that is ahead.
[00:23:20] We recognize that all of this is possible because of your faithfulness and your provision.
[00:23:26] As we enter into a time of giving, we ask that you would take these tithes and offerings to use them for your glory.
[00:23:32] Use them to strengthen your church, to reach our community, to disciple the next generation, and to make your name known both here in Mooresville and around the world.
[00:23:42] Shape our hearts to be cheerful, obedient, and sacrificial givers, trusting you fully with all that you have entrusted to us.
[00:23:51] We offer these gifts to you with joy, believing that you will use them to change the lives of others for eternity.
[00:23:59] We pray all of this in your powerful name.
[00:24:01] Amen.

[00:24:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Set the night wind to the little land Do you see what I see?
[00:24:44] Way up in the sky, little land
[00:24:50] Do you see what I see?
[00:25:09] A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite
[00:25:21] Set the little lamp to the shepherd boy Do you hear what I hear?
[00:25:39] Do you hear what I hear?
[00:25:39] Breaking through the sky, shepherd boy
[00:25:49] With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as the sea
[00:26:24] In your palace, one mighty King Do you know what I know?
[00:26:49] A child shivers in the cold Let us bring him silver and gold Let us bring him silver and gold
[00:27:19] Listen to what I say A childhood child sleeping in the dark

[00:28:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, at this time, our children's church is dismissing.
[00:28:22] If you're visiting with us today, they're leaving to my right, but the easiest way for you to retrieve them is down the steps behind the piano.
[00:28:31] Turn right, down, and turn right again, and you will find Rita, Marie, and
[00:28:39] her staff downstairs with Children's Church as we kick off the new year you're going to hear about some exciting ways to serve First Baptist Church and I would be remiss if I didn't remind you of the choir that's sitting behind me the tech crew that's up in the balcony running slides and the computer live stream and the soundboard what a wonderful time to get plugged in
[00:29:06] We're going to kick off rehearsals this Wednesday night with the choir.
[00:29:09] Handbells on Monday night the 12th.
[00:29:12] We're going to do training if you're new and would like to be involved in our audio or technical world.
[00:29:18] We're going to do training either on Wednesday the 15th or Sunday the 18th.
[00:29:24] You can do one or both to see if maybe that's something you'd like to get involved with.
[00:29:30] We're going to do a kickoff on Sunday night, February 1st, rehearsal with our sanctuary choir as we get prepared for the spring season of Palm Sunday and Easter.
[00:29:44] As you came in the back of the church, there's prayer sheets.
[00:29:47] We encourage you and we appreciate knowing of prayer concerns in the congregation.
[00:29:56] At this time, let's go to the Lord in prayer.
[00:30:01] Our Father in heaven, we come before you this day with humble hearts and bowed heads, acknowledging that you are the sovereign Lord of all creation.
[00:30:14] Every breath we take, every moment we live, exists under your divine purpose and your loving hand.
[00:30:22] Lord, we gather here not by accident, but by your design.
[00:30:26] You've brought us together in this place, at this hour, and we thank you for the privilege of coming into your presence.
[00:30:33] We acknowledge that apart from you, we can do nothing.
[00:30:37] Apart from you, we have no wisdom, no direction, no hope.
[00:30:42] Father, we ask today for your guidance.
[00:30:45] So many of us are walking through valleys we don't understand, facing decisions that weigh heavy on our hearts.
[00:30:53] We need your wisdom, Lord, that wisdom that comes from above, that is pure and peaceable and full of mercy.
[00:31:03] Light our path.
[00:31:04] Show us the way we should go.
[00:31:06] When we cannot see the road ahead, remind us that you hold tomorrow in your hands.
[00:31:14] Lord, we pray for healing.
[00:31:16] There are bodies here that need your touch, sickness and pain that only you can remove.
[00:31:23] There are hearts that are broken, relationships that are fractured, souls that are weary beyond measure.
[00:31:33] Lord, we know that you are the Great Physician.
[00:31:37] Whether you choose to heal us in this world or call us home to that world where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain, we trust you.
[00:31:47] Your will be done.
[00:31:50] Specifically, Lord, we lift up those in our congregation who are going through trials, whose family members are struggling.
[00:32:00] Lord, we remember Michelle A. and her mother-in-law's situation.
[00:32:05] For Lovette's daughter Monica, whose father-in-law is going through treatment for blockages.
[00:32:14] For Susan Abernathy's daughter as she prepares for surgery.
[00:32:20] For Jason Owings as he prepares for a biopsy.
[00:32:25] For Karen Porches as she prepares for surgery later this month.
[00:32:32] And Lord, we lift up Doug Caldwell and his family in the passing of his mom and the family of H.R.
[00:32:38] Campbell in his passing early this morning.
[00:32:43] Help us to remember, Heavenly Father, that because all things were created by you and for you, our lives have meaning.
[00:32:50] Our struggles have purpose.
[00:32:53] Our suffering is not in vain.
[00:32:54] You are working all things together for good and those who love you and are called according to your purpose.
[00:33:03] Now, Lord, as we continue in worship and in hearing your word proclaimed, open our hearts, soften our spirits, speak to us in that still small voice.
[00:33:15] May we leave this place different than we came, more like Jesus, more devoted to you, more ready to serve in a world that desperately needs your love.
[00:33:26] We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all who agree say, Amen.

[00:33:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:34:35] Let us pray.
[00:34:56] Let us pray.
[00:35:20] Let us pray.
[00:35:45] Let us pray.

[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Church family we are excited to share with you that on February the 15th we'll be launching something that we are calling here now and forever and so we are encouraging you now to mark your calendars for Sunday February the 15th because at First Baptist Church we believe with full confidence that God is still at work among us that God is moving
[00:36:28] Saving, Healing, and Transforming Lives.
[00:36:34] God is at work in this city.
[00:36:36] God is at work in Mooresville.
[00:36:39] And here now and forever, it's not about a new program.
[00:36:43] But it's about joining in what God is doing all around us.
[00:36:48] So First Baptist Church, we want you to hear this encouragement.
[00:36:52] That God cares deeply about our city, our church, and our community.
[00:36:57] His love for Mooresville is strong and steady.
[00:37:02] And while the results belong to Him, He is inviting us now to walk with Him in full obedience.
[00:37:10] So beginning February the 15th, we're inviting you into a season of intentional, gospel-centered living marked by bold faith, marked by faithfulness and generous hearts.
[00:37:23] This is not so that we can build something for ourselves, but rather so that we can build something for the name of Jesus Christ.
[00:37:31] So what we're going to be asking you to do is to serve and to give in ways that the gospel can take root right here, right now, reaching homes, schools, places of work, and relationships.
