Do you know how long ago 1861 is? That is 153 years ago. That’s a long time ago. Like when there were no cars or no electricity or microwave ovens. There were no cell phones or computers or even the World Wide Web (a.k.a. the internet). It was the year the civil war started.

It was also the year that Boulder County was established and the first sheriff (William A. Corson) of the county was named. I don’t know how many men served under Sheriff Corson and I really don’t know why this caught my attention, but when I saw this on a Boulder County Sheriff’s car, I thought it was impressive. I also thought of these sheriff’s riding around on horses in the wild west…kind of like Matt Dillon (yes I know he was a marshal, but the same idea).

1861 is very foreign to us today. Perhaps that is how Paul felt when he arrived in Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Scripture actually tells us that Paul was “greatly distressed.” Athens was full of idols and the people “spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.”

Perhaps brainstorming sessions work. I’ve recently heard that they aren’t as effective as they have been built up. But from the looks of it, they’ve been going on for years, centuries actually. And up until Paul showed up in Athens, the men of Athens had nothing of value to discuss.

Paul’s message to the Athenians was that God created this whole world so that mankind would “seek Him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.” (Acts 17:27)

This is such an appealing verse. Simply seek and find the One in whom we “live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

The folks of Athens wanted to hear more of Paul’s “strange ideas.” Some sneered, but some believed.

Perhaps we try to make God’s message too complicated. Paul shared God’s plan of salvation in nine verses. This sermon was to a group of unbelievers, scholars, thinkers, and idol worshipers. Not so different from those we come in contact with in our world today.

Whether it’s 51 A.D., 1861, or 2014, the Gospel message is still the same. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 – NIV)

Who do you know that needs to hear Jesus’ message today?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna