GOOD NEWS—Luke 1:1-4
We were asked to dinner by a new friend. When we sat down at the table, we noticed that the dishes were dirty.
"Were these dishes washed?", I asked the hostess as I rubbed my fingers over the surface.
She replied, "They’re as clean as soap & water could get them.”
I felt a bit apprehensive, but started eating anyway.
Dinner was delicious, despite the dirty dishes.
When dinner was over, the hostess took the dishes outside & yelled, "Here Soap! Here Water!"
Being properly informed is vital to your well-bein!.
Luke assured Theophilus of the validity of his faith because his faith was based on fact.
The readers of Luke’s gospel can be certain of their faith because it is based on fact.
What assurance is gained thru Luke’s Gospel?
4 assurances gained thru Luke’s Gospel.
Investigate— ‘To observe or study by close examination & systematic inquiry; To make a systematic examination’
If your heart is not equipped for study then your mind will not be.
Acts 17:11-12—[of the Bereans]—“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women & men.”
1— Luke’s good news gives us...
Assurance of FACT(:1)
Explanation:(:1) Truth/Tradition/Method/History/Process
“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,...”
It is an established fact that, prior to the writing of Luke, “many” people had set out to compile/compose an account of the (historical & spiritual) truths which actually took place among “us”(Those with whom Luke was associated, OR Men in general OR The apostles.
Luke himself was familiar with the attempts at penning descriptions of the truth. Luke traveled directly with the Apostle Paul, becoming very familiar with the truth from Apostolic authority.
“Inasmuch”—epeideper—Strong— Since indeed (of cause):-- Forasmuch.—Triple compound particle=Since-Truly-Indeed—‘Seeing that’—‘The reality/proof of’; ‘With the fact in mind’; ‘Knowing that.’
“Taken in hand/Undertaken”—epiceirew—1) To put the hand to; 2) To take in hand, undertake, attempt. Used 3X.
“Set in order/Set forth in order/Compile/Draw up”—anatassomai—To put together in order, arrange, compose. Used 1X.
“Narrative/Declaration/Account”—dihghsiv— Narration, Narrative. Strong—A recital:-- declaration. From—dihgeomai—To relate fully:-- Declare, show, tell.
“Things”—pragma— Noun—{prag’-mah}=Eng. Pragmatic—Practical—Strong—A deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material):-- business, matter, thing, work.
“Fulfilled/Most surely believed/Accomplished”—peplhroforhmenwn —To bear or bring full, to make full. Strong—To carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. Completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish:-- Most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.—Dbl. compound=Fully worn or borne—A Perfect Passive Participle—Perfect=An action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once & for all, not needing to be repeated.
Argumentation:
Jn. 8:31-32— “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; & you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free."”
Acts 26:26—[Paul to King Agrippa & Gov.Festus]“ "For the king knows about these matters, & I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.”
Illustration:
Assumptions:
19th Cent. composer & poet Thomas Moore/Soon after marriage called away on extended business/Arrival home/He was informed that his wife had contracted small pox & her face was scarred from disease/She refused to be seen/He wrote & read her a love song/She opened the curtains/She had been living apart from the Fact of her husband’s love/Assurance of FACT
Application:
?You Assured of the FACT of God’s Good News?
?You Assured of the Bible’s truth?
2— Luke’s good news gives us...
Assurance of KNOWLEDGE / Experience(:2)
Explanation:(:2) of God’s people
“...just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses & ministers of the word delivered them to us,...”
“Just as”—In the same way as was done verbally by the apostles
“Those who from the beginning”
“The beginning” of Jesus’ public ministry:
Acts 1:21-22—upon choosing Matthias—““Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in & out among us, “beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.””
“Beginning”—arch—(properly abstract) A commencement, or (concretely) Chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):-- Beginning, corner, (at the, the) First (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
“Were eyewitnesses”
“Eyewitnesses”—autopthv—Seeing with one’s own eye, an eye-witness—1a) A medical term: autopsy, a detailed examination. From—optanomai— To gaze i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable. Not casual or passive sight, but more intensive & discerning.
“& Ministers of the word”—Apostles
?What do “ministers/servants” do?—Proclaim truth
“Ministers/Servants”—uphrethv—Servant. 1a) An underrower, subordinate rower—1b) Any one who serves with hands: a servant—1b1) In the NT of the officers & attendants of magistrates as -- Of the officer who executes penalties, 1b2) Of the attendants of a king, servants, retinue, the soldiers of a king, of the attendant of a synagogue, 1b3) Of any one ministering or rendering service, 1c) Any one who aids another in any work—1c1) An assistant. Strong—An under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) Subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable):-- Minister, officer, servant.
“Delivered Them to us”—The events/truths in the word
“Delivered”—paradidwmi—Strong—To surrender, i.e. Yield up, intrust, transmit:-- Betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.