[00:37:46] and here's our prayer it is that the good news of Jesus wouldn't stay within these walls but rather it would overflow into everyday life so this isn't only about today but rather it's about forever so in the coming weeks we're going to be sharing more about what here now and forever looks like and what we believe that God is inviting First Baptist Church of Mooresville to step into together
[00:38:14] But for now, here's what we want to ask you to do.
[00:38:17] This one simple question.
[00:38:20] Would you pray?
[00:38:20] Would you pray, God, I want to be a part of what you are doing.
[00:38:27] Would you pray, God, how can you use me right now?
[00:38:33] And would you pray for God to send you for the sake of the Gospel?
[00:38:39] We look forward to walking this journey
[00:38:42] I invite you now if you are able to stand as we read from God's word.
[00:38:48] We'll be reading from Acts chapter 17 beginning in verse number 16.
[00:38:53] And Zach, I may need you to change the scripture slides for us.
[00:39:00] In Acts 17, we're going to find that the gospel of Jesus Christ will meet people where they are, right where they are, but that the gospel also challenges false hope.
[00:39:12] and it brings real life-changing transformation.
[00:39:16] Acts chapter 17 beginning in verse number 16.
[00:39:19] Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
[00:39:30] So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
[00:39:39] Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him, and some said, What does this babbler wish to say?
[00:39:47] Others said he seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities, because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
[00:39:54] And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting, for you bring some strange things to our ears.
[00:40:07] We wish to know, therefore, what these things mean.
[00:40:10] Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
[00:40:20] So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
[00:40:29] For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription.
[00:40:36] To the unknown God, what therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
[00:40:43] The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man.
[00:40:51] Nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
[00:41:01] And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the faces of the earth, having determined allotted periods and boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.
[00:41:19] Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring.
[00:41:31] 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 of imagination of man.
[00:41:42] The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed the 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.
[00:42:02] Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, We will hear you again about this.
[00:42:09] So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Aparite, and a woman named Damarius, and others with them.
[00:42:24] Let us now pray together.
[00:42:31] Gracious Heavenly Father, we know that your presence is not far from any one of us.
[00:42:40] So it is our prayer now, God, that you would open our eyes to see the world as you see it, and to give us hearts that are stirred by what stirs your heart.
[00:42:52] Give us wisdom, God, to speak with truth and clarity, with humility and to listen with grace, and to encourage and to proclaim you in every place that you send us.
[00:43:04] Let us live and move and find our purpose in you through Jesus Christ whom you raised from the dead.
[00:43:11] For it is in his name we do pray.
[00:43:13] Amen.
[00:43:14] Thank you.
[00:43:14] You may be seated.

[00:43:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Well, brothers and sisters, you're going to hear more and more in the weeks to come about here now and forever, but essentially, we're going to begin a campaign on that day where we're going to ask you to be serving in perhaps ways you've never served and to give in ways that perhaps you've never given.
[00:43:38] God has used First Baptist to make an incredible imprint here in Morrisville everything from health reach ministries to feeding ministries to international ministries and we believe that now God is wanting to do even more for his name's sake so I want to ask you to do this as you start hearing more and more details about here now and forever would you just do this would you go ahead and say Lord whatever it is you're calling me to step out in faith to or maybe a step up in yes whatever that is yes
[00:44:08] We believe this.
[00:44:08] You put your yes on the table, then later on God will put that on the map.
[00:44:11] Okay?
[00:44:12] But God, here I am, and I'm going to be yours because we really do believe that you have more riding on Mooresville than we do.
[00:44:18] You have more at stake in our communities, more at stake in our families, more at stake in this city than we do.
[00:44:23] So, we want to see your name glorified.
[00:44:25] Amen?
[00:44:26] Well, that was a weak amen.
[00:44:29] Well, talking about engaging our city, for Jesus' name to be known, is appropriate because that's exactly the scripture that God has us in today.
[00:44:38] We're going to pick back up in our core series.
[00:44:41] Our core series, we started this time last year and unintentionally got put on a school schedule.
[00:44:45] We started it, then we took a break in the summer, went back in the fall, then we took a break over Christmas.
[00:44:50] Well, we're going to try to finish this quickly.
[00:44:52] and so today we're in Acts chapter 17 and BJ just read that text for us so if you will continue to keep your Bibles open to Acts 17 and I want to show you what the Lord is doing to make his name known in a city if you had your bulletins I'd encourage you to get those out there's essentially four points that I want you to get from this story today so let's pick it back up Acts 17 verse 16 look at this it says now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens
[00:45:21] His spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
[00:45:26] Just a couple of things I want you to notice here.
[00:45:28] First of all, Paul was waiting for them.
[00:45:32] Did you notice that?
[00:45:33] Paul's waiting for them.
[00:45:35] Well, who's them?
[00:45:36] When we left our series before Christmas, Paul had been on a missionary journey with three other guys.
[00:45:43] Silas, Timothy, and Luke, who is the guy that's recording this book.
[00:45:49] Well, now they've left Philippi, they've went to Berea, and then they've went to Thessalonica.
[00:45:54] That's at the beginning of Acts 17.
[00:45:56] Now, every time they go to a city, Paul would always go to the synagogues first, and whenever he would preach in the synagogues, typically there was a riot that would break out.
[00:46:07] and if not a riot then a revival and sometimes both simultaneously well a riot has broke out in Thessalonica and so after this riot Timothy and Silas say Paul why don't you go on by yourself now you go ahead of us this lightning rod of a man you go on and you just wait and we'll catch up later
[00:46:27] and I think that that is hilarious by the way so now Paul the lightning rod who wherever he preaches a riot breaks out now by himself without his comrades he walks into Athens and he's waiting for them to come and by the way he is in Athens that is important Athens is the most impressive city
[00:46:49] Athens is still the intellectual capital of the world, despite the rise of Rome.
[00:46:55] This is the place where Plato and Socrates and Aristotle taught.
[00:46:59] This is the place where philosophies were formed, debates were given, and culture was shaped.
[00:47:06] It was the epicenter of learning.
[00:47:08] And honestly, there's nothing we have today that could even compare to the city of Athens.
[00:47:12] The city of Athens, imagine this, imagine we had a city in America where in that one city you had Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Kentucky all together.
[00:47:23] Why do you laugh at that?
[00:47:28] That's what Athens was like.
[00:47:31] And by the way, it wasn't just their learning.
[00:47:33] They were also a hub of art and athletics and public life.
[00:47:37] They housed massive stadiums for athletic competition.
[00:47:40] By the way, this was the birthplace of the original Olympic Games.
[00:47:43] In other words, Athens represented the very best of human achievement.
