The Truth of the Word

Luke 1:1-4

Introduction to the Book of Luke:

Who wrote it: Luke—the only Gentile author of the Bible (not an original disciple of Christ, but someone who’s life was radically changed by Jesus Christ

David Jeremiah notes this about Luke: “When a physician sets aside his practice to pursue a venture that will absorb his time for years to come—perhaps the rest of his life—he has likely yielded to some truly momentous calling.”

Luke was a “compassionate doctor, a thoughtful man of science, and a careful observer of people and events.”

Paul refers to Luke as, “the beloved physician,” in Colossians 4:14

When it was written: A specific time is uncertain, most scholars believe b/t A.D. 58-62

Who it was written to: “the most excellent Theophilus”—who was a Gentile convert and based on Luke’s addressing him as “most excellent,” indicates Theophilus was a high official in the Roman Government (same as the Book of Acts, which Luke also wrote)

Why was it written:

To set forth an eyewitness account of Jesus Christ—the Son of Man and the Savior of the World. Very simply and plainly

To set forth the truth of God’s Word, so that Theophilus (and us) would know with certainty the things which he believed, i.e., “Why we believe what we believe.”

To set forth an orderly and accurate account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

What’s unique about Luke’s gospel: Luke is:

The Gospel for Man or The Gospel for Gentiles—showing that God has a desire for ALL men EVERYWHERE—not just the Jews—to be saved/restored/reconciled

The Gospel of Individuals—Jesus was profoundly passionate and interested in individuals and man of the parables contained in Luke tend to stress individuals

Jesus taught the masses/but He “ministered” one on one

The Gospel of Salvation—the doctrine of salvation and Christ as “Savior” is found more times in Luke than any of the other Gospels

The Gospel of Outcasts and Sinners-

(Luke 5) Feast Matthew held for tax collectors and sinners

(Luke 7) The woman anointing Jesus’ feet with her tear and wiping the with her hair

(Luke 15) The three parables that teach of Jesus going after the lost

The Gospel of the Poor

The Gospel of Women

The Gospel of Children

The Gospel of Prayer/The Gospel of Devotion

The Gospel of Praise

The Gospel of Christ’s Passion

The Gospel of the Holy Spirit

Themes found within the Gospel of Luke:

Inclusiveness

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””

The humanity of Jesus Christ

Luke emphasizes the humanity of Jesus as opposed to others (John’s highlighting of Jesus’ divinity)

Luke refers to Jesus as the “Son of Man”, 25 times more than any other Gospel

Salvation

Luke 15

Holy Spirit

Luke makes reference to the Holy Spirit more than 15 times in his Gospel and nearly 60 times in Acts

Luke writes about the emphasis of Jesus Christ

Luke 15 groups three parables which illustrate how lost things are found and how serious Jesus Christ is about salvation, especially to those who think they are, “unredeemable.”

My prayer is, that as we dive into the Gospel of Luke—individually and corporately, we will be driven to Jesus Christ, driven to understand His true purpose in stepping into our world, and driven to see to how He desires us to abide in Him. It’s all about Jesus Christ

(READ LUKE 1:1-4)

Speaking straightforwardly, lost people need to be found, and broken hearts need to be mended. Those lost and shackled to sin need restoration, need salvation, and they need deliverance. Written on the hearts of those who are lost and broken is this reality. On and on they search, day after day they strive after, toil with, and cling to, “the world or the things of the world” (1 John 2:15), “the wisdom of men,” (1 Cor 2:5) and “…the wisdom of this age...”

What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2 and what John says in 1 John 2 is a lesson on the fallacy and flaw found in the world’s wisdom and man’s wisdom:

John states that the world and things of this world are “passing away (1 John 2:17)

Paul states that the wisdom of the world (this age) and the wisdom of men, come to nothing (1 Cor 2:6)

In plain terms, what the lost & broken seek out in this world can never bring true restoration & deliverance

What Paul, John, and the rest of God’s authors state is the singular TRUTH that restoration/salvation/deliverance comes only through Jesus Christ and Him crucified:

It’s what Paul could only preach (1 Cor 1:23) and the only message he could bring (1 Cor 2:1-2)

1 Corinthians 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified...”

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

It’s what John revealed as the chief commandment of God and where he says truth is found

