We sit down with Charlie Gretzinger (Crossroads Tech Director) as we step into the world of the early church and follow Paul into the cultural pressure cooker of Thessalonica and Athens. We explore the twin “tsunamis” that confronted the gospel: religious nationalism that turned faith inward and proud, and Hellenism that exalted success, self, and material glory. These forces shaped the opposition Paul faced and mirror the pressures believers still experience today.
As Paul reasons in the marketplace and stands before the Areopagus, we see a model for taking faith into the public square—engaging ideas, culture, and power centers with clarity and courage. Beginning with God as Creator and confronting the city’s idols, Paul exposes how false gods enslave human desires and distort our understanding of life, purpose, and truth.
Preacher: Rod VanSolkema
Text: Acts 17
Sermon Link: HERE
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