A Stirred Spirit

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Acts 17:16

Paul’s spirit was stirred:
While he was waiting – Athens wasn’t even his final destination or his hometown
While you are waiting on God’s direction for your life, how do you spend your time?
While he was watching – a right spirit will be stirred by error; his eye affected his heart

What are you looking at? When you look at your city, what do you see?

Some sure signs of a stirred spirit are:

I. Disputing with those in false doctrine – vs. 17

disputing: - to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought to ponder, revolve in mind, to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss

II. Devout people that are in error won’t intimidate you – vs. 17

devout: – religious but lost worshippers (example: John 4:22)

III. Daily you will be found witnessing in the public places – vs. 17

market: - Any collection of men, congregation, or assembly, especially of the people the place of assembly; for public debating, for elections; for trials; for buying and selling; for all kinds of business; market place, street that met with him: - to chance to be by, to happen to be present, to meet by chance

IV. Doctrine will be your main emphasis – vs. 19

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

V. Discerning the problem of others – vs. 22

perceive: - to be a spectator, look at, behold; to view attentively, take a view of, survey; to view mentally, consider; to see; to perceive with the eyes, to enjoy the presence of one; to discern, descry; to ascertain, find out by seeing

VI. Defining people’s problems with boldness – vs. 22

“…in all things ye are too superstitious.” Paul wasn’t afraid to confront them about their error.

VII. Describing the error of their devotion – vs. 23

“I beheld your devotions…him ye ignorantly worship…”

VIII. Declaring the truth unto them – vs. 23

He spent the rest of his time preaching truth to them. Some believed, some mocked and some procrastinated.

Paul’s vision for this city stirred his spirit. Is your spirit stirred for your city??