JESUS today YOU will SAVE me.
Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 2
Acts 17
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
He raised up my Savior Jesus Christ, from the dead, and he will be our judge. But, I plead the blood of Jesus Christ. All have sinned, and fallen short to the glory of God, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin……….
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
“I Plead the Blood of Jesus”………………………………………
Paul’s Wisdom
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Paul’s wisdom begins in finding something in common with the people. In this case, the unknown god. He rationalizes with this people in regards that the unknown god, was our Creator and Savior Jesus Christ and that they should never have need for no other god. For nothing made by humans hands can be a god nor should be worship. He speaks to them about a God that lives and NEVER DIED.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Know when to walk away!!!!!!! Paul here showed that sometimes too much knowledge about nothing is a waste of time. Science keeps looking to explain the unexplainable. Avoiding the understanding that everything in this world will share one common DNA for our Creator put it there. They go round and round looking for the missing link, where there is no missing link but the fact that we were created to the image and likeness of our God Jesus Christ. It comes a time when we must be wise as Paul and walk away from the fool and take our harvest with us, let it be big or small, for Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Be wise as Paul was, do not confront a fool for a fool will bring you down to his level. It is better to walk away with your harvest, keep working on others, for if the seed have hit fertile grown sometimes as we walk away, it will sprout, and someone else will harvest it.
Thank you Jesus for the Great Harvest that you continue to bring to POFW and for those that are still to come. Make us wise in our decisions knowing when to stay or when to walk away. Show us the discerning Spirit and helps us know when is the correct time. Anoint our lips with your words and soften the hearts of those who listen, so they may be pricked in repentance. In Jesus Name I claim a strong REVIVAL in the land. AMEN
SEEKING MORE LIFE
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Sin in its entirety is about seeking pleasures in this world in an endless attempt to make us feel better about life. The TRUTH is Life, True LIFE has nothing to do with our flesh, this world or our bodies. However most of our season on earth is about attempting to make our lives better here on earth.
The apostle Paul so clearly stated in verse 28 that people should SEEK the LORD, Feel after the LORD and Find the LORD. Paul also states that the LORD is not far from every one of us. Simply the mention of the name of JESUS invites HIS presence into our lives regardless of the situation or circumstance.
Paul continues his sermon by declaring that in JESUS. JESUS in our lives and our lives in JESUS. We live (have LIFE), we move (do LIFE) and have our being (live LIFE) because we are HIS offspring. We are BORN AGAIN through Repentance, Water Baptism in JESUS name and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We are of the same bloodline (from the father) as JESUS.
Miracles, signs and wonders reside in each of us waiting to be released through our committed lives to JESUS.
iRepent
iPraise
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
Amen and God bless you today
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
These people wanted to know more about this strange doctrine Paul was preaching. I assure you people today want to know more about this Jesus Name message that we hear delivered every week in our hearing. This messsage is not like any other. We preach Jesus and him crucified, that the world will know who this one true and living God is. The God that created all things yet robed himself in flesh and suffered for our sakes, that we might have eternal life. He did not send his son, but came himself to bring peace to people just like these on Mars hill, that need God in their lives. Jesu came to us to see us filled with the Holy Ghost!!!!
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
The word of God might sound strange to people at first but once they truly get a hold of it, they won’t be able to let it go! We need to go out and peach this word, for there are people out there who are hungry and seeking for something supernatural, and if we don’t reach them who will?
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Man worships God in his heart and spirit. That is where He dwells. The church is the collective gathering of believers, and not the building. He has already made a temple for himself when He made us. This is another reason why we must take care of our bodies. We are the living temple for God to dwell in.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Every one of us should be stirred when we see other people give themselves over to other false idols, I’m not just talking about other religions but other people who claim to be Christian but don’t follow the Word of God. Or people who give their attention to the things of the world instead of the one should have the attention in Jesus.
The world used in this Scripture is Paroxyno, which has a few meanings and the first definition of this word is to sharpen, like a person were to sharpen a knife or blade.
When we see other people lost in this world, we need to let the spirit of God sharpen our spirit so that we may become bold for his sake so that we may preac the Gospel to people who need to hear his word and need to follow the only way to get to heaven and that is through Jesus.
2. So as usual, Paul went there to worship, and on three Sabbaths he spoke to the people…CEV
Will they be able to say of us, “As usual, they went to worship”? I don’t want to just go to the church building, I want to go have Church!
Acts 17:10-11
10, And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness (ready, prepared in mind, unhesitant; willing) of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12, Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
It’s so important for us not to just read but search the scriptures, the Bible, daily, so that we can know what the Word of the Lord says for ourselves. That way, when someone is teaching or preaching to us, we will know whether it is the truth of God’s Word or not.
2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We also need to read and search the scriptures daily, so that when we are sharing the Word of God with others, we want to make sure that we are “rightly dividing the word of truth.”
iLove to eat More Word
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
In the NLT, the Word says, “As his custom was he went to the Synagogue Service…”
There are some good traditions and customs that should be practiced and Church attendance is one of them.
18He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
When we as Christians start to speak about God, some think we are just babbling along. They don’t want to hear about Jesus, and they put a defense barrier around themselves. It’s funny how they call Christians babblers, and the unrighteous they say it’s their right to speak out. It doesn’t matter what they call us, we should not be ashamed to speak about Jesus!