[00:47:50] There was temples everywhere in Athens.
[00:48:04] Did you know there's an ancient saying, it was easier to find a god in Athens than it was a human?
[00:48:12] Every single god there was trying to make an idol, a statue for it.
[00:48:16] And they were so obsessed with making sure they didn't leave anyone out, they even had a statue that they had this little inscription that said, to the unknown god, just in case that god or goddess came back, they wouldn't be upset, right?
[00:48:28] They wanted to worship all of them.
[00:48:30] And when Paul walks into Athens, this city of awe, this city of wonder, this city of excellence,
[00:48:41] Paul is not impressed.
[00:48:45] Paul is provoked.
[00:48:51] He is not in awe.
[00:48:52] He is not in wonder.
[00:48:54] Paul sees Athens and he sees the architecture.
[00:48:57] He sees the art.
[00:48:58] He sees the intellect.
[00:49:02] He sees this culture of brilliance, this cultural power.
[00:49:10] And Paul
[00:49:11] is provoked in his spirit because he sees a city that is dead.
[00:49:19] That's the first lesson, by the way.
[00:49:21] If we're gonna engage our city, write this down, how do we do that?
[00:49:25] Number one, we be provoked by idols.
[00:49:29] Are you provoked by the idols in Morrisville?
[00:49:32] Are you provoked?
[00:49:33] What does that mean to be provoked?
[00:49:35] Well, it's interesting.
[00:49:35] This is the same word that often in the Old Testament is used to talk about God's anger.
[00:49:41] That God was provoked by the Hebrew people when they would turn their backs on Him.
[00:49:46] And so now let's give it here in Koine Greek that when Paul walks into Athens, he is provoked.
[00:49:51] There's really two different connotations that come out of this word, provoke.
[00:49:54] The first one is anger.
[00:49:56] And it's rightful anger.
[00:49:58] It's righteous anger.
[00:50:00] Because anytime there's idol worship, that is robbing God of His glory.
[00:50:05] You see, when the Bible talks about idolatry, it often talks about it in the sense of adultery.
[00:50:11] You know what adultery is?
[00:50:12] Infidelity.
[00:50:13] It's when you cheat.
[00:50:14] Bible says adultery is like spiritual, or idolatry is like spiritual adultery or spiritual cheating on God.
[00:50:22] Read the book of Hosea.
[00:50:24] You see, when someone cheats on their spouse, it's so damaging because here's the thing, you found in someone else what you were only supposed to find in the one you were married to.
[00:50:34] Whether that was physical desire, whether that was
[00:50:38] Companionship whether that was happiness whether that was a sense of security or an emotional attachment you were supposed to find that in your spouse and you found that in someone else and anytime you worship an idol or anything or anyone else or put anyone or anything else above God you're spiritually cheating on God because your joy your hope and your contentment is supposed to be in Him and in Him alone
[00:51:04] That's why this is so damaging.
[00:51:06] And Paul comes out with anger.
[00:51:08] And anger is the correct response here.
[00:51:11] It's like watching a child, a young kid of yours, run down the sidewalk headlong into a busy intersection.
[00:51:18] Now what are you going to do?
[00:51:19] You're going to scream.
[00:51:21] You're going to be provoked.
[00:51:22] And you're going to say, Stop!
[00:51:25] No good parent would whisper, Sweetheart, please slow down.
[00:51:33] No good parent will turn their back.
[00:51:36] I don't want to jump onto them because I might crush their gifts of athleticism and energy.
[00:51:42] And I really want to affirm their gifts of athleticism and energy.
[00:51:45] So I don't want to say anything.
[00:51:46] If you were to do that, you're an idiot.
[00:51:51] That's a stupid move.
[00:51:53] No good parent would do that.
[00:51:55] You would be provoked and you would say, stop!
[00:51:57] Why?
[00:51:58] Because you hate your child?
[00:52:00] No, because you love your child and that's why you're provoked.
[00:52:03] That's why that anger comes out.
[00:52:06] Paul is provoked, here's the second connotation, because he loves the people in Athens.
[00:52:12] And these Athenians are image bearers of God.
[00:52:16] God has created them.
[00:52:17] He has set his affection upon them.
[00:52:19] He adores them.
[00:52:20] And now he has come to save them.
[00:52:22] And they don't even know about it.
[00:52:24] You see, idol worship, listen, actually dehumanizes people.
[00:52:28] And it enslaves the hearts to things that don't actually give life.
[00:52:33] Can I ask you a question?
[00:52:34] You're provoked by the idols in Morrisville.
[00:52:36] You yell and stop.
[00:52:37] You love the people enough to do that?
[00:52:39] What are the idols in Morrisville?
[00:52:41] Well, it don't take you long to live here to figure that out.
[00:52:44] You know, we don't have temples and we don't have statues, but most certainly we have idols here of success, of prosperity and self-worth, of sex, passion, comfort, money, achievement.
[00:53:00] What happens to you when you watch the Oscars?
[00:53:03] or the Grammys or the Emmys or if you have my wife or my daughters, the CMT awards.
[00:53:10] What happens to you when you see sports idols, wealth and fame and the most popular pics on Netflix, the most trending tweets on X, the most watched videos on Instagram?
[00:53:22] What happens in you?
[00:53:23] Do you want to scream to the top of your lungs, stop!
[00:53:28] Because our culture is headed to the intersection of hell.
[00:53:33] Are you provoked to pray?
[00:53:34] Are you provoked to preach?
[00:53:36] Or do you do this?
[00:53:37] Do you just turn around?
[00:53:40] There's two dangers if you want to write this down.
[00:53:42] Some people will never be provoked because number one, they themselves get seduced.
[00:53:48] They are seduced by the idols.
[00:53:50] And they look at the culture and the world and they say, you know that actually looks pretty good.
[00:53:54] I think I want that.
[00:53:56] It's the classic example.
[00:53:57] God's given a God-given gift to someone to be able to sing and to glorify His name.
[00:54:04] But that don't make a lot of money.
[00:54:06] So now, instead of praising God, okay, I'm going to start singing more about worldly things.
[00:54:12] and about relationships and how to have a good time and then I want to start becoming like the world and I want to smell like the world and I want to taste like the world and I want to dress like the world and then when I can be accepted by the world and be enthroned by the culture when I accept my award I'm going to stand up and that's when I'll point my hand to the sky and say this is all because of Jesus and then I'll flip the script on everyone and then the world will be saved it's the classic bait and switch but can I let you on a secret it never works
[00:54:42] It's a tactic of the enemy.
[00:54:43] By the way, churches do this.
[00:54:45] How do we reach the culture?
[00:54:46] We become more like the culture.
