<p>Bible Study</p><p>Don&#39;t just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: </p><p>Sermon Outline</p><p><strong>Big Idea</strong></p><p>Humanity was made for God, and every restless longing ultimately points to Christ.</p><ol><li><strong> The Restless Human Heart</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Illustrations</strong></p><ul><li>Augustine of Hippo — “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”</li><li>Blaise Pascal — “All men crave happiness.”</li><li>Tom Brady — “There’s got to be more than this.”</li></ul><p><strong>Truth</strong></p><p>Earthly success and pleasure cannot satisfy the soul.</p><ol><li><strong> Paul’s Burden for Athens</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:16</strong></p><p>Paul was “provoked” by the city’s idols.</p><ul><li>Deeply distressed</li><li>Moved with compassion</li><li>Burdened for lost souls</li></ul><p><strong>Application</strong></p><p>Christians should respond to a lost culture with truth, compassion, and gospel engagement.</p><p><strong>III. Paul at the Areopagus</strong></p><p><strong>Acts 17:22–23</strong></p><p>“To the unknown god”</p><p>Paul uses their spiritual longing as a bridge to the gospel.</p><p><strong>Key Insight</strong></p><p>Humanity senses God exists but cannot truly know Him apart from revelation.</p><ol><li><strong> The Message of the Areopagus Sermon</strong></li><li><strong> God Is Creator</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:24</strong></p><ul><li>Creator of all things</li><li>Lord over heaven and earth</li><li>Not confined to temples</li></ul><ol><li><strong> God Is Self-Sufficient</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:25</strong></p><ul><li>Needs nothing from mankind</li><li>Gives life and breath to all</li></ul><ol><li><strong> God Is Sovereign</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:26</strong></p><ul><li>Rules over nations and history</li><li>Humanity shares one origin</li></ul><ol><li><strong> Humanity Was Made for God</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:27</strong></p><ul><li>Humanity longs for Him</li><li>God is not far away</li></ul><ol><li><strong> Idolatry Distorts Truth</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:29</strong></p><ul><li>God cannot be reduced to idols</li><li>False worship blinds the heart</li></ul><ol><li><strong> The Gospel Demands Repentance</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:30–31</strong></p><ul><li>God commands repentance</li><li>Judgment is coming</li><li>Christ’s resurrection proves His authority</li></ul><ol><li><strong> Paul’s Method: Contextualizing the Gospel</strong></li></ol><p><strong>Acts 17:28</strong></p><p>Paul quotes Greek poets to connect with his audience.</p><p><strong>Definition</strong></p><p>Contextualizing the gospel means explaining unchanging truth in understandable ways without changing the message itself.</p><ol><li><strong> Applications</strong></li></ol><p><strong>For Believers</strong></p><p><strong>2 Corinthians 5:20</strong></p><p>“We are ambassadors for Christ.”</p><ul><li>Engage culture faithfully</li><li>Speak truth with compassion</li><li>Share the gospel boldly</li></ul><p><strong>For Unbelievers</strong></p><p>Repentance is:</p><ul><li>Turning from sin</li><li>Turning toward God in faith and surrender</li></ul><p><strong>Promise of the Gospel</strong></p><ul><li>Rest for the soul</li><li>Forgiveness</li><li>Joy in Christ</li><li>Eternal life</li></ul><p><strong>Closing Truth</strong></p><ul><li>Humanity was made for God</li><li>Idols cannot satisfy</li><li>Christ alone brings rest to the restless soul</li></ul><p>Study Questions</p><ol><li>Why do you think Augustine’s quote about the restless heart still resonates today?</li><li>What are some modern idols people pursue in place of God?</li><li>What does it mean that Paul was “provoked” by the idols in Athens?</li><li>How did Paul balance truth and compassion in engaging a pagan culture?</li><li>Why is the altar “to the unknown god” so significant?</li><li>What does Paul teach about the nature of God in verses 24–27?</li><li>What is the difference between contextualizing the gospel and compromising the gospel?</li><li>Why is repentance essential to the Christian message?</li><li>How does the resurrection validate Jesus’ authority?</li><li>What practical ways can Christians serve as ambassadors for Christ in today’s culture?</li></ol><p>Questions?</p><p>Do you have a question about today&#39;s sermon? Email Tim Winkler (</p><p>).</p>