Luke 1:1-4 The Purpose of Luke

The Purpose of Luke

Luke 1:1-4

Time of uncertainty.

Virus…when we will get a handle on it and get back to normal.

Will we return to normal?

What is happening in our nation? What lies next?

Many are speaking with certainty about the events of the day, yet their claims only seem to cause more uncertainty.

Doubt (uncertainty) gnaws away at the soul. (Ryken 3)

Let us rise above the uncertainty of the day and look to the historical yet eternal theological truths of God’s Word. Certainty can be attained...

Main Idea: The purpose of the gospel of Luke is to persuade readers of the certainty of the unfolding plan of salvation history culminating in Jesus Christ.

Who is Luke? Gentile. (the only Gentile writer to contribute to the NT)

A fellow worker with Paul on his missionary journeys

Philemon 24 ESV

24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Physician—very specific and observant man.

Colossians 4:14 ESV

14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Faithful servant and brother.

2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

By reading his work, we find that he is a theologian, a highly intelligent individual who guided by the Holy Spirit, sets out with a very specific purpose in the writing Luke/Acts. (Luke’s) Gospel is the longest of the four, and when Acts is added he has written more of the New Testament than any other single writer. (Morris 19)

Repeat main idea... The purpose of the gospel of Luke is to persuade readers of the certainty of the unfolding plan of salvation history culminating in Jesus Christ.

Luke accomplishes his purpose by compiling a written account based on the accounts of eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.

The opening paragraph is one sentence in good Greek style, with classical vocabulary, rhythm and balance. (Morris 81)

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,

Luke is not the first to write about Jesus. Luke is dependent on those who have gone before him.

undertaken to compile a narrative means to organize a complete and orderly record.

the things that have been accomplished The perfect tense used here suggests that these are not only events “in which God is active” but those “which He brings to completion.” (Garland 53)

2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,

Luke’s sources

eyewitnesses those who saw and heard what Christ said, did, and witnessed what was done to Jesus.

They were not simply story tellers…they were

ministers of the word or servants of the word

The word of the gospel does not belong to believers, but rather believers belong to the gospel and serve it (Rom 6:17). A witness does not seek mastery over the word but submits in service to the word. (Edwards 26)

There is an utter absence of that man-exalting tone which has so often crept into the church. St. Luke gives the apostles no flattering titles. He affords not the slightest excuse to those who speak of them with idolatrous veneration because of their office and nearness to our Lord. (Ryle 18)

have delivered them to us, hand over…formally impart

Jude 3 ESV

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

What we have been given in this gospel and the entire Word of God is for our salvation…yet it is more than that. We have been entrusted with the Truth, which we must proclaim and defend with confidence.

Further, we understand the truth because of how the Bible is written.

Luke accomplishes his purpose by writing an orderly account.

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, Theophilus...the name means “beloved or friend of God.” (Bock 63) either a new believer or considering claims of Christ (also mentioned in Acts 1:1 )

Method and Manner of his writing...

followed closely close attention to detail. careful and accurate

all things he considered everything, comprehensive.

for some time past took a great deal of time.

write an orderly account for you Chronological, Geographical, and Theological (Christology and Fulfillment)

Outline for the series and to assist you in reading the Gospel of Luke---read it through now…several times)

Son of Man Revealed (Luke 1-4)

Birth, childhood, beginning of public ministry

Son of Man Among His Own (Luke 5-9:50)

In Galilee

Son of Man Sets His Face (Luke 9:51-21)

Journey to Jerusalem

Son of Man Unveiled (Luke 22-24)

Crucifixion/Resurrection

Transition…the goal and desire as you read this orderly, well written account that you may have certainty....

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

So What?

As I read and study the gospel of Luke, I should expect growing certainty in the Christian faith.

4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke writes such that you will have a

Biblical faith(fulfillment of Scripture—some 400 OT allusions)

Historical faith(dates and figures)

Verifiable faith(investigative journalist—eyewitnesses) .

Some claim that Christianity is based on myth and manipulated facts.

All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that’s my job. And I am prepared to say on that basis if anyone thinks the Gospels are either legend or novels, then that person is simply showing his incompetence as a literary critic. I’ve read a great many novels and I know a fair amount about the legends that grew up among early people, and I know perfectly well the Gospels are not that kind of stuff. (CS Lewis via Anyabwile 12)

Luke is not a novel. Luke is a historical narrative concerning Jesus Christ.

Luke’s Gospel is about Jesus and salvation, but it is more than that. Behind the events stands the God of design and concern, who will not abandon his people, his promises, or his plan. (Bock 54)

Who Christ is and the fulfillment of the Word of God dominate the Gospel of Luke (and Acts) so that you may believe and have certainty in the faith according to the Word of God.

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

All people…Savior…all people need a Savior

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Need for Christ…salvation in Christ…need for ongoing trust in Christ…the Word of God is the source for such certainty

2 Timothy 3:14–17 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

We must open our Bibles to read, study, and hear it proclaimed…praying and longing to hear and understand.

Luke 24:45–49 ESV

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. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Luke’s history is, therefore, wholly different from other histories. ... “His purpose was not to draw important lessons from history, as it was the case with other Greek historians, but to serve Christianity with a true report of God acting in history.” (Garland 57-58) ... culminating in Jesus. (Garland 37)

Repeat v. 48-49 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The theme of witness becomes important to Luke with the resurrection and continues in the book of Acts. (Bock 67)

The central message of Luke is to be our message … the mission of Jesus is to be our mission

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Prayer… “Let us begin St. Luke’s Gospel with an earnest desire to know more for ourselves the truth as it is in Jesus and with a hearty determination to do as much as we can to spread the knowledge of that truth throughout the world.” (Ryle 19)

Song: Nothing but the blood

Baptism at 9:30 am

Next steps: Gospel, how to get involved, how to support Great Commission Team.

Virus and gathering...

Nation

Abandonment of the Christian faith. People are looking for salvation elsewhere.

Life and our lips must point to Christ.

END