2.1.5 12.31.2023 Luke 1.1-4 That You May be Certain

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Series preface:

Accuracy.

Clarity.

Unity.

Integrity.

Authenticity.

These are words that help to regulate all our communications with one another. They are central to the notion of truth-telling. The most trustworthy truth-tellers do their best to be certain and to communicate certainty about their message.

The subject of Luke’s Gospel may be Jesus.

Subject=Jesus

The object, the goal is a wholistic truthful telling of Gospel, of which Jesus is the central character.

Object=Truth

To be certain of Jesus requires certainty about the stories about Him.

Certain=Faith

One of my pledges as your preacher is that every year, despite their familiarity I will preach the stories of Jesus.

Entice: Today, we back track a bit. I wanted to, of course preach Luke’s “Christmas Stories” during Christmas. Now we need to look closely at the opening words—the preface to His Gospel.

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.

it is in this opening dedication to Theophilus that Luke states his purpose. Certainty. We still need certainty today and that requires the same kind of deliberate work and reliable documentary information Luke gave Theophilus.

Engage: I mentioned some terms earlier that resonate with the idea of certainty. Accuracy, Clarity, Integrity, unity, and authenticity. Certainty is not a matter of subjective feelings. Certainty should be a matter of the facts, the evidence, and the testimony. This information—this gospel—is true or false for everyone. That kind of certainty can make us passionate during good times, and that kind of certainty gives us hope when we are doubtful and discouraged. When we have certainty, we build our life of faith less on what we feel and more on what we know.

Expand: Certainty is not only the theme of today’s text but for our entire study of Luke. Luke divides the ministry of Jesus into three large sections. The Galilean ministry, the journey to Jerusalem, and the Passion week. Much of my preaching will focus on the Galilean ministry. By the grace of God, four years from now I will focus more on the journey and passion sections. Luke’s motive in writing to Theolphilus was certainty. Between now and Easter I have the same basic goal for 21st century Grayville.

That you may be certain of the things you were taught.

Explore:

We can build our lives on Jesus because we have certain knowledge of His Story—His Gospel.

Expand: Luke sets out to establish the story of Jesus as the truest story of all

Body of Sermon: Luke establishes the truth of the story of Jesus first by

1 Telling the Story.

1.1 Nature of narrative.

stories want to told and understood

1.2 Necessary nurture.

stories form our outlook and character

Next Luke establishes the truth by

2 Testing the Story.

2.1 Definitive Authorities.

Eyewitnesses and Ministers.

2.2 Delivered realities.

(authenticated, vouched for)

Finally, Luke includes us in the process of

3 Trusting the Story.

3.1 Certainty of instruction.

3.1.1 Investigation.

3.1.2 Structuring.

3.2 Clarity of instruction.

The Things you have been taught…The changing nature of the preaching and teaching ministry.

Shut Down

The story of Jesus impacts the world.

Yet it is the story of the Church.

It is true for everyone, even those who do not believe it.

The story of Jesus has survived the passing of time and still challenges the empires of this world as by it the Kingdom of God is extended.

We hear the story to be

shaped by it

and

to share it with others.

Our salvation is in Christ. We would not know of Him if it were not for servants of the Word like Luke.

Today, I am humbled to tell the story of Jesus here and now and in this place. You too, have been challenged by the Gospel. How will you respond to His story. You can be certain that He lived and died for you.