
Bible in a Year with Pastor Chris Dodge
August 20 - Luke
Luke Author: Luke, the physician, was a Gentile, possibly from Antioch, he was an associate of Apostle Paul Date: ca. 58-62 A.D. Contents: 1 Gospel of Luke is the 1st of a 2 volume work. 60% of this Gospel is unique to Luke and not recorded elsewhere. 2. Addressed to "most excellent" Theophilus, Theophilus may have been a man of high standing, a government official 3. Stresses Jesus as Savior of the world (19:10 is the central truth of the Gospel of Luke "the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.") 4. Focuses on both Jesus' works and His teachings Purpose: Possibly a Legal defense of "the Way" (followers of Jesus) Emphases: 1. Holy Spirit 2. Prayer 3. The importance of Women 4. Gentiles - that God intends the entire world to hear the Gospel message 5. Jesus' message is for the Outcasts - and we are called to do the same Unique to Luke: 1. Birth narratives and Songs - Tells of Jesus' birth in greater detail. The Song of Mary (Magnificat), the Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) 2. Jesus' childhood years 3. Parables only in Luke: - Good Samaritan - Prodigal Son - Rich Fool - Persistent Widow 4. People only in Luke: - Zechariah - Elizabeth - Simeon - Anna - Zacchaeus 5. Disciples on the Emmaus Road and Jesus' Ascension stories are only told in Luke Luke tells things that were from eyewitness testimonies. Ex: "Mary treasured these things in her heart" has the feel of a personal interview. Luke is also good at giving details such as where things happened and personal information on who was involved. Luke gives many detailed stories surrounding Jesus' birth story that are not in any of the other Gospels. The book opens with the story of the Priest Zechariah and his wife and their son John the Baptist. Then the book moves to Mary. Luke tells the birth story from Mary's perspective. And then into the Baptism of Jesus and Luke includes the detail that it was as Jesus was praying that the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove. The bulk of the book is on the works and teachings of Jesus including several Parables included in Luke that are not in the other gospels but that share important faith lessons for us to learn. God does not look at what people look at. It's not about what we've earned and achieved. God looks at the heart. We can have everything the world has to offer and we end up with nothing. But with God even though we have nothing, we have everything! Jesus' desire is that all come to know Him. He warns the disciples about the coming difficult days but to continue to depend on Him. He also predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and that Jerusalem would be over taken by Gentiles, (which happened in 70 A.D.) Jesus tells them the control of Jerusalem by the Gentiles would continue until "the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled." The time of the Gentiles continued for 1900 years, but then in 1948 the Jewish people returned to their homeland. Pastor shares that then in 1967 - an event he says he is old enough to witness - took place. The Jewish people took control of Jerusalem. We've lived to see "the time of the Gentiles fulfilled." What does this tell us? It is saying we're getting closer to the time of Jesus' return! Luke shares the words of Jesus from the cross. And it is Luke who shares the story of the man on the cross next to Jesus who gave his life to Jesus. Luke shares the story of Jesus' death, resurrection and the story of the women finding the empty tomb. Luke then shares the story of the two people on the road to Emmaus. Jesus joins them along the 7 mile walk, Jesus explains to them what is said in the scriptures concerning Himself. Following this event, Jesus shows Himself to the disciples in Jerusalem, opening their minds to understand the scriptures. Jesus tells them the Holy Spirit is coming and the book closes with the Ascension of Jesus. Luke's Gospel is a carefully written book. Written in chronological order, it is an intentionally laid out book. Next week we explore the second volume of Luke's work. Join us next week for part 1 of our study of the Gospel of Acts. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website β https://www.awakeusnow.com






