Sermons
How to Approach Those with Whom You Disagree
How to Approach Those with Whom You Disagree
Acts 17:16-34
Introduction:
1. We are concerned to communicate the message of God to other people.
2. We want them to be saved. We want them to experience the blessings of life that God wants them to have. We want them to have hope, to have purpose, and to have the peace that passes understanding.
3. BUT in our desperate attempts to help them sometimes we drive them away. In our studies about communicating faith to our children and grandchildren we have addressed some of the challenges. Similar challenges are inherent in our efforts to reach others with the gospel.
4. In Acts 17 there is a model used by Paul that may help us as we try to approach those with whom we disagree.
5. Paul’s approach may be summarized in three words. Comprehend. Commend. Critique.
a. Paul first sought to comprehend the people of Athens. They certainly had a
different world view than he did. He listened. He studied. He tried to
understand.
b. Then he genuinely commended them. He did not do this to manipulate them into
accepting his world view. He saw things in their world view that were on target
and brought them to the forefront, acknowledging them forthrightly.
c. After these two first steps he critiqued their world view. Note that his first step
was not to confront their world view.
Discussion:
I. Paul sought first to comprehend the people of Athens (22).
A. It is obvious that he has listened, studied, researched and understood something
about them.
1. In our study last Sunday evening it was observed by one parent that they
wished they had listened more.
2. Our tendency is to short cut the process. Instead of listening first we want to
tell the other person our view. Really, I suppose that is kind of self-centered.
3. On the other hand, we want the other person saved and we have the
information they need so don’t they need to listen? Yes, but acting as an
authoritarian, telling other people what they are to do is not generally the most
effective approach to persuasion. You may have all the best arguments to
oppose all their objections but that does not mean they are persuaded. They
may even give in to your pressure but after a while return your product.
B. Paul is in the midst of the Areopagus (the hill of Ares).
1. This was the place where the Greek war god, Ares, was supposedly tried
by the other Greek gods for the murder of Poseidon’s son.
2. In the first century there apparently was a court system in place known as
the “Council of the Areopagus.” Paul was probably in this place, but
probably not speaking to the council itself.
3. His observation, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all
respects.”
C. He does not discredit their world view or insult it. He does throw out any
derogatory or diminishing remarks about them. You may not like the LGBTQ
community. You may not agree with the other political party. You may not
agree with planned parenthood or pro-lifers. But first try to listen and
understand.
II. Second, Paul commended them (22-23).
A. They had a different world view, certainly. But it was commendable that they
were religious and even went to the extent of having an altar “TO AN
UNKNOWN GOD.”
B. “What’s commendable about that?” They are trying to cover all their bases.
They are zealous for all gods. They don’t want to omit anyone.
C. All false world views have some truth to them and some positive aspects. A
world view that is 100 percent false will never get off the ground. It has no
traction. All false world views have some truth to them.
1. Satan perverts and misapplies truth, but he can never be rid of it completely.
2. So, he mixes in some truth to make it more believable.
D. Question the world view of the LGBTQ? community and you will be asked,
“Don’t you believe in equality? Don’t you believe in fair treatment for everyone?
Don’t you believe that everyone ought to be treated equitably?”
1. These are all positive elements of the world view of the LGBTQ community.
2. God is not one to show partiality.
3. Every person should be treated with respect. All are created in the image of
God and valuable.
4. Christ died for all, not just those who are heterosexual in their
practices.
5. “Well, what about feminism? What is commendable about that?” Don’t you
believe in equal pay for equal work?
6. “Well, what about the democratic party? What is commendable about that?”
It seems that one of their interests is care for the poor and unfortunate. Isn’t
that commendable? “Well, what about the republicans?” Isn’t it
commendable to want to balance the budget?
E. The Athenians’ zealous interest in religion is a good thing. As is the interest of
those of other religious traditions.
F. Young children have good ideas. Are you commending them? Are you
acknowledging their good ideas?
G. We haven’t earned the right to teach until we have comprehended the world view
different than our own and commended its truths.
III. The third element in Paul’s approach is to critique the pagan world view (23-31).
A. If you are looking for opposition/persecution go directly to CRITIQUE and you
will get it.
1. If you want opposition critique first and you will be opposed.
2. People will argue all the positive truths that are mixed in with the falsehood.
3. You are not supposed to hate people. You are supposed to love them.
I love homosexuals. I love heterosexuals. I love demo. I love repub. I love
black people. I love white people. I love LGBTQ people. I love you. Cf. 1
Cor. 6:9-11.
B. Paul is not accommodating wrong behavior. He is not syncretizing wrong
behavior into his world view. He is not compromising his convictions. He is
offering a different world view that embraces the commendable aspects of their
world view (24-31). This seems to be his approach in 1 Cor. 9:19ff.
1. He is trying to modify and enlarge on their perspective.
2. Many of them have a problem in embracing the idea of resurrection.
a. Some sneered.
b. Some said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”
c. Some joined him and believed, Dionysius and a woman named Damaris
and others with them.
3. Was Paul 100 percent effective in changing their world view? NO! But they
did not thoroughly reject it. He was not dragged out of the city and left for
dead.
C. Paul’s approach here is like Jesus’ approach with the woman at the well (Jn. 4).
1. He understood her. “Go and bring your husband and come here.”
2. Commended her. “You worship.” Messiah.
3. Then He critiqued. “You worship what you do not know.”
Conclusion:
1. How do you approach those with whom you disagree?
2. Have you tried to comprehend? Listened? Studied? Tried to understand?
3. Have you observed the truths in the different world view? Commended them?
4. We haven’t earned the right to enlarge on someone else’s world view until we have comprehended and commended its truths.
5. Same thing in teaching our children. Comprehend. Commend. Then critique.