[00:54:48] By the way, this is in our own backyard here in Morrisville.
[00:54:50] There's plenty of congregations out here who have now redefined what sin is.
[00:54:56] And they've redefined what sexual immorality is.
[00:54:58] They've redefined the value of life.
[00:55:00] They've redefined what gospel justice looks like.
[00:55:05] they've redefined what scripture itself says y'all when i was growing up here was what i was taught by the church thus says the lord and in 2026 you know what they're teaching thus is how i feel thus find your truth or maybe we have churches it's okay we want to preach truth but we need to bury the truth
[00:55:31] And so instead of being in a series like Acts, we're gonna do a series like Back to the Movies, and we're gonna dress our lobby up in whatever Disney theme we're presenting, because you can't invite your friends to church, but you can invite them to the movies.
[00:55:45] And as we show clips, we'll try to give a little gospel nugget in there.
[00:55:48] But listen to me, First Baptist.
[00:55:50] Engaging our community does not start with replication.
[00:55:55] Engaging our community does not start with assimilation.
[00:56:01] Engage in our community starts with discernment and being provoked by idols.
[00:56:05] Amen?
[00:56:06] The second danger, if you want to write this down, is not just being seduced, but it's withdrawal.
[00:56:13] So you just turn your back and you say, I don't even care.
[00:56:14] The world's doomed.
[00:56:16] Culture's doomed.
[00:56:18] there's nothing we can do about it and then you separate and you know you get off the grid and you refuse to watch the news you refuse to keep up with current events I'm not going to dress like the world I want to be so different I want to dress different I want to look different I want to smell different I want to wrap my kids in bubble wrap and shelter them
[00:56:39] It's happened all throughout Christianity.
[00:56:41] There are several movements.
[00:56:42] Think of monasticism movements.
[00:56:44] Think of Anabaptists, Mennonites, Amish.
[00:56:49] We're going to separate from the culture so we can't be like the culture.
[00:56:54] But it never works.
[00:56:55] Because you're not separating from the world.
[00:56:58] It's actually worse.
[00:56:59] You're so in love with the world, you can't escape from a certain time period of it.
[00:57:04] Brothers and sisters, a buggy was a new invention at one point.
[00:57:08] Amen?
[00:57:10] And don't worry, I'm not offending any Amish.
[00:57:12] They're not watching.
[00:57:19] You can't withdraw.
[00:57:22] Paul did not withdraw.
[00:57:23] Paul didn't run away from Athens.
[00:57:26] You know what he did?
[00:57:27] He ran into it.
[00:57:30] We're not seduced.
[00:57:31] We don't withdraw.
[00:57:33] We're provoked and we engage, which leads me to the second point.
[00:57:38] We pursue people where they are.
[00:57:41] We pursue where they are.
[00:57:42] Look at this, verse 17.
[00:57:43] So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
[00:57:50] Paul does what he always does.
[00:57:52] He goes to the synagogue first.
[00:57:54] And when he gets into the synagogue, he starts talking to all the people there who know the Scripture.
[00:58:01] And then after the synagogue, what does he do?
[00:58:04] He doesn't stay there.
[00:58:04] He goes where?
[00:58:06] To the marketplace.
[00:58:07] Because both are needed.
[00:58:09] You would be surprised how many people would come if you just invited them to church.
[00:58:15] But brothers and sisters, getting people into church is not our ultimate goal.
[00:58:20] Our goal, here now and forever, is not to get more people to First Baptist.
[00:58:25] Our goal is to take the church to where the people already are.
[00:58:29] In the marketplace, in the workplaces, in your schools, at your rotary club meetings, on the ball fields, and share with them the gospel.
[00:58:36] And that's exactly what Paul did.
[00:58:38] He shared with them the gospel.
[00:58:40] Look at this, verse 18.
[00:58:41] Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him and they said, what does this babbler wish to say?
[00:58:47] Others said he seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
[00:58:52] Right there it is.
[00:58:53] That's what Paul taught.
[00:58:54] Jesus and the resurrection.
[00:58:56] He met people where they are and he talked about Jesus and the resurrection.
[00:59:00] That's important.
[00:59:01] You see, I told you all throughout the Advent series that the birth of Jesus is so significant because Christianity is not based on what Jesus said or what he taught.
[00:59:11] The gospel is based on who he is and what he did.
[00:59:16] It's not Jesus' teachings that save us.
[00:59:19] Jesus himself saves us.
[00:59:21] Amen?
[00:59:22] And that's what he goes into Athens to teach.
[00:59:24] And they had never heard this before.
[00:59:26] They had never heard this before.
[00:59:28] They were so confused about it.
[00:59:29] Did you see that?
[00:59:30] They said he's preaching different divinities.
[00:59:33] They thought he was talking about two different gods.
[00:59:34] A male god and a female god.
[00:59:36] Jesus the male god and the Greek word for resurrection, Anastasia, a female god.
[00:59:41] And he says, no, no, no, no.
[00:59:42] This is one god who has defeated death.
[00:59:45] I don't know if I can go to my workplace and to my schools and preach and share about the resurrection of Jesus.
[00:59:52] There might be people who would make fun of me.
[00:59:56] Let me just clear this up.
[00:59:59] If you go and you share the resurrection, you don't have to worry that people might make fun of you.
[01:00:08] They will.
[01:00:10] It will always happen.
[01:00:12] You will always be mocked.
[01:00:13] That's what happened to Paul.
[01:00:15] He was mocked.
[01:00:15] Look at this.
[01:00:16] What does this babbler wish to say?
[01:00:21] This is a derogatory term here.
[01:00:27] This is a bird who picks up seeds and then spits them out.
[01:00:32] And that's what they're saying about Paul.
[01:00:33] Paul, you're just spitting these thoughts, these ideals out.
[01:00:36] You're not really digesting them.
[01:00:38] You haven't really thought about them.
[01:00:39] In other words, you're a country bumpkin hillbilly.
[01:00:42] You're uneducated.
[01:00:43] You're not really an academic.
[01:00:44] You're not really an intellectual.
[01:00:46] You're just saying stuff.
[01:00:48] You're a babbler.
[01:00:49] You're a babbler.
[01:00:50] Paul was mocked.
[01:00:52] I want you to know that it's important because some of you think that to be mocked or to be rejected means that you've failed.
[01:01:00] But listen, brothers and sisters, often faithfulness precedes fruitfulness.
[01:01:04] Amen?
[01:01:06] And often, if God's ever going to give you an opportunity, He first has to give you some opposition.
[01:01:11] And so Paul is mocked.
[01:01:12] Who is he mocked by?
[01:01:14] Well, BJ read it earlier.
[01:01:15] Look at this.
