The Gospel According To Luke Luke 1:1-4

Introduction:

Today begins the beginning of my fourth year of ministry here at Heritage and I can honestly tell you that the overarching desire of my heart, as your pastor is for there to always be less of me and more of Jesus. From day one my heart has been to put the Lord Jesus at the center of all that we do. I say often, that “Jesus is at the center of our Heritage.” In fact, the logo on our podium, invite cards, connect cards, sign, etc. is a symbol that represents the name of Jesus. When a church becomes a pastoral “cult of personality” that revolves around the pastor and not the Lord Jesus Christ, we cease to be a biblical church. Christ must always be at the center.

There is no greater detailed account of the life, ministry death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ than the Gospel of Luke. I have felt the pull of the Holy Spirit to the Gospel of Luke for some time now and what better time to begin our journey than the beginning of the Christmas season.

Luke wrote his Gospel in order to proclaim the glorious news that the “Son of Man”, God’s Son, has come to earth to sake and save the lost. Today as we begin our Journey through the Gospel of Luke we will encounter the Son of God on every page.

In fact, that is what I’ve titled our series “The Son: From the Manger to the Cross”

Luke is by far the longest of the four gospel accounts and contains many details of the life of Christ which are not included in the other three gospels. That includes the entire content of the first two chapters beginning with the histories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the annunciation to Mary, the birth of John the baptist and the Nativity in Luke 2 which were likely very familiar with.

Luke also includes the the accounts of :

Zaccheus

The Penitent thief.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

The parable of the Pharisee and the publican.

The rich man and Lazarus.

The parable of the prodigal son.

The Gospel of Luke truly is a gift to the Lord’s church to be studied at length in order to get a more thorough understanding of our Lord Jesus. While it is a gift to the church, it was initially written to a man named Theophilus along with the book of Acts. We don’t really know too much about the recipient of the book other than his name which means “lover of God.” The title “most excellent” could mean that he was some sort of Roman official (and thats likely the case) who had either come to faith or had asked for a legal brief during Pauls trial in Rome. Since Luke was a companion of Paul and likely Paul’s personal physician. But, there is also a theory that it is some sort of “code name” for the entire church. In either case, Luke tells his readers that the purpose of his writing is so that they can know with “certainty” that what they had been taught about Jesus was true.

You will notice that the actual title of the book isn’t just “Luke” but, “The Gospel According to Luke.”

The word “Gospel” in greek is the word “euaggelion” (you-ong-ghel’-ee-on)- which simply means a good message or good news.

The greek speaking world, ruled by Rome, was very familiar with this word because it had been incorporated into Romes Emperor worship. Often the town herald would use this word to begin an important and favorable announcement about the emperor. (Such as a marriage, birth of an heir, etc.)

Luke is communicating in his book not the good news from the emperor but the good news from the King of Kings. That God had sent the long awaited Messiah into the world in order to forgive sin and give eternal hope.

Luke is the Gospel of Salvation as he uses words like “salvation,” “to save,” and “Savior” more than the other three Gospels combined.

Let’s look briefly this morning at the “Good News” about “The Son” we learn from The Gospel According To Luke.

1.) We learn the “good news” that salvation is available to all people.

Luke was written for a gentile audience and shows us that God desire is that all of mankind be saved through faith in the Lord Jesus. That Jesus came not for the Jews alone, but for the entire world.

Luke 2:10–11 NKJV

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:14 NKJV

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:32 NKJV

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

We see this on display when Jesus teaches in the synagogue in Nazareth in Luke 4, when he heals the Roman centurains servant in Luke 7, when he journeys to Samaria in Luke 9, when he tells the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, when he pronounces in Luke 13:29

Luke 13:29 NKJV

29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.

When he cleanses the ten lepers in Luke 17, one of which was a Samaitan and in Luke 24:46-47 when he declares before the ascends up into heaven

Luke 24:46–47 NKJV

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

2.) We learn the “good news” that Jesus is deeply interested in individuals.

He tells of:

Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist (Lu. 1:5–25, 39–45; 67–79);

Mary and Martha (Lu. 10:38–42);

Zacchaeus (Lu. 19:2–10);

Cleopas and his companion (Lu. 24:18);

The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in the home of Simon the Pharisee (Lu. 7:36f).

The parables in Luke also tend to stress individuals, whereas in Matthew they stress the Kingdom.

From Luke we Learn of God’s love for individual, that God loves you as a person and his desire is for you to rest in Christ alone.

3.) We learn the “good news” that Jesus came for the outcasts and sinners.

Luke tells of the feast Matthew held for tax collectors and sinners (Lu. 5:30);

of tax collectors and sinners drawing near to hear Jesus teach (Lu. 15:1).

He alone tells of the Prodigal Son (Lu. 15:11–32);

of the Pharisee and tax collector (Lu. 18:9–14);

of Zacchaeus, the tax collecting “sinner” (Lu. 19:1–10).

Many of his parables center around the outcasts (Lu. 7:41f; 12:13–21; 16:1–12, 19–31; 18:1–8, 9–14).

4.) We learn the “good news” that Jesus came for the poor.

Luke tells of the shepherds who were of a poor class (Lu. 2:8f);

of Mary, who made the purification offering of the poor (Lu. 2:24; cp. Le. 12:8).

He says that Jesus came to preach the Gospel to the poor (Lu. 4:18–6:20), and the poor have the Gospel preached to them (Lu. 7:22).

Luke 7:22 NKJV

22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

5.) We learn the “good news” that Jesus values women.

The ancient world treated women as personal property. They possessed no rights and had no voice. But, in Luke we see that Jesus gave them a special place.

He honors Elizabeth, Mary and Anna in Luke 1:5 & 2:25.

