How To Deal With Intellectuals.

Introduction:

Question: How should we deal with intellectuals?

Six Points For Today's Messages:

I. Paul Observed the City of Athens. - L - v.16

A. Paul was a man of passion. - Colossians 3:23

B. He knew the stakes were high. - Matthew 6:21

II. Paul Shared with Church Goers. - L - v.17

A. First Audience: Jewish people. - L - v.17a

B. Second Audience: God-fearing Gentiles. - L-v.17b; Isaiah 55:6

III. The Third Audience: The Common Citizen. - L - v.17c

A. He went to the marketplace.

B. He talked to unbelieving Gentiles.

IV. The Fourth Audience: The Pleasure Seekers. - L - v.18a

A. They were Epicureans.

1. They believed the world happened by chance.

2. They believed in gods, but they didn't care about man.

3. Man must find truth and pleasure of life.

4. There's nothing after death.

B. Life was about self-satisfaction.

V. The Fifth Audience: The Rationalists. - L - v.18b

A. They were stoics.

1. They were pantheists - god exists in everything.

2. They were fatalists - there's no good or evil in the world.

B. Stoics will act one of two ways.

1. They become complacent.

2. They try to control their destiny.

VI. The Sixth Audience: Other Philosophers. - L - v.18-21

A. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers questioned Paul. - L- v.18

B. Paul faced other philosophers at Areopagus. - L- v.19

"Areopagus" is Greek for Mars Hill.

Read Romans 1:22

Conclusion: Three Points of Interest:

1. We need to help idol worshippers today to see the truth. - L- v.16

2. Go where you can share Christ. - L- v.17

3. Always be ready to defend your faith. - L- v.19,20

Question: How do you deal with intellectuals?