We are starting a new message series with the Gospel of Luke. As you know, the New Testament starts with 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
What does the word Gospel mean??
The word gospel came from the old English word “Godspell”, which means good news. The Biblical Greek word for gospel is “evangeleo” which means proclaiming the good news. The Gospels are good news of course because they are about Jesus Christ, the amazing gift from God to every person in the world!
Let us learn more about the Good News from God starting with the first 4 verses of the Gospel of Luke: Luke 1:1-4……
The first two verses give us background information of the Gospel. What can we note?
a. Something noteworthy happened during the life of the writer Luke!
Something happened and everyone was talking about it!
We will of course learn about these noteworthy things as we read and study this Gospel of Luke.
b. Many have already written about these noteworthy things and they were available to Luke.
And look again at v2……
The original Greek word for the word “word” in verse 2 is “logos”! Logos is the same word used in John 1:1-5, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. NIV
Logos is the beginning of the beginning who is Jesus Christ!
c. The authors of the earlier writings were eyewitnesses and servants of Jesus Christ (while He was here on earth)!
And so, Luke had eyewitness writings available to him and those eyewitnesses were likely the first disciples who walked with and were taught directly by Jesus Christ. Those eyewitness writings were handed down to Luke to consider. In our Bibles, we also have those eyewitness writings for us to consider along with this Gospel from Luke! You know, we get so excited about eyewitness reports today; isn’t it interesting that we all like to watch a newsreporter in danger standing right in front of a tornado? We should all be excited about reading the eyewitness reports about the Almighty God!
Now, couldn’t Luke just depend on the writings that were already available?
Look again at what Luke states in verse 3………..
Luke did three important things:
1. carefully investigated the “word”!
Luke likely was not an eyewitness of the “word” who is Jesus Christ. But, Luke studied, researched, and likely interviewed those who did encounter Jesus Christ personally!
The Bible tells us that Luke was a physician who turned into a historian as he investigated the testimonies about Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul cited Luke as a companion in his missionary journeys!
We should all follow Luke’s example of carefully investigating these writings. Are you and I reading and studying God’s Word daily?
2. Luke put in writing an orderly account of his investigation of Christ!
And what was the third important thing that Luke did with his findings??
3. Luke shared his findings!
We read that Luke shared his findings to the most excellent Theophilus. Who was this Theophilus? We can only find Theophilus in this passage and Acts 1:1 of the Bible. We can’t tell much about Theophilus except he was highly respected by Luke. But verse 4 gives us another description of Theophilus; look at v4 again with me….
What can we say about Theophilus based on v4??
Luke shared his findings to Theophilus who was likely already a Believer of Jesus Christ!
And so, we can answer the question, What is the purpose of the Gospel of Luke? The answer is verse 4!
But here’s something incredible, from an incredible God: “theophilus” is a Greek word for a “friend of God”!
And so, I don’t think it is stretching it to say that the Gospel of Luke was written for all “theophilus”!
The Gospel of Luke was written for all friends of God! And who are friends of God? James 2:23 tells us, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” And because Jesus Christ is God, all believers of Jesus Christ are friends of God!
And let us note 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work!”
The Gospel of Luke is God’s Scripture! Yes Luke wrote the Gospel but it was “inspired” (meaning breathe out) by God!
This is how God operates and how we got our Bible!
God uses people as instruments for His glorious purpose!
And what is the purpose of the Gospel of Luke?
Again verse 4 states…….
The Gospel of Luke was written to give sure proof for all Christians of their belief in Jesus Christ!
As we study this Gospel by Luke, may the truths of Jesus Christ be clearer and stronger in our minds, hearts, and souls! This is my prayer for all of us!
Let us close by summarizing the application of the Biblical principles we noted from Luke 1:1-4 to our lives.
Let us imitate Luke:
1. Carefully investigate the Bible everyday!
Read and study the Gospel of Luke as much as you can everyday; and if you get done with the entire Gospel before we get done with the message series here at church, read and study the Gospel again.
2. Interview other Believers of Christ about their faith.
Be encouraged and challenged by other Christians by asking them how they became Christians and what Christ means to their lives.
3. Journal your spiritual walk!
Write down what you’re learning from God and what He is doing in your life!
4. Share your relationship with God through Jesus Christ with others!
And finally, like He did with Luke, God desires to use you and me as instruments for His glorious purpose!
God has a glorious purpose for each one of us!
5. Pray often to know and live the glorious purpose of the life God has given you!
Pray and offer your entire being to Jesus Christ and God will use you for His glorious purpose!
Many times we will not recognize how God may be using us. God really makes it easy for us: Do 2 basic things and God will use you for His glory! What are these 2 things? Pray and offer your entire being to God! God wants to use you and me for His glorious purpose!
