Go! And Build Your Life on a Certain Gospel - Luke 1:1–4
INTRODUCTION — “Certainty in an Uncertain World”
Church, we live in a world drowning in uncertainty. People don’t know what to believe anymore—news changes by the hour, truth is redefined daily, and foundations once considered solid now feel like shifting sand. But into a world full of doubts and conflicting voices, God gives us a Gospel that is unshakeably true.
Tonight, we look at the opening of Luke’s Gospel—a passage many believers skip because it feels like a mere introduction. But Luke 1:1–4 is a powerhouse of truth. It shows us why we can trust the Gospel and why Jesus is the foundation worth building your entire life upon.
Luke 1:1–4 (NLT): Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honourable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
This is the Word of the Living God.
SERMON OUTLINE
Go! And Trust the Gospel’s Historical Foundation (vv. 1–2)
Go! And Examine Christ with Confidence (v. 3)
Go! And Live with Absolute Certainty in Jesus (v. 4)
1. GO! AND TRUST THE GOSPEL’S HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Luke 1:1–2 (NLT) - Luke begins by saying that many people had written down the events “fulfilled among us.” That word fulfilled is key. It is the Greek word pep????f???µ???? (peplerophoremenon) meaning fully accomplished, completed, or brought to fulfilment.
Luke is not writing about myths. He is writing about events that actually happened—events that were foretold, fulfilled, and verified.
Luke writes around A.D. 60–62, likely during Paul’s imprisonment. Eyewitnesses are still alive. Luke is a physician, a historian, a meticulous researcher. He is writing while memories are fresh, testimonies are available, and the Church is rapidly growing.
Luke’s Gospel is therefore not a distant rumour but a first-century investigative report.
Our faith rests not on feelings but facts. Christianity is not “believe whatever you want.” It is rooted in real history: a real Jesus, a real cross, a real resurrection.
2 Peter 1:16 (NLT): “For we were not making up clever stories… We saw his majestic splendour with our own eyes.”
Peter emphasises eyewitness testimony—truth seen, heard, touched.
Word Study: “Clever stories” — Greek: µ???? (mythoi)
Meaning: fabricated stories, myths, legends.
Christianity is not myth; it is witnessed reality.
In our culture, people say, “Live your truth.” But Luke says, “Live the truth.”
Your faith isn’t wishful thinking. Your salvation isn’t based on emotion.
It is grounded in God’s action in history.
R.T. Kendall: “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence but because of evidence.”
Kendall reminds us that biblical faith is not blind. God gives us evidence because He is a God of truth.
The Aircraft Engineer
Imagine boarding a plane and hearing:
“Ladies and gentlemen, this aircraft may or may not have been tested… we’re fairly sure it will fly.”
Would you stay on that plane?
No! You want certainty.
God knows the human heart craves certainty—and so He gives us a Gospel built on eyewitness evidence, historical accuracy, and fulfilled prophecy.
2. GO! AND EXAMINE CHRIST WITH CONFIDENCE
Luke 1:3 (NLT) - Luke says: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning…”
The Greek word pa???????????t? (parekolouthekoti) means to follow closely, to trace accurately, to investigate thoroughly.
Luke is declaring: “I have done the research. I have verified the testimonies. I have checked the details.”
This gives every Christian confidence.
Acts 17:11 (NLT): “They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”
God is not intimidated by investigation. Truth never fears examination.
Luke travelled with Paul, met apostles, lived among eyewitnesses, and had access to Mary’s personal testimony. Many scholars believe Luke 1–2 may be based on direct interviews with Mary.
That’s why his birth narrative includes intimate details only she would know.
If Luke investigated everything, so can we.
Christianity invites the sceptic, welcomes the doubter, embraces the seeker.
People often say, “I’m not sure I believe in Jesus.”
The problem is not that Christianity lacks evidence—the problem is that people rarely examine it honestly.
Luke models what we must do:
Investigate.
Seek.
Ask.
Read.
Explore.
If people seek truth, Christ will meet them.
Tim Keller: “A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies.”
Keller reminds us that investigating strengthens faith. Luke’s methodical approach shows that Christianity holds up under scrutiny.
The Builder and the Blueprint
A builder doesn’t guess. He examines the blueprint.
One mistake—and the whole structure collapses.
Friend, if you’re building your life, marriage, identity, or eternity on anything other than Christ, you’re building on sand. But if you examine the blueprint of Scripture, you will find Jesus is the solid foundation.
3. GO! AND LIVE WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY IN JESUS
Luke 1:4 (NLT): “So you can be certain of the truth…”
The Greek word for certainty is ?sf??e?a (asphaleia) meaning security, stability, unshakeable foundation.
Luke wants Theophilus—and us—to know that faith in Christ is not fragile; it is firm.
John 20:31 (NLT): “These are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah… and that by believing in him you will have life.”
The Gospel is written for certainty.
Certainty in Christ.
Certainty in salvation.
Certainty in eternal life.
Hebrews 13:8 (NLT): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
When everything around you shifts, Jesus remains the same.
Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Stanley captures the heart of Luke’s message. When your certainty is in Christ, obedience becomes steady and joyful.
When Christians lack certainty, they drift.
When believers doubt Scripture, they compromise.
When the church loses confidence in the Gospel, it loses its power.
But when we stand on Christ with unshakeable certainty—
we become bold, joyful, steady, unmovable.
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION — The Certainty of Salvation
Luke wrote to give certainty—not about religion, but about Jesus.
There is certainty in His life—He lived sinlessly.
There is certainty in His death—He died as the Lamb of God.
There is certainty in His burial—He was laid in a tomb.
There is certainty in His resurrection—He rose on the third day.
And there is certainty in His promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NLT)
Salvation is not wishful thinking. It is guaranteed by the risen Christ.
CALL TO ACTION — Go! And Build Your Life on Jesus
So, church, what will you do with this certainty?
Will you build your life on the truth?
Will you commit again to the Word of God?
Will you trust Christ with every area of your life?
Will you stop living on shaky foundations and anchor yourself in the Gospel?
Luke wrote so you may be certain.
Now go—and live with certainty.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If today you are unsure about your relationship with Christ—
you don’t have to leave uncertain.
Jesus died for your sins.
Jesus rose for your justification.
Jesus calls you to repent, believe, and follow Him.
If you want to place your faith in Him, pray:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me and rose again.
I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and Saviour.
Make me new. Make me Yours.
Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
If you prayed that with sincerity, you now stand on the unshakeable foundation of Christ.
BENEDICTION:
May the Lord fill you with the certainty that only the Gospel brings.
May your faith be anchored, your hope be steady, and your life be built upon Jesus Christ—the solid Rock who never fails.
Go in His strength and walk in His truth.
Amen.