1 John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

The truth of the Gospel finds its core in the only begotten Son of God Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. He’s the truth which is both (1) the foundation for salvation and (2) the vehicle for sanctification

Luke, the only Gentile writer in God’s Word, set his mind/purpose to lay out the unequivocal truth of Jesus Christ. And he begins his gospel with just that, “The Truth of the Word”

I. (v.1) Luke’s Gospel is a Record of Historical Events

Luke 1:1 “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,”

(CONTEXT)—Note what Luke says

“Many…set forth” the events of Christ’s life

Many people had written about the life and work of Christ—yet not as complete or orderly as Luke wished to record

Luke includes many more events than that of Matthew and Mark—a quick comparison of the 1st chapters of each reveals this—and The Gospel of John hadn’t been written yet

“Many had written of Christ” indicates strong evidence that the events of Christ are true

The “many who had written,” about Christ, Luke refers to, are not known by name

They are the silent/humble heroes of the faith, never known by the world, but well-known by God

They are who served as a source for Luke as he wrote about Christ (see v.3)

Either what they wrote was included in his gospel, or what they wrote

Stirred his thoughts to record certain events in the life of Christ.

The events/things of Christ’s life were most surely believed

The Greek words used for “most surely believed,” mean the events of Christ’s life were actually performed, run their full course, or were fulfilled.

Luke is stating the “things of Christ” were not only believed—they were accomplished/fulfilled among the believers of that day

What all of this means?

The life of Christ and the things of Christ serve as a record of historical events:

The events and life of Christ were not fables

The events and life of Christ are not folklore

The events and life of Christ are not fictitious

The events and life of Christ actually and definitively happened

The life of Christ and the things of Christ were “most surely believed among us [believers]”

What must be remembered—Luke's recordings in his gospel squarely rest on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; so when he talks about things being “fulfilled,” Luke is referring more to the accomplishments of Christ’s purpose than prophecy.

(CONNECTION—YOU AND ME)—The Whole of God’s Word

The Bible itself:

Comprised of 66 books

Written by 40 different authors (the majority of which didn’t know one another, save a handful)

Written in three (3) different languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic)

Written in three (3) different continents

Written over a span of 1500 years

The Bible itself (con’t)

Among all we know can know about the Bible—about God’s Word;

The narratives/history

The Law and the Poetry

The Prophets, both Major and Minor

The Gospels and the Epistles

The Apocolyptic/End Times books

Among our

Favorite characters & accounts

Favorite events & storylines

Among all the

“Aha” moments

Convicting moments

Among the

Easy to read texts, and the

Hard texts we read over and over again

God’s Word—the inspired, inerrant, alive and active Word—encompasses God’s two-fold will: (1) Salvation and (2) Sanctification

(Salvation)-God’s will is that ANY person might come to know Him and be known by Him through His Son Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:8–9 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

The cannon of Scripture—God’s purpose and intention through His Word—is to make a person, “wise for salvation”

2 Timothy 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The cannon of Scripture encircles the truth of Jesus Christ

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Colossians 1:15–17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

Hebrews 1:1–3 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

The cannon of Scripture teaches us the truth for which Christ became the incarnate Word of God (John 1:14)

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.””

Isaiah 49:6 (The Father speaking of the Son) “Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ””

Isaiah 53:4–5 “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

The cannon of Scripture teaches us the truth that salvation is ONLY through Jesus Christ

John 11:25–26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?””

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Romans 10:9–10 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

(Sanctification) God’s will (also) is for those who would become devout followers of God to be progressively sanctified and set apart from this world and set apart to Himself—allowing the Holy Spirit to conform them more and more into the image of His Son—

The cannon of Scripture not only leads a person to salvation—it leads them in godly living

2 Timothy 3:16–17“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The cannon of Scripture not leads a person to salvation—it leads them to bear spiritual fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

The cannon of Scripture not only leads a person to salvation—it leads them to put to death the deeds of the flesh

Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

The cannon of Scripture not only leads a person to salvation-it leads them to develop more the character of Christ

2 Peter 1:5–8 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The cannon of Scripture not only leads a person to salvation—it leads them to be firmly rooted/planted in their faith

Psalm 1:2–3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

The cannon of Scripture not only leads a person to salvation—it leads them to be conformed more and more into the image of Christ

