Tell Me the Story of Jesus

God Saves Gentiles! Luke Has Good News!

A study of the NT book of Luke

by Pastor Frank Rice

Luke 1:1-4

Sharing Jesus is a priority, a privilege, and a responsibility for those who know Him. It can be done in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. Some share Jesus with those who do not know Him; that’s evangelism. Some share with folks who already know Him; that’s edification, to build up / strengthen someone’s faith. In the case of Luke, his goal is primarily to share the story of Jesus with a friend, to strengthen his faith and provide confidence that what he’s been taught is trustworthy. It can do the same for you!

 

 

1. Which book in the NT is the longest?
2. Which gospel is the only one with a sequel?
3. Which book in the NT is the only one written by a non-Jew?
4. Which NT author was a first class historian?
5. Which NT writer was most likely a medical doctor?
6. Who authored the second gospel?
7. Which gospel writer was a loyal traveling companion of Paul?
8. Which NT author was noted for his exceptional Greek?
9. Which chapter of Luke’s gospel tells the story of the prodigal?
10. Which chapter tells the story of the Good Samaritan?
11. Which chapter tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus?

 

❖      How could Gentiles become God’s people without following the laws and ordinances laid down in the OT?

❖      How could the most natural audience for God’s plan, the Jewish nation, react so negatively to it?! They also reacted violently to those who trusted the Messiah whom they should have trusted!

❖      How could the person and teaching of a crucified Jesus fit into God’s plan… and survive and thrive in His absence?!

❖      What does it mean to respond to Jesus? These questions are answered more fully in Luke’s sequel, the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

 

❖      Luke writes in the manner of exemplary ancient historians;

1. “He writes to set out events… to remove the prevailing ignorance that exists about important events.”
2. “He writes to convict detractors of the truth who spread falsehood, to correct ignorance and to instruct all who desire to know the truth.”
3. “The only task of a historian is to tell the truth… The goal is to be clear, set forth causes, and outline the main events.”

 

❖      Luke readily acknowledges that he is not the first one to put in writing a narrative of this nature (v. 1). (Four verses = one sentence!)

1. Luke is aware of many who have taken up the challenge of compiling an orderly, credible, and understandable account! Green offers the following; Luke builds his case in relation to past efforts, indicating his respect for the tradition and validating his message by appealing to its antiquity.
2. “It seems reasonably certain that Luke used Mark in the writing of his gospel.” (Stein)
3. Conservative Bible scholars concur; Luke relied on written and oral resources (interviews?) while researching and writing his narrative. (Mark, Q, L, et al)
4. Luke announces that what he’s about to relate are “things” which had been prophesied and then fulfilled in their midst. He records the fulfillment of God’s plan!

 

❖      Luke candidly suggests the nature of his source material (v. 2).

1. “Just as” reassures the reader of the reliability of Luke’s sources; “the nature of the sources guarantees the quality.”
2. These sources were eyewitnesses and then communicators, in speech and then writing, of what they’d witnessed. They saw these things unfold before their own eyes!
3. These events were experienced personally; traditions were formulated carefully, and then recorded with their reflections.

❖      Luke states categorically his personal interest in taking on this formidable project (v. 3).

1. He’s had a personal interest in the story of Jesus and had followed along closely from the start, thus coming to a fairly complete – well informed- understanding.
2. It seemed useful, without disparaging the works of others, to contribute by putting in writing and in order what he had gleaned from his investigation.

 

❖      Luke took his project seriously! Our text suggests that:

1. He did his research carefully and meticulously so that he could set facts in order so they’d make sense to the reader.
2. His research was exhaustive and extensive (“all things”); his sources were varied and original (“from the beginning”).
3. His research was done objectively; he investigated so that his work could not have been exposed as fraudulent.
4. He did his research purposefully. He wrote to an educated, respected, believing friend (sponsor?), who had serious questions (above) for which he needed answers.
5. Keep in mind that, “Luke is not pressing for decision, but for faithfulness.” (Bock)

 

❖      Luke emphasizes the specific objective he had in mind (v. 4).

1. His friend had already received some instruction in the faith.
2. His friend had questions that needed answered so he could be absolutely certain of what he’d been taught. (Falsehoods and inconsistencies do not foster confidence!)
3. “As a historian there were restraints placed upon Luke by his sources. Since his readers were already familiar with these traditions, Luke was under even greater restraint, for how could he convince his readers of the certainty of the traditions they had been taught if he were to change them radically?” (Stein) 

 

Confidence comes to those who study and know the scriptures.

One reason people do not share Jesus is that they do not know Him well enough to be confident in who He is and what He says!