Luke 1:1-4 — Prologue to the Gospel According to Luke
THE RELIABLE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CONFIRMS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY
Luke 1:5-25 — Birth of John the Baptist Announced = The Forerunner
UNEXPECTED DIVINE INTERVENTION SETS IN MOTION THE COMING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST TO POINT SINNERS TO THE MESSIAH
Luke 1:26-38 — Birth of Jesus Announced – The Son of the Most High
THE ANGELIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INCARNATION PROVIDES THE INITIAL DEFINITION FOR THE ROLE OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH
Luke 1:39-56 — Mary’s Magnificat = Her Beatitudes
WE SHOULD REJOICE IN THE BLESSINGS THAT FLOW OUT OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Luke 1:57-80 — The Visitation of God
THE DIVINE VISITATION EVOKES AWE, AMAZEMENT AND HEARTFELT REJOICING
Luke 2:1-20 — Birth of the Savior – Christ the Lord
THE HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH MAKE HIS MISSION OF BRINGING GLORY TO GOD AND PEACE TO MAN EVEN MORE ASTOUNDING
Luke 2:21-40 — Prophetic Insight of Simeon and Anna
PROPHETIC INSIGHT INTO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS REVEALS HIS GLOBAL MESSIANIC AND REDEMPTIVE MISSION
Luke 2:41-52 — Kingdom Priorities
OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER MUST TAKE PRIORITY EVEN OVER OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OUR EARTHLY PARENTS
Luke 3:1-14 — Repentance and the Fruit of Repentance
PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE LORD REQUIRES REPENTANCE THAT IS PROVEN GENUINE BY THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE
Luke 3:15-18 — Prophetic Testimony of John the Baptist
THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST (DEALING WITH ULTIMATE DESTINY) IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THAT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Luke 3:19-20 — Imprisonment of John the Baptist
WICKEDNESS HATES THE LIGHT
Luke 3:21-22 — Divine Testimony at the Baptism of Jesus
AT THE BAPTISM OF JESUS, GOD ENDORSES HIS SON AS BOTH BELOVED DEITY AND SUFFERING SERVANT EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS REDEMPTIVE MISSION
Luke 3:23-38 — The DNA Testimony
THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST TESTIFIES TO HIS LEGITIMATE CLAIM TO BE THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND TO THE UNIVERSALITY OF HIS SAVING WORK
Luke 4:1-15 — Temptation of Jesus
JESUS AS THE SECOND ADAM DEFEATED THE TEMPTATIONS OF SATAN BY RELYING ON THE WORD OF GOD IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
Luke 4:16-30 — Hometown Reception of Jesus Turns Ugly Fast
PROCLAMATION OF GRACIOUS MESSIANIC MISSION THAT EXTENDS TO THE GENTILES REJECTED BY HOSTILE HOMETOWN CROWD
Luke 4:31-44 — Power and Authority of Jesus Christ
WE NEED TO SUBMIT TO THE ABSOLUTE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST WHO REIGNS OVER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Luke 5:1-11 — Making Fishers of Men – Pathway of Christian Discipleship
THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP (FORSAKING ALL AND FOLLOWING CHRIST) OFFERS THE PROSPECT OF ABUNDANT MINISTRY FRUIT DESPITE OUR SINFULNESS BECAUSE OF THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS
Luke 5:12-26 — Only Jesus Can Do This – Two Levels of Healing
THE MIRACLES OF PHYSICAL HEALING AUTHENTICATE THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS TO CLEANSE FROM SIN AND TO FORGIVE SINS
Luke 5:27-39 — What’s Radically Different About Jesus?
