Adrian Rogers: Standing Firm in a Pagan World (2456)
Adrian Rogers: Standing Firm in a Pagan World (2456)
Scripture Reference: Acts 17:16-18
The opposition we, as Christians, face in this pagan world are nothing new. In Acts 17, Paul finds himself surrounded by a pagan society in Athens, Greece. Yet, the ones who opposed the Gospel in this passage are much like those who oppose the Gospel now. Paul’s response to this opposition is a picture of standing firm in a pagan world.
First, Paul met superstitious idolatry.
Acts 17:16 says, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” An idol is anything you love, serve, fear or trust more than God. Paul saw idolatry everywhere he turned in Athens.
Our city, even sometimes our churches, are filled with idolatry. There are gods of materialism, alcohol, sex, violence, even gods of knowledge and wisdom. We all worship something, because mankind is incurably religious.
Second, Paul faced self-righteous orthodoxy.
Verse 17 says, “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.” These religious men had their sterile orthodoxy. They believed in one true God, but they did not know Him; they did not understand that the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Adrian Rogers says, “It’ll be a great day in America when people stop enduring religion and start enjoying salvation.”
Thirdly, Paul met sophisticated philosophy.
Verse 18 says, “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him...’” Paul encountered two types of philosophers: the Epicures and the Stoics. Epicureans sought pleasure above anything else. Stoics believed they were victims of fate, that God is in everything and everything is God. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we still encounter people who believe this way.
How did Paul deal with this opposition? He expressed confidence in his faith. He simply continued to preach, and reveal that God is a God of power, of love, of righteous, of salvation.
Paul also expected converts as a result of his faith. Some mocked, some laughed and some procrastinated. But, thank God, others believed.
Apply it to your life
As we stand firm in this pagan world, we can’t make others believe, however, we have the opportunity to preach the Gospel anyway. Are you confident in your faith? Do you expect converts when you share the Gospel?
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Пікірлер: 39
"A idol is anything you that you love more, fear more, serve more or trust more than almighty God." Adrian Rogers.
Praise God for Dr. Adrian Rogers. A true man of God who delighted himself in Gods word. And preaching each sermon as if it was his last. His teachings are so relevant for today. He is truly missed.
Pstr Adrians messages will continud to bless nd draw me closer to God even after many years of his death. He is an amazimg man nd preacher, truly irrepiaceable.
Praise Jesus Christ! God Bless You All! Shalom
He is an amazing preacher. Standing on streets of gold.
@leemanwrong
3 жыл бұрын
Kicking up gold dust on streets of glory as he used to say
@SalvationSoulBeautiful
2 ай бұрын
Hallelujah praise God
I love the part when the atheists were hooked up to polygraphs and asked if they believed in God and it showed that every single one of them was lying. 😂
Thank God , no 💰 money just say the word. Without asking for money 💰🙏🏾 now people don’t want to come to Christ, because some pastors only want money , thank God you different 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Oooohh Brother Adrian, I’m happy you have completed your work and are now with our King., but I do miss you. You would be astonished at how fast we in America have become Godless since you were here. Then again, knowing you were well-versed in Bible prophecy, you probably wouldn’t have been surprised at all. I have much more life behind me than in front of me; I’m busy trying to share the Gospel to a hateful and unbelieving world. Two of my three adult children are backsliders and my heart breaks for them, but I’ll not give up! I’ll pray for them until my last breath, if it takes that long. I know God loves the family, and He is always working for our good and His glory!
Never has there been anyone like this man
This poor world is begging for Jesus to come back and fix it..so am I come Jesus come.
Lord Jesus Christ bless you all abundantly
Please pray for me everyone I need the intercession of Gods Children thank you for considering
@revelationakagoldeneagle8045
Жыл бұрын
Prayers for you 🙏 And we know that work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 All things are possible 🙏
Great sermon from a great man of God!!
@meritabuff741
Жыл бұрын
Amen He truly Trusted God A great preacher that knew the Bible 🎚️♥️
Love you in the Lord Pastor Rogers. thank you LWF for this amazing message........
Important true message! God bless him. 🕊️
Always good sound doctrine teaching
Wow i love it when you put tears in my eyes thank you Godbless
there is only one true living God.... Jesus Christ.... the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit.... Amen & Amen 🙏
Not a calvist,praise God!You can tell because he loves people unconditionally but firmly.💕💕🤠🔥🔥🤠
Thank you pastor
Acts 4v12. This is what I believe. 🙏🏻❤️
Wish I could have met this Godly man...
Good morning
Now I know, at my age, I can say that there were "breaks" in the gates back when I was young, and even way back in the 1800s (wild west, saloons, whorehouses, flim flam people, other bad people).Even before then. Over time though, it has slowly cracked open ever so gradually. The dark side is not new; nor has it never not been dark.
2023 28 June
"Pagan World" also known widely as reality.
We have a Pagan Constitution, no Mention of the word God ,Jesus or Christianity.
@ericb5194
Жыл бұрын
Get to know David Barton. You are mistaken. Many of the Founding fathers/wives were strong God believing Christians.
Ia Adrian Living
@CarlosC77
6 ай бұрын
No
@itodoshadrach7354
5 ай бұрын
He is living in heaven.
Define Pagan. And which sub-set of pagan you are referring to. All religions DO teach the same basic principles. Norse paganism (even attested by Tacitus) believes in hospitality, abstinence, fidelity, moderation, learning (as one example). Seems to me you all need to actually learn what the pagan religions believe before you speak about them. The points of Acts 17... 1. Engage from a Heart of Compassion 2. Prepare for Insults and Interest 3. Be a Wise, Respectful Challenger. Also, Acts was written in Greek, supposedly by Luke (though, given the large amount of historical inaccuracies in Luke, this is doubtful), between 70 and 90 ce. Not Paul. Athena was the patron goddess of heroic endeavor. Not sex. Please get the pagan gods at least correct...... Intellectual capital yes. Many of the early Christian philosophers borrowed form said Pagans often. I already have a feeling you don't actually know the beliefs of the pagan you are referring to, so anything further would be moot as you don't actually know the subject.