Preaching Angle: The God Who Transforms

As the Lectionary readings traverse from last week’s readings in Acts 7 (Stephen’s sermon and martyrdom) into this week’s reading of Paul’s sermon at the Areopagus, we now see a transformed Paul. He who was persecuting God’s people is now preaching the Gospel. He who reviled the man Jesus of Nazareth is now preaching Christ’s Kingdom. He who hated the Gentiles is now preaching the good news of salvation to all nations. Paul’s transformation is testimony that God is a God who transforms. He transforms sinners into servants, rebels into saints, and enemies into sons and daughters.

What’s more—as Paul is preaching to the pagans in the Areopagus, he tells them that they, too, can be transformed. He is persuading them that he knows the name of the god whom they have named, “the unknown god.” Their philosophers, priests, and teachers likely had much to say about this unknown god—how it would like to be worshipped and what it required of its subjects. But now Paul comes along and tries to convince them that he has the information which has eluded them: this God is the creator of heaven and earth, and He will one day judge the world by and through His Son, through whom we can come and be saved from His wrath. Truly Paul believed in the God who transforms.

Today we often get stuck in a rut. We do the same old things, we walk in the same old habits, and we can get stuck in our sinful patterns and processes, forgetting that we, too, worship the God who transforms. As Paul later says in Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” If God has saved us, then God has already begun the great resurrection and has given life to our mortal bodies. In other words, we are freed from the flesh and its desires because, “sin will have no dominion over you” (Rom 6:14a). If God can raise the dead and transform what was destroyed by sin, then He can transform us into those who love His coming and look forward to our full redemption (Rom 8:22-25).

Preaching Angle: The Sovereign Hand of God in Creation and Providence

Paul’s sermon emphasizes the sovereign hand of God in creation and His providence thereof.

First, Paul says that God—His God, the God of Israel, the God of David, the God who raised Jesus from the dead—this God created the world. No doubt that the pagans in the Areopagus had differing theologies of their own, theologies which taught how the world came to be; yet Paul was undeterred in preaching the truth just because he was contradicting his pagan audience.

Secondly, Paul preaches that the way in which they were serving this unknown God was contrary to God’s design. God is not served and provided for by the weak hands of humans. God is not contained in a box which man builds for Him. No; God needs nothing from man. It’s God who provides man with all he needs.

Thirdly, having created man, God provides for him through His providential hand in such a gracious and loving manner—such that all men might seek Him. Daily the sun rises on all mankind that they might thank Him. The earth is full of sustenance because God has chosen to provide it to men so that they might praise Him. And through Paul’s preaching, God is calling the men and women of the Areopagus to trust in His Son, Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

Finally, Paul preaches that this Jesus will one day return and judge the world against the righteousness of the Son. No one will be able to stand on his own two feet, on his own righteousness before the wrathful eye of the living God, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).

Far from deterring Paul from preaching the sovereignty of God, Paul showcased and emphasized in his preaching the gracious, sovereign hand of God while addressing non-Christians and those who were uneducated in Biblical teaching. Many will say that historic Reformed theology stymies the advancement of the Gospel; however, according to God’s Word and Paul’s example here, God’s sovereign hand in creation and providence is rich fodder for preaching and evangelism. 

Today, we need to be reminded of the good and sovereign hand of the Living God. We can delight in our freedom more than in God’s sovereign authority; we want to feel as though we have total autonomy to determine and lead our own lives. Afterall, we think, who knows what’s best for me more than I do? However, there is someone who knows more about my own good than do I, and it’s God. Thankfully, whether we delight in God’s sovereignty or not, God is still sovereign and good, and He uses his hand of providence to hallow His name (Matt 6:9) and our good (Rom 8:28).

Dustin grew up in Springfield, MO later graduating from Evangel University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, studying Biblical Hebrew and Greek, Theology, and ancient history. He and his wife, Debbie, married in 2009 and have three children: Abigail, Judah, and Ezra. Dustin still rides BMX bikes, listens to hardcore music, loves research and writing, and enjoys helping his family seek and savor King Jesus.