First Sermon on Job

Scripture: Acts 17:24-28.

Sermon for August 29, 2921

I originally intended to end my series of investigations of the early church with Acts 15, but I talked to Dave McCue a few weeks ago and explained my plan with him. He advised me to include Acts 17 before I moved on to something else. I knew the book of Acts after chapter 15 focused exclusively on the travels of Paul and was not sure the specifics of chapter 17. Chapter 16 tells of visiting churches in Macedonia and of Paul and Silas being imprisoned in Philippi. Chapter 17 begins with Paul’s adventures in Thessalonica and Berea before arriving in Athens. In Athens he went to a meeting of stoics who spent their time debating ideas. Any idea would do the debate was the most important thing. Paul introduced the subject of the one God and of Jesus. The Greeks were willing to debate but were offended at the challenge to their long-standing beliefs. Paul noticed they had statues to various gods all over the city. There was even a statue honoring the unknown god. Paul asserted that this unknown god was actually the one God who made heaven and earth and all that was in it. He succeeded in convincing about half of those with whom he debated. If you think about it that is a pretty impressive success rate, and some of those whom Paul convinced went on to start a Christian Church in Athens.

The lesson and accompanying debate, however, did not stop with planting a church in Athens. If as Paul said and I believe there is only one true God. A God who created everything we see. If this is true and if God created man so that man would reach out to Him then any time man reaches out to any god, he reaches out to the one true God. I see lots of questioning frowns. Consider my experience in Japan.

The Japanese people practice Shinto-Buddhism. Shinto and Buddhism are two separate religions, but the Japanese kind of merge them into one such that Shinto and Buddhist temples are indistinguishable. At least they were to me. They have a whole bunch of Gods. Some are supposed to be more powerful than others but everything has a god. The god of rice is a powerful god, but the god of kitchen utensils, not so much. You frequently find little prayer boxes on the street. They resemble little ornate birdhouses with bits of paper pinned to them. I asked one of my handlers about it. With all of these little gods, to which god do they pray when the use the boxes? The answer surprised me. They don’t pray to any god. They pray for good luck. I continued my question with, “Who grants them good luck”? I got a puzzled expression as an answer. “no one gives them good luck. It just happens.”

Another example would be Islam. Isaac and Ismael both worshipped the God of Abraham, the one true God. Thus Allah, the God of Islam, is the same God you and I believe in. The traditions and forms of worship have changed over the centuries but the One God remains the same.

That is not true, however, with all religions. More people practice Taoism than any other religion in the world. Virtually all Chinese are Taoist. Buddhism and Confucianism both trace their roots back to Taoism. In all of these religions the teachings are to live in harmony with Tao. Tao is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists. Taoism has no deities, no gods. Tao is a way, a pathway, a process; it is not a thing or entity. Thus, Taoism has no god; and they don’t pray, they meditate. So, let me ask you. Given there is one and only on God who is the blessed controller of all things, when Taoists meditate are they attempting to be in contact with the Holy Spirit. Compare these two concepts, “the source, pattern, and substance of everything that exists, and “the Creator of everything that exists.” Pretty similar.

So, what is the message for us today? We need to be respectful of all those who reach out to God. It doesn’t atter what you call Him or the customs of worship. We are all sons of God. But the gateway to paradise is through Jesus. Does that mean that those who recognize God but don’t know Jesus will not be saved? I don’t know. Not my call. It may be like Paul taught new converts: if you were a Jew before you became a Christian you should follow the Jewish laws. If you were not a Jew then you need not concern yourself with Jewish laws. So maybe it is enough for non-Christians to simply acknowledge the one true God. I don’t know. God will be the judge. What about those who accept neither Christ nor God? They reject the pathway to paradise and cannot be saved.

I do know that those who accept Jesus as their savior will spend eternity in heaven. I also know Jesus appointed us, you and I, to be his messengers. The Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples just before his ascension applies to all who know Christ. Jesus told us to spread the word to all nations. We don’t have access to everyone in the world, but we do have access to our neighbors and or community. I’m not suggesting you find a street corner and use it as a pulpit, not am I suggesting you be a well-intended, self-righteous nuisance to your neighbors. I am suggesting you don’t hide your faith.During my college days, KI hid my faith. I didn’t want anyone to know I was a Christian. After I was married and had children, I was more open about my faith. I did not preach to those who didn’t ask to be preached to, but I didn’t keep my faith a secret. I had several occasions when students would approach me with, Mr. Watson I know you are a Christian” and ask me question of morality. I don’t know how many or if I made an impression on anyone but it is that form of evangelism, I am suggesting you take to fulfill your part of the Great Commission. I recall the old hymn, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Maybe that is all God wants us to do. Be a Christian presence in our family, and in our community.