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

II. (v.2) Luke’s Gospel is (1) a record of eyewitnesses and (2) a record of servants of the Word

Luke 1:2 “just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,”

(CONTEXT)—Some things to know here

Luke himself was not an eyewitness of the day-to-day life of Jesus Christ—but was a constant/dear companion of Paul

Luke also had contact with other apostles—who would of course be his prime sources

Luke also had contact with other disciples—who followed Christ continuously or occasionally (there were about 120 at one point—see Acts 1:15)

Luke likely would have had contact with Mary—Jesus’ mother and the perspective of His brothers (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Jude)

These “sources” or ministers of the Word

Were eyewitnesses of both The Word (Christ Himself) and the Word of Christ (His teaching, doctrine, and instructions)

Were eyewitnesses, “from the beginning,” witnesses of every event and word of Christ and His day to day life

Heard as well as saw Christ; some day to day, others consistently or occasionally

Set out immediately to minister the Word to others—the word and work of Christ was of critical importance, and a vast majority gave their lives for this truth

“No one ever willingly dies for a lie”

Did not create the Word (message) themselves; it was not their ideas, thoughts, opinions—they were ministering to the Word they had witnessed

Gave us a written account (gospel) which are eyewitness accounts

1 John 1:1–4 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

A note about the Greek word for “eyewitness” Luke uses:

“Eyewitness” (Greek) is “autoptai” where we derive the word, “autopsy;” which uniquely connects with Luke’s profession as a doctor

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

What does all this mean for you and me today?

While it’s obvious that no person today has physically seen/heard/walked with Jesus, we have the blessing of the entirety of God’s message (what we call the “canon”) of God’s holy, inspired, and inerrant Word

God’s Word was/is revealed to us, in its fullness in His Son Jesus Christ (again, see John 1, Hebrews 1, and Colossians 1)

God’s Word contains records of those who have gone before us, who have born witness to God and His only begotten Son

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...

God’s Word, though written/completed some 2000 years ago, is “alive and active,” and carries with it the power of the Holy Spirit—the power of God—which continues to radically change lives, bring about restoration/redemption and prove itself

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Connecting the Doctrine (truth) of the Resurrection to the context of “eyewitnesses”

The hinge of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ; without it, our faith and teaching is in vain:

1 Corinthians 15:14 “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”

What we know is that Christ died

The crucifixion itself was the most effective tool of death in Roman culture

The spear in Christ’s side—after His death—is proof of death (water mixed with blood)

The environment around His death and the centurion’s statement

Matthew 27:51 “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;”

Matthew 27:54 “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!””

We know He was buried

Matthew 27:57–61 “Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.”

We know He rose again

The women go to tend to the body and find the tomb empty and hear the angel’s message

Mary encounters her risen Savior

John and Peter rush to the tomb and in wonder find it empty and with some significance (John 20:6)

Jesus appears to His disciples (Matthew 28:9)

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)

We know He rose—speak about L/E “eyewitnesses” and then 1 Corinthians 15:6

“After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.”

III. (v.3) Luke’s gospel is the record of a man who was led to write

Luke 1:3 “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,”

(CONTEXT)-Four things to see in this verse

Luke had a “perfect understanding” and in this, he set to record the facts himself

“Perfect understanding”—used here, this Greek word means,

“Accuracy which is the outcome of carefulness; having traced the course of all things accurately--in this case, the birth of Jesus, the life/ministry of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts 1); and

To study, follow up, search out diligently, investigate, trace accurately, and become acquainted with

Luke had the “perfect understanding,” “from the very first.”

The word he uses here for “the first,” or “beginning” is different from that in verse 2; here he uses the Greek word “anothen” which means

From above, of the things which come from heaven; from the beginning/top

Luke is taking the instruction of Paul in Colossians 3 and searching diligently to write the “things of Christ, from the “Spirit of Christ,” speaking as a man so moved by the Holy Spirit-

Col 3:1-4“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Luke is writing things “in order”

Luke is the only writer in the N/T to use this Greek word—once in his gospel and twice in Acts

“Order” here (kathexes)—means “one after another,” “successively in order”/consecutively

What is Luke saying here?

Consecutive/chronological?

Logical arrangement/Subject arrangement?

Inspired or Spirit-led arrangement?

