Life re-imagined with Jesus as the template—excerpts from Luke.

Risks of not being certain in what we give ourselves to.

• Lost investment of time.
• Lost investment of money.
• Lost investment of your heart.
• Loss of relationship or freedom through false accusation.

What if Jesus was and is not the messiah? 

• Then we are part of the largest scam in human history.
• Trillions of dollars misspent!
• The complete betrayal of millions of human hearts.
• Loss of purpose for life.

Before we surrender, align, and go on mission with Jesus we must be certain of him!

            “Jesus was either Lord, lunatic, or liar.” Josh McDowell

            Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

            More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell

            The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

            The Gospel of Luke by Dr. Luke 

An orderly account.  Luke 1:1-3

• Luke- a second generation follower of Christ and a companion in ministry with the apostle Paul. He is a physician and his writings (Luke and Acts) reflect the meticulousness of such a person.  Colossians 4:14
• Theophilus- unknown as to who he was, but the “most excellent” title suggests he was a man of distinguished position. He was likely a seeker who needed “assurance” and “certainty” to receive the things taught him concerning Jesus. EBC
• This is an account of what happened among them. (1)
  • It is a current day account.
  • This account was collected from the many eyewitnesses.
  • Information collected from the earliest moments of Jesus life—Joseph, Mary, extended family, shepherds, hometown folks, the first of his followers, to the masses that grew over time. (2)

• Key witnesses were the “servants of the word.” (2b)
  • Consistency in referring to Jesus being the “word” made flesh.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:1-5

• Consistency in beginning an account with stating Jesus’ identity.
• True to a good doctor, Luke was thorough in his investigation. (3)
  • Likely he began his investigation for personal reasons as he investigated first before deciding to do an orderly account for others.
  • His account was being sent to someone else who likely was inquiring—Theophilus.
  • He goes to the “root” of the story—the beginning.

The purpose of investigating and providing an account. Luke 1:4

• For you to know for certain as to who Jesus is.
• To give confidence in your pursuit of him.
• To provide the soil for faith to grow.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Essential questions for your faith.

1. Do you know for certain who Jesus is?
2. Do you have faith in who Jesus is and what he has done for you?
3. Do you know him well enough to live a life that reflects him?
4. Can you provide an account to another person?