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- Oct 26, 2007
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"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31
In every city, the apostle Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection (Acts17:18). That's a shorthand reference to the Good News of Jesus Christ articulated in Luke 24:46-49; in Acts 1:1-5; in Acts 2:22-24, 32-36, 38-40; and in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
The Good News includes Jesus Christ's suffering, death, burial, resurrection from the dead three days later, post-resurrection appearances, and ascension. After His ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill and gladden the hearts of the apostles and other believers.
It's no surprise to find the apostle Paul preaching Jesus and the resurrection in Athens, which landed him a date to speak to the Areopagus council about this new and strange teaching. What is surprising is that Paul's remarks are cut off--a moment before he probably planned to say "Jesus."
Then, as now, you don't always get to present the Good News fully. Much better to say something and get cut off, however, than to hesitate and say nothing.
Prayer: Lord, please give me the boldness to talk about Jesus and the resurrection when the timing is perfect, and when it isn't. Fill me with Holy Spirit joy and boldness.
In every city, the apostle Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection (Acts17:18). That's a shorthand reference to the Good News of Jesus Christ articulated in Luke 24:46-49; in Acts 1:1-5; in Acts 2:22-24, 32-36, 38-40; and in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
The Good News includes Jesus Christ's suffering, death, burial, resurrection from the dead three days later, post-resurrection appearances, and ascension. After His ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill and gladden the hearts of the apostles and other believers.
It's no surprise to find the apostle Paul preaching Jesus and the resurrection in Athens, which landed him a date to speak to the Areopagus council about this new and strange teaching. What is surprising is that Paul's remarks are cut off--a moment before he probably planned to say "Jesus."
Then, as now, you don't always get to present the Good News fully. Much better to say something and get cut off, however, than to hesitate and say nothing.
Prayer: Lord, please give me the boldness to talk about Jesus and the resurrection when the timing is perfect, and when it isn't. Fill me with Holy Spirit joy and boldness.
