Luke to Theophilus: You Can Be Certain
- by: Pastor Lincoln Loney
- Mar 8, 2009
- Series: The Book of Luke
About Theophilus, the Recipient of Luke’s Book
v His name means Loved by God.
v He was a high-ranking government official.
Acts 23:26
v He was a Gentile believer who was experiencing doubts. Luke 1:4
v He may have been Luke’s financial backer.
About Luke
v He was the author of Luke and Acts.
The prefaces connect the two works, Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2
v He was not an apostle, not a first gen. Christian. Luke 1:1-2
v He was a loyal companion of Paul’s.
Note the “we” passages in Acts.
Paul’s references to Luke.
Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11
v Luke’s a physician. Colossians 4:14
v Luke’s a Gentile. Colossians 4:10-14; Acts 1:18-19
Luke’s Preface, Luke 1:1-4
Luke 1:1-2 Other accounts of Jesus.
Verse 1 Their existence and contents.
The story of Jesus has already been told by many.
Verse 2 Their sources.
These other accounts come from eyewitnesses.
Luke 1:3-4 Luke’s account of Jesus.
Verse 3 Luke’s method for writing.
Luke’s account is a result of thorough and careful
investigation presented in an orderly way.
Verse 4 Luke’s purpose for writing.
Luke writes to assure his reader(s) of the truth of God’s
saving work through Jesus.
How can I be sure that I have a real relationship with Jesus?
ü I am trusting that it’s because of Jesus and not me, that I am forgiven and heaven bound.
ü There is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in my life.
û My subjective experience that I am God’s child.
û The character traits of a believer.
û I am building up the body of Christ.
û I accept the sound teaching of the faith.
û I am meaningfully and regularly interacting with Jesus.
û I am living a life of obedience.
û I see a long term pattern of growth in my Christian life.
