WORSHIPPING THE UNKNOWN GOD

SATURDAY JULY 5, 2025

KEY VERSE: “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you“ (Acts 17:23).

TEXT: ACTS 17:17-34

MESSAGE: Worshipping The Unknown God? – Seeking Beyond the Shadows

The human spirit, at its core, possesses an inherent drive to worship. From the earliest civilizations to the most advanced societies, humanity has consistently sought to connect with something greater than itself. This yearning for the divine, for meaning and transcendence, is woven into the very fabric of our being. However, the object of this worship, and the understanding of the divine, has varied wildly across cultures and throughout history. Today’s devotional plunges us into a profound historical encounter that illuminates this universal human quest and its potential pitfalls: the apostle Paul’s visit to Athens and his profound message concerning “The Unknown God.”

The bustling city of Athens in Paul’s day was a vibrant hub of philosophical thought, intellectual discourse, and religious devotion. It was a city adorned with countless altars, temples, and statues dedicated to a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Athenians, in their intellectual fervor, meticulously sought to understand the universe and their place within it. Yet, amidst all their sophisticated reasoning and diligent worship, they missed the most critical truth. They had, in their earnestness to cover all their spiritual bases, even erected an altar with a curious inscription: “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.”

This altar was a testament to their spiritual yearning, but also to their profound ignorance. It signified their acknowledgment that there might be a deity they had overlooked, a divine power beyond their current understanding, whom they wished to appease lest they incur divine wrath or miss out on a potential blessing. Paul, witnessing their meticulous devotion, could marvel at their earnestness but felt a deep pity for their astounding spiritual blindness. Their philosophical thinking, celebrated throughout the known world, ironically led them to worship in ignorance, chasing shadows rather than embracing the very light they yearned for. Their diligent spiritual exercises, though outwardly commendable, were ultimately futile without true knowledge of the object of their worship.

The Illusion of the Known: A Parable from Astronomy

To grasp the depth of this “unknown” worship, consider a modern parallel, though distinct in its implications, from the world of science. An American astronomer, Percival Lowell, dedicated a significant portion of his distinguished career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to studying the planet Mars. With painstaking meticulousness, he charted and documented what he firmly believed to be an intricate network of canals crisscrossing the Martian surface. His detailed maps and elaborate theories proposed that these “canals” were not natural formations but rather sophisticated irrigation systems, meticulously engineered by an intelligent Martian civilization to transport water across their arid planet. Lowell’s work captivated the public imagination, fueling dreams of extraterrestrial life and inspiring scientific inquiry for decades.

Yet, as fascinating and diligent as Lowell’s work was, it was ultimately founded on a profound misinterpretation. The intricate canal network he “observed” was, in fact, an optical illusion. The limitations of the telescopic technology of his era, combined with the human brain’s tendency to find patterns even where none exist, created these phantom structures. Years later, with the revolutionary advent of more advanced telescopes, and especially with the close-up images provided by space missions, it was definitively confirmed: these Martian canals did not exist. Percival Lowell’s decades of diligent study, his brilliant theorizing, and the substantial resources invested in validating his observations, were ultimately based on an illusion. He had, in essence, spent his career in the scientific pursuit of a shadow.

This scientific anecdote, while not directly spiritual, offers a compelling analogy. Lowell’s “unknown” was an unknown that proved to be non-existent, a shadow mistaken for substance. The Athenians’ “Unknown God” was tragically real, yet they failed to grasp His true nature. Their devotion, like Lowell’s observation, was sincere, but their object of worship was obscured by ignorance. They poured their spiritual energy into a void, just as Lowell poured his scientific genius into a phantom. Both scenarios highlight the inherent human capacity for diligent pursuit, which, without accurate understanding and true revelation, can lead to the worship of or the pursuit of mere illusions. The danger, in the spiritual realm, is infinitely greater than scientific error; it concerns the very destiny of the soul.

Modern Idolatry: Pursuing the Unknown gods of Wealth, Fame, and Power

The phenomenon of worshipping the “unknown god” is by no means confined to ancient Athens. In a startling parallel, multitudes in our contemporary world continue to labor with astounding zeal and relentless pursuit, not for statues of Zeus or Athena, but for modern-day “unknown gods.” These deities are often cloaked in the guise of wealth, fame, power, popularity, status, material possessions, fleeting pleasures, and self-validation. These are the insidious vanities that ensnare human souls, clouding their reasoning and blinding them to eternal realities.