He tells of the widow of Nain in Luke 7:11-18

In Luke 7:36-50 we see the sinful woman who anointed Jesus feet with expensive perfume.

We see three women healed of demonic possession named Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna in Luke 8:2-3

In Luke 10:38-42 we’re introduced to the dynamic sister dup of Mary and Martha.

We see Jesus going out of his way to heal a bent over woman in Luke 13:11-13.

He gave special recognition to the woman who gave her all to the Lord in the temple offering in Luke 21:1-4.

We even see Jesus pause while carrying his cross to Golgotha to comfort those women who were weeping over his death in Luke 23:27-31.

Even two of his parables in Luke 15:8-10 and Luke 18:1-8 have women as the central characters.

6.) We learn the “good news” that God cares about children.

He gives space to tell of the birth and infancy of John the Baptist and Jesus alike in ch.1-2. He gives us details of Jesus boyhood in Luke 2:41-52. He took the time to raise from the dead the only son of a widow woman in Luke 7:12. He raised a twelve year old girl from the dead in Luke 8. He casts a demon from a child in Luke 9. And, in Luke 18:6-17 we read this:

Luke 18:16–17 NKJV

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Here we see Jesus telling his disciples not to forbid the children for coming to him, that we all must have child like faith in Christ in order to be saved.

From the pages of Luke we learn of God’s love for children. There not told to be seen and not heard, they are called to the forefront and given special attention.

7.) We learn the “good news” that God hears and answers prayer.

A.) We see Jesus praying to his father in thanksgiving, for wisdom, when facing crisis, and for others.

His baptism (Lu. 3:21);

In the wilderness (Lu. 5:16);

Before choosing the disciples (Lu. 6:12);

Immediately prior to predicting His death (Lu. 9:18);

At the Mount of Transfiguration (Lu. 9:28f);

When the seventy returned (Lu. 10:17–24, esp. 21–22);

Before giving the model Lord’s Prayer (Lu. 11:1);

For Peter (Lu. 22:32);

In the Garden of Gethsemane (Lu. 22:39–46);

For His enemies (Lu. 23:34);

On the cross (Lu. 23:46).

Most of these are recorded by Luke alone and they show us the need to go to our father in prayer for every situation we face in life.

B.) We see Jesus teach about prayer through parables.

The friend at Midnight in Luke 11:5-8 teaches us to be persistent in prayer.

In the parable of the unjust Judge in Luke 18:1-8 we learn to pray for justice to be done.

In Luke 18:9-14 we learn to repent to God in prayer and see the prayer of faith.

C.) There are the exhortations and warnings about prayer given in Lu. 6:28; 11:2; 20:47; 22:40, 46).

8.) We learn the “good news” of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

A.) There are the many references to His death.

Moses and Elijah discuss Jesus’ death at His transfiguration (Lu. 9:31).

Luke says the time for Jesus to be received up has arrived (Lu. 9:51); therefore, Jesus sets His face to go up to Jerusalem (Lu. 9:51).

Jesus refers to His death as a baptism and stresses a constraint to accomplish it (Lu. 12:50).

Jesus sends a message to Herod that after His ministry He will finish His course on the third day (Lu. 13:32).

He then continues to speak of perishing in Jerusalem (Lu. 13:33–35).

And Jesus foretells His passion in a statement that is unique to Luke (Lu. 17:25).

B.) Luke gives more space to the passion narrative than any other of the Gospels.

C.) Jesus speaks of Scripture to be fulfilled by his death over and over again in Lukes Gospel. (Lu. 9:22; 13:33; 17:25; 18:31; 20:17; 22:37; 24:7, 26f, 44, 46).

9.) We learn the “good news” of the work of the Holy Spirt of God.

A.) The persons involved in the preparation for the Savior’s coming are said to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led:

John the Baptist (Lu. 1:15),

Elizabeth and Zechariah (Lu. 1:41, 67),

and Simeon (Lu. 2:25–27).

B.) The Holy Spirit is said to be active in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Mary was told that the Holy Spirit would come upon her (Lu. 1:35).

John the Baptist predicted Jesus would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire (Lu. 3:16).

The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus after His baptism “in a bodily shape, like a dove” (Lu. 3:22).

The Holy Spirit filled and led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Lu. 4:1).

Jesus returned from His temptations to begin His ministry in Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” (Lu. 4:14).

While preaching, Jesus claimed “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Lu. 4:18).

He rejoiced in the Spirit when the seventy returned and gave a good report (Lu. 10:21);

He told His disciples that the Father would give the Spirit to those who asked Lu. 11:13.

Luke 11:13 NKJV

13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

He said that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin (Lu. 12:10).

He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say in emergencies (Lu. 12:12.

Luke 12:12 NKJV

12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

He closed His ministry by assuring His disciples, “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you.…” speaking of the Holy Spirit (Lu. 24:49).

Conclusion:

Luke’s work is a historical record of events during the Life of Christ. (v.1)

He tells us that it is a record of eyewitnesses and devoted servants of Christ. (v.2)

He was led to write an orderly account of the life of Christ. (V.3)

He tells us that his reasoning for doing so it to establish the veracity of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. (v.4)

That Jesus came in order that all of mankind might have the opportunity to trust Christ. That He cared for individuals (He cares for you today). That he came not for the religious elite but the outcasts and sinners. That if you’re poor and have nothing to offer, he has everything to offer you. That he values women and children. That He hears and answers prayer (especially those who call out for forgiveness and salvation.) That its only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that we can be set free from the power of sin and be given an eternity in God’s presence. That we have been given the Holy Spirit of God to protect, guide, empower and deliver us to the waiting arms of our savior one day.

Have you believed “The Good News” the Gospel today? If not, repent of your sin and believe in Christ today.