Background to passage: Luke probably wrote his gospel at the request of Paul sometime in the early 60s, possibly while Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. Paul needed a more gentile friendly gospel, and Luke had a opportunity to talk to many eyewitnesses during the two years that Paul was in Israel. Luke’s gospel is the longest book in the NT by verses. In fact, Luke’s writings (Luke and Acts) make up the most writing of one author in the NT. So, it would have been a really big scroll. Luke begins his gospel with a short prologue. In ancient times books were written on scrolls and could not be browsed to discern the content or potential enjoyment. So, people had to read the title and the first sentence to gauge what the book might be about. This gives us some insight into Luke’s work, but also into scripture in general, as many of the same principles apply
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.
Opening illustration: Andy Stanley’s determination to undermine scripture with sermon and with his church. If scripture is true, the implications are huge and vastly different from “it only matters what you think of Jesus and the resurrection.”
Main thought: As Christians, we are called to base our lives upon facts. As we approach Christmas, we are called upon to understand it biblically. Praise the Lord we have a record preserved for us. It’s ordered so that we may know we have eternal life.
1) Information Transmission (v. 1)
Luke 1:1 ESV
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
1) Information Transmission (v. 1)
Explanation:
Argumentation:
Illustration: Dan Brown, the author of the book “The Da Vinci Code” is a known skeptic of the Christian faith, and even though he claims his work is a fictional piece, his intentions were clear. This piece of so-called historical fiction was designed to assault the church, cast aspersions on Christ and the scriptures, and cause multiplied doubt and skepticism from within the membership of the body
Application: From childhood we are taught the Christmas story - even in Charlie Brown.
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2) Contact Tracing (v. 2-3)
Luke 1:2–3 ESV
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,
2) Contact Tracing (v. 2-3)
Explanation:
Argumentation:
Illustration: Think of this gospel like a news reporter, who was not there for the actual event, but has been interviewing many different eyewitnesses to put together the important details of what really happened and tell others about it,
Application:
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3) Ordering for Certainty (v. 3-4)
Luke 1:3–4 ESV
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.
3) Ordering for Certainty (v. 3-4)
Explanation:
Argumentation:
Illustration:
Application: Make sure and come full circle. The book begins with the foundation for Christmas, especially the story before Christ’s birth. However, this requires us to jump in or out with both feet into a biblical worldview. Christmas time is not only about Christ. Every time of the year is about Christ. Everything we know about Christ is found in the scriptures which are faithful and true.
Know your salvation for sure
Know your convictions for sure
Order your life around those convictions (how do you do this)
Jesus is the greatest treasure and Lover of your souls
Jesus calls us to forsake ourselves and be used as a messenger of hope and peace
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Closing illustration: There was another side to Hemingway’s life, one that few people knew about. He grew up in an evangelical Christian home in Oak Park, Illinois. His grandparents were missionaries, and his father was a devoted churchman and friend of evangelist D. L. Moody. Hemingway’s family conformed to the strictest codes of Christianity, and as a boy and young man, he was active in his church. Then came World War I. As a war correspondent, Hemingway saw death and despair all around him. His youthful enthusiasm for Christianity soured, and he eventually rejected the faith in Christ that he once had embraced
If the the Nativity is nothing more than a scene to you, you will end up like Hemingway. Suffering and hardship, the cares of this life, riches and possessions, power and glory will snuff out any of the light of Christ that you have been exposed to. Many of you have the experience to back that up. You were raised, then departed, returned to realize the real thing.