[01:01:16] By two groups, the Epicureans and the Stoics.
[01:01:19] Now, let me just, I'm running out of time, so I gotta do this quickly, okay?
[01:01:21] And if you don't care about this, you have permission to tune out for the next 15 seconds.
[01:01:26] Listen, Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, none of them could agree on what the ultimate meaning of life was.
[01:01:31] And so the Greeks said, if our most brilliant minds cannot agree on this, there must be no meaning of life.
[01:01:36] So both of these philosophies grew out of that
[01:01:39] That thought process.
[01:01:41] There's no meaning about it.
[01:01:42] Both the Epicureans and the Stoics were what we would call relativists.
[01:01:46] They were hedonists.
[01:01:47] They were humanistic, if you will.
[01:01:50] The Epicureans said that, well, the gods, the gods do exist, but the problem is
[01:01:57] is that these gods are like made up of atoms in between the two different worlds and they are so detached from this that they don't really care what happens to us because the gods are detached because they're uninvolved the epicureans concluded that there's really no ultimate accountability and so when you die nothing really happens so therefore it's up to you to decide what your purpose in life is and what's good in life and that means you should eat drink and be merry and have the best time you possibly can
[01:02:27] Now, the Stoics, although they agree that there's no purpose in life, they said, no, wait a second.
[01:02:32] Wait a second.
[01:02:32] These gods and goddesses are really in every fabric of life.
[01:02:37] And they may not care, but they still have to keep balance.
[01:02:39] Think of it like Asian religion or like Taoism, right?
[01:02:43] Like the force is with you.
[01:02:44] And so, therefore, we still have to find good, but the individual cannot find good, society as a whole.
[01:02:51] because if you do what you think is right that might actually hurt someone else what gives you pleasure might give someone else pain so society needs to determine what's good to which the Epicureans would say now wait a second that's a problem because society has never ran by the masses it's only ran by the few
[01:03:07] But those who are in charge, so what are we going to do?
[01:03:09] Let Caesar and his goonies decide what's good?
[01:03:12] That doesn't work.
[01:03:13] And they would sit here and they would argue about how do we find the ultimate goodness in life when there really is no meaning.
[01:03:19] Alright, now for all of you who tuned out, you can tune back in, okay?
[01:03:21] That's what these guys believed.
[01:03:23] Well, Paul walks in, and Paul says, no, there is meaning in life.
[01:03:27] There is meaning in life.
[01:03:29] And it's not because of these gods.
[01:03:30] It's because of the God, Jesus, and what He has already done.
[01:03:37] Listen, Paul, as he's being mocked, does not change his message.
[01:03:42] He doesn't even change his delivery.
[01:03:44] He reinforces it.
[01:03:45] Paul is mocked not because he's unclear.
[01:03:48] Paul is mocked because he is clear.
[01:03:51] because he is clear look at this jump to verse 19 and they took him and they brought him to the areopagus now this is inter it's interesting uh this is named after the greek god ari but it's also there's also a roman god with the same name mars or the same god the different name mars
[01:04:09] So the Areopagus is sometimes what we call Mars Hill.
[01:04:12] It was about 50 yards away from the Parthenon, and it was this massive rock, and this was the biggest stage there was.
[01:04:19] This was like the Oprah Winfrey show of the Greek world, okay?
[01:04:23] This was the biggest stage, this is where everyone's going to listen to, this is where they all debated.
[01:04:27] And so they invited, they brought him to the Areopagus saying, may we know more about this new teaching.
[01:04:33] This new teaching is that you are presenting for you bring some strange things to our ears.
[01:04:39] We wish to know therefore what these things mean.
[01:04:42] Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
[01:04:50] It's not Paul.
[01:04:52] The reason he was mocked is because he refused to conform to the culture.
[01:04:57] And because he refused to conform to the culture, that actually gave him the opportunity to stand on the biggest stage of his life.
[01:05:06] Isn't that amazing?
[01:05:08] And they say, we want to hear something new.
[01:05:11] I just think this is amazing.
[01:05:13] People never change.
[01:05:14] People never change.
[01:05:16] 2,000 years ago they go to Mars Hill or the Areopagus.
[01:05:20] Today in 2026 when you wake up, what's the first thing you do?
[01:05:24] You get your phone out and you check the news and you listen to your podcast and you scroll on social media because humanity, we want something new.
[01:05:35] So Paul, now as he's standing on the Areopagus, what is he gonna do?
[01:05:38] This leads me to the third point.
[01:05:40] Not only is Paul provoked by idols, not only does he pursue people where they're at, Paul's gonna proclaim the greatness of God.
[01:05:47] He's gonna proclaim the greatness of God.
[01:05:50] Verse 22, So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Mars Hill, said, Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
[01:06:00] For as I passed among and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with the inscription to the unknown God.
[01:06:07] Remember how I told you they were so obsessed making sure that all the gods and goddesses were pleased that just in case we left one out, let's have an idol that says to the unknown God.
[01:06:16] Paul says, Well, guess what?
[01:06:19] To the unknown God what therefore you worship as unknown this I proclaim to you Paul says I know who that unknown God is I want to tell you about him I proclaim to you that's it he's proclaiming the gospel right here now I want to show you something real quick jump back to verse 22.
[01:06:34] I want you to see what Paul does here when Paul starts out this sermon to proclaim the greatness of God you notice what he says first I perceive that you are in every way religious
[01:06:47] That's how Paul starts.
[01:06:49] Paul does not stand up and say, you idiots.
[01:06:53] Paul doesn't stand up and say, you jerks.
[01:06:56] Paul doesn't stand up and say, you guys are so stupid to worship all this marble and gold and stone.
[01:07:04] No, no, Paul says, I see you're very religious.
[01:07:06] Can I just point something out real quick?
[01:07:09] Boneness doesn't require rudeness.
[01:07:12] and we live in a culture right now where you better know that we ought to be known for the fruits of joy and self-control and just because you're going to be bold doesn't mean you have to be rude and just conviction doesn't start with contentment okay we ought to be kind people we ought to engage people in a kind way as we proclaim boldly the gospel of jesus christ amen i want to be known for our love
[01:07:36] Also, the second thing I want you to notice about this, Paul starts out by noticing the people and asking actual questions here.
[01:07:43] I notice that you are religious.
[01:07:46] Tony Miranda, who's a good Kentucky boy, but now serves as a pastor in North Carolina, he says it this way, Good evangelism never starts by always having the right answers, it always starts by asking the right questions.
[01:07:59] I perceive that you're religious.
[01:08:01] You ask people questions like putting a rock in their shoe that annoys them all day long, right?
[01:08:05] They start to think about it.
[01:08:06] I notice you always show up to your kid's ballgame.
