Acts 17:13-34 - Corps Notes - November 11, 1976
Acts 17:13-34 November 11, 1976 Tonight we are in Acts 17. In my mind this is perhaps the greatest presentation in the Book of Acts by a man of God. And that perhaps is my reason that I feel so totally unqualified to handle it. I stand in utter amazement at the greatness of the revelation and the usage of that revelation by Paul and yet it’s there in the Book of Acts where we‘re working the Word to see about rise and the expansion of the Christian Church. A church was in need of a pastor and solicited applications. One of the deacons, interested in knowing just what kind of a minister they desired, wrote a letter as if he had received it from an applicant and then read it before the pulpit committee. And this is the letter: “Understanding that your pulpit is vacant I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications I think you would appreciate. My religious and theological training was received from the best theologians. Academically I’ve made my mark. I preach with power and have had some success as a writer. Some say that I’m a good organizer. I’ve been a leader in most places where I’ve gone. I’m nearly 50 years of age, but I’ve never preached in one place more than three years. In some places I have been driven out of town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit that I’ve been in jail three or four times but not because of any real wrong doing. The churches I have preached in have for the most part been small, though located in several large cities. I have not gotten along too well with the religious leaders in town where I’ve preached. In fact, some have threatened me and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I’ve even been known to forget whom I baptized. However, if you can use me I shall do my best for you even if I have to work to help with my support.” After reading the letter, the deacon asked the committee if they were interested in the applicant. They replied emphatically that he would n
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man, woman, boy and girl has to have God and in their way, they’re groping. Really, like many of us, didn’t know what they were groping for. He is not covering “God looking.” He’s covering how they’re groping, yet from the other side, I know God is there calling because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection and believing cometh by hearing and hearing cometh by the Word of God. [Romans 10:17] You see it!? Boy, he’s just molding those people with the greatness of all the ability he has. What a fantastic thing! “In God” - and that’s true because God is in Christ and Christ is in you, that puts you in God. “your own poets have said” - The fellow who Paul is quoting here, and its remarkable to me, that Paul would use an illustration like you might use from Shakespeare or Chaucer or Playboy, he uses it as a poet of their own. The poet was Aratus, who was a Stoic, and he came from th