Luke writes to Theophilus
Luke 1:1-4
Luke’s Preface and Dedication
Luke 1:1–4
1Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us, 3it also seemed good to me, having carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.[1]
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Luke's Gospel
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Dear friend who loves God: Several biographies of Christ have already been written using as their source material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other eyewitnesses. However, it occurred to me that it would be well to recheck all these accounts from first to last and after thorough investigation to pass this summary on to you, to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught.
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Intro Questions to get us thinking:
ESV Text with Highlights
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- If you were to choose someone to be your biographer of your life story, who would it be and why? What important facts would need to be included?
- Who would God choose to do it? Why do you think God chose Luke.
- What do we learn from verses 1-4 about Luke and the reason he wrote this gospel?
- What was Luke's stated purpose in writing his account of the gospels?
- What sources of information did Luke use to write his gospel? (Luke 1:3-4)
God's Truth
As a medical doctor, Luke knew the importance of being thorough. He used his skills in observation and analysis to thoroughly investigate the stories about Jesus. His diagnosis? The gospel of Jesus Christ is true! You can read the accounts of Jesus' life with confidence that they are true and reliable. Because the gospel is founded on historical truth, our spiritual growth must involve careful, disciplined, and thorough investigation of the truth of God's Word so that we can understand how God has acted in history. Christianity doesn't say, "Close your eyes and believe," but rather, "Check it out for yourself." The Bible encourages you to investigate its claims thoroughly (John 1:46; 21:24; Acts 17:11-12) because your conclusion about Jesus is a life-and-death matter. Check out the evidence.
The Gospel of Luke tells Jesus' story from Luke's unique perspective as a Gentile, a physician, and the first historian of the early church. Though not an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, Luke nevertheless was concerned that eyewitness accounts be preserved accurately.
“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”
As a medical doctor, Luke knew the importance of being thorough. He used his skills in observation and analysis to thoroughly investigate the stories about Jesus. His diagnosis? The gospel of Jesus Christ is true! You can read the accounts of Jesus' life with confidence that they are true and reliable. Because the gospel is founded on historical truth, our spiritual growth must involve careful, disciplined, and thorough investigation of the truth of God's Word so that we can understand how God has acted in history. Christianity doesn't say, "Close your eyes and believe," but rather, "Check it out for yourself." The Bible encourages you to investigate its claims thoroughly (John 1:46; 21:24; Acts 17:11-12) because your conclusion about Jesus is a life-and-death matter. Check out the evidence.
The Gospel of Luke tells Jesus' story from Luke's unique perspective as a Gentile, a physician, and the first historian of the early church. Though not an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, Luke nevertheless was concerned that eyewitness accounts be preserved accurately.
“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”
- Who is the “Theophilus” in your life? How are you telling the story?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Other YouTube Videos
"What You May Know" by Toby Levering
Luke's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' care for the marginalized. Jesus' compassion for the poor, captive, oppressed, and blind fulfills scriptures about the final deliverance God will bring to all who are in need. But people couldn't see it. That is because they, like all of us, were spiritually blind. But when Jesus heals our spiritual blindness, we can see him and the scriptures as they truly are.
Life of Jesus in Chronological Order - #1 - Introduction | Mike Mazzalongo | BibleTalk.tv
Life of Jesus in Chronological Order - #2 - Boyhood
Articles
IN THE BEGINNING — The Edward Bulwar-Lytton Prize is awarded every year to the author of the worst possible opening line of a book. This has been so successful that Penguin has now published five books full of entries.
Some past winners:
"Just beyond the Narrows the river widens."
"With a curvaceous figure that Venus would have envied, a tanned, unblemished oval face framed with lustrous thick brown hair, deep azure-blue eyes fringed with long black lashes, perfect teeth that vied for competition, and a small straight nose, Marilee had a beauty that defied description."
"Andre, a simple peasant, had only one thing on his mind as he crept along the east wall: "Andre creep . . . Andre creep . . .Andre creep."
"Stanley looked quite bored and somewhat detached, but then penguins often do."
"Mike Hardware was the kind of private eye who didn't know the meaning of the word "fear," a man who could laugh in the face of danger and spit in the eye of death - in short, a moron with suicidal tendencies."
The beginning of a book is of utmost importance. The first few words may well determine whether or not you bother to read any further. It's interesting to note how each of the gospel writers chose to start their books.
Matthew began with a genealogy: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac..." (1:1). This may not be of great interest to some of us, but would have captured the attention of Matthew's Jewish readers.
Mark began with action, so as to capture the attention of his Roman readers. "John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (1:4)
Luke, the historian, began by describing his motives for doing research and documenting. "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." (1:3) This is for reassurance to the reader who may have questions about details, order, and the believer who has a skeptic questioning faith.
Then there's John, who begins the story of Jesus where it logically should start -- at the beginning! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." (1:1-3)
Four very different styles of writing. May the beginning of these books lead you to read further, to explore the life of the Son of God -- His teachings, His miracles, His call to discipleship and most importantly His death and resurrection. Have you reread the gospels lately?
Our goal will be to consider the research Luke puts before us to develop a faith that is worth making disciples. To identify with the eyewitnesses.
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