[01:08:09] You must really love your kids.
[01:08:11] I notice that you must have worked really hard to get in this position you have at work.
[01:08:18] Can I tell you a quick story?
[01:08:19] A while ago, not anytime soon, but I used to be pretty faithful about going to the gym at a certain time, and every time I would go, there was this guy who was always there before I got there, and I would always leave before he left.
[01:08:34] Well, one day, I kind of switched my routine, and I went in the evening, and when I walked in, guess who was there?
[01:08:39] That guy!
[01:08:40] And so we were just kind of working out beside each other, and I started a conversation with him, and I just said, you know, I notice...
[01:08:47] Every time I'm here, you're here.
[01:08:49] And then you're here in the evenings.
[01:08:51] Do you do this all the time?
[01:08:51] Do you work out like twice a day, every day?
[01:08:55] In other words, I perceive that you really care about your health.
[01:09:00] That's the question I ask them.
[01:09:02] You say, I can never do that.
[01:09:03] Can I let you in on a secret?
[01:09:05] Gym rats love talking about the gym.
[01:09:08] Movie junkies love talking about movies.
[01:09:10] People who golf, they love talking about golf.
[01:09:13] I promise you can ask questions, okay?
[01:09:15] and so it turns out this guy's about the same age I am which was really dehumanizing for me because he had abs and no gray hair and I have a bad back and knees and so anyways we're talking here's what he told me he said that when he was a kid his dad suddenly passed away his dad was like 40 years old and just kilted over with a heart attack
[01:09:36] So when he got married and when his wife became pregnant, he didn't want to have what happened to his dad happen to him.
[01:09:43] And he wanted what happened to him to happen to his son.
[01:09:46] So he said, I want to go back to the gym and I want to get in shape.
[01:09:49] I said, man, that's incredible.
[01:09:52] Are you scared of dying?
[01:09:56] Because one day, if you did die, where do you think you would go?
[01:10:02] and actually led into a gospel conversation simply because you ask questions.
[01:10:07] But let me tell you something.
[01:10:08] You can't ask questions if you don't notice where people are at.
[01:10:12] Amen?
[01:10:15] Some of you don't even notice your neighbors.
[01:10:18] You don't even notice your co-workers enough to ask them a question.
[01:10:22] You don't even notice the people you go to school with.
[01:10:26] Paul
[01:10:28] Paul noticed the people.
[01:10:29] His spirit was provoked, but his posture was compassion.
[01:10:35] And he noticed and he said, I can see that you are very religious.
[01:10:38] And I can see that I'm running out of time, so I need to hurry.
[01:10:40] Look at this, verse 24.
[01:10:42] The God who made the world, this is the sermon, the God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples.
[01:10:50] Did you see what Paul started with?
[01:10:51] Write this down real quick.
[01:10:53] He started with God as Creator in verse 24.
[01:10:56] God is created.
[01:10:58] He's created everything.
[01:10:59] He's created you.
[01:11:01] He owns everything and He is the one who defines reality for all of you Epicureans and all you Stoics out there.
[01:11:08] But He doesn't just stay there.
[01:11:10] Write this down.
[01:11:11] He's going to move to God as sustainer in verse 25.
[01:11:14] Look at this.
[01:11:15] Nor is He served by human hands as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
[01:11:26] God doesn't just start life, God keeps it going.
[01:11:29] Every breath, every heartbeat, every movement, it is from God.
[01:11:33] Right now, if you're sitting here in this church, you just took a breath because God allowed you to take a breath.
[01:11:39] And He just did it again.
[01:11:40] And He just said yes again.
[01:11:43] And the moment He doesn't say yes is the moment you won't breathe.
[01:11:48] You cannot make your heart beat.
[01:11:50] You cannot make your lungs expand.
[01:11:52] There is a Creator and a Sustainer who is above all.
[01:11:55] But He is not just Creator and He is not just Sustainer.
[01:11:58] Paul says this, that God is Sovereign.
[01:12:01] He is Sovereign.
[01:12:02] Write that down.
[01:12:02] Verses 26-28.
[01:12:04] Look at this.
[01:12:05] And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.
[01:12:13] In other words, God is in control of every nation.
[01:12:16] History is not random.
[01:12:17] It's in the palm of His hands.
[01:12:19] God knew the number of days allotted to the Greek Empire.
[01:12:23] God knew the number of days allotted to the Roman Empire.
[01:12:27] And brothers and sisters, hear me clearly.
[01:12:28] God knows the number of days allotted to the American Empire.
[01:12:32] He and He alone is the one that is in charge, verse 27, and they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him, yet He is actually not far from each of us.
[01:12:44] In Him we live, move, and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed His offspring.
[01:12:52] See, you guys know this deep down, even in your own culture, people know that there is something, there is something more.
[01:12:57] Being then God's offspring, verse 29, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image form.
[01:13:06] By the art and imagination of man, because God is creator, because God is sustainer, because God is sovereign, that means that God is distinct over the idols.
[01:13:17] God is not made of marble.
[01:13:20] God is not just a piece of silver.
[01:13:22] God is not a piece of rock.
[01:13:24] God is alive and because he is alive listen to this write this down verse 30 God requires repentance look what he says here but times of ignorance got overlooked but now he commands all people everywhere to repent to repent he said well wait a second God wants me to repent what does that even mean repentance doesn't mean saying I'm sorry repentance actually means dying you die to yourself
[01:13:51] It's actually a change of allegiance.
[01:13:53] And you put your affection and your heart toward God.
[01:13:56] You say, well, why should I repent?
[01:13:58] As Bethany begins to wrap this up, why should I repent?
[01:14:01] Well, Paul's gonna answer that.
[01:14:02] Paul says that not only is God distinct over idols, not only does God require repentance, but the reason He requires repentance, notice this, is because He's the ultimate judge.
[01:14:13] Look at this, verse 30, first part of verse 31.
[01:14:16] Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world.
[01:14:22] These idols won't judge you.
[01:14:25] Those idols of stone, those idols of marble, those idols of silver, they won't judge you.
[01:14:32] Morrisville, one day you're going to die and your idols in Morrisville won't judge you either.
[01:14:38] The culture, when you take your last breath, will not judge you.
[01:14:43] One day you're going to stand before your Creator and your wife's opinion will not matter.
[01:14:49] and your employer's opinion will not matter and your kid's opinion will not matter and your friend's opinion will not matter.
[01:14:55] There's only one opinion that will matter and it is the judge himself.
[01:15:00] Amen.
[01:15:02] He said, why does God judge?
[01:15:04] Why does God judge?
[01:15:05] What gives Him the right to judge me after I die?
[01:15:08] Paul answers that right here.
