Acts 17:32-33 - Homilies By R.a. Redford

Opportunity.

"Now when they heard," etc. The hearing of truth is the demand of man's position. Temptation "of such minds as the Athenians" to regard themselves as able to be their own teachers. Facts often stranger than fiction. Philosophy has been a great obstacle to Christianity. So still intellectual pride and prejudice. The two classes of hearers still represented—mockers and triflers.

I. RESPONSIBILITY IN HEARING .

1. Application of mind. Concentration on the subject. Openness to persuasion.

2. Surrender of the heart to truth. The message not addressed simply to reason. A speculative spirit may easily admit a cloud of objections and difficulties which obscure the Word. Procrastination means indifference. Enough is already understood and felt to justify practice.

II. SPECIAL CRISIS OF OPPORTUNITY . Whether in listening to the Word, or in receiving Divine invitation through providential circumstances, opportunity at times gathers to a point where resistance becomes guilt. So it was in the Jewish nation at the advent of Christ. So at Athens by the visit of Paul. The Word may be taken away:

1. By the work of sin within us, hardening the heart.

2. By changes in the outward life.

3. By summons into eternity. "Take heed how ye hear;" " Work while it is yet day;" "Now is the accepted time."—R.