1:1-4 Introduction To Luke

Luke 1:1-4

Theme: Christ, the Son

Key Ch: 15 Key Verse: Luke 19:10

24 verses; 1,151 verses; 25,939 words

Grade: 5.1

Author: The Holy Spirit of God by inspiration (2 Timothy 3:15-16) through Luke (Scofield correctly points out that Luke was “of Jewish ancestry...a Jew of the Dispersion,” probably from Antioch)

Written: A.D. 63-68

Purpose:

To present the Lord Jesus Christ by the title most used in this Gospel: the Son of Man.

Christ In Luke:

The Lord’s humanity and compassion are shown more in this Gospel. He identifies with the plight of humanity and offers to carry our sins to His cross and offer us God’s great plan of salvation.

Outline:

The Presentation of the Son of Man. chs.1-2

The Preparation of the Son of Man. chs.3-4

The Performance of the Son of Man. chs.5-21

The Persecution of the Son of Man. chs.22-23

The Power of the Son of Man. ch.24

Chapter One

Theme: The Birth of Christ Foretold

Key Verse: Luke 1:3

80 verses; 1,583 words

Grade: 6.0

I. A Doctor. Verses 1-4

II. A Prophet. Verses 5-25

III. A Virgin. Verses 26-38

IV. A Cousin. Verses 39-56

V. A Priest. Verses 57-80

Luke’s style: long sentences and more grammatically correct than that of someone like Simon Peter. Some of Peter’s grammar is terrible. In Greek grammar, that’s known as an acoluthon; that is, the writer doesn’t have his genders, voices, and modes match correctly.

The Lord used all kinds of people to write the Scriptures. He not only used educated folks like Moses and Paul (see Acts 7:22, 22:3), He used “unlearned and ignorant men” like Peter and John (Acts 4:13). Let that be an encouragement to you. God will use you as you are; you don’t have to be like someone else.

As we begin our study, let us discover the TRUTHS found in these first verses of Luke’s Gospel.

I. We See The Declaration. vs. 1–2

As Luke investigated and interviewed with eyewitnesses, the events of Christ’s life and ministry were declared by three sources:

Declared by First-Century Writers (vs. 1a)

Declared by First-Century Believers (vs. 1b)

Declared by First-Century Ministers (vs. 2)

II. We See The Determination. vs. 3–4

This determination to share what he had learned was accomplished in three ways:

By the Spirit

By Experience

By Order of Events

III. We See The Devotion. vs. 3b–4a

The name Theophilus means “Lover of God.” Based on the meaning of Theophilus’ name, Luke’s Gospel was written to every person who loves God.

A New Believer

A Prominent Believer

A Growing Believer

A Generous Believer

CONCLUSION

As we open the book of Luke, we are challenged with three questions from these first few verses:

The declaration of Christ—do you believe?

The Christian faith is based on historical facts. But these facts do not make a difference unless we believe them and trust in Jesus Christ to save us.

The determination of Luke —do you want others to know?

The entire reason that Luke wrote this Gospel was so that Theophilus could know the certainty of the Christian faith. Will we only grow in knowledge about Jesus Christ, or will we share that knowledge, the gospel, with others?

The devotion of Theophilus—will you help others to know?

Theophilus risked his prominent position to become a Christian. He gave financial support to Luke’s mission of gathering information and compiling the gospel. Every Christian can give to the Lord’s work and help to accomplish the ultimate goal of reaching every person with the gospel of Jesus Christ.