“For while I was passing through
and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this
inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this
I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since he is
Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He
served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to
all people life and breath and all things…” (Acts
17:23-25)
Apart from
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill is perhaps one of the
greatest sermons ever preached. Entering the city of Athens, Paul began
to notice altars and shrines setup for the purpose of worshipping false gods
and deities.
Reading this account of Paul’s travels reminded me of places in
the world where I have been where the name of Yahweh, the One true God of the
Bible, was not revered and worshipped. Paul challenged the people of Athens
with a sound, theological, and philosophical argument for not only the
existence of God, but that God alone should be proclaimed and worshipped. Paul
says, you worship one who you do not know, but let me tell you who alone is
worthy of worship. He is the God who created the heavens and the earth.
Athens in
Paul’s day looks much like America in our day. There may not be readily visible
altars and shrines setup for the purpose of worshipping false gods, but they
are there and clearly seen through discerning spiritual eyes. We live in a
world where fallen man worships other things rather than the God who created him
(Romans 1:18-27).
Indeed, the greatest tragedy and injustice in the world is
that man, created in the image of God for the purpose of worshipping Him,
willfully chooses to worship something else. Man robs God of the glory that is
due Him every time he chooses to bow down and worship the created rather than
the Creator.
My desire is
that God would continue to grow us in our faith; that we, like Paul, would seek
to know Christ better each and every day. Worship is not an event, it’s a
lifestyle. God created us for the purpose of knowing Him and worshipping Him,
so that we could bring glory to His name.
I’m humbled and honored to be able to
worship Him with you. I truly love my church. Looking forward to a great summer
worshipping with you!
Serving
Together,
Pastor Brett