Though not entirely clear, what we have is an autopsy-style record of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—which goes far more in-depth into the humanity and ministry of Jesus than the two other synoptic Gospels

Luke is writing to Theophilus—we are not told exactly who, but we know two facts

“Most excellent Theophilus” is a title of rank & honor—like that used of Felix/Festus

Theophilus was a person who desired/needed to know about Jesus Christ

Maybe he himself was searching for the validity of Christianity

Maybe he was a convert whom Luke deeply cared about—most likely a close/personal friend

Either way, Theophilus was the immediate reason Luke felt led to write

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

As a believer, we are to be prepared to serve Christ—

The message Luke was given—Christ and Him crucified—so radically altered his life,

He desired nothing else but to devoutly follow Christ; in all diligence, Luke desired to study/learn/search out all he could about Jesus Christ…AND

He desired to take what he learned and pass it on—to share it with a close friend who desperately needed Jesus Christ

This carries a two-fold application; believers today are to:

FIRST: study/investigate/search out and become acquainted with the truth of Jesus Christ

God’s restoration of your heart is not the conclusion/graduation/culmination of your life. The blessing of God’s restoration carries the imperative that you have been saved for the wonderous blessing of knowing more about the love, mercy, justice, and grace of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

SECOND Take the message of Christ and Him crucified, take the message of the Gospel, take the message of God’s grace, and jubilantly and faithfully be “the salt of the earth...” and “the light of the world,” and “lett(ing) your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13,14, & 16)

ASK YOURSELF---

Has the gospel so radically changed your life, you find no option but to become so acquainted with Christ that it overflows to the sharing of the treasure of God’s salvation with those who might listen, or have you allowed the joy of salvation to grow so dim sharing the gospel seems to be the furthest thing on your mind?

As a believer, we can have tremendous confidence in the truth and accuracy of God’s written Word and record of Christ

As Luke—who’s “your one?” As a believer, who has God placed on your heart that needs to hear the message of salvation, the message and truth of Jesus Christ?

Luke so cared for one man—he dedicated not just a letter, but an entire gospel so “one man” might know Jesus

The conviction of this comes when the believer comes to realize while they may not have “dedicated a book” to someone, neither have they said two words to their neighbor or lost family member

The local church bears the glorious, merciful, and gracious responsibility of reducing the lostness within its community—but if remain silent, remain comfortable, and remain placid—we might as well be propping open the door to hell.”

We have been given grace we could never earn—displayed a love we cannot fathom—shown mercy we cannot comprehend—and gifted a salvation we never deserved…the joy of this realization should so stir a believer’s heart they cannot help but to “go tell it on the mountain.”

IV. (v.4) Luke’s gospel is a record to establish the truth

Luke 1:4 “that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”

(CONTEXT)

Theophilus had already heard

Theophilus needed to know the absolute truth of those things

(WORSHIP)

Luke 9:18–20“And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.””

Peter recognized the truth of Jesus—who He was, “the anointed of God”. Note this was just prior to Jesus’ command about those who wished to follow Him—Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Before any person can follow Christ—they must understand and ACCEPT the truth of who He is and the true purpose for why He came

As mentioned before, one of the primary themes of Luke is salvation. Matthew lays this out for us when he records Gabriel’s (God’s angelic messenger) words to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

Following Jesus requires that one believes in the TRUTH of Jesus. The Bible itself is a testament to the truth of Jesus Christ—who He is and the purpose for which He came.

And within the Bible are found testimony after testimony, proclamation after proclamation of the truth of Jesus Christ:

John tells us not only is Christ the Word of God—He is God (John 1:1-3)

JTB tells us that Jesus Christ is the Lamb who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29)

The Centurion’s AHA moment at realizing Jesus as the Son of God

Philip declaration to Nathanael to come and see

The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4)

The man at the pool at Bethesda (John 5)

The sinful woman who with her tears, washed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7)

Jairus, who stepped out of fear and into faith (Mark 5)

Nicodemus, who traded his doubt for devotion

The thief on the right traded pride for paradise

On and on the list could go, but the question of Christ presented to the disciples is the same question being asked of you:

“But who do you say that I am?”

I am so excited for our journey through the book of Luke, b/c or the next several months, we focus squarely on God’s Son, Jesus Christ!! And there’s nothing better