this morning, we can see the contrasting beliefs between the Apostle Paul and those who decided believing in more gods is better for life than just one creator of all things (Acts 17:15).

In Athens, Paul meets a number of individuals who were engulfed with many gods. This place centered around Greek culture. The people embraced philosophy and education.

These philosophers and other educated people lapped up all the newest religious trends. Their ears were always itching for something new. (2 Timothy 4:3-4). So, they invited Paul to speak to them at the meeting of the Areopagus. (Acts 17:18-19).

When Paul saw all their idols (gods), he was stirred in his spirit. He had the same response in his spirit Jesus did after he saw the people the people treating his Father's house irreverently. (Matthew 21:12-13).

Paul was stirred (Greek word paroxunō). Paul was provoked and irritated by what he saw. He was aroused in anger. His anger started to burn because the people were being deceived by all the false gods they nuzzled up to.

When you believe in someone or something that is attached to idolatry, it moves God to righteous indignation. Remember the golden calf in the Old Testament?

That idolatrous act caused a plague to come upon the people. (Exodus 32:7-35). God takes belief against him for something else very seriously. Paul stood strong and disputed and reasoned with Gentiles.

Paul also spoke with many different religious groups. (Acts 17:18). Because of their high haughtiness, they saw Paul as some infant babbler. They thought all their accumulated god prowess attitude dwarfed Paul's speaking.

[In case you’re interested, a babbler is someone who speaks incessantly, foolishly, or without making sense, often characterized as an idle chatterer or gossip. It also refers to birds known for their loud, chattering, songs.]

But none of these definitions applied to Paul's belief in just any god. Paul spoke declared to them the absolute truth about the only true God of heaven and earth. Please read aloud into your spirit, family, or study group these passages (Acts 17:24-34).

Please read those verses a second time. Paul (by the power of the Holy Spirit), explained to the men how very religious they were. They were more religious than others. They were pious and superstitious.

He explained his beliefs clearly and persuasively. He knew that their religiosity was of the flesh and was done in perhaps good works, not led by the Spirit of God.

He began where the people were by referring to their altar dedicated to an unknown god. Having aroused their interest, he then explained who that God was and what he was like. He ended the message for them to respond.

The men had a life changing decision to make. Believe in someone who has divine power and life to raise them from the dead, or believe in dead works of gold, silver, or stone idols that have no life in them. (Verse 23).

Those who believe in the living God are not separated by race, pigmentation (skin color, or location). Everyone on earth came from one man. God made all the nations. All people are of one family. Whether Athenians, Romans, Greeks, barbarians, Jews, or Gentiles.

This is why people who use racism as a way to shame others in an untruthful way, as victims, are being deceived. We are created and live through one color, "blood!" Life is in the blood, not skin color.

No matter our outward appearance, God has placed within each one of us the yearning to worship and seek him. We grope for him not by creating idols to worship, but by pointing out to others that God is not far away from us.

Paul made it clear that we can believe in the resurrection that Jesus spoke about (John 11:25-26). True authentic Christians can have fellowship with him. In fact, every day we depend upon him for our life and breath.

At the end of the day, Paul's persuasive words moved some of the men to hear more words from him. Others stood by and mocked him (Verse 32-34). Some in the body of Christ think they have to bring the whole crowd to their way of thinking.


🗣📢 Last words: True Christians, followers of Jesus are messengers that are praying to be effectives witnesses for the Kingdom of God. We have no power to save anyone. But the Holy Spirit can convict them of sin and unbelief.

[God is always moving in people’s hearts, nudging them closer to accepting his gift of salvation. Even if only a few believe based on your witness, it’s worth the effort.]

Paul was an effective witness and was able to respond to individuals’ questions and arguments. Please read the following key verses in your quiet devotion time. (1 Corinthians 2:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

You see beloved, Paul's words were not  spoken with man's worldly wisdom, but in the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit. When true believers speak, they have power to back it up with. Our faith stands in God's power.

Jesus opened the opportunity for those to believe in him over unbelief. Please his power words into your spirit. (John 14:1, 6-21). Jesus helped one man struggling with belief. When believing comes to desperation, the heart acts.

 

You can see it play out when Jesus visited his own hometown of Nazareth. The people had already rejected him as someone to believe in because of pride and unbelief. (Mark 6:3-6). It's difficult to believe when your heart has a blindfold over it.

23} "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24} And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:23-24 KJV).

Then you can see the results. (Mark 9:25-27). Since the beginning of man's creation, God has proclaimed himself as man's only Savior to believe in. Hope only in God. We place our faith in a reliable, divine Savior to overcome unbelief.

16} "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17 KJV).

10} "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

11} I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:10-11 KJV).

Did you know Satan uses religious people to distort God's truth that can set people free from religion? Paul experienced it many times. Acts 13:50-52; 14:1-2; 17:5-8,13; 21:27).

He also uses unsaved family members to stir up trouble against those who believe differently than them. How many of you know stories of family members who were disowned because of having a relationship with Jesus?

The same happens with those who leave certain religions or denominations. It happened to the young man born blind in John chapter 9. Belief in someone who is Lord of your life has consequences.

To believe in truth against all the melting pot full of hypocrisy and lies takes effort and searching are your part. How do you evaluate sermons and teachings? The people in Berea searched the Scriptures for themselves. (Acts 17:10-13).

It's important for true believers to seek discernment from the Holy Spirit when hearing a different gospel from what the Bible teaches. to verify the message, they heard. Always compare what you hear with what the Bible says.

I thank God that individuals want to believe. I thank God that people who struggle with believing in God continued to come to church or read their Bible or continue to pray. Their persistence will bring them to surrender their heart.

Whenever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed! Christianity is more than a collection of knowledge or a religious system; because of Jesus’ work of salvation, the power of God through the Holy Spirit resides in everyone who believes.

With all the different false religions and teachings out there, how do you stay grounded in truth and not believe in lies? Here are a few practical steps to keep in your daily walk with the Lord.

♡ Hold on to trust. (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 14:1). Don't waver in chaos. Stand strong in believing God's unchanging word. Place the Bible over all-man made religions. (1John 4:1-3).

♡ Hold on to the power of believing in one Savior. (Mark 9:23-24). Faith in God opens the door to divine power. Stay committed in the face of persecution. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Acts 1:8; 4:29-33).

♡ Hold on to works through faith. (John 10:37-38; 14:12-13; Ephesians 2:10). You can invite listeners to believe in Jesus based on his works and relationship with the Father.

♡ Hold on to believing in someone beyond the grave. (John 6:37-40; 10:28-30; 1 John 5:11-13; Isaiah 45:22). Continue to be a faithful witness to the fact that Jesus is the only ultimate source of life and security.

Many of you believe in someone or something. You may believe in your husband, wife, children, career, friends, neighbors, and even your church. Remember beloved, all leaders at some point might be wrong, but the Bible is always right.

When you believe Jesus Christ is who he claims to be, then out of this belief should come the conviction to live according to his teachings. Convictions prepare you to live a life of faith and to defend the faith when necessary.

Conviction can also refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart, when he tells you what is right and wrong. Without the Holy Spirit convicting your heart, you would be unprepared to face temptations.

Convictions hold you steady on the path of life and help you faithfully live out your belief in God in practical ways. Keep your convictions firm, and your life as a Christian will be full of divine moments.

Both Job and Paul faced intense suffering, enduring immense physical pain, social alienation, and spiritual attacks while remaining faithful to God. Both were righteous yet faced accusations and questioning.

Both of them experienced their suffering as being connected to a messenger of Satan yet allowed by God. Their integrity was on trial by those who did not know God. In steadfastness they found strength in weakness.

Is believing in the winds of uncertainty better than what God’s rock of salvation can do through his living power? Don't believe in just someone or something, believe in the one who formed you and gave you life in abundance.


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray for those to grip belief in the Savior. "Heavenly Father, thank you for showing today you alone are the only way, truth, and life. Lord, there is none like you. No one else can touch my heart like you do.

I indeed have searched for all eternity long, and still find today, there is none like you. I believe in you today as Lord. You are the only means to salvation. I found out in today's message that in you all forgiveness is found.

Lord, it pleases you when sinners reject unbelief, repent, and bring abundant joy of salvation. You are an amazing God. Now I have tasted belief in you and now know you are supremely good to me. Lord, thank you for opening my eyes.

Lord Jesus, thank you for turning my heart of stone into a heart of your living presence. Holy Spirit break through all spiritual blindness and cause my heart to see you Cleary through every roadblock of the enemy.

Sovereign Lord, open the eyes of those who struggle from circumstances that block their willingness to come to you. Open my eyes like you did Elisha's servant. Thank you Lord, for helping to believe in you above all, Amen."


❤ "If you would like to know Jesus as your Savior, please read the drop-down page entitled "How to know Jesus."


📣 Help spread the word by sharing this web site and messages on your platform.


🙏 Please remember to pray for the people in Israel. They are God's people because of his covenant promises to them. (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 6:22-27; 24:8-9). ✝️



☎️ Prayer Line- Text line- 412-616-3572