Sunday Service 4-26-20 - Luke 1:1-4 - Luke's Certain History

Luke 1 Introductory Sermon 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. Luke Points of Interest: 1. Why I love Luke – I like his style, captivating story, eloquence, logic and flow, explanation, etc. Acts was my first “favorite book of the Bible”. Ellie was my first favorite child. After Eva was born, she jumped into that exclusive list. Now, I have two favorite children. Likewise, I have multiple favorites – any book that I’ve preached/taught through. Those are mine. The “We” sections of Acts. It just made it become real to me. I’m reading this from someone who was actually a part of the action, makes you feel like you’re a part of it. Same reason I love the ending of John. 2. The only Gospel with a Sequel. The Sequel was a planned part of the 2-Volume Set. Rome, Samaria, Judea, Jerusalem – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Rome. 3. Luke is the longest book in the NT (14%) and together with Acts (13%) incorporates 27%, over ¼ of the NT written by a Gentile. Paul is 23%. John is 20%. 4. Order: (Most put John last) 1. Matthew, Mark, Luke. 2. Mark, Matthew, Luke (length and unique material). 3. Matthew, Luke, Mark. Etc. (Luke speaks of predecessors.) If I had to put my money on it, I’d say Luke came after the other two because of the length, unique material, and the overall theme/purpose of it. It’s uniquely Gentile/World-pointing. 5. Author: Luke himself. (Some have tried unsuccessfully to cast doubt on Luke’s authorship.) a. Who is he (Gentile, Doctor/Historian, Companion of Paul, Missionary/Evangelist, Faithful)? i. Early Fathers: From Antioch, served the Lord without a family until he died at age 84 (another said 74). Some report that he was martyred. ii. Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Philemon 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 2 Timothy 4:11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. iii. 2 Timothy 4:13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. iv. 1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (quoting Deut 25:4 and Luke 10:7) b. How (sources)? Matthew (obvious). Mark (Peter’s gospel). Luke (Paul’s gospel) – a more thorough, conglomeration. i. Acts 21-24 – Luke is in Jerusalem with Paul during his 2-year imprisonment. 1. Access to several of the Twelve, James, Mary, etc. (“Mary pondered these things in her heart.”) 6. Written to a person. Theophilus – “lover of God” or “loved by God”. That you may have certainty about the thins you’ve been taught. He’s somewhere on the spectrum of Christianity and needs to grow in his faith, strength, maturity, etc. What better way than what Luke is writing – Jesus – he really is the fulfillment. Most Excellent (would be dropped in his next mention) … it is the love of God rather than the love of the world that is important. Verses (Felix, Festus): Acts 26:25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. Acts 24:2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, A Gentile – The Gospel is going to the world. This book itself is a part of the history it records, a testimony to its truthfulness and its effects. In fact it continues to affect its history to this day (Acts 29). 7. Excellent, high-level Greek. 8. Journey motif: Life/Christian Life/Faith is a journey full of perils, adventure, lessons, strangeness, but guided by the sovereign hand of God to the end. 9. Parables: Each gospel has unique material, but Luke has the most exclusive material, especially the parables. It’s during the journey to Jerusalem where much of the teaching of Jesus in these parables that are unique to Luke occur (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, etc). The parables certainly have personal moral messages and mean so much to us, but almost all of them also serve a bigger purpose in the overall goal of Luke-Acts. 10. Themes: a. orderly = sequential in time/space/logic – Luke is very concerned with the historical, sequential logic of what has transpired in Christ and the Church. Chronological order, go by Luke (Matthew more ordered by teaching, Mark more ordered by events). Complete history. Josephus, Jewish historian (anti-Christian) begins much the same way (from opposite angle). How we got here. Luke is picking up the trajectory of the OT, continuing where the OT left off … the partial restoration from exile, but no Davidic king or fulfillment of all that the OT has said … So, the beginning of Luke is that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Hope of Israel (with a couple of references to Gentiles … in the middle (end of Luke, beginning of Acts), Israel rejects this … ends with Jesus is the Hope and Lord of the entire world. And, here we are. Genealogy of Matthew goes to Abraham, Luke goes to Adam. He’s the Savior of the World. End of both is Great Commission … b. Redemptive History (orderly = sequential in time/space/logic) – One of Luke’s main goals/accomplishments is to show how we got from there to here. Primarily Jewish to Primarily Gentile. c. A complete, accurate history – not a neutral history, much better than neutral, it’s insight into history, interpreted history, theological history, redemptive history. Let me show you what’s really happening. d. The twist. The crucified Lord. Jesus and the Gentiles. “The Usual Suspects” – it’s all a jumble, disjointed, doesn’t fit … and then you find out this one thing you never expected and then BOOM, it all makes sense, it all fits. Two twists in Luke-Acts. Jesus’ death/resurrection. The conversion of the Gentiles. “OHhhh, the Spirit is going to the Gentiles too!?” e. Exaltation of the Humble/Marginalized, Turning of the tables – Poor, Women, Children, Sinners, Non-Jews. f. Prayer. g. Main Character: The Sovereign hand of God, background, but powerful and unthwarted, planned. Fulfillment. (passive things that have been accomplished/fulfilled) (must be this way). (not self-help, divine rescue mission). Father (background/foreground), Spirit, Son. h. What is and is not impressive to God. Not: the world, pride, status, wealth, self-righteousness. Is: humility, faith (leading to), righteousness, love for others, courage. (Might we say that God is impressed with Himself?) 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. καθεξῆς – sequential in time/space/logic – Luke is very concerned with the historical, sequential logic of what has transpired in Christ and the Church. Chronological order, go by Luke (Matthew more ordered by teaching, Mark more ordered by events). Complete history. ἐπιγινώs (know, recognize) tein ἀσφάλειαν (secure, safe, impenetrable, keep from escape, facts, real) Luke 24:45–48 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. Acts 1:6–8 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 23:26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. Acts 26:25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. Acts 24:2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,