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Articles
The 3 Great Questions of Life
We would like to make a study of Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill, in Athens, as recorded in Ac.17:22-34. In this great text, Paul answers the 3 great questions of life; that rational, thinking men and women have, and will continue to ponder about our existence. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?
Where did we come from?
Paul addresses the first question about origins: where did we come from? In vss. 24-26, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." So where did we come from? God made us! We were created by an intelligent God, who made not only us, but heaven and earth also. Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." We did NOT come from some slime pit, evolving from an amoebae, by blind chance and dumb luck; as evolution teaches. This theory does not fit well the scientific facts that are known, and that can be demonstrated. God created and designed man, and this is so much more reasonable to believe. If we err in answer to the first question, it will warp and twist our thinking on the next 2 great questions of life. May we ponder and meditate upon our divine origin, for God’s great creative power; for as David said, Psalms 139:14, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
Why are we here?
Now we investigate Paul’s answer to the second question; the purpose of life: why are we here? In vss. 27-29, "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." We should seek the Lord, for he is our maker. Solomon made an extensive study of life; of what our purpose was for living. He sought out a wide variety of activities. His findings? Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Our purpose is to seek after God, to serve and worship him. He is not far from any one of us, if we will seek after him, for he can be found. The reason people can’t find God, is the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman.
Where are we going?
We shall now look at the answer to the question about the destiny of man, where are we going? Paul in Ac.17:30-31 said, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." All mankind is heading for the judgment day. The day, when all of us shall have to give account to God for the life we have lived. Romans 14:12, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." 2 Cor. 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." The assurance that we will be raised from the dead, and face God in judgment: is that Jesus was raised from the dead. There is no escape from this appointment! In John 5:28-29 we read, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." This is why we must heed the command of God to repent. We must turn from sin, Satan, and self; to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, Jesus is our only hope! John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Matthew 25:46, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." What will be your destiny friend?
3 Reactions
Notice in Acts 17:32-34, "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." There were 3 reactions to the truth that Paul preached. First, some mocked, made fun, scoffed at what was taught. These were so arrogant and proud, as they scoff the truth of God. Some people are going to do their own thing, not caring about the consequences of their sin (both now and in eternity). Secondly, there were people who said we will hear thee again on the matter. Not an all out and out rejection of it; just put it off, put it on the back burner: if you will, sometime we will study it further. I would tend to think most people back then, as people now, fall into this category. But a "gentle" rejection, is still as much of a rejection as a "bitter" rejection, in the final analysis. Lastly, some believed, accepted and obeyed what Paul said. "Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." No doubt these were in the minority, as these things usually are, when the gospel is preached, only a few receive it. We hope all who may read, may be of this last tribe of people, our text speaks about, believe and obey the Lord’s teachings.
