LUKE GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYBODY LUKE UNIQUE FEATURES

LUKE GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYBODY!

LUKE: UNIQUE FEATURES v Only Gospel written by a Gentile v Only Gospel with a “sequel” (The Book of Acts) v Only Gospel which records birth of John the Baptist v Only Gospel which tells an event from Jesus’ childhood v Only Gospel which tells Jesus’ age when He began His public ministry (3: 23) v One of only 2 Gospels which record Jesus’ birth & His genealogy v Only Gospel with an extensive account of the “Travel Narrative” (chaps. 9 -19) v Only Gospel which mentions a Roman emperor by name v Longest of the 4 Gospels (& longest book in the NT)

WHO WAS LUKE? v. The “beloved physician” – Paul’s close friend & traveling companion (Col. 4: 14, Philemon 24) v. Prior to his execution, Paul said, “Only Luke is with me. ” (2 Tim. 4: 11) v. Obviously an educated Gentile – writes very polished Greek, little focus on debates with Jewish leaders v. Thoroughly educated in the OT – probably a Gentile convert to Judaism, then to Christianity v. Little else is known about him – yet, he wrote more of the NT than any other single author

LUKE: CENTRAL THEME v. Jesus as the Good News for everyone – especially those on the margins of Jewish society - Demonstrated in synagogue at Nazareth (4: 14 -30) - Good news for Gentiles (Genealogy, Parable of Good Samaritan, etc. ) - Good news for The Poor (Mary’s Song – 1: 51 -53; poor shepherds vs. rich magi; Parable of Rich Man & Lazarus, etc. ) - Good news for Women (13 by name not in other Gospels; focus on Mary vs. Joseph; incident with Mary & Martha, etc. ) - Other outcasts: the sick, blind, widows, lepers

LUKE: OTHER IMPORTANT THEMES v. Importance of Prayer in the life of Jesus (11: 1 – “Lord, teach us to pray”) v. Role of the Holy Spirit – 18 references in Luke v. Teaching on Poverty & Wealth (Parables of Rich Fool, Two Debtors, Unjust Steward, Zacchaeus, Rich Man & Lazarus, etc. )

LUKE: KEY VERSE “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. ” Luke 4: 18 -19 (Isaiah 61: 1 -2)

LUKE: LESSONS FOR TODAY 1. Jesus lived at a particular time & place in human ______. 2. God loves all of society’s “_______” – and so should ______! 3. Money & possessions can be an _________ to knowing God. 4. The message of Christ is to be proclaimed to all _______; this is the _______’s task.