“When He Saw”
Acts 17:16-23
By: Bro. Stacey Shiflett
September 30, 2018 – SN
The sense of sight is the greatest of the 5 senses that you have.
Our ability to see affects your life physically and spiritually.
Our sight can be a source of temptation – Eve
Our sight can be a source of false security – Moses
Our sight can be a source of discouragement – Peter
Our sight can be a source of encouragement – Acts 28:15
Our sight can be a source of revival – Gen. 45:2
- Paul’s obligation
Paul was in Athens because of the persecution that had been following him from city to city.
Many were saved in Thessalonica and Berea despite the persecution Paul faced.
Paul’s obligation was to preach the gospel to them.
He could have rested and used many excuses but instead he fulfilled his obligation to preach the gospel.
Preaching was more than a hobby to Paul.
He had to be busy about the Father’s business.
It was always present in his life.
Soul-winning and evangelism was who Paul was, not what he did. He did it everywhere he went.
- Paul’s observation – saw the city
Lamentations 3:51 – “Mine eye affecteth mine heart…”
Your heart will be affected when you see what is right in front of you.
Paul saw more than their sin, he saw their soul behind their skin that needed saving.
Some people do not have a burden for soul-winning because they do not go soul-winning.
Your problem is you do not see anything.
Go and see with your eyes the mission field and let it affect your heart.
Look around you and see a soul in need, instead of a person living in sin.
If you are not careful you will look at it and only see it, and it will not affect your heart.
- Paul’s occupation
He did not just see it or have a stirred spirit, he did something about it. He preached the gospel to them.
He learned how to present the gospel to them by what he saw and observed.
He looked at them with compassion. He studied and observed them.
What he saw turned into a spiritual discernment about them.
He could say the right things because he saw the right things.
If you see something, say something.
The world is seeing how devoted you are to God.
Paul occupied his time; he did not waste him time.
How many times are you focused on yourself and you forget how others are feeling?
What are you looking at?
John 4:35