[01:15:10] Look at this, he says, Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed.
[01:15:19] And of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him
[01:15:24] from the dead.
[01:15:25] See, Jesus will judge you after you die because Jesus is the only one who rightfully can.
[01:15:30] Because He Himself has defeated death, which is what Paul concludes with.
[01:15:35] God is distinct over idols.
[01:15:37] God requires repentance.
[01:15:38] God is the ultimate judge.
[01:15:39] And praise be to God, write this down, God has defeated death.
[01:15:44] And He is our only hope.
[01:15:47] Paul preaches this message.
[01:15:50] Paul is provoked by idols.
[01:15:53] He pursues people where they are.
[01:15:55] He proclaimed the greatness of God.
[01:15:57] And here's the fourth thing, the last thing.
[01:15:59] After you do that, after you share Jesus in the resurrection, then you just prepare for the results.
[01:16:11] Now, look at this.
[01:16:12] I think this is so interesting.
[01:16:14] Paul finishes with the resurrection, verse 32, and where they heard of the resurrection of the dead.
[01:16:23] Some mocked.
[01:16:27] Biggest stage of his life.
[01:16:30] Mars Hill, the Areopagus.
[01:16:32] And there you have Sidney, these Epicureans, these Stoics, these Athenians, these foreigners.
[01:16:37] And some of them begin to jeer and they begin to mock Paul.
[01:16:42] But others said, we will hear you again about this.
[01:16:46] Yeah, just go ahead and leave, man.
[01:16:47] We're tired of hearing you.
[01:16:49] Verse 33, so Paul went out from their midst.
[01:16:51] Can you get a picture of this?
[01:16:54] Some are jeering, some don't really care.
[01:16:56] You can go on.
[01:16:57] Paul begins to leave.
[01:17:00] And as he's leaving, look what verse 34 says.
[01:17:04] But some men joined him and believed.
[01:17:10] As Paul is walking off stage, some of those Epicureans, some of those Stoics, some of those Athenians, some of those foreigners,
[01:17:18] As everyone else is yelling and mocking and jeering, well, some of them begin to stand up and they walk out with Paul and they become believers.
[01:17:33] Y'all, there is always, always going to be a response to the gospel.
[01:17:38] For some, they are going to mock.
[01:17:41] For some, they're not going to care.
[01:17:42] They're going to just be indifferent.
[01:17:44] But some,
[01:17:46] Some are going to believe.
[01:17:48] Didn't you see this last Sunday when we finished up our Advent series with the wise men?
[01:17:52] Herod, Herod mocked.
[01:17:53] He had hostility.
[01:17:54] The religious leaders, they had indifference, but those magi, well, they believed and there was joyful worship.
[01:18:01] Those three responses is the same three responses that will always happen whenever the gospel is preached.
[01:18:09] Some believed, some mocked, some didn't care.
[01:18:12] Y'all, if you go back in the book of Acts, in Acts chapter 2, when the gospel is being shared in Jerusalem, you know what happened in Jerusalem in Acts 2?
[01:18:20] Some mocked, some didn't care, but some believed.
[01:18:24] In Acts chapter 8, when they go into Samaria preaching the gospel, you know what happened?
[01:18:28] Some mocked, some didn't care, and some believed.
[01:18:32] Well, what about in Acts chapter 10 when they went to Caesarea?
[01:18:35] Some mocked, some didn't care, but some believed.
[01:18:38] What about Acts 11 when they went to that great city of Antioch?
[01:18:42] Some mocked, some didn't care, but some believed.
[01:18:46] Well, what about in Acts 16 when they go to Philippi?
[01:18:49] Some mocked, some didn't care, but some believed.
[01:18:53] A Roman jailer believed.
[01:18:55] An Asian wealthy woman named Lydia believed.
[01:18:58] A Greek slave girl, she believed.
[01:19:00] Some believed.
[01:19:02] What about in Berea and Thessalonica?
[01:19:03] What about here in Athens?
[01:19:05] Some mocked, some don't care, and some believed.
[01:19:08] This is going to happen later on in Ephesus and in Corinth.
[01:19:12] Brothers and sisters, the same thing that happened in Jerusalem, in Antioch, in Athens, in Philippi, in Thessalonica is the same thing that still happens today in Mooresville, North Carolina.
[01:19:28] Some will mock.
[01:19:30] Some will not care.
[01:19:34] But some will believe.
[01:19:37] And because some will believe, who are you
[01:19:42] To not share the gospel.
[01:19:44] You say, I don't want to share this at my work.
[01:19:46] I don't want to share this with my family.
[01:19:47] I don't want to share this with my neighbors.
[01:19:49] They may mock me.
[01:19:49] Well, maybe.
[01:19:51] They may not believe.
[01:19:52] Maybe.
[01:19:54] But maybe they will.
[01:19:57] And you're not God.
[01:19:58] You don't get to determine who's going to believe and who's not.
[01:20:01] So you go and you share.
[01:20:03] Because some will.
[01:20:07] Let me ask you a question.
[01:20:09] Are you engaging this city?
[01:20:13] Are you engaging this culture?
[01:20:16] Are you provoked by the idols or have you been seduced by them?
[01:20:20] Have you withdrawn from them?
[01:20:22] Are you pursuing people where they're at?
[01:20:25] Are you proclaiming the greatness of God?
[01:20:29] And are you ready for whatever the results may be?
[01:20:32] Listen, I know a lot of you have New Year's resolutions.
[01:20:36] Those are good, right?
[01:20:37] But far beyond you saving money, losing weight, or going on a date.
[01:20:41] Your top goal ought to be how can I make the name of Jesus famous and known for people who do not know it here in Morrisville.
[01:20:49] So I don't want to divide the group.
[01:20:51] I hate doing that.
[01:20:51] I'm already running out of time, but I do need to kind of divide you guys this morning.
[01:20:56] Let me talk to the group in here right now who you're a believer, you're a Christian, you've been coming to church for years.
[01:21:03] Listen, you trust the Lord, but honestly, you've lost track of what your purpose is.
[01:21:09] You've been more obsessed with your retirement, with your kids, with your work.
[01:21:13] You've been more obsessed with your own aspirations and dreams and plans than you have making Jesus' name famous and known.
[01:21:20] Today, I want to ask you to come and repent and say, Lord, Lord, today, I want to be serious about this.
[01:21:28] I want to be serious.
[01:21:30] I don't need to start a relationship with you.
[01:21:31] I need to renew my relationship with you this morning.
[01:21:35] There are some of you in here this morning
[01:21:37] You're not a believer.
[01:21:39] You come to church and it looks good on the outside, but deep down you are far from your Heavenly Father.
