The Gospel of Luke: Investigating the true story of Jesus. Luke 7:1-8:56

- Jesus answers questions and continues to demonstrate his power and authority.

What questions should we be asking Jesus and why? Luke 8v1-56

1. The answer to the Why question is two- fold.

• We are needy! 8v 1-21(-56) and He is Able! 8v22-56

2. What questions should we be asking Jesus?

Read 8v11-15. Especially.  v15

 -  Lord, help me hear and retain your word?

-  Lord, create in me some good soil, create in me a persevering – noble – good heart?

Read v16-18. Especially. v18.

- Lord, help me to be careful in my listening to your word?

Read 8v19-21. Especially. v21

 - Lord, help me put into practise what you say?  Lord, help me take it to heart?  Lord, help me to listen and learn – to receive and retain – to obey and serve?

Some other questions to ask

• Lord, help me to submit myself to your ultimate Authority? 7v4-8.
• Lord, help me not to question your authority? 7v1-10
• Lord, help me ask you honest questions as I seek assurance? 7v18-23
• Lord, remind me that you know everything about me before a word is on my tongue? 7v36-50
• Lord, help me obey your word, just like the wind and the waves? 8v24-25
• Lord, help me to sit at your feet in my right mind? 8v35
• Lord, help me to see the importance of placing - my faith in you? Just like the women here - Reaching out and trembling at your feet. 8v44-48. Just like the Centurion – Submitting to your authority. 7v4-8. Just like the women – in repentance and worship. 7v36-49.
• Lord, help me to admit my greatest need [ my sinfulness] and to acknowledge your great care [ your love and righteousness]? 7v1-8v56
• Like the girl and her parents, Lord, bring me to life in astonished worship? 8v56

Jesus comes into the world. Luke 2:1-52

1. Simeon held Jesus v28 - " a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” v32

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

2. Shepherds saw Jesus v15,17,20 - " a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”v32

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

3. We can contemplate and reflect Jesus. 2Corinthians 3:17,18; 4:6 - " a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”v32

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Footnotes:2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” (Gen1:3) made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

4. Ask God to help you to contemplate and to reflect Jesus - " a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”, today!

Luke: Investigating the True Story of Jesus.

Resources

• uncover.org.uk.
• Luke. The IVP New Testament Commentary series. Darrell L. Bock.
• Matthew, Mark and Luke. The Expositors Bible Commentary series, Volume 8. Frank E. Gaebelein.
• Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Warren W. Wiersbe.
• The Proclamation Bible. (NIV) introduction to Luke.