Introduction to the Gospel of Luke - Part 1

Sermon by Pastor Joel McElreath  preached at JBC on August 6, 2017 

This sermon outline is linked to the audio file:

https://soundcloud.com/user-528508442/sermon-intro-to-luke

Scripture Reference: Luke 1:1-4; 2:41 -3:1-20

                                          

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

Luke 1: 1-4  ASB

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.    

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

Luke 2:41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

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

Luke 3:1-20

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.5 ‘Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; 6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.’” 7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” 15 Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16 John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. 19 But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, 20 Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

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.

John preaches, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.’