September 20, 2026

Acts 17:16-34

God is Not Far From You

Sunday Sermons

The apostle Paul finds himself waiting in the city of Athens for Timothy and Silas to join him. As he waits, he observes the thousands of idols and statues of gods and goddesses surrounding him. As Paul reasons with people in the marketplace about Jesus and the resurrection, philosophers invite him to speak before the Areopagus, surrounded by the sharpest and most intellectually curious minds in all of Athens. Paul gives one of his most brilliant sermons, a master class in apologetics, finding ways to relate to the Athenians within their own cultural context, and moving beyond to point to the one true God. In doing so, he reminds them and us that God is not some distant, unknown deity, but is personal; He has a name, He is moving all of history forward in His direction, and He is not far from each one of us. Join Pastor Matt as we look at Acts 17:16-34 and consider how the Creator of the universe, the One whom we all seek, is not “out there somewhere,” but is closer to us than our next breath.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 17:16-34

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 17:16-34

God is Not Far From You

Pastor Matt Pierson

“Athens then had more that was splendid in architecture, more that was brilliant in science, and more that was beautiful in the arts, than any other city of the world; perhaps more than all the rest of the world united. Yet there is no account that the mind of Paul was filled with admiration; there is no record that he spent his time in examining the works of art; there is no evidence that he forgot his high purpose in an idle and useless contemplation of temples and statuary. His was a Christian mind; and he contemplated all this with a Christian heart.”
Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament

Acts 17 Reminds Us:

1. We all worship something

“Every idol demonstrated the Athenians’ hunger for God, but it also testified to their spiritual emptiness.”
R. Kent Hughes, Acts: The Church Afire

“We are not so blatant as to carve idols out of wood and stone. Rather, we carve them out of our passions and desires, subtly moving away from finding our hope, security, and purpose in God alone. These subtle idols of the heart can live alongside a seemingly decent Christian life…Idols mostly don’t look like idols—they look more like legitimate passion and pursuits…not wrong in themselves. The problem is they have assumed a wrongful place in our lives.”
Murray Capill, The Heart is the Target

2. History is going somewhere

“He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.”
Psalm 96:13

“It is a great comfort to know that our judge will be none other than our Savior.”
John Stott

3. God is not distant

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬

“All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me.”
J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Psalm 150 (Praise The Lord)“ by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
“Rejoice“ by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ben Shive, Skye Peterson and Bryan Fowler
“Holy Forever“ by Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham
“King Forevermore (God The Uncreated One)“ by Aaron Keyes and Pete James
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship

Congregational Prayer

Lord, fill our hearts with reverence for You. Make us hunger for Your Word and passionately desire to walk in Your ways. Forgive us our sins, for they are many. Give us a greater glimpse of Your glory as we offer You this praise and worship.

We thank You for the way You have rescued us over and over, through many difficult things. Come now and help us in this: to place our trust, hope, and confidence in You. May Your name be honored in our conduct. May Your kingdom be made visible in our relationships. May Your will be done in our hearts and minds.

This we pray in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs all glory, forever and ever, amen!

Confession of Faith

New City Catechism
Part 2: Christ, Redemption, Grace. Q 31

Leader: What do we believe by true faith?
People: Everything taught to us in the Gospel.The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words:
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.  The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Classic Prayer

Jane Austen

To your goodness we commend ourselves this week, beseeching Thy protection of us through its darkness and dangers. We are helpless and dependent; graciously preserve us. For all whom we love and value, for every friend and connection, we equally pray; however divided and far asunder, we know that we are alike before Thee, and under Thine eye. May we be equally united in Thy faith and fear, in fervent devotion towards Thee, and in Thy merciful protection this week. Pardon, O Lord, the imperfections of these our prayers, and accept them through the mediation of our blessed Savior.

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