On Mars Hill in Athens, Paul preached one of his most famous sermons concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, identifying his God and Father as the “Unknown God” the Atheneans had been worshiping unaware. In his address Paul reviews for his audience God’s true works in the past, who acted as creator of the universe, the maker of the nations, and source of human life, his offspring. He declared his works of the present, i.e., his desire to save all people, reaching out to humankind, calling all to repent and to turn from their idols to serve the living and true God. And finally, he announced God’s work for the future, where one day he will judge the world through the One whom he has chosen, Jesus of Nazareth, whom he raised up from the dead.

In the sovereign plan of God, the Father has determined a day when he will weigh the actions of the world through his Son, the very one whom he elected as King and Judge, who is alive forevermore.

Paul addressed those in Athens as the “very religious” but not necessarily clear about who the true God was. Paul passed along their objects of worship, and found an altar with the inscription: “To the unknown god.” He saw this altar as that of the true God, the God and Father of Jesus Christ.

Dear Father, only through Christ can someone come to know and understand who you are: the Great I Am, the Lord Most High. We know you through your Son, our Lord. Amen.

“In her book God’s Story, Anne Graham Lotz uses the word eyewitness while explaining how God made the world: “Who was the eyewitness of Creation?” she wrote. “The simple yet astounding answer is God Himself!” God was the one writing, telling, and acting out the drama. He Himself developed the plot, prose, characters, and dramatic tension of a script placed in His heart long before the dawn of creation. And as the ultimate Storyteller, He alone is responsible for the pacing and continuity of the storyline. He’s also the only one with authority to edit the manuscript.”

~ Vernon Whaley, Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God’s Call. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2009. p. 3.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Spirit Is Here, Acts 2.1-21

Book Reading
Whaley, Called to Worship

Special Church Year Service
The Ascension of the Lord: Thursday, May 18, 2023