The Gospel of Luke

Weekly Update – August 22nd, 2024

Last Sunday we began an in-depth study into the gospel of Luke.  I preached through the entirety of the gospel of Mark back in 2015, but I think it is necessary for us to return to the gospels once again and simply soak in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  My hope through this series is that we would not only gain a deeper appreciation for Christ and his work for us, but see his love for sinners, grow in our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, understand common stories in light of the whole context and increase our confidence to proclaim Jesus without fear.  Luke begins his gospel by saying that he “followed all things closely” in order to “write an orderly account” so that we “may have certainty” about the things of Christ (Luke 1:3-4).  My desire is that we too might have greater certainty about the claims of Christ as we encounter his truth. 

Luke writes his gospel to a man named Theophilus.  We don’t know for sure who Theophilus is, but with a fair amount of certainty, we can say that he is likely some sort of Roman official.  He is called “most excellent Theophilus” in Luke 1:3 and he is likely the one who funds Luke to do the research needed to write this gospel.  We can suppose that Theophilus is asking Luke to conduct a thorough study of the life of Jesus and the spread of the church because he wants to know for certain the things that he has heard and been taught are true (Luke 1:4).  I believe that Theophilus might be a young believer, and he is hearing the culture around him tell him one thing, but then the church, another.  So, he commissions Luke to search out the truth so that he and the world might know exactly who this Jesus is and what he came to do. 

Through this gospel, Luke sets the foundation for our faith in Jesus Christ.  He searches for the truth and accurately presents his findings to us in these 24 chapters.  Yet, we must not read Luke’s gospel as merely a historical rendering of interviews and stories.  What Luke is doing is thoroughly spiritual.  For his desire is that not only would we have “just the facts” but that we might trust in a savior who longs to rescue us from our sins.  This means that whether believer or unbeliever, we ought to read this gospel to come to and grow in a love for Jesus who came, was born of a virgin, taught about the kingdom of God, performed miracles, lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, rose victoriously from the grave and ascended into heaven to reign forever and ever. 

Therefore, I have three challenges for you throughout this series:

• First, for the unbeliever present, my challenge is to come and listen.  Explore the claims of Jesus with an open mind and heart.  Consider the research.  Examine the proclamation of this Messiah, but then see the display of the transformation he brings to those who trust in him.

• Second, for the church, my challenge to you is to invite an unbeliever to come.  Consider an unbeliever in your life who you could ask to hear the truth about Jesus, consider his work on behalf of his people and experience the truth within a community of believers who will love them.

• Third, for you as an individual, soak yourself in this gospel.  Read the passage that will be preached before it is preached, join a home group to further discuss and apply Luke’s gospel with others and consider the claims of Jesus with your family around the dinner table. Make the most of this time and get to know this book.

I hope that you will make it a priority to be with us as we walk through this series.  This will potentially be the longest series we have ever done, but what better way to spend our time together than by hearing about Jesus and growing in our certainty about the hope we have in him. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson