Call to worship:
1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.Isaiah 43:1-3a
Gathering Video
Questions for reflection:
What does Paul see in Athens? Does anything about his response surprise you?
How does he present the gospel to the Athenians?
What is the response and how does that shape our expectations today?
Corporate Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
We thank you for the gift of grace we find through the work of Jesus. We ask for your help to walk in wisdom and give an accurate witness of Your gospel as we go from this place. May Your Spirit guide us through the spiritual battles that we face. We praise You for the victory that belongs to Your people.
In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.
Notes//Quotes//Slides:
Acts 17:16-34 - Nathan
Acts 17:16-34
“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God, your functional savior.” Martin Luther
Isaiah 44:12-20
The gospel does not come as a disembodied message, but as the message of a community which claims to live by it and which invites others to adhere to it. Therefore, the community's life must be so ordered that it "makes sense" to those who are so invited. Leslie Newbigin