Luke_Part_1.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Investigated faith stands firm when questions rise.

Description: Christian faith is anchored in real events that can