Just as the Athenians poured resources into their multitudinous altars, so too do people today pour gargantuan financial, human, and time resources into the relentless pursuit of these shadows. Careers are sacrificed on the altar of ambition, relationships are shattered in the chase for wealth, integrity is compromised for fleeting fame, and spiritual values are discarded for worldly acceptance. These pursuits, though they promise fulfillment and security, often prove to be fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. They take the rightful place of God in the hearts of men and women, becoming the ultimate objects of their devotion and energy.

This insatiable chase for worldly idols is, fundamentally, idolatry. It is a subtle but potent form of worship, not to carved images, but to created things, to the self, and to the fleeting glories of this world. And make no mistake, this form of idolatry is intricately “inspired by the devil, and designed to damn souls in the lake of fire.” The enemy of our souls doesn’t necessarily need us to bow before a physical idol; he merely needs us to place anything other than the one true God at the center of our lives, to dedicate our supreme devotion and energy to something that is not Him. When wealth becomes the object of our trust and security, it is an “unknown god.” When fame becomes the measure of our worth, it is an “unknown god.” When power becomes our ultimate aim, it is an “unknown god.” Each of these, pursued as ends in themselves, leads to a spiritual void and, ultimately, eternal separation from the living God.

Paul’s Declaration: Unveiling the True God to the Ignorant

In Acts 17, Paul’s encounter in Athens stands as a masterful example of contextualized evangelism. He didn’t immediately condemn their ignorance; instead, he skillfully used their own religious practices as a bridge to declare the truth. He recognized their devotion, even if misguided, and leveraged the “altar to the unknown God” as his starting point.

Acts 17:22-23 describes his approach: “Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

Paul then proceeds to declare the one true God, contrasting Him sharply with their limited understanding:

1. The Creator God (Acts 17:24): “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” He challenges their anthropocentric view of deity confined to shrines. The true God is beyond human construction; He is the architect of the universe.
2. The Self-Sufficient God (Acts 17:25): “Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” He is not dependent on human offerings or service; rather, all humanity is utterly dependent on Him for existence.
3. The Sovereign God of Humanity (Acts 17:26-28): “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Paul connects with their own philosophers (like Aratus and Cleanthes), demonstrating that even their own intellectual heritage pointed to a God intimately involved with humanity. He is the God of all nations, not just one.
4. The Living God (Acts 17:29): “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” He directly confronts their idolatry, showing the absurdity of worshipping inanimate objects crafted by human hands when they themselves bear the imprint of a living God.
5. The God of Repentance and Judgment (Acts 17:30-31): “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” This is the climactic point: the call to repentance, the revelation of Christ as the appointed Judge, and the undeniable proof of His resurrection.

Paul’s sermon on Mars’ Hill is a timeless model for reaching a world that, despite its advancements and devotions, often remains ignorant of the true God.

The Modern Predicament: Devotion Without Salvation

Like Paul in his day, many anointed preachers of the gospel diligently call sinners to repentance today. Using every available medium—from pulpits and crusades to television, radio, internet streams, and social media platforms—the message of salvation is broadcast far and wide. The access to spiritual truth has never been greater. Yet, a disheartening reality persists: “Unfortunately, most people continue in their devotion to the ‘unknown god,’ labouring with their hearts, yet oblivious of their eternal end.”

This modern predicament takes several forms:

Religious Activity Without Relationship: Many engage in various forms of worship, rituals, and religious practices—attending church, performing good deeds, observing traditions—without a genuine, personal, and transformative encounter with Jesus Christ. Their devotion is sincere, their efforts commendable, but the object of their worship remains, in essence, “unknown” in a saving, experiential way. They worship a concept, a tradition, or a distant deity, but not the intimately revealed Father through His Son. This is akin to being devoutly religious without being truly saved.

Moralism Without Grace: Some live outwardly moral lives, believing that their good works and adherence to ethical standards will earn them favor with God. They are “good people” in society’s eyes, but they have not acknowledged their need for a Savior or submitted to God’s grace through faith. Their efforts are a form of self-salvation, a devotion to their own righteousness, making their “unknown god” their own moral performance.

Spiritual Eclecticism: In an age of diverse spiritualities, many people sample different beliefs, practices, and traditions, creating a personalized spiritual blend. They might draw from Eastern philosophies, New Age concepts, or even elements of Christianity, but without committing to the foundational truth of Christ as the only way to the Father. This spiritual smorgasbord often leads to a generalized sense of “spirituality” that lacks specific direction, ultimate truth, and saving power. They are devoted to an abstract “spiritual realm” or “higher power” that remains ultimately unknown and undefined.

Nominal Christianity: This is perhaps the most insidious form of worshipping the “unknown god” within the Christian context. Millions identify as Christian, attend church, and participate in Christian culture, but their lives do not reflect a genuine transformation or a deep relationship with Christ. They know about Jesus, but they don’t truly know Him experientially as Lord and Savior. Their “God” is a cultural artifact, not a living, reigning King in their hearts. They might pray, sing hymns, and even serve, but without real salvation—a personal decision to repent and believe in Christ—their worship, though outwardly Christian, is still directed toward an “unknown” or insufficiently known God.