[01:21:47] Listen, when Paul preached this message, he wasn't just preaching it to the Athenians.
[01:21:52] He's preaching it to those sitting in the sanctuary of First Baptist.
[01:21:56] You have a creator.
[01:21:58] You have a sustainer.
[01:21:59] You have a God who is sovereign, and you have a God who one day is going to judge you.
[01:22:04] And He can rightfully judge you because He's the only one who's overcome death.
[01:22:08] Here's my question.
[01:22:10] How does He want to judge you?
[01:22:11] Have you trusted Him?
[01:22:13] Have you surrendered your life to Him?
[01:22:15] I want to invite you today to come and start a relationship with Jesus.
[01:22:19] To say, I'm tired of living for myself.
[01:22:21] I'm tired of thinking that I'm in charge.
[01:22:23] God, You are the one that's in charge.
[01:22:25] And today, I submit to You.
[01:22:27] And here's the good news.
[01:22:29] God, we serve as just and faithful to forgive.
[01:22:31] I want to be here.
[01:22:32] Pastor Al is going to be here.
[01:22:33] Pastor BJ is going to be here.
[01:22:35] Plenty of deacons around.
[01:22:36] Why don't you stand right where you're at?
[01:22:37] I've preached long enough.
[01:22:38] Let's pray.
[01:22:39] Father, we thank you for who you are.
[01:22:42] And we thank you that you are a God that's creator and sustainer and a God that's in charge, a God that's in control.
[01:22:48] That right now, right now, right here, your spirit is moving.
[01:22:54] Lord, I pray that if there is somebody here today who's never trusted you, who's never trusted you,
[01:23:01] They've been like these Epicureans, these Stoics.
[01:23:04] They thought that their ways were higher than your ways.
[01:23:06] Oh, Lord, today I pray that you would convict, that you would speak, and that you would call them into a loving relationship with you.
[01:23:16] Lord, do not let them be like some of those at the Areopagus.
[01:23:20] Don't let them have indifference.
[01:23:21] Don't let them have mockery today.
[01:23:23] Let them be like those men and women who stood up and said, I believe.
[01:23:29] They're not standing up in Mars Hill.
[01:23:31] They're not standing up in the Areopagus today.
[01:23:34] They're going to stand before their spouses, before their parents, before their children, before people who don't even know them and proclaim to the world, I am a follower of Jesus.
[01:23:44] I'm tired of living for myself.
[01:23:46] I'm living for my creator, my sustainer, the one who is sovereign, the one who is distinct from idols, the one who can rightfully judge because he's the only one who's defeated death.
[01:23:58] Oh Lord, would you give them the courage to do that?
[01:24:01] And Lord, for those who already know you, for those who have trusted you, today, today, let this be a day of renewal.
[01:24:07] Where they lay aside their own plans, their own agendas, and today they say, Lord, I want to live for you.
[01:24:13] I want to be serious about proclaiming the name of Jesus.
[01:24:19] Father, would you renew something in them this morning?
[01:24:22] Father, let Your Holy Spirit move and speak to our hearts in only the way You can.
[01:24:27] We pray this in Your holy name.
[01:24:29] Amen.

[01:24:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
O Thou Bount of every blessing,
[01:24:49] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Catholic Church of Latter-day Saints.
[01:25:01] Teach me some melodious sonnet, some my faving tones above.
[01:25:20] Praise the mount I am fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.
[01:25:21] Here I raise my heaven-easer, hither by thy help I come, And I owe my life with pleasure, safely to a wife at home.
[01:25:50] Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold above,
[01:25:51] He to rescue me from danger Interposed his precious blood All to grace of greater debtor Gave me undone strength to be Let thy goodness like a fetter Find my wandering heart to be
[01:26:24] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[01:26:39] Amen.
[01:26:45] Every blessing to my heart to sing thy praise.
[01:26:59] Strings of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of honest praise.
[01:27:07] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[01:27:28] Amen.
[01:27:32] At home by thy good pleasure, safely to our bride at home, Jesus sought me when a stranger, pondering all the fold on God, He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
[01:28:03] Praise Thou great identity, daily I prostrate to Thee.
[01:28:21] Let Thy goodness by the feather bind my wandering heart to Thee.
[01:28:24] Pro to wonder, Lord, I feel it.

[01:28:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Pro to lean on God I love.
[01:28:49] Here's my heart, O take and seal it.
[01:28:49] Seal it, Lord, thy courts above.
[01:28:51] In Jesus' name we pray.
[01:29:05] Amen.

[01:29:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Sisters, this altar is still open.
[01:29:08] We still have people praying, and I want to encourage you that if you need to pray, if you need to pray, don't leave.
[01:29:16] You come up here.
[01:29:17] There will still be plenty of people around who want to pray with you.
[01:29:20] You make sure that everything is right before you walk out of these doors.
[01:29:26] Father, we thank you for who you are.
[01:29:28] We thank you, Father, that you're the one that's in control, that you're the one that's competent, that you're the one that's sitting on the throne.
[01:29:35] Father, let us leave here today with a sense of boldness and a sense of grit, a sense, Father, that we're not going to just go through life, but we're going to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus.
[01:29:50] We're getting ready to walk out into the Athens of North Carolina, into Morrisville.
[01:29:57] We're getting ready to walk back into our homes, back into our neighborhoods,
[01:30:03] where there's many Epicureans and Stoics among us who think that their ways are higher than your ways.
[01:30:13] But let us take heart that the gospel is able to save Epicureans and Stoics.
[01:30:22] The gospel is able to convict even those in Athens.
[01:30:27] The gospel is able to radically change
[01:30:31] The people in Morrisville.
[01:30:33] Some will mock.
[01:30:35] Some will not care.
[01:30:37] But praise be to God, some will believe.
[01:30:41] And so Lord, we leave here with a sense of boldness because we know that when the gospel is proclaimed there will always be a response.
[01:30:47] Now let us go and proclaim.
[01:30:50] Outcome is your responsibility.
[01:30:52] Obedience is our responsibility.
[01:30:55] So Lord, as we leave here to go and pursue people right where they're at,
[01:31:00] Would you bless us and keep us and make your face shine upon us and give us travel of mercies until we meet again.
[01:31:06] We pray this in the holy and most exalted name of Jesus and all those who agreed said, Amen.
[01:31:13] You are dismissed.

[01:31:23] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
I have to teach you how to do this.
[01:31:39] It is an action step, an action step.
[01:31:39] I have to teach you how to do this.
[01:31:40] It is an action step.
[01:31:41] I have to teach you how to do this.
[01:31:41] It is an action step, an action step.

[01:31:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[01:32:11] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[01:32:13] Let us pray.