INTRODUCTION TO LUKE’S GOSPELLuke 1:1-4

Who wrote this book?

The author wrote 2 volumes (Luke & Acts)

Acts 1:1 -- I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

In Acts, the “we” sections identify the author as a companion of Paul at some stages

Early church writings unanimously attribute authorship to Luke

Colossians 4:14 -- Luke, the dearly loved physician…

A Gentile (only Gentile author in the NT)

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 24:44-49 -- 44 Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

The Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone

Gave archaeologists something they never had before – a DECODER that connected lost languages with known ones.

Jesus is the “Rosetta Stone” of the OT & human history!

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

What does spirituality have to

do with history?

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

“Luke’s historicity is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness . . . Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy . . . this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.”

-Sir William Ramsay

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised.16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

-The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Hebrews 11:1 -- Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Man of official rank

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Struggling with doubt

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Has been instructed

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

I propose that he is wrestling with two major questions:

1. “Do I really belong among the people of God since I am a Gentile?”

2. “How am I supposed to live intimately with all these people who are so different than me?”

Purposes of the Four Gospels?Matthew – Israel’s predicted MessiahMark – The Suffering ServantJohn – God in the FleshLuke -- ???

Luke – Jesus’ radical, inclusive loveLuke records Jesus’ love for his fellow-Jews, but he emphasizes Jesus’ love for ethnic/racial outcasts by focusing on Samaritans—the half-breeds that most Jews hated.

Luke records Jesus’ love for men, but he emphasizes Jesus’ for women in many ways.

Luke – Jesus’ radical, inclusive loveLuke records Jesus’ love for the rich (e.g., Zaccheus), but he emphasizes Jesus’ love for the poor. 

Finally, while Luke records Jesus’ love for religiously observant “good” people, he delights in emphasizing Jesus’ love for notorious sinners.

Luke – Jesus’ radical, inclusive loveLuke records Jesus’ love for the rich (e.g., Zaccheus), but he emphasizes Jesus’ love for the poor. 

Finally, while Luke records Jesus’ love for religiously observant “good” people, he delights in emphasizing Jesus’ love for notorious sinners.

Luke’s point is that no one is a

lost cause to Jesus. 

Luke – Jesus’ radical, inclusive loveLuke records Jesus’ love for the rich (e.g., Zaccheus), but he emphasizes Jesus’ love for the poor. 

Finally, while Luke records Jesus’ love for religiously observant “good” people, he delights in emphasizing Jesus’ love for notorious sinners.

I propose that most of us are wrestling with the same two major questions:

1. “Do I really belong among the people of God since I am so _______________?”

2. “How am I supposed to live intimately with all these people who are so different than me?”

Ushers please come forward…

A Chance to Give to the Cause