Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.  Luke 1:1-4

In this passage, Luke states his purpose for writing this Gospel.  He says to Theophilus that he has written this orderly account so Theophilus would know and have confidence in the things that God has accomplished through the Lord Jesus.  To convince him, he appeals to the fact that these events happened in real time.  He says, “I have followed the things I’m about to report to you very closely for some time and have written them down in an orderly manner.”  He says, “I have written an orderly account for you.” 

The reason Luke makes this point is because he wants Theophilus and his greater audience to know that these events—the birth, the life, the death and the resurrection of Christ took place in a real place, in real time, in history.  He also tells Theophilus, “God has accomplished these works among us” meaning they happened in their generation. 

Luke also stresses the fact that this story is true because many witnessed it.  In Luke 1:2, he says,

 Those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us.   

Luke explains how there were many in their time who witnessed these events for themselves.  He says that there were men and women who witnessed Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, and he also tells Theophilus, “There are many of these eyewitnesses who are sharing His story today.”   Luke explains to him and others that his book is an account—a compilation of these testimonies from those who were there—who saw Jesus with their own eyes, felt Him with their own hands and heard from Him with their own ears. 

To listen to this sermon, click HERE and click on "THE MEANING BEHIND LUKE'S CHRISTMAS STORY." 

"Quote" of the Week

“Luke’s work of this Gospel is not just a story, it’s a true story.  It contains history.”  -Ligon Duncan  

In the early 80s, Elton John wrote a hit song entitled Sad Songs (Say So Much).  In the song are these lyrics, 

Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain and ironing out the rough spot is the hardest part when memories remain.

And it's times like these when we all need to hear the radio cause from the lips of some old singer, we can share the troubles we already know.

Then the chorus goes,

Turn them on, turn them on, turn on those sad songs.  When all hope is gone, why don't you tune in and turn them on.

And later in the song he explains why.  He says,

(Because) sad songs they say so much.    

In this song, Elton John is describing how it is sometimes helpful for someone who is going through difficult times, to listen to an old sad song from someone who has been there.  The same is true for us spiritually.  When we are going through tough times, it is so helpful for us (believers) to hear from other believers who have been there so that we know the proper way to respond to God. 

God gives us this in His Word.  God’s Word is filled with story after story, letter after letter, psalm after psalm written by and about people who have been there –who have been where we have been and have experienced what we have experienced and have felt what we have felt.  We especially see this in the book of Psalms.  In this book, we not only learn how to respond to God when times are good, but also when times are tough.  In this book, we learn “Sad Psalms (Say So Much).” 

For more on Sad Psalms, click HERE and listen to ANOTHER PSALM OF LAMENT.

"Quote" of the Week

“God, in the Psalms, has given Christians who are despairing and discouraged and downcast and in the depths songs to sing back to (Him).”  -Carl Trueman 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!   Psalm 100:1

Worship is a command not a request.  The psalmist does not say, “If it’s not too much trouble—if you have time, could you make a joyful noise to the Lord?”  He says, in the imperative, “MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE.”  This is a command.

Something we find all throughout the Scriptures is that God does not request worship, He demands it.  This means if we do not worship Him, we are being disobedient to Him.  To refuse to worship the Lord, is to refuse to do the very thing we were created and commanded by God to do. 

This is why we pray for those who do not know God and share our faith and do missions.  We do these things because there are people all around us and all around the world who are disobeying God by not worshiping Him and we are to go and tell them that.  We are to go and tell them that God has created all people for Himself and for His glory and that He demands that everyone everywhere give their lives up and over to Him and do all things under His authority and for His glory.

"Quote" of the Week

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.  Matthew 4:8-11

“There is one main truth that I want to urge from this text, namely, that worshiping God is the duty of every human being. The basis of the truth is this: if the very Son of God counts it his duty to obey the command to worship God, then how much more must we count it our duty to obey this command!”  -John Piper

I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

Yesterday in our study through the Psalms, we discussed Psalm 121, which is a Psalm of Ascent and a Psalm of Confidence.  Psalms of Ascent were Psalms that were written and sung by Jewish travelers while making their way from their homeland to Jerusalem for worship.  At times, these types of trips were burdensome and tiring—treacherous and dangerous and many travelers were often in need of inner strength to make the journey.   

Notice the psalmist says here, “I lift my eyes to the hills (and I ask), ‘From where does my help come?’”  While on this difficult journey, the psalmist asks the question, “Where am I supposed to place my confidence?  Who am I to place my trust?”  The psalmist is looking to the tangible and is asking the rhetorical question of whether or not he can ultimately place his confidence in the things of this world?  He asks, “Does my help come from these hills?”  And of course the answer is, “No.”

He then answers his question in the first part of verse 2.  He says, “My help—my confidence does not come from these hills, but comes from the Lord.”  Why?  Why could he look to God in confidence and trust in Him for help?  He says, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

The psalmist is essentially saying here, “Why would I put my hope and my confidence in the things of this world, when I can place my hope and confidence in the one who created the world?  Why would I place my confidence in created things when I can place my confidence in the creator of all things?”  This psalm reminds us that it’s pointless to put our confidence in someone or something that is inferior to someone or something else—it is futile to look to and trust in created things when you can look to and trust in the creator of all things.

"Quote" of the Week

"What we need is a very present help in trouble. What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in (HIM), for our help comes from him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for he who sends it to us was never known to be too late. (God) who created all things is equal to every emergency; heaven and earth are at the disposal of him who made them, therefore let us be very joyful in our infinite helper."  -C.H. Spurgeon