Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones, full of gratitude. As we move from Thanksgiving to Advent (the season leading into Christmas), I want to share a meaningful lesson from Acts 17.

In Acts 17, Paul faced a tough task in Athens, a city deeply rooted in idol worship. Even skilled speakers like Paul can struggle to connect with their audience, as seen in the initial resistance he encountered:

[Paul] also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?' Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods."

Acts 17:18 (NLT)

Despite this resistance, Paul recognized the importance of relating to people personally.

Paul adjusted his approach by finding common ground. A few verses later, he acknowledged the Athenians' religious practices, creating a connection before sharing the message of Jesus.

“Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along, I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.”

Acts 17:22-23 (NLT)

This story highlights the power of finding common ground and communicating in a way that resonates. As we approach Christmas, a time when stories matter, I'm excited to introduce our new preaching series, "Christmas at the Movies." This series will delve into how popular Christmas movies align with biblical truths, mirroring Paul's connection with the Athenians.

I am excited to explore this series together, starting with the first movie on the list, Miracle on 34th Street.

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Chris