The common thread uniting these forms of “unknown” worship is the lack of genuine, saving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. As our THOUGHT FOR THE DAY profoundly states: Worshipping without experiential knowledge of God is a futile exercise. It’s like Lowell’s pursuit of Martian canals – diligent effort directed towards an illusion, ultimately yielding nothing but wasted resources and unfulfilled longing. The eternal end for those who persist in this spiritual slumber is indeed dire, as they stand oblivious to the salvation freely offered.

Awakening from Spiritual Slumber: The Call to Embrace Eternal Life

The message for those still caught in this trap of ignorant devotion is urgent and clear: “It is time for you to awake from spiritual slumber, shun vanities, and embrace eternal life made available through Christ.” This call to awakening involves several critical steps:

Awake from Spiritual Slumber: This implies a state of unconsciousness, apathy, or delusion regarding spiritual realities. Many are spiritually asleep, comfortable in their pursuits of earthly vanities, unaware of their true spiritual condition or the impending judgment. Awakening means recognizing the urgency of eternity, the truth of God’s Word, and the need for a Savior. It’s an internal jolt, a realization that life is more than what meets the eye, and that our souls are in peril without divine intervention.

Shun Vanities: Just as the Athenians’ intellectual pursuits, if not anchored in God, could be vanity, so too are the modern pursuits of wealth, fame, and power when they become ultimate gods. To “shun vanities” means to actively turn away from these false idols and dismantle their altars in our hearts. It’s a conscious decision to divest our affection, energy, and trust from temporary things that cannot satisfy or save. This requires repentance – a change of mind and direction – acknowledging that these pursuits have been empty and destructive.

Embrace Eternal Life Made Available Through Christ: This is the core of the gospel. Eternal life isn’t just about living forever; it’s about living in relationship with the eternal God, beginning now. This life is not earned by good deeds or religious rituals, but is a free gift of God’s grace, “made available through Christ.” To embrace it means:

• • Believing in Jesus Christ: Acknowledging Him as the Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again, conquering death.
  • Repenting of Sin: Turning away from self-reliance, worldly idolatry, and all forms of sin, and turning towards God.
  • Receiving Him as Lord and Savior: Inviting Him into your heart and life, surrendering control, and allowing Him to transform you from the inside out.

The Ultimate Commitment: Dedicating Your Life to the True God

The journey doesn’t end with embracing eternal life; it begins there. The final charge of the devotional is a lifelong commitment: “You will need to now dedicate the rest of your life to seeking and worshiping the true God.” This is the antithesis of worshipping the “unknown god.” It is worshipping the known, revealed, and living God with intention and passion.

What does it mean to dedicate the rest of your life to seeking and worshipping the true God?

Seeking Him Continually: This is not a one-time event but a daily, intentional pursuit. It means cultivating habits like:

• • Daily Prayer: Talking to God, listening to Him, and building intimacy.
  • Regular Bible Study: Immersing yourself in His Word, allowing it to transform your mind and guide your steps (Romans 12:2).
  • Fellowship: Actively engaging with a community of believers, learning from them, and encouraging one another.
  • Worship as a Lifestyle: Beyond Sunday services, living a life of praise and adoration, where every action, thought, and word is offered to God as an act of worship.

Worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth: Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

• • In Spirit: Meaning from your innermost being, with sincerity, passion, and the enablement of the Holy Spirit, not merely outward ritual.
  • In Truth: Meaning according to His revealed Word, not according to human philosophies, traditions, or convenient interpretations. It is worshipping Him as He truly is, not as we wish Him to be or as our limited understanding dictates.

This dedication means God is no longer unknown or relegated to a corner of our lives. He becomes the central, driving force. He moves from being a speculative concept to a living reality. He moves from being a last resort to the first priority. When we truly know and worship Him, we move beyond the futility of chasing shadows and step into the glorious light of His presence, purpose, and eternal life.

PRAYER POINTS

Lord Jesus, forgive me for any time I have ignorantly worshipped “unknown gods” in my life. I repent of all forms of idolatry.

• Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the vanities I have pursued instead of You, in the name of Jesus.
• By Your grace, I dedicate the rest of my life to seeking and worshipping You, the one true God, in spirit and in truth, in Jesus’ name.
• Every altar of “unknown gods” erected in my heart, be cast down by fire, in the name of Jesus.
• I declare that from today, I will know You experientially and worship You alone, in Jesus’ mighty name.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 19 – 20