Sermon Summary
“Finding a Way to Say It”
May 10, 2026
Acts 17:22–31

Many of us are comfortable with what we believe about God, but less certain about how to express that faith in a world that no longer shares the same assumptions. The language, tone, and starting points that once felt natural do not always connect in the same way today. That can leave us feeling hesitant, unsure, or even silent, not because our faith has weakened, but because we are not always sure how to say it anymore.

In Acts 17, Paul finds himself in a similar situation. Standing in Athens, surrounded by a culture rich in ideas, philosophy, and religious expression, he encounters people who are clearly searching for meaning but do not know the God he proclaims. Rather than beginning with criticism, Paul starts by observing and affirming their desire to seek. He points to an altar dedicated “to an unknown god” and uses it as a bridge, not a barrier. From there, he proclaims a central truth: God is not distant, not confined, and not hidden, but is “not far from each one of us.”

The challenge, then and now, is not that God is absent, but that we often reach for God in ways that keep God at a manageable distance. We prefer what we can control, understand, and define. Yet in Jesus Christ, God is no longer unknown. Christ reveals the fullness of God’s presence, entering into human life, suffering, and even death. Through the resurrection, God makes it clear that this presence is real, living, and active.

Because of this, we are freed from the pressure of having to say everything perfectly. Our confidence is not in our methods or words, but in Christ, who is already present and at work. Like Paul, we are invited to engage the world thoughtfully and faithfully, finding ways to speak and live the truth in ways others can hear. This week, we are encouraged to approach even one conversation with this question: What is the way this person can hear that they are loved, because Christ loves them?