Assurance(2023)-1

ASSURANCE-I—Luke 1:1-4

ATTENTION:

A couple was asked to dinner by a new friend. When they sat down at the table, they noticed that the dishes appeared to be dirty.

It was so obvious that they even asked the hostess, “Were these dishes washed?”, as they rubbed my fingers over the surface of the plates.

She replied, “These dishes belonged to my great-grandmother, & have some imperfections in the finish. But believe me, they’re as clean as soap & water can get them.”

The couple felt a bit more at ease, & started eating.

The meal was delicious, despite what had appeared to them to be ‘dirty’ dishes.

However, when dinner was over, the hostess began taking the dishes into the kitchen as expected. As expected that is, until they heard the back door open, the hostess whistle loudly, & yell, “Here Soap!...Here Water!”

•Being properly informed is vital to your well-being!

*Likewise, being properly informed gives confident Assurance to your ‘spiritual’ well-being!

Luke assured Theophilus of the validity of his faith, because his faith was based on fact.

Likewise, readers of Luke’s gospel can be certain of their faith because it is based on fact.

But What historical assurances are offered/gained thru Luke’s Gospel?

4 historical assurances are maintained thru Luke’s Gospel.

If your heart is equipped for study, then your mind will be also.

Acts 17:11-12—of the Christians in the city of Berea—“These were more fair-minded[noble-minded] than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, & searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, & also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”

1—Luke’s Assurance offers us Historical...

FACT(:1)

Explanation:(:1) Truth/Tradition/Method/History/Process

:1—“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,...”

It is an established fact that, prior to Luke’s writing this Gospel, “many” people had set out to compile, compose or “set in order a narrative” as well.

Luke himself was familiar with the efforts of others toward penning descriptions of the historicity surrounding Christ Jesus.

•This does NOT mean that the others had ‘failed’ to produce truth—consider Matthew, Mark, & John.

•Nor does it mean that there are other ‘Gospels’ out there that are on equal footing with those in the Canon of Scripture—the Christian Bible you hold in your hand.

•However, it DOES mean that God saw a need to include Luke’s experience, research, & perspective in the genuine Canon of Scripture regarding Jesus’ life.

“Those things which have been fulfilled among us”

Luke’s account as well as the accounts of others, are attempts to divulge real events & real people, that actually took place in real time.

“Those” historically accurate “things”, actually found their “fulfillment” “among” the people whom Luke regarded as “us”...

•“Us” being—1)Luke & Theophilus(:3); &/or—2)Those others with whom Luke & Theophilus were associated—God’s people...

“Inasmuch”—epeideper—Strong— Since indeed (of cause):-- Forasmuch.—Triple compound particle=Since-Truly-Indeed—‘Seeing that’—‘The reality/proof of’; ‘With the fact in mind’; ‘Knowing that.’

“Taken in hand/Undertaken”—epiceirew—1) To put the hand to; 2) To take in hand, undertake, attempt. Used 3X.

“Set in order/Set forth in order/Compile/Draw up”—anatassomai—To put together in order, arrange, compose. Used 1X.

“Narrative/Declaration/Account”—dihghsiv— Narration, Narrative. Strong—A recital:-- declaration. From—dihgeomai—To relate fully:-- Declare, show, tell.

“Things”—pragma— Noun—{prag'-mah}=Eng. Pragmatic—Practical—Strong—A deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material):-- business, matter, thing, work.

“Fulfilled/Most surely believed/Accomplished”—peplhroforhmenwn —To bear or bring full, to make full. Strong—To carry out fully(in evidence), i.e. Completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish:-- Most surely believe, fully know(persuade), make full proof of.—Dbl. compound=Fully worn or borne—A Perfect Passive Participle—Perfect=An action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once & for all, not needing to be repeated.

Argumentation:

Jn. 8:31-32—“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free.””

Acts 26:24-29—Paul making his courtroom defense to King Agrippa & Gov. Porcius Festus—“Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth & reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost & altogether such as I am, except for these chains.””