INTRODUCTION

1. The Task of writing of the Gospels

a) Matthew and John

i) Both were original Disciples of the Lord Jesus

ii) Both were appointed Apostles

iii) They could write from first-hand experience

b) Mark and Luke

i) Both were not apostles

ii) But both were close associates with Apostles

2. The Goals of writing the Gospels

a) To help people to come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

b) To help people gain sufficient knowledge of the Lord Jesus through His teachings

c) To help people understand and appreciate the significant life of the Lord Jesus

d) To help people become very certain of their faith in the Lord

3. The writer of the Gospel of Luke

a) He was the author of 2 books in the New Testament

i) The Gospel of Luke

ii) The Book of Acts

b) Who was Luke?

i) He was called “Luke the beloved physician” Colossians 4:14

ii) He was mentioned as being with the Apostle Paul 2 Timothy 4:11a

c) He became

i) A travel companion of Paul on some of his journeys

ii) Humbly, he noted his presence with Paul

by using the personal plural pronoun “we” Acts 16:10, 16

 

THERE WERE OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF THE LORD JESUS

“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand

To set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us” Luke 1:1

1. Many have taken in hand

a) There were authors

b) They were going to write “a narrative” (Gospel)

2. Those things which have been fulfilled among us

a) The writers wrote with Focus

b) They were writing about the Fulfilment of “those things”

c) These fulfilments were done in the open

 

LUKE’S PERSONAL ENDEAVOUR

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,

to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke 1:3-4

1. Luke’s knowledge

a) Having had a perfect understanding

i) He had done a thorough investigation

ii) He had followed every lead available to him

b) From the very first

i) He had carefully checked out “all things”

ii) He was ready to write

2. His presentation

a) To make an orderly account Luke 1:3a

b) To a man of notable rank

“Most excellent Theophilus” Luke 1:3b

3. His goals

a) Knowledge

“That you may know” Luke 1:4a

b) Certainty

“The certainty of those things” Luke 1:4b

 

THE FOCUS ON “FULFILMENT”

1. Prophecies of the Birth and Life of the Lord Jesus

a) There were many prophecies

b) They were important disclosures from God through the prophets

c) The question was whether these prophecies were fulfilled

2. Fulfilment of the Messianic Prophecies

a) Luke and the other Gospel writers checked the fulfilment of the prophecies

b) They wrote with great conviction and certainty that these prophecies

had indeed been fulfilled

 

THINGS THAT MAY AFFECT THE CERTAINTY OF OUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. Gaps in our knowledge

2. Doubts that creep up

3. Tough and painful experiences of life that affect adversely

4. Weakening or Loss of faith

 

THE CHALLENGE OF THIS CHRISTMAS PULPIT SERIES OF MESSAGES

1. To find certainty

2. To regain confidence

3. To strengthen faith

4. To find Joy in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

 

CONCLUSION

1. To find a fresh sense of appreciation of Christmas

2. To have a deeper understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ

3. To have a stronger faith in the Lord