Text: Acts 17:30-31
When Paul addressed the ones gathered on Mars Hill, he taught them about the “unknown God” (Acts 17:23). In his lesson, he explained what God was declaring to them. This is also what God is declaring to us. In this lesson, we are going to examine what God is declaring to all men.
Repent
- Repentance is a change of mind, causing a change in life – Biblically, it means to turn from sin to God; this is necessary because all have sinned (Romans 3:23; cf. Ecclesiastes 7:29); God calls us to repent because He does not want us to perish (2 Peter 3:9)
- This call to repentance is for everyone (Luke 24:47) – we cannot claim ignorance; God overlooked this (v. 30), but no longer (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8); regardless of one’s background, culture, language, upbringing, etc., God calls us to repent
God Will Judge the World
- This is WHY we are to repent – “because” (v. 31); this event is a certainty (Hebrews 9:27; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10); when God says He will do something, He does it (Numbers 23:19)
- Judgment will be based upon what we have done in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14)
The Day Is Fixed
- Whenever this day is, God has already determined WHEN it will be – no “doomsday” scenario will alter it (i.e. nuclear war, global warming, an asteroid hitting the earth, etc.)
- However, just because this day is fixed does not mean we know when it will be (Matthew 24:36) – many have made predictions about when this will be, but all have failed; those who claim to know the day of judgment are false prophets (cf. Deuteronomy 18:22)
Judgment in Righteousness
- Sadly, it is not uncommon for courts to make judgments that are unjust – judges can be bribed (Exodus 23:8), mistaken (Ezekiel 28:2), lack crucial information (Proverbs 18:17), or be bound by evil laws (Daniel 6:14-15)
- God’s judgments are always right (Psalm 19:9) – the final judgment will be right; however, many will be surprised at the judgment (Matthew 7:21-23); we do not want to be among them
Through Jesus Christ
- This is the role given to the Son – “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10); He did not do this when He first came (John 3:17), but will judge when He returns (Hebrews 9:27-28)
- Judgment will be based upon His word (John 12:48) – we can KNOW what God expects of us; we are to observe what He commanded (Matthew 28:20); He saves those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9)
Proof through the Resurrection
- How can we know that God will judge the world through Jesus? – the resurrection is proof; the power that raised Jesus from the dead allows us to be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
- There is proof that this happened – many eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:4-8); also the apostles’ confidence (Matthew 26:69-75; Acts 4:13) and their willingness to suffer (John 20:19; Acts 5:29, 41) proves that they were telling the truth
- The resurrection proved Jesus was (and is) the Son of God (Romans 1:4) – now we must obey Him (Romans 1:5)
Conclusion
- One day, the Lord will judge the world in righteousness – while we do not know WHEN that day will be, we do know that it is coming
- God wants us to be ready for that day – not caught unprepared (Matthew 24:42-44); we need to be sure we are ready