CRITICS OF CHRISTIANITY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE RADICAL MISSION AND THE NEW MOVEMENT COMMANDED BY JESUS
Luke 6:1-11 — Two Sabbath Controversies
COMPASSION FOR HUMAN NEED TRUMPS LEGALISTIC CONFORMITY BECAUSE:
– JESUS IS LORD OF THE SABBATH
– JESUS PUTS A PRIORITY ON DOING GOOD
Luke 6:17-26 — Beatitudes – Blessings vs Woes
THOSE WHO EMBRACE THE VALUE SYSTEM OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD RECEIVE BLESSING RATHER THAN CONDEMNATION
Luke 6:27-38 — Radical Love and Mercy
LOVING OUR ENEMIES
– DISTINGUISHES DISCIPLES FROM THE WORLD
– REVEALS OUR CONNECTION TO OUR MERCIFUL FATHER AND
– IMPROVES OUR RELATIONSHIP FOR THE SAKE OF EVANGELISM
Luke 6:39-45 — Warning Against Following the Wrong Type of Spiritual Leaders
BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU FOLLOW –
4 TYPES OF LEADERS NOT TO FOLLOW
Luke 6:46-49 — Two Contrasting Foundations
SPIRITUAL SECURITY COMES FROM OBEYING THE WORD OF THE LORD
Luke 7:1-10 — Amazing Faith – How Sweet the Picture
THE GREAT FAITH OF THE HUMBLE GENTILE CENTURION FOCUSED ON THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS TO JUST SPEAK THE SAVING WORD
Luke 7:11-17 — Dealing with Heartache
NO HEARTACHE IS TOO HOPELESS FOR THE COMPASSIONATE GRACE OF JESUS — WHO ALONE HAS THE POWER OVER EVEN DEATH
Luke 7:18-35 — The Miracles of Jesus Say Everything That Need to be Said
THE MIRACLES PERFORMED BY JESUS:
– CONFIRM HIS IDENTITY AS PROMISED MESSIAH
– CALM THE DOUBTS OF COMMENDED DICIPLES (LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST)
– CALL OUT THE DUPLICITY OF HIS UNREASONABLE CRITICS
Luke 7:36 – 8:3 — Extraordinary Forgiveness . . . Extravagant Love
FORGIVEN SINNERS DISPLAY EXTRAVAGANT LOVE THAT THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS REJECT
Luke 8:4-15 — Parable of the Soils
RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL DEPENDS ON YOUR HEART CONDITION — UNDERSTANDING EVANGELISM STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEART RESPONSES TO THE SOWING OF THE GOSPEL
Luke 8:16-21 — Application of the Parable of the Soils
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LISTEN AND RESPOND TO THE WORD OF GOD
Luke 8:22-56 — Absolute Power and Authority of Jesus
WHATEVER THE CRISIS, FAITH IN THE PERSON AND POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS IS THE ANSWER
Luke 9:1-17 — Who Is Adequate For These Things?
THE ALL-SUFFICIENT KING EQUIPS INADEQUATE DISCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY
Luke 9:18-22 — The Only Question That Matters
JESUS CHALLENGES EVERYONE TO KNOW HIS TRUE IDENTITY AND TO RESPOND TO HIS REDEMPTIVE MISSION
Luke 9:23-27 — The Total Commitment Involved in Discipleship
THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP DEMANDS A COMPLETE REORIENTATION OF ONE’S LIFE
Luke 9:28-36 — Testimony of the Father at the Transfiguration
THE TRANSFIGURATION PROVIDES VISUAL AND AUDIBLE TESTIMONY TO BOTH THE IDENTITY OF JESUS AND THE NECESSITY OF HIS REDEMPTIVE MISSION
Luke 9:37-50 — Corrective Phase in the Training of the 12
JESUS ADDRESSES WRONG PERSPECTIVES ON THE PART OF HIS APOSTLES WITH A SERIES OF 4 CORRECTIONS
Luke 9:51-62 — Priority of Salvation
MAINTAIN A SINGULAR FOCUS (WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS AND COMPETING PRIORITIES) ON SEEKING CONVERSIONS AND FOLLOWING JESUS
Luke 10:1-24 — Bringing the Kingdom of God Near to the Lost
MINISTRY SUCCESS GOVERNED BY SOVEREIGN GRACE BRINGS THE KINGDOM OF GOD NEAR TO THE LOST ALONG WITH THE CONDEMNATION ASSOCIATED WITH REJECTION
Luke 10:25-37 How Good Do I Have to Be? – Parable of the Good Samaritan
GOD’S STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS CONVICTS US ALL OF OUR INABILITY TO MERIT SALVATION BY GOOD WORKS
Luke 10:38-42 — Distraction or Devotion?
