Finding An Opening To Share Christ With Others

Monday, September 21

Acts 17:22-25 (NIV)

“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”

Devoción

The account of Paul’s speech of the unknown God reminds us that God can show us how to specifically reach the people that we come across. As Paul carefully looked around, he found an opening to share about God with the Greeks. Paul took a moment to learn about his audience before he addressed them. He perceived that they were religious in the worship of their many idols. He may have known that there were philosophers among them or that they were known to listen to philosophers. Did he perceive also, then, that they valued education about the world around them and that they did not desire to be thought ignorant?
There are people today that trust in education, such as science, but do not know that God is the One that set science into motion. He is the Creator of everything, and His intricate design shows up everywhere in His creation. Are these people much like the Greeks in what they value? Do they also not want to be thought ignorant? God can help you to find an avenue to reach others if you seek Him in this. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” The Holy Spirit can help you to be intentional and be specific to your audience in sharing Christ with others.
Coming across the altar to the unknown God, Paul saw that they were worshipping God in ignorance. But God does not want us to be ignorant in worshipping Him. He wants a true relationship with us. Had the Greeks put up an altar to the “unknown God” as some kind of insurance to not leave out any deity that could retaliate in the future for not being given due worship? Regardless of their reason for placing that altar, they did not know this God. Paul saw and took this as his opportunity to teach the people about the one true God who made the heavens and the earth. Paul graciously stated that the people were religious, but then showed them that God doesn’t need religious deeds or temples built by man. He taught them about the God who gives them their very breath.

Oración de hoy

Querido Padre Celestial,

Help me to be attentive to the people You place in my path. Give me wisdom to understand their needs, discern the right opportunities, and share Christ with grace and love. Holy Spirit, guide my words and help me point others to the one true God. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Aplíquelo hoy mismo

Ask God to help you see the people around you through His eyes. Be intentional in listening, understanding what they value, and looking for natural opportunities to point them to Jesus.

Recursos

• Did you miss yesterday’s message? Take some time today to watch the message “When Worship Goes To War”, and be encouraged to worship through every circumstance. 

• Let this week’s wallpaper be more than a background—it’s a reminder to keep worship at the center of your day. Wallpaper