18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”
Many people don’t know who God it but when they find out they want more truth about him. This is why we can’t stop talking about God and what amazing things he will and can do because one day it will change someone. It only takes 1 spark to start a wildfire for God! 🙂
Paul goes from the frying pan into the fire, so to speak, as he stirs up one city for preaching the truth only to enter into another one to teach this truth. Yet in verse 2 it shows that this is Paul’s habit-to teach in whatever synagogues he travels to. He knows some will believe and some won’t, and his focus is on the new believers! Where would we be without the man of God to teach & preach the word to us? I’m thankful that the Lord made a way for me! Now we must go and make disciples and Paul does here. Some will believe and some will not….so we too must focus on the believers, praying that others will in time receive it.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
We are going to be judged by this Word, so we must be sure that our lives align with the Word of God and those things that we hear we should search and let the word affirm. All things will pass away but His word will not pass away.
2 Timothy 2:15King James Version (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
John 5:39 (NKJV)
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
Anyone can be won to God
Acts 17:34 (KJV Strong’s)
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Dionysius was a member of the Aeropageous court. She had heard countless philosophical, theological, and psychological debates.
This was the epitome of Greek culture, and paganism. If there was anyone who would be more difficult to win to Christ it was her.
However that’s not all. The god she was named after represented a hedonistic culture. Bacchus was the Roman names for the Greek god dyonusius. He was a god of wine, partying, and even androgyny. This was a god of fun, tolerance, and pleasure. Bacchus represented the height of a do as you will spirit. In fact Bacchus whole persona was built around supposed freedom.
Yet this small sermon that Paul preached broke through the years of lies, and conjecture to now convert her to follow the one true living God.
We can reach anybody if we will just try. Bacchus represents our culture. This means that God has done it before he can surely win them again.
Amen.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They wanted to know the truth so they studied. One should thank God (Jesus) for a man of God that teaches from the entire (complete, whole) word of God; and remember the miracles, signs, and wonders that have come to pass. One would be very wise to consider and be cautious of any other way, for ones very soul is at stake. Dear God, open my eyes and ears to truth only; “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”. “In God we trust”. What a mighty God we serve! Thank God for his word. God bless America, Jerusalem, and you all in Jesus name, Amen!
It’s going to take someone who knows the word of God to tell it to the lost. Our knowledge of God’s word is very important when it comes to winning souls. We must not allow sin to distract us from the work of the kingdom.
Also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him, and some were asking, “What does this foolish babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.” (They said this because he was proclaiming the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.)
The epicurans did not believe in punishment from dieties in the afterlife so they rejected Paul’s teaching. The Stoics thought highly of virture but found it difficult to obtain. Both groups saw Paul as an ignorant blabber of strange doctrine. The interpreted his preaching to be polytheistic. The thought God was working through Jesus.
Interesting thought. Some 270 years latter Tertullian, a Greek, would start the idea of a Trinity.
“The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got—all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.”
Acts 17:16 MSG
Our world has turned into a junkyard of idols and idol worshipers. It’s time to preach the gospel to everyone. We want everyone to abandon the idols in their lives and find everything they need in Jesus. God is good! He is worth more than any false god we concoct.
My God is more than enough!
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
God is never too far, Im nothing without God all that I am is because of the grace of God.
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
This takes me back to 1cor.ch.2 verse 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. verse:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Verses 24-29 MSG “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?” I was created to praise Him.
5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd.
Similar spirits will seek for each other. The jews became infected with envy, so they gathered. The searched, seeked and desired to find troublemakers. To do what? Start a riot!
Sin will always lead to more sin.
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Paul was known for reasoning the scriptures to everyone he met. Evangelism for Jesus Christ became his lifestyle. What are we known for? When anyone looks at us do they see Jesus? Can we be identified as a holy ghost filled Christian or do we just disappear in the crowd?
Lord help us to have enough evidence on a daily basis that if necessary we could be identified as being a holy ghost filled saint of God.
Paul was very persistent when it came to evangelism. And the scripture we see that he spoke to them daily. As we make disciples we must speak to them daily as often as we can to assure that they are learning the true word of God.
“He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.”
Acts of the Apostles 17:17 NLT
Paul was distressed that the city of Athens was full of idols. He called those idols “objects of worship” (vs 23) they were literally statues made by human hands (Ps 115:4-8). He affirms the people’s desire to be religious, and this fact alone becomes the springboard into a conversation about the unknown god to whom they have built an altar. In his conversation with these philosophers. The best way to reach the lost is to speak their “language”.
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.””(Acts 17:31 NIV)
Jesus has set a important day when he is to come back for us. For he didn’t give us an exact day or hour for his return. He has given us instructions on how to make it to heaven with a plan of salvation. He has given us proof by Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. We need to be prepare ourselves to make that trip with him.
Act 17:5 — Act 17:6
But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Jealousy can blind you and fill you up with anger and hate so much that you can MISS the real message that God has for you.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 17:11 KJV
Those who search the scriptures to see their meaning are considered more noble than others. This scripture pushes all of us to look closer at he scriptures and pray more for their discernment.
Acts 17: 22-34
Are we as EFFECTIVE as Paul was in Athens?
Paul connected with people from many cultures, he understood both Greek society and human needs. As Christians we need to connect before we spect. We need to built relational bridges with the people.
CONNECTION PRECEDES DECISION!!!