COMMUNION WITH GOD MUST TAKE PRIORITY OVER SPIRITUAL SERVICE
Luke 11:1-13 — Teach Us to Pray
AS WE PERSIST IN PRAYING AS JESUS TAUGHT US WE SHOULD HAVE THE EXPECTATION OF RECEIVING ANSWERS FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
Luke 11:14-28 — Two Warring Kingdoms – Thy Kingdom Come
DOMINION OVER THE REALM OF SATAN REQUIRES THE SUPERIOR POWER OF JESUS CHRIST THAT TRANSFORMS THOSE WHO HEAR AND OBEY HIM
Luke 11:29-36 — Receptivity to Revelation
SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT (SIGHT – the type of understanding that leads to Obedience) DEPENDS NOT ON GREATER REVELATION (LIGHT) BUT ON THE RIGHT HEART CONDITION
Luke 11:37-54 — Exposing the Religious Hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes
RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY FOCUSES ON EXTERNAL FORMALISM AT THE EXPENSE OF INTERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
Luke 12:1-12 — Confidence and Integrity in Confessing Christ
AVOID HYPOCRISY IN BOLDLY CONFESSING CHIRST IN THE FACE OF PERESECTION IN LIGHT OF FUTURE JUDGMENT
Luke 12:13-34 — Invest in God’s Kingdom
LIFE SHOULD BE ORIENTED AROUND INVESTING IN GOD’S KINGDOM TO LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN RATHER THAN ACCUMULATING WEALTH HERE ON EARTH
Luke 12:35-59 — Accountability and Readiness
BE READY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Luke 13:1-9 — Last Chance to Repent
AVOIDING DISASTER ONLY ACCENTUATES THE URGENCY OF REPENTANCE SINCE IT IS ONLY THE FORBEARANCE OF GOD THAT STANDS BETWEEN US AND ETERNAL DAMNATION
Luke 13:10-17 — Standing Tall
JESUS BREAKS ALL THE RULES OF LEGALISM AND HYPOCRISY TO SET PEOPLE FREE FROM BONDAGE AND BROKENNESS
Luke 13:18-30 — Kingdom Surprises
THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL PROVE TO BE BOTH BROAD AND NARROW
Luke 13:31-35 — Ministering in a Climate of Hate and Physical Threats
THE LOVE AND COMPASSION AND RESOLVE OF JESUS KEPT HIS MINISTRY ON TRACK DESPITE POTENTIAL DERAILMENT
Luke 14:1-6 — Sabbath Controversy
HYPOCRITICAL HEARTS CANNOT REFUTE THE LEGITIMACY OF COMPASSION AND MERCY TOWARDS THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING
Luke 14:7-24 — Dinner Etiquette for the Eschatological Messianic Feast
3 SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO PARTICIPATION AT THE ESCHATOLOGICAL MESSIANIC FEAST
DON’T SEEK PROMINENCE, PAYBACK OR PRIVILEGE
Luke 14:25-35 — Discipleship Demands
THE WHOLE-HEARTED DEMANDS OF GENUINE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP DEMOLISH SUPERFICIAL EASY-BELIEVISM
Luke 15:1-32 — Joy in Finding Repentant Sinners
THE KINGDOM OF GOD VALUES NOT THE SELF RIGHTEOUS BUT LOST SINNERS WHO REPENT
Luke 16:1-13 — Parable of the Irresponsible But Shrewd Steward
STEWARD YOUR MATERIAL POSSESSIONS SHREWDLY AND FAITHFULLY SO THAT THEY DON’T RULE OVER YOU BUT SERVE GOD’S KINGDOM PURPOSES
Luke 16:14-18 — God Knows Your Hearts
LEGALISTS JUSTIFY LOOPHOLE LIVING BUT STAND CONDEMNED BEFORE GOD WHO SEES THE HEART
Luke 16:19-31 — The Rich Man and Lazarus
THE ETERNAL DIVIDE BETWEEN SERVING GOD AND SERVING WEALTH BRINGS COMFORTING RELIEF OR UNRELENTING TORMENT
Luke 17:1-19 — Staying on Course — Addressing, Sin, Weakness, Pride and Ingratitude
FOUR PERSPECTIVES ESSENTIAL FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (STAYING ON COURSE) AND GLORIFYING GOD
Luke 17:20-37 — Certainties About the Coming Kingdom
THE KINGDOM IS HERE (SO SUBMIT TO THE KING) AND IT’S COMING (SO BE READY)
Luke 18:1-8 — Parable of the Wicked Judge – Persistence in Prayer
PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER DIRECTLY TIED TO PERSEVERANCE IN FAITH UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS
Luke 18:9-14 — Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican – How to Approach God
APPROACH GOD WITH HUMILITY AND CONFESSION OF THE NEED FOR MERCY RATHER THAN SMUGLY TRUSTING IN YOUR OWN GOOD WORKS
Luke 18:15-17 — Kingdom of God Belongs to the Helplessly Dependent
APPROACH GOD IN CHILDLIKE DEPENDENCE
Luke 18:18-27 — The Rich Young Ruler – Salvation Cannot Be Earned
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF SALVATION BY HUMAN MEANS REQUIRES GOD’S SOVEREIGN GRACE THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Luke 18:28-34 — Return on Investment
THE COSTLY SACRIFICES FOR GOD’S KINGDOM
WILL PROVE TO BE WORTH IT BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE
Luke 18:35-43 — Messianic Demonstration = Healing of the Blind Man
SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK GOD’S MERCY FOR TRANSFORMATION THROUGH FAITH IN THE MESSIAH
Luke 19:1-10 — Messianic Mission of Jesus
THE SON OF MAN HAS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST
Luke 19:11-27 — Parable of the Pounds – Future Accountability Demands Faithfulness Now
FAITHFULNESS IN SPIRITUAL STEWARDSHIP WHILE THE KING IS AWAY WILL BE REWARDED WHEN THE KING RETURNS
Luke 19:28-40 — Messianic Approach to Jerusalem in Humility and Peace
THE KING OF PEACE APPROACHED JERUSALEM IN FULFILLMENT OF OT PROPHECY WITH MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE
Luke 19:41-48 — Arriving in Jerusalem and in the Temple
FAILURE TO DISCERN THE DAY OF MESSIANIC VISITATION LEADS TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Luke 20:1-8 — Undeniable Authority of Jesus Christ — Trapping the Trappers
THE SOURCE OF THE BAPTISM OF JOHN ANSWERS THE QUESTION OF THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST
Luke 20:9-18 — Parable of the Wicked Tenant Farmers – 4 Unthinkable Role Reversals
THE JEWISH SPIRITUAL LEADERS HAVE SURRENDERED STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S KINGDOM
BECAUSE OF:
– THEIR ATTEMPT TO USURP OWNERSHIP OF THE KINGDOM INSTEAD OF FUNCTIONING AS GOOD STEWARDS
– THEIR REJECTION AND MISTREATMENT OF GOD’S ENVOYS
(DESPITE GOD’S PATIENT LOVE AND FORBEARANCE)
4 UNTHINKABLE ROLE REVERSALS
Luke 20:19-26 — Trap Question Regarding Ultimate Loyalty
OUR LEGITIMATE OBLIGATIONS TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES CAN’T TRUMP OUR SUPREME LOYALTY TO GOD
Luke 20:27-40 — Wisdom of Jesus in Silencing the Sadducees
DOCTRINAL ERROR HAS PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES:
– FAILURE TO APPLY GOD’S REVEALED TRUTH
– FAILURE TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S RESURRECTION POWER
Luke 20:41 – 21:4 — Exposure of Hypocritical Religious Leaders
AVOID HYPOCRITICAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS BY RECOGNIZING:
– THE CONTRADICTIONS IN THEIR THEOLOGY (ESPECIALLY ERRORS IN CHRISTOLOGY)
– THE PHONINESS OF THEIR MINISTRY
– THEIR EXPLOITATION OF POOR WIDOWS
Luke 21: 5-38 — Prepare for Hard Times Ahead
PREPARE FOR HARD TIMES LEADING UP TO
– THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE
– THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
BE PERCEPTIVE AND READY
Luke 22:1-6 — Friend or Foe?
JUDAS IS THE SUPREME EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BETRAY JESUS CHRIST
Luke 22:7-23 — Transitioning from Passover to the Lord’s Supper
THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER BUILDS ON THE IMAGERY OF PASSOVER AND ANTICIPATES FINAL KINGDOM CONSUMMATION
Luke 22:24-34 — Servant Leadership Advocated
INSTEAD OF STRIVING FOR LEADERSHIP PREEMINENCE, FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST TO LEAD BY SERVING OTHERS
Luke 22:35-38 — Be Prepared for Suffering and Rejection
FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST MUST BE PREPARED FOR SUFFERING AND REJECTION AS THEY ENTER INTO SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Luke 22:39-46 — Prayer in the Garden
LEARN THE LESSONS FROM JESUS ON PRAYER SO THAT WE TOO MAY TRIUMPH OVER TEMPTATION —
TEN LESSONS ON PRAYER FROM JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
Luke 22:47-53 — The Power of Darkness — Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
ONLY JESUS HAS THE POWER TO HAND HIMSELF OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES
Luke 22:54-62 — Peter’s 3 Denials
FAILURE TO BOLDLY IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST DOES NOT HAVE TO DEFINE US IF WE RESPOND TO GOD’S MERCY AND REPENT
Luke 22:63-71 — The Sham Trials Begin
STUBBORN REJECTION OF THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST LEAD TO BRUTAL MISTREATMENT AND SHAM TRIALS
Luke 23:1-25 — Progression of the Trials before the Roman Authorities
TRUTH AND JUSTICE ONLY FOUND IN THE FALSELY ACCUSED MESSIAH
Luke 23:26-49 — The Crucifixion
THE CRUCIFIXION CONSUMMATES THE REDEMPTIVE MISSION OF THE MESSIAH
Luke 23:50-56 — The Burial of Jesus
THE BURIAL OF JESUS PROVIDES THE ESSENTIAL LINK BETWEEN THE REALITY OF HIS DEATH AND THE VALIDITY OF HIS RESURRECTION
Luke 24:1-12 — Resurrection Surprise
DON’T BE SURPRISED BY THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION
Luke 24:13-35 Opening Eyes on the Road to Emmaus
ONLY JESUS CAN OPEN OUR EYES TO BELIEVE THE FULL SCOPE OF HIS MESSIANIC MISSION WHICH DELIVERS US FROM CONFUSION AND DESPAIR