Luke’s account is of the same type or like spirit as those who were the actual “eyewitnesses” to the events & subsequent “ministers of the word”(Apostles) received directly from God.
The eyewitnesses verbally &/or in writing gave first-hand accounts of their experience as Apostles concerning the events.
The “eyewitnesses” were also “ministers of the word” by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ—who had risen from the dead & ascended to heaven. saw it as necessary to share their experiences with others.
You might ask....Preacher, what’s different about this Bible versus say, the Mormon Bible or the Jehovah’s Witness Bible or the Islamic Quran, etc.? Aren’t they all pretty much equal?...Just different pictures of the same thing? Well, No!
Joseph Smith claimed the angel Moroni showed him some golden tablets from which he copied the information known as the Book of Mormon. It not only contradicts Scripture but physical history as well. There is not one shred of evidence to confirm the existence of any of the peoples described in the Book of Mormon. It is a fanciful novel which has undergone numerous ‘theological’ revisions, but is presented as fact.
The Jehovah Witness Bible has many addenda & interpretive statements in it. No knowledgeable Greek Scholar accepts the New World Translation as legitimate because it is eisegetical rather than exegetical. It is published only by the Watchtower Bible & Tract society. The Governing Board of JW’s act as Apostles in that they present their decisions as if God’s truth came only thru them, thereby continuing to add to the Scripture, that which opposes it.
The Quran came 500+ years after the Canon of Scripture was closed. It is a works religion which contradicts Scripture at every turn. There are references to some of the prophets of the OT. Jesus is recognized as a real historical figure & even as a prophet, yet they claim all that is recorded of His ministry, was corrupted. So we have a prophet whom God empowered to declare His truth but it doesn’t matter!? ‘Muslims believe that those texts were neglected, corrupted or altered in time by the Jews & Christians & have been replaced by God’s final & perfect revelation, which is the Qur’an.‘—Qu’ran— from Wikipedia. What’s up with that?
“Delivered them to us”—
‘...He[Luke] knew Mark, & Mark also was a close companion of Paul. Mark traveled with Paul. Luke traveled with Paul. Mark & Luke must have discussed many times the issues in the life of Jesus. And, of course, Mark knew Matthew because Matthew was a part of the early church as an apostle, & the early church it says met in Mark’s home. So Matthew & Mark knew each other, & Mark & Luke knew each other. And Matthew & Luke likely met & got acquainted in the two years that Paul was imprisoned at Caesarea when Luke would have had easy access to go to Jerusalem & there, no doubt, would have met Matthew.’—John MacArthur, Jr.
1Cor. 11:2— “Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, & hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.”
Why?—They are fact!
2Thess. 2:15— “So then, brethren, stand firm & hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”
Why?—They are fact!
2Thess. 3:6—“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly & not according to the tradition which he received from us.”
Why?—They are fact!
Acts 4:16— “...saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, & we cannot deny it.”
2Pet. 3:3-7—READ— “...it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago & the earth was formed out of water & by water....but the present heavens & earth by his word are being reserved for fire...”
Argumentation:
Jer. 20:9— “But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.”
Acts 1:6-8— :8—“but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; & you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & even to the remotest part of the earth."”
Acts 4:18-20—“....they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter & John answered & said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen & heard."”
Illustration:
9/11/01 tragedy/Many witnesses & survivors/Relate directly their experience/EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Foreign Missions exposure/EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE supports foreign missions
MADD/Lives directly effected by alcoholism/Adamant— EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE speaks thru them
Application:
?You Assured of the KNOWLEDGE / Experience of God’s Good News?
?You assured of the Bible’s truth?
3— Luke’s good news gives us...
Assurance of DETAIL(:3)
Explanation:(:3)Occurance/Focus
“...it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,”
“It seemed good to me also,...”
(It seemed that I as well...)
*Luke is relating his personal commission from God & his ability & determination in performing it.
We won’t find these details anywhere else. God commissioned Luke to give us this Gospel as well. To get a full picture we must examine all 4(Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). All are from different perspectives & positions, but they all say the same thing)! The Gospels give detailed accounts from 1)First-hand(Matthew & John) witnesses & experiences as well as 2)Second-hand(Mark & Luke) witnesses & experiences... from those who had direct contact with those of first-hand experience.
Luke was directly involved with the Apostle (sent from God to establish the church)Paul as well as with Mark & possibly others, as he had traveled extensively with Paul.
“Seemed”—dokew—1) To be of opinion, think, suppose; 2) To seem, to be accounted, reputed; 3) It seems to me.
“Good/Fitting”—kamoi—Accusative—1) And I; 2) I also, I as well, I likewise, in like manner I; 3) Even I, this selfsame I.
Luke then relates ‘Why’ it seemed that he as well should write...
“Having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,”
NASB—“... having investigated everything carefully from the beginning...”
“Perfect/Carefully”—akribwv—Adv.—Exactly, accurately, diligently.
“Understanding/Investigated”—parakolouyew—1) To follow after—1a) So to follow one as to be always at his side, 1b) To follow close, accompany; 2) metaph.—2a) To be always present, to attend one wherever he goes, 2b) To follow up a thing in mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it—2b1) To understand, (cf our follow a matter up, trace its course), 2b2) To examine thoroughly, investigate, 2c) To follow faithfully i.e a standard or rule, to conform one’s self to. Strong— To follow near, i.e. (figuratively) Attend (as a result), trace out, conform to:-- Attain, follow, fully know, have understanding. Used 4X.
“Very first/Beginning”—anwyen—1) From above, from a higher place—1a) Of things which come from heaven or God; 2) From the first, from the beginning, from the very first; 3) Anew, over again. Strong—From above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew:-- From above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
“To write to you an orderly account,”
Luke’s account is largely chronological
“Orderly account/In order/Consecutive order”—kayexhv—One after another, successively, in order.
“Most excellent Theophilus,”
“Most excellent”—kratistov—Mightiest, strongest, noblest, most illustrious, best, most excellent—1a) Used in addressing men of prominent rank or office.
Argumentation:
There are Extra-biblical accounts of darkness on the day of Jesus’ death. The Gospels give us the DETAIL of its existence...& its purpose—an open statement of the judgement of God upon the sin of mankind.
The purpose of the Cross...of the Christ, etc.
Illustration:
Article as opposed to merely headlines/DETAIL opens full understanding of truth....
MSNBC posted this headline July 25, 2009— ‘China court sentences drunk driver to death.’ BUT—The drunk driver was speeding in the capital of Sichuan province when he struck four other cars. Four people were killed and another person was seriously injured. He was also driving without a license/DETAIL
In Boston on June 2, 2009—‘Missing Baby Found in Sandwich’—Sandwich, MA, that is!/DETAIL
Application:
?You Assured of the DETAIL of God’s Good News?
?You assured of the Bible’s truth?
4—Luke’s good news gives us...
Assurance of DISCERNMENT(:4)
Explanation:(:4) Error/Reality/Comparison
:4—“that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.””
So we won’t get lost in the DETAILS(:3), his account grants DISCERNMENT to the one who wishes to honor God of Israel...
Luke’s PURPOSE is:
“That you might know...”
THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE:
“Know”—epiginwskw—1)To become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly; 2) To know.
Mat. 11:27—“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, & no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, & the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
1Cor. 14:37—“If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge[know] that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”
2Cor. 1:13—“For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand[know]. Now I trust you will understand[know], even to the end.”
“The certainty of those things in which you were instructed”
DISCERNing TRUTH from ERROR:
Requires our decision to
“Certainty/Exact truth”—asfaleia—1) Firmness, stability; 2) Certainty, undoubted truth; 3) Security from enemies & dangers, safety.
Prov. 19:2—“Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who makes haste with his feet errs.”
Mk. 12:18-27—READ—:24— “Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God?”
1Thess. 2:3-8—READ—3-4— “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.”
REALITY
Rev. 22:16— “"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root & the offspring of David, the bright morning star."”
We must make a COMPARISON:
Why choose Christianity above any other ‘religion’?
Jos. 24:15— “ "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me & my house, we will serve the LORD."”
2Kings 18:21, 36-39—READ—:21, 39—“And Elijah came near to all the people & said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word....And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; & they said, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God."”
2Pet. 1:10-13— “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling & choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
2Tim. 3:16-17— “All Scripture is inspired by God & profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Your problem & my problem is the very same as that which faced Theophilus. People hear bits & pieces of truth gleaned orally, just enough information to form either faith or a greater lie, without knowing the whole truth.
The truth is...our society has God’s truth at their fingertips, readily available, but refuse it outright!
Argumentation:
2Cor. 13:5—“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?”
Mat. 7:13-15— “ "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, & the way is broad that leads to destruction, & many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, & the way is narrow that leads to life, & few are those who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
Mat. 10:16— “ "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, & innocent as doves.”
2Pet. 1:20-21— “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Illustration:
A grandmother didn’t know if her granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so she decides to test her. She would point out something & ask what color it was. She would tell her grandma, & always she was correct. But it was fun for grandma, so she continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"/DISCERNMENT
Application:
?You Assured of the DISCERNMENT/Certainty of God’s Good News?
?You assured of the Bible’s truth?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
Luke’s good news gives us Assurance of...
FACT(:1)
KNOWLEDGE / Experience(:2)
DETAIL(:3)
DISCERNMENT(:4)
Presented 08/22/2010am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
Presented 10/25/00am to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 31797
