Acts 17: 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 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; 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; 26 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; 31 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.

We see they searched the Scriptures daily, to see if what Paul taught was true. Jesus is on the first page of Scriptures and the last. Paul had to dispute with people daily from synagogues to market places.
From Malachi to Matthew was about 400 years and in Athens they had created their own religion.
“Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. “

The Spirit stirred when he saw this. “Acts 1:23For 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 has to explain God does not dwell in temples made by man's hands, He can be found in the streets and market places.
We are more than 2000 years from the Cross of Jesus Christ and we have made our own religion just as they did.
There was One thing that brought people to believe then and that was hearing and searching the Scriptures daily.
We do all kinds of things to attract people to church. Today we are being reminded of what the Tree of Life really is.
“Genesis 3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”
“Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. “
Searching the Scriptures daily should be the only attraction we need. The Word of God is life , motivation, food , water , pleasure and inspiration.
“Mark 4:7 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. “

We have set up generations that are not enduring and are offended. We are being told to go back to the root of the church. We could have no buildings, no money and only be standing in the street with the true Word of God and receive Life eternal. Paul warns that God has appointed a day He will judge all. Today we have time to read the true word of God and follow His commandments.

The only way to endure and not be offended is to be found daily searching the Scriptures and making sure if what is being done and said is true. If we took away the worldly entertainment , worldly food and only stood with the Word of God in our culture, how many would come?

One of my favorite Christmas movies is the “Bishops Wife , ' with David Niven. The entire story line is based on a very wealthy woman wanting to build a temple the way she wants . They where guilty of this in the book of Acts and we are as well without even knowing it happened.