Luke
Part 1
Seeing is believing
Pastor Steve Lummer

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 (niv)

TABLOID OR TRUTH?

Looking into the book.
“I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you”… vs 2
62 A.D.
1,151 verses , 568 of the verses are simply the words of Jesus

Looking into the author.
“Our dear friend Luke, the doctor” – Colossians 4:14

Luke was a gentile, He does not mention himself in the two books he writes.
He is a medical doctor – (science and faith do work together) – He is from Antioch
Not a direct follower of Jesus but a follower of the followers of Jesus.
He never married and never fathered not children – Just two books of the Bible!
Looking into the recipient.
I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, – Vs. 4
Theophilus name means LOVER OF GOD.
Without Theophilus we do not have the books of Luke and Acts.

Generous Theophilus – Paid for two books of the bible to be written – Without Theo’s contribution, we would be lacking the largest contribution of the entire New Testament.

Our lives are not measured by their DURATION, but rather our lives are measured by their DONATION.
….Not by the STUFF we COLLECT, but rather by the GIFTS we CONTRIBUTE.

Looking into the contribution.

so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. – vs 4

1. ORAL TRADITION
2. WRITTEN DOCUMENTS
3. EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

Four legs of the healthy Christian life.

Personal bible study
Gathering for worship
Small groups & prayer
Being Generous and Christ like.