This article is the final post of a four-part series based on a sermon I preached at the Deer Run Church of Christ.  As Paul arrives in Athens, he finds himself in the midst of people that he describes as “very religious”.  They are constantly worshipping a variety of objects and gods.  In the practice of their worship, they set up an idol to an “UNKNOWN GOD” — perhaps so that they would not inadvertently ignore a god who could become angry with them.  It is within this context that Paul presents the case for “A God That Is MORE”!

“I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”  Acts 17:22b-23

What do you worship?  I know, the “church answer” for Christians is, “Of course, I worship God!”  But really . . . look beyond the proper answer and consider the things and/or people in your life that you give honor to . . . perhaps sometimes more honor than you give to God.  I live in a culture that surrounds me with many objects of worship — each calling out in its own way for me to give it my time, energy, treasure, emotion, and worship.  My guess is that you live in a culture much like that as well. 

So, what makes God MORE than all the other objects of worship calling out for you and I to come bow down to them?  Paul highlights throughout his presentation that the God who is unknown to them is Eternal.  As you read through Paul’s proclamation of who God is in verses 24 through 31 of Acts 17, you see God’s presence before time as the originator/creator of everything, God’s presence throughout time as the sustainer of all, and God’s presence after time as the one who will judge the world.

It is God’s eternal nature at work in the other characteristics we looked at that gives us great hope!  Because God is eternal, He is not only the maker of everything in the past, not only maker of everything in the present, but also maker of everything yet to come.  God’s handiwork in creation, and in your life and mine, gives us a glimpse into the work He continues to do in us and in preparing a home for us in heaven.

We observe God by gazing intently into His Word, by seeing His Spirit living in the lives of His followers, by looking in faith to the future God has in store for those He has given the right to be called children of God, for that is what we are.  God’s revealing of Himself through the prophets, through scripture, through Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and through His children gives us confidence that He will be revealed to all at His promised coming.

Because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can have confidence in the power of the resurrection!  It is that power Abraham believed in when he offered Issac as a sacrifice to God reasoning that God could bring him back from the dead.  It is the power that gave Jesus victory over the grave.  It is the same power that gives us life today when otherwise we would be dead in sin.  God’s eternal nature gives us assurance of His promise of everlasting life to all those who believe and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. 

I pray that you and I live in great hope and confidence because we have a God that is MORE!  May the people who observe us day in and day out recognize a God that is MORE living in and through us as we follow our eternal God to our everlasting home!