Athens was full of idols (Acts 17:16).  One writer of the day said there were 30,000 statues of gods and goddesses.  Quite remarkable, when there were only about 10,000 people.  It was a world full of idols.

America too is a world full of idols.  Not statues, but false gods aplenty.  An idol is what we live for, what we trust in.  It is the place where we seek significance and fulfillment.  And our streets are lined with idols like this.  Our media is filled with these kinds of idols.  Wealth, material things, sex, popularity, power, entertainment – all good things in the right context unless we live for them, trust in them, seek significance and fulfillment in them.  And many do.  We live in a world full of idols.

The people of Athens were obsessed with something new (v21).  Sounds like our country.  We are obsessed with the newest technological gadget, the latest movie, game, or book, the next fashion, the spirituality of tomorrow.  Only tomorrow it will be old.  Everything is quickly dated.  The new has become one more idol that we live for, trust in, and seek significance, fulfillment, and satisfaction in.  And like the other idols of our day, it never satisfies.  It leaves us empty, looking for something more.