Sermon Tone Analysis

Reminder

One more week before review.

Next week will be John

The 20th will be review.

Review

Why do we call them the gospels?

How many synoptic gospels?

Why do we call them synoptic?

What do the gospels teach us?

What was the first gospel written?

Why study New Testament survey?

What is internal and external evidence?

Group Project - take 5 minutes to scan through Luke

Write down what sticks out to you about the book.

Differences or similarities to the other gospels.

The author’s presentation of Christ.

Anything you notice is emphasized.

Write down any details you may find about the author.

Author: Luke

Luke is another unnamed author.

We use external evidence.

Internal evidence helps too.

Luke was a gentile and a doctor.

Over 1/4 of the New Testament was written by Luke.

Luke is the longest book in the New Testament with 1,121 verses.

Second is Matthew with 1,071 verses.

Third is Acts with 1,007 verses.

Luke and Acts are about 27% of the New Testament

Paul wrote 2,032 verses.

Luke wrote 2,128 verses.

Luke was a close companion and fellow missionary with Paul.

Luke is uniquely considered part one of two books.

Both books contain similar language and styles.

This is different from other letters because the outlines fit together.

The continuity of Luke and Acts

The intended audience is Theophilus.

Theophilus means “Loved by God”

“Most excellent” is an address to a person of high official position.

Quite possibly a Roman official.

Most likely wealthy.

Could have been a financial supporter of Luke.

Through Theophilus - gentile believers.

It was understood that Theophilus would circulate Luke’s writing among the believers.

Luke expected that there were things Theophilus already knew.

Luke 1:4 (ESV)

4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

The purpose of Luke.

Luke clearly calls out his purpose in the introduction.

Luke 1:1–4 (ESV)

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

His purpose was to write an orderly account.

His purpose was to bring certainty to the things already taught - strengthen the faith of the reader.

Therefore… Luke is not considered an evangelistic “tract” to unbelievers.

As John and Mark would be.

Style/genre: Historical or Narrative

Luke had an outstanding command of the Greek language.

It is an orderly, historical account of Christ.

Luke writes carefully and logically.

Luke self proclaims the genre!

“I wrote an orderly account.”

His goal is to strengthen the faith of Theophilus with historical facts.

Luke wanted readers’ faith to be based on a solid historical foundation.

No other author dates their writing in the narrative.

Over 50% of the gospel is unique to the book.

It covers the greatest range of history of any gospel.

Starting with John the Baptist’s birth.

Luke focuses on the women of the gospel narrative more than any other book.

Women are mentioned specifically 43 times in Luke while only 49 times in Mark and Matthew combined.

The phrase “praising God” is used more than all the other books combined.

Luke’s source is research .

Others have recorded eyewitness accounts.

I have followed things closely from times past.

I have studied and researched.

Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and coming King.

Mark presents Jesus as the suffering servant.

Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man.

He highlights is sinlessness, yet his compassion for others.

He highlights Jesus’ humanity.

Due to his gentile audience, Luke did not so much focus on the Jewishness of Christ, but his universal humanity.

The genealogy of Christ found in Luke are different from Matthew.

Luke does not open with the genealogy of Christ.

Luke works backward from Joseph rather than forward from Abraham.

Matthew goes back as far as Abraham, however, Luke goes all the way back to Adam.

Luke seems to trace Mary’s genealogy while Matthew traces Joseph’s.

Luke teaches us that Jesus’ primary mission was salvation.

Luke is the only synoptic writer to use the noun “salvation” or soteria.

He used the verb “save” or sodzo more than any other book in the New Testament.

Luke emphasized more than any other gospel...

Repentance

Salvation is for all people.

Jews & Gentiles

Men & Women

Poor & rich

No social status or rank hindered Jesus from effective ministry.

We see ministry to...

women

children

oppressed

poverty

wealthy