Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 10, 2026
“For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ 
What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” 
- Acts 17:23 -
Proclaim the Truth of God
Someone once wrote, “I was headed to a retreat center, but I had an appointment somewhere first. Time was short, and so I wanted to find the most efficient route. I opened my phone and asked Siri, ‘Directions to Christ the King.’ She replied, ‘Please direct your spiritual questions to someone better qualified to answer them, preferably a human being.’”
Paul was in Athens. The Greeks were an ecumenical society; they offered something for everyone! There was a temple on every corner. Athens was a place where trading routes crossed; it was a place where the world came together, and they wanted everyone to feel at home. They even had an altar inscribed “To an unknown god.” Those who could not find a specific temple at least had a place to worship, a place where their god could be honored and remembered.  
Paul went to Mars Hill, which was a place of theological debate and discussion. He commended them for their religious practices and called their attention to this altar for the unknown God. He stepped into their world and reached them from their point of view. In doing so, however, he did not settle for the ecumenical open-mindedness of the Athenians. He told them what they were missing. He boldly proclaimed the God of creation and His Son Jesus Christ. Some thought his message was ridiculous, especially the death and resurrection of Christ.
Paul was qualified to answer their questions, and he willingly risked status, position, and respect by boldly proclaiming the Gospel message of grace and in doing so, some came to believe. We live in a similar society, where buffets are the norm so that everyone who enters can be satisfied. There are religious houses on every corner, something for everyone. Diversity can be a good thing, but are we willing to be like Paul, boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel message, sharing the “unknown God” who fulfilled every promise in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that they will seek the true God and find life in Him?
Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 10, 2026
“For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ 
What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” 
- Acts 17:23 -
Proclaim the Truth of God
Someone once wrote, “I was headed to a retreat center, but I had an appointment somewhere first. Time was short, and so I wanted to find the most efficient route. I opened my phone and asked Siri, ‘Directions to Christ the King.’ She replied, ‘Please direct your spiritual questions to someone better qualified to answer them, preferably a human being.’”
Paul was in Athens. The Greeks were an ecumenical society; they offered something for everyone! There was a temple on every corner. Athens was a place where trading routes crossed; it was a place where the world came together, and they wanted everyone to feel at home. They even had an altar inscribed “To an unknown god.” Those who could not find a specific temple at least had a place to worship, a place where their god could be honored and remembered.  
Paul went to Mars Hill, which was a place of theological debate and discussion. He commended them for their religious practices and called their attention to this altar for the unknown God. He stepped into their world and reached them from their point of view. In doing so, however, he did not settle for the ecumenical open-mindedness of the Athenians. He told them what they were missing. He boldly proclaimed the God of creation and His Son Jesus Christ. Some thought his message was ridiculous, especially the death and resurrection of Christ.
Paul was qualified to answer their questions, and he willingly risked status, position, and respect by boldly proclaiming the Gospel message of grace and in doing so, some came to believe. We live in a similar society, where buffets are the norm so that everyone who enters can be satisfied. There are religious houses on every corner, something for everyone. Diversity can be a good thing, but are we willing to be like Paul, boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel message, sharing the “unknown God” who fulfilled every promise in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that they will seek the true God and find life in Him?