The message I preached at Gospel In The Park
May 7, 2019
A CITY WHOLLY GIVEN TO IDOLATRY.
Not one sector of the city goes untouched by the influence of idolatry.

>>Acts 17:16-19, 22. 16 Now while Paul waited 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. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 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.
We see in these verses of Acts 17:17-19. (He disputed with)
>1. The Superstitious. Those whose words or actions are based on chance or luck and not on reason. The Latin superstitionem, is an excessive fear of the gods.
>2. (Areopagus was the place of gathering for the council of elders of the city, similar to the Roman Senate.)
>3. The Stoicks,( Those whose belief is based on knowledge; the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason also identified with Fate and Providence, that governs nature, and are indifferent to the changes of fortune and to pleasure and pain.)
>4. The Philosophers of the Epicureans, (Epicurus directed that a state of tranquility could be obtained through knowledge of the workings of the world and the limiting of desires. Thus, pleasure was to be obtained by knowledge, friendship and living a virtuous and temperate life.)
>5. Those in the market. (Those of the economic or financial sector)
>6. The devout persons,( those that had a form of Godliness but denied the power thereof. 2 Timothy 3:5).
>7. The Jews (those who had a knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures of the Law and Prophets, that spoke of Christ but who refused to believe in Him John 5