Luke 1-2: A Christmas Story

Intro: The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, who was a physician. It states plainly that he is writing to give an orderly account to Theopholis. Interestinly the name Theopholis literally means lover of God. This could be a name in reference to any of us and therefore written for any of us. It seems it was written with the theme that Jesus is Savior of All. There are no racial boundries as all men and women are objects of God's love. There are no social boundries because Jesus has come to save all, prostitute, tax-collector, and pharisee. There are no Economical boundries. Jesus's love is for the rich and the poor. Today we are going to take a look at how God prepared the way for the Messiah and the witnesses to the actual event. Luke was a historian so you will be getting a lot of historical data for those that like that taste of study as well.

1. Luke 1:1-4 Purpose of Luke

1. Luke 1:2-3

1. Subject- To write an orderly account

2. Objective: So that Theopholis would have an account from beginning to end what had happened with the Messiah with certainty

2. Luke 1:5-10 Zechariah's Ministry

1. Luke 1:9 What did it mean to burn incence when he went into the temple of the Lord? Ex. 30:7,8; 1 Chr. 23:13; 2 Chr. 29:11.

2. Luke 1:10 Why was everyone praying outside? Lev. 16:17. Leviticas says that there shall be no one else that goes in. He has to be in there alone. So they stood outside of the temple and prayed for Him.

3. Luke 1:11-17 Announcement of John the Baptist

1. 1. Luke 1:12 What does it mean that he was troubled?Judges 6:22, Da. 10:8, Luke 2:9, Acts 10:4, Rev. 1:17. The NLT says that he was shaken and overwhelmed with fear. the LBT states that He was terrified.

2. Luke 1:13, it seems that Zacharias took this honored event and prayed for his wife, in her barraness.

3. Luke 1:15. Why would he not be drinking wine nor strong drink? Nu. 6:3, Judges 13:4, Matthew 11:18. He would be taking the vow of the Nazarene. He was Sanctified to God for His service.

4. Luke 1:15 How did God know about John's ministry? Jer. 1:5, Gal. 1:15

2. Luke 1:16-17

1. Subject- Ministry of John the Baptist

2. Objective: So that when this happens, Zachariah will know that God is in control.

4. Luke 1:18-25 Without words

1. Luke 1:18-20 Why did Zacharias go mute? Gen. 17:17, Luke 1:20. Because he didn't believe what the angel was saying.

2. Luke 1:20 Quick Observation- When we don't believe God's blessings and good tidings we will in a sense be mute because we will have nothing to speak about.

5. Luke 1:26-33 Gabriel announces Jesus's birth

6. Luke 1:34-38 The Miraculous Conception

1. Luke 1:34- Mary was a virgin and was conceived of the Holy Spirit.

2. Objective: Jesus did not have the bloodline of man which was tainted with sin. Genesis 3:15 says that the Messiah will be of "her seed". A woman doesn't have a seed unless it is placed there from supernatural means, although it wasn't placed there by man.

7. Luke 1:39-56 Mary Visits Elizabeth

1. Luke 1:41- Subject: The Holy Spirit inside of the baby in Elizabeth recognized the Messiah that was in Mary.

2. Objective: Remember this isn't about how special John was, but that the Holy Spirit recognized Jesus and John was then excited.

8. Luke 1:57-66 Elizabeth Has a Baby

1. Luke 1:63 Subject: Zacharias named the baby what the angel said he was to name him and he could speak again.

2. Objective: This shows that Zacharias believed God and what he said. He obedient to God's word and He was healed.

9. Luke 1:67-80 Zacharias Prophesies of John's Ministry

1. Luke 71-74 Zachariahs is speaking of Jesus and then starts talking about John's ministry to Jesus

2. Objective: This shows the relationship between the two. Jesus is the Messiah, and John is the voice of the one crying in the wilderness, as we learn in the Gospel of John.

Chapter 2

1. Luke 2:1-7 The Birth of the Christ

1. Luke 2:2 Who is Quirinius? He was an emissary of Augustus Caesar. A census was taken by Rome about every 14 years. This could have been the one in 6 A.D. or one in 10-6 B.C. The one in 6 A.D. would have been too late for the leadership of Herod the Great

2. Luke 2:8-14 The Birth is Announced to the Shepherds

1. Luke 2:8 Why were the angels sent to the shepherds and what does it mean that they were living out in the fields? It seems that there is a theme that was started in Luke 1:48,52. The fact is that the lowly shepherds were chosen instead of the religious elite.

1. The shepherds were seen as unreliable because they would live out in the fields and move around the country continually, and because of this they were not able to keep the ceremonial law and despised. It was common to think of them as thieves. They also were not able to give evidence as a witness in court!

3. Luke 2:15-20 The Shepherd's Visit the King

1. Luke 2:15-16- Notice the shepherd's response. They believed what the angels told them and it prompted them to action. This is Faith in action! They were not seen as ceremonially clean and didn't keep the cleansing laws or ceremonial laws, but they were the group that were so easily prompted by faith!

2. Luke 2:17- Their response was that they told everyone what they had seen, and get this.. everyone believed them!

3. Luke 2:19 Why did Mary keep these things in her heart? Probably as a natural response to the known fact of King Herod's temper to anyone who could oppose his rule.

4. Luke 2:21-24 The Circumcision of the Christ

1. Subject: Even at the beginning of Jesus's life the Law of Moses was fulfilled.

2. Objective: Jesus was ceremonially dedicated to God.

3. Luke 2:21- The angel did tell him that the baby shall be called Jesus. Jesus is a contraction name and it mean Jehovah Saves.

4. Luke 2:24- He was circumcised according to the Law, so there were no sins, and notice that their offering was the offering for a poor family.

5. Luke 2:25-35 Simeon's Prophecy

1. Subject: Luke 2:25-28- Simeon was a person who walked with the Holy Spirit and was waiting for the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit told him that he wouldn't die until he saw the Messiah. He recognized the Messiah when He came.

2. Objective: Joseph and Mary get an inside look at a general statement of their son's ministry.

3. Luke 2:25- It seems that there is no indication that Simeon was a religious leader. If this is the case then this is interesting because look how God has honored one who has just been watchful and prayerful. He had a relationship with the Holy Spirit and walked closely with Him.

6. Luke 2:36-38 Anna's Testimony

1. Subject: Luke 2:38 Anna recognized Jesus immediately as the Messiah.

2. Objective: As soon as she noticed the Messiah she didn't hesitate telling everyone about Him.

Conclusion: What I find especially significant in the telling of the birth this year is that what surrounded the Birth of Christ? Normally we take time to celebrate the birth of our King at this time of the year. Did you notice that, along with the celebration over Jesus's birth in the original Christmas that something always came along with it. It was witnessing to others of who they were celebrating. Remember this... this is a great opportunity to not only say just Merry Christmas, and that we are celebrating Jesus's birth, but why that is so important. What did Jesus come to do? That is the gift! Salvation through the acceptance of the King who sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins.