Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

             

Sermon: Introduction to the Gospel of Luke 

Luke 1:1-4; 2:41 -3:1-20.  

By Pastor Joel McElreath

INTRODUCTION: Each of the four gospels is uniquely different from the others.  From Revelation 4:7, historically, these four symbolize the 4 gospels. 

Matthew is the regal lion. Mark is the ox representing Jesus’ work. Luke is the face of a man representing Jesus’ humanity. John is the eagle representing Jesus’ divinity from above. We begin today in our study of the Gospel of Luke.

 

I.  THE AUTHOR AND STYLE OF THE GOSPEL  1:1-4.

A.     The author. A physician from Antioch where the first church was planted.  He was a Greek of high education.

B.     The style of writing.  This gospel is the most literary book in the New Testament.  The Prologue is written in Classical Greek.

C.      The historical accuracy.  The writer Luke is a historian of the first rank and listed among the best in the ancient world.

D.     The aim of the gospel was to demonstrate especially to Gentile believers the historical facts upon which their faith was based.

II.  THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS.  2:41-52

A.  Only Luke records the early years of Christ’s life.  Curiosity of later generations resulted in fabricated stoies like in the Apocrypha writings.

B.  The Eternal Son visits His Father’s house in Jerusalem.  The eternal and unique relationship that Jesus had with His Father begins to be revealed.                                                                                                   

                                              

III.  THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.  3:1-20.

       A.  The precise dating of the ministry is established by listing contemporary leaders and is probably set at

26-27 A.D.  John fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in 40:3-5.

       B.   The five descriptions of John’s ministry:

       1.  The road builder – 3:1-6.  John was both a prophet and the subject of prophecy

       2.  The farmer – 3:7-9.  John is chopping down fruitless trees and watching snakes fleeing burning fields.

       3.  The counselor – 3:10-14.  John took personal time to counsel people and prepare them for baptism and their new faith.

       4.  The witness – 3:15-18, 21-23.  John did not come to talk about himself but to bear witness and point to the “Lamb of God.”

       5.   The martyr – 3:19-20.  Luke does not give the full account of John’s arrest and martyrdom, but Matthew and Mark do.  (Matt. 14:1-12; Mk. 6:14-29).

APPLICATION:

1.  The Gospel of Luke is a Book of unique facts that complement the other three gospels.  It gives us doctrines for our faith and ethics to guide our actions.   The theme of joy sings its way through this book as Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

2.   John the Baptist’s life is a wonderful example for us in both attitude and action.  He was truly great in God’s sight because he was truly small in his own sight. 

3.   John was an effective preacher because it is written, “The word of the Lord came to ..John.” 

He proclaimed God’s message, denounced sin and hypocrisy and stressed repentance and faith.

This sermon was preached at Jerusalem Baptist Church, Jerusalem, on August 6, 2017

The audio file will be published on the JBC website: www.jerusalembaptistchurch.com