Bible Matters 223: Gospel According to Luke

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote the Gospels as a testimony of their belief in Jesus.  This was their story of Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, that came to give us life.  This is the testimony God gave them to share God’s Word.  Luke tells you of his declaration, as he documents his Gospel unto Theophilus.  Luke’s message is simple.  Jesus came to save the lost, bring sinners unto repentance and looking for you to do the will of God. 

Luke 1:1-4 – Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Mary was highly favored with God, conceived by the Holy Ghost and brought forth the Son of God, called Jesus. 

 Luke 1:27-31 – To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Son of God came as a lowly Nazarene.  Not as a wealthy King.  A humble being, born of a handmaiden, in a stable.  Mary magnified God and rejoiced in him as her Savior.  People had to believe by faith that he was the Christ, who came to conquer death. 

Luke 1:37,45-49 – For with God nothing shall be impossible. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Jesus is looking for you to live your life by every word of God, repenting of you sins and to serve only the Lord thy God.  When you hear God’s word and do it, your faith won’t be shaken.  Your family in Christ are they that do the word of God.

Luke 4:4,8 – And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 5:31-32 –  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 6:47-48 – Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luke 8:21 – And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

You will save your life, unto life everlasting, by giving up your old sinful life and not being ashamed of God’s word.  Some will not believe and not taste death until they see the kingdom of God. 

Luke 9:22-27 – Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

The unbelievers and non-doers of his Word will be many. 

Luke 13:24-30 – Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.  And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Most will look back, with their hand on the plough and decide to continue to serve the devil.   They will not share God’s Word.  

Luke 9:60-62 – Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Zacchaeus understood the teachings of Jesus.  He was dead to sin, but has found life in Jesus.   Out of a pure heart he recognized salvation in Jesus is more valuable than earthly possessions.

Luke 19:8-10 – And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The woman, a sinner, humbled herself before God.  She sought his mercy and grace. 

Luke 7:44-48,50 – And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

God is looking for the same from you.  Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God, repent of your sins and seek mercy, grace and wisdom in God’s word. 

Luke 18:13-14 – And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 15:1-2,7 – Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 24:46,47 – And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Today, repent of your sins and follow God’s Word.  Being led by the Holy Ghost, living a righteous life, spreading God’s Word, unto the end life everlasting.

To God be the glory in all you do. Amen.