Are You Sure? Series

Have you ever noticed that some studies seem to be contradictory? One study will note that coffee is good for you as it is made of up of mostly water while another will state that it dehydrates you because of the caffeine. One study states that eating eggs will give you high cholesterol while another points out how it actually lowers cholesterol.

How can we be sure that the things we’re listening to are true? How can we have confidence to believe what we hear?

When it comes to published studies and dietary advice, we may need to take them all with a little patience and moderation.

What about spiritual matters? How do we know what we’re reading is true? How can we be sure that our faith stands on a firm foundation?

I think those questions may have been on Luke’s mind as he took time to write out his gospel account of the life of Jesus - especially as he thought about a man named Theophilus.

Open your bibles to Luke 1. Today, we’re beginning a look at this book of the Bible. If you’re unfamiliar with the Bible - Luke is in the New Testament - the back portion of the bible - located after the books of Matthew and Mark and before the books of John and Acts.

?Luke 1:1–4 ESV

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 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, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

?Theme: We can know for sure regarding events of Jesus’ life because they have been shared by eyewitnesses and carefully investigated by others.

It seems that we gain this confidence regarding the events of the life of Jesus as we study the gospel, believe the gospel, and then share the gospel.

Before we dive into our outline, I think it’s important for us to be on the same page regarding the gospel.

If I were to ask you to tell me the gospel, what would you say? Would you talk about the life and ministry of Jesus? Would there be implications beyond just the life and ministry of Jesus? What does the word “gospel” mean anyways.

We have four books in the New Testament, including the one we’re studying now called gospels. They are four different accounts or views of the life and ministry of Jesus.

In Greek, gospel literally means “good news.” In the first century, it was a common proclamation of victory and good tidings when a political or military leader would come to power.

But when it comes to the gospel of Jesus - what is the good news? The New Bible Dictionary describes the gospel as:

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Gospel

the good news that God in Jesus Christ has fulfilled his promises to Israel, and that a way of salvation has been opened to all.

So the gospel has a backward element - looking backwards to the character of God and the condition of humanity. It looks at the life of Jesus to learn not only what he did, but why. Then it looks forward to you and me - and our response. Sometimes, people will summarize the gospel with four words, God, Man, Christ, response:

God - who is holy and pure, created all things with the expectation that it would be for his enjoyment and would bring Him glory.

Man - humanity, created in God’s image rebelled against God’s perfect plan, staining all of creation with sin. Sin’s ultimate outworking is death and separation from a right relationship with God.

Christ - God sent Jesus into the world to redeem the world from it’s sinful condition by offering His life on the cross for our sins.

Response - Once we are made aware of our sin and what Christ has done, we then have an opportunity to respond in faith - admitting our sin and trusting in Christ’s forgiveness. Throughout the NT, we see this as “believe and be baptized.” Our response continues as we live lives of faithful obedience to God’s ways, glorifying Him and blessing humanity.

Last summer at Art Camp, I had the privilege of leading the camp chorale. The kids in the chorale learned a song called the gospel song which beautifully describes and defines the gospel for us.

Holy God in love became

Perfect man to bear my blame

On the cross He took my sin

By His death I live again

So, now that we understand a bit more of what the gospel is, let’s consider how we are challenged and encouraged by Luke’s account of the good news of Jesus to…