There are three questions that haunt the minds of people everywhere. Sadly, even many people who are in church each week wrestle with knowing who the one true God is, what He is like, and understanding how to have an intimate relationship with Him.
Sermon Outline
The gospel is meant for all people, but there are many who have yet to hear it. In today’s sermon, Dr. Stanley uses Paul’s experience in Athens to explore the importance of evangelism as well as three key questions all believers should be able to answer.
Key Passage: Acts 17:16-33
Supporting Passages: Matthew 28:19; John 17:3; 1 Timothy 2:3-4
We all are searching for a sense of assurance in life, but in order to find it, we must be able to answer some essential questions.
► “There are three questions haunting the lives of many people.”
1. Who is the one true God?
People worship different gods in many different settings, but deep down, there is an abiding hunger to know our heavenly Father.
2. What is He like?
Countless people write to In Touch every year, asking questions about God. They want to know what is true about Him.
3. Is it possible to have a relationship with Him? And if so, how?
People aren’t eager to know a distant deity but want a relationship with the one “who sticks closer than a brother.” (See Prov. 18:24.)
► “If someone walked up to you today and asked you these three questions, how would you answer?”
Our answers to these questions are …
Not guaranteed just because we attend church each week.
Not based on something we’ve heard others say.
Not just about believing in something or knowing facts.
Dependent on a personal relationship and our own unique interactions with God.
Important to God—He wants everyone to know Him (John 17:3).
► “Paul knew the Athenians were living in darkness. He was delighted to have them as his audience, because he knew he had the truth.”
What can we learn from Paul’s sermon on the Areopagus?
The questions Paul addressed are universal. People today have the same questions.
When the truth is shared, listeners may be dismissive or eager to hear more. Or they may decide to believe.
Paul walked away confident he had done what God called him to do—present the truth and provide the answers to those questions.
God wants all people to know these answers (Matt. 28:19; 1 Tim. 2:3-4).
Knowing God is an essential human need.
Those who don’t know Him worship idols that cannot speak, communicate, or bless them—they receive no grace or mercy and have no true joy.
Knowing the one true God personally means worshipping a God of unconditional love, who is merciful and forgiving.
This “knowing” must be experiential, not simply factual. Paul uses a Greek word (ginóskó) to indicate the difference.
► “How satisfied can we be with our life when there are billions of people who have not yet had the privilege of knowing God?”
Are you willing to sacrifice so others can know God? Consider your answers to these questions.
What is my primary goal in life?
What am I willing to give up in order to do God’s will?
What will my spiritual legacy be?
Do I have the courage to yield everything to Jesus Christ?
After Watching
How would you answer the three essential questions discussed today?
Paul begins his sermon not by condemning the men gathered to hear him but by praising their desire to worship, even though they didn’t fully understand Who was drawing them (Acts 17:20-28). What can we learn from the apostle’s approach to evangelism?
