Lessons on Luke - Becoming Closer

1 Lessons on luke John Hendershot Text copyright 2013 John C. Hendershot All Rights Reserved Cover: Saint luke , Guido Reni, 1621. Public Domain. Dedication To our friends from the Becoming Closer class, for their constant encouragement and support. Table of Contents Why I Believe - luke 1. Reactions - luke 2:1-39. Lessons Learned - luke 2:41-52. A Voice in the Wilderness - luke 3:1-14. Past, Present and Future - luke 3:15-38. Satan's Point of View - luke 4:1-13. Rejection - luke 4:14-30. The Example of Christ - luke 4:31-44. Working Faith - luke 5:1-26. The Call of Christ - luke 5:27-39. Lord of the Sabbath - luke 6:1-16. The Sermon on the Plain - luke 6:17-49. Authority and Faith - luke 7:1-10. On Doubt - luke 7:11-35.

2 The Other Woman - luke 7:36-50. Mirror Images - luke 8:1-18. Where Is Your Faith? - luke 8:19-39. Healing On The Way - luke 8:40-56. Church Growth - luke 9:1-27. The Transfiguration - luke 9:28-36. Five Easy Pieces - luke 9:37-62. Carnival Man - luke 10:1-24. Compassion - luke 10:25-37. Many Things - luke 10:38-42. On Prayer - luke 11:1-13. Self Reliance - luke 11:14-36. The Pharisees - luke 11:37-54. Contentment - luke 12:1-31. The King Is Coming - luke 12:32-48. Fire On Earth - luke 12:49-59. Small Beginnings - luke 13. Kitchen Talk - luke 14:1-24. Construction Zone - luke 14:25-35. Eyes of Mercy - luke 15. Poor Management - luke 16:1-15. On Divorce - luke 16:16-18. Two Rich Men - luke 16:19-31. Millstones - luke 17:1-10.

3 Leprosy and Glory - luke 17:11-19. Within You - luke 17:20-37. Man, Woman and Child - luke 18:1-17. Principles on the Road - luke 18:18-43. Last Stop on the Road - luke 19:1-27. Triumphal Entry - luke 19:29-48. By What Authority? - luke 20:1-26. Reasons - luke 20:27-48. Little Is Much - luke 21:1-4. Prophecy - Past, Present and Future - luke 21:5-38. The New Covenant - luke 22:1-20. The Weakness of Man - luke 22:21-62. The Trials - luke 22:63 23:25. Reactions - luke 23:26-56. He Is Not Here - luke 24. Why I Believe - luke 1. It is fashionable in our day to regard the Bible as being a quaint collection of fairy tales from which you can tell that the mavens of fashion have never read it. But many Christians are ignorant of the solid factual foundation of the Scripture.

4 To this point we must now attend. luke luke lays out the purpose of his writing quite concisely: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. ( luke 1:1-4 NASB). There is some debate about who Theophilus might be; some say it is a general title of those who love God, for that is what it means in the Greek. Others, citing the title most excellent as being commonly used of the nobility of the time, think this is written to a particular individual.

5 Who can say? luke , the writer We do know something about luke himself. He is definitely not a Jew, but one raised in the Greek culture of that time and place. Church history places him in Syrian Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians. He has a complete grasp of Greek, but is also well versed (or researched) in Hebrew custom. He is certainly a doctor of the time. Several of the expressions are those which are found in the medical literature of the time, and no where else. He is the companion of Paul, and he is the writer of Acts of the Apostles. Only fitfully has this been challenged; the evidence is overwhelming, both internal and external. The character of this Gospel It is overwhelmingly clear that this is the authentic Gospel.

6 The internal evidence such things as the style of the Greek, the names and places mentioned (especially in Acts) and the references to luke by Paul make it clear that this book is just what it appears to be. There is also the external evidence. The writers of the early church, particularly Eusebius, Iraneus and Origen , all testify to the writer being who he claimed to be, in the method he claimed. Particularly with regard to Acts, the archeological evidence is very firm. luke describes places with names of local rulers who have been confirmed by the archeologists. (Kindly remember: there is no evidence in archeology may mean simply that we haven't dug it up yet.). The integrity of the work has been challenged only by those intent on denying the doctrine of the Incarnation.

7 Virtually all scholars of the Scripture accept luke as being not only accurate, but also as being the one which provides the correct chronology. Since luke is not an eyewitness of the Resurrection, he has been obliged to carefully deal with conflicting memories. Purpose of the work luke did not do this out of an amiable thought and too much spare time. His purposes are clear. First, to solidly ground the faith as taught in the facts as they happened. Next, to be the clear Gospel to the Gentiles those with no experience in Judaism. This is extremely important. These are not the personal recollections of John; nor the notes from Peter's preaching (Mark), nor even the shorthand taken at the time by Matthew. This is a scholarly work in the best academic tradition of the time.

8 Why is this important? Because he begins his account with the most important miracle ever to impact human history: the Incarnation of the Word of God. This is such an important and unique . fact that it is going to be met with doubt. Indeed, Joseph and Zacharias both have their doubts it is only in the humility and obedience of Mary and Elizabeth that we see the faith in action. Doubt comes from the pride of the strong minded; the cheerful humility of the obedient is shown to triumph over it. God provokes poetry No one, to my knowledge, has ever been lukewarm when encountering the Almighty even in the form of one of his messengers (angels). Zacharias, like Gideon of old, doubted. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

9 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

10 "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb. "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.". Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.