Leverage Your Life “Engage the City” Acts 17:16-18:11

Leveraging Your Life: Week 6 “Engage Your City”

Acts 17:16-18:11

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols.

¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

¹⁹ They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting?

²⁰ Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.”

²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.

²² Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.

²³ For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands.

²⁵ Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.

²⁶ From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.

²⁷ He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

²⁸ For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’

²⁹ Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.

³⁰ “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent,

³¹ because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

³² When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.”

³³ So Paul left their presence.

³⁴ However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18 After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth,

² where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them,

³ and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.

⁴ He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

⁶ When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent.^[f] From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

⁷ So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

⁸ Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

⁹ The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

¹¹ He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.

Intro:

• Today, in our final week,
• Looking at our series Leveraging your Life
• We are determining what it looks like to
• Leverage our lives for the kingdom by engaging our city with the gospel.
• Based on the Passages we just read
• Paul’s time in Athens and Corinth
• Gives us a model for engaging our city with the gospel
• As we study these passages,
• We will see how Paul’s approach teaches us to engage with compassion, relationships, and perseverance.
• The truth is that our city is a place of brokenness
• But it is also an opportunity for the gospel.
• Our city is filled with people searching for meaning, purpose, and hope,
• Most often looking in the wrong places.
• Throughout history,
• Cities have been cultural and economic centers,
• Shaping the beliefs and values of the people within them.
• If we are to see gospel transformation in Olathe,
• Then we must engage our city with intentionality.
• Paul’s ministry in Athens and Corinth provides a framework
• For how we, as believers, can faithfully engage our city today.
• He did not retreat from the culture
• But actively engaged it…
• With the gospel.
• The gospel
• Is not just for individuals
• But is also for communities.
• When people are transformed,
• Neighborhoods and Communities change.
• This is what New City Olathe is all About!
• Some of you may recall the Mission & Vision of New City Church
• First the Mission: (Or the What)
• “New City Olathe exists to inspire you to trust in and live like Jesus”
• Second The Vision: (Or the How) is
• “To Establish a New City in Every City in Kansas City” (116)
• The keyword is “Establish.”
• 1% – Established in our city (1430 – People)
• 5% – The city knows who we are (7150 People)
• 10%- We have changed the landscape of the City (14,300)
• And all of this begins with engaging our City with the Gospel
• The question before us is:
• How do we engage our city in a way that is effective and faithful With the Gospel?
• My hope is this morning
• To present to you three distinct ways to engage our city
• Producing results that lead to the Gospel
• Let’s look at the first one:
• If we are to be effective, and faithful, at engaging our city, then we must
• Begin by

Engaging Our City With Compassion

Acts 17:16

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols.

• What does this tell us both about Paul
• And, ultimately, God who sent him to the City of Athens?
• God has a heart for Cities!
• Just Like God had a Heart for Athens
• We can Believe that he also has a Heart for Olathe
• We see this bared out in both the Old & New Testaments
• Jonah 4:10-11 (reference the story)
• God showed compassion to Nineveh, revealing His love for the lost.
• Jesus Himself in Luke 4:31-32 – preached the good news in cities, bringing the message of the kingdom.
• Once we understand that God’s Heart for our city is that the lost find him
• What should our response be?
• We follow Jesus’ Example

Luke 19:41

⁴¹ As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it,

• The gospel calls us to be burdened for the spiritual condition of our city, not indifferent or resentful.
• We must see our city with spiritual eyes,
• Not just what we get out of living in it..
• But As Followers of Jesus,
• We should be moved with the brokenness around us
• And seek to bring hope through the gospel.
• Instead of often responding with frustration toward the sins of the city
• We should respond with compassion and a desire to see people redeemed.
• It would have Been easier to disengage from the cultural Pressure
• But I was reminded of another generation
• Who could have backed away from the fight
• When the enemy came against them
• (Review Nehemiah’s story)

Nehemiah 4:13-14

¹³ So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.

¹⁴ After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”

• Did you catch that?
• He stationed them by families in the most vulnerable areas
• God has called us as Family to not disengage
• But to fight together in the most vulnerable areas
• We can’t get to this place on your own
• If we are to have a heart like the Father for our city
• To see our city the way Jesus does
• And to be willing to be Gospel light in difficult areas
• Then we must start by asking God
• To give us a heart that genuinely cares for the people of our city
• More than the concern we have for our own comfort and welfare.
• To help us shine in the darkness

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

• The Second way we are to be effective and faithful at engaging our city, is that we must

Engage Our City Through Strategic Relationships

• We see this both in Acts 17 & 18
• First

Acts 17:17-34

¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

• While Paul Ministered in Athens
• He reasoned daily in the synagogue and marketplace, meeting people where they were. (vs. 17)
• I have said this often God is not asking you to go door to door in our city to share the Gospel
• He is asking you look for the people where you live, work and play
• And Share the Gospel with them

²² Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.

²³ For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands.

²⁵ Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.

²⁶ From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.

²⁷ He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

²⁸ For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ We live and move and have our being, As even some of your own poets have said,

‘For we are also his offspring.’

• He engaged both religious Jews and secular philosophers,
• Adapting his approach for each group.
• (vs. 28 He understood the culture and used language they could relate to)
• He adjusted his approach based on who he was talking to:

Gen X (Born 1965–1980) – Direct and Sincere

“God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him won’t be lost but will have eternal life.”

Millennials (Born 1981–1996) – Authentic and Relatable

“God showed up with the ultimate love move—sending Jesus so we can have life forever. Just believe and you’re in.”

Gen Z (Born 1997–2012) – Social and Expressive

“No cap, God’s love is real. He sent Jesus so you don’t have to take an L in life. Just trust Him and you get eternal life. It’s all love.”

Gen Alpha (Born 2013–Present) – Energetic and Playful

“God’s got mad rizz—He sent His Son, Jesus, so you can win at life forever. Just believe, and you’re set for eternity. Bet.”

• Continuing this thought of Engage Our City Through Relationships and Strategic Presence

³⁴ However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

• Some mocked, some wanted to hear more, and some believed (vs. 34)
• Meaning Paul left the results up to Jesus
• Our Call is to engage…Gods Job is to bring results
• Lets keep going

Acts 18:1-3, 7

After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth,

² where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them,

³ and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.

⁷ So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

• What was Paul Doing?
• He was building relationships through his Job (tent-making,)
• Working alongside Aquila and Priscilla.
• The church was not built through large-scale evangelistic events
• But through one-on-one discipleship and community building.
• As Followers of Jesus, we must be intentional with where we live and work,
• Seeing our surroundings as a mission field.
• The gospel spreads most effectively through relational connections,
• Demonstrating love and credibility over time. (Brandon)
• Here is a question I continue to pose to you:
• Who are the people that God has daily placed in our lives that we can reach with the gospel?
• Our third and final way we are to be effective, and faithful, at engaging our city, is to

Engaging Our City With The Gospel

Acts 18:4-8

⁴ He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath And tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word

And testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

⁶ When they resisted and blasphemed, He shook out his clothes and told them,“Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

⁷ So he left there And went to the house of a man named Titius Justus,

A worshiper of God, Whose house was next door to the synagogue.

⁸ Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, Believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, When they heard, Believed and were baptized.

• We are called to Clearly Proclaim the Gospel
• Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
• Many Corinthians believed and were baptized, demonstrating the gospel’s power.
• The gospel transforms individuals, families, and ultimately the city.
• Proclaiming the gospel must be central in our engagement,
• Not just acts of kindness or social justice.

Acts 18:9-10

⁹ The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

• As we step out and share the Gospel we must be
• Confidence in Christ’s Presence
• As we just reread
• The Lord assured Paul that He was with him
• And that many would come to faith.
• God’s presence sustains long-term gospel work in cities,
• Even when opposition arises.
• Fear and discouragement can hinder city engagement,
• But Christ’s promise gives confidence.
• We must trust that God is already at work in our city and that He goes before us in gospel efforts.
• (This is why Prayer matters, “Deepen Devotion” Both private and corporate prayer)
• Prayer is The Work!

Acts 18:4, 11

⁴ He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

¹¹ He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.

• The key to this level of engagement in our city is
• Commitment and Perseverance
• What do I mean?
• Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months,
• Showing that deep transformation takes time.
• A one-time outreach is not enough.
• Engaging a city requires ongoing effort.
• Faithfulness and consistency are key to seeing lasting gospel impact.
• Ministry in the city is challenging, but perseverance in faith, prayer, and proclamation leads to fruitfulness.
• We must commit to being a gospel presence for the long haul,
• Not just for temporary engagement.

Conclusion & Call to Action:

Reflection:

• Take time to evaluate how you view your city.
• Do you see it as a mission field or just a place to live?

Personal Engagement:

• What relationships has God given you to engage your city?
• Identify specific people in your workplace, neighborhood, or community who need the gospel.

Intentional Living:

• Where has God placed you to share the good news of the kingdom?
• Be strategic about where you invest your time and influence.

Bold Witness:

• Seek to be both compassionate and bold in proclaiming the hope of Christ.
• Look for ways to naturally and consistently share the gospel.

Long-Term Commitment:

• Trust that God is working in your city and that He has called you to be a part of His mission here.
• Faithfulness over time will yield spiritual fruit.
• To reach our God-sized Mission & Vision
• We need those who are all in for the Long haul

Prayer and Dependence on God:

• Pray for your city and for God to use you as a light in the darkness.
• Depend on His strength, not your own.
• Action Steps:
• Commit today to take a step forward—whether it’s initiating a gospel conversation, engaging in community service, or forming intentional relationships with unbelievers.
• Like Paul,
• We are called to leverage our lives for the kingdom
• By actively engaging our cities with the gospel.
• May we weep for our cities,
• Invest in relationships,
• Proclaim the gospel boldly,
• And rest in the confidence of Christ’s presence.
• Our faithfulness today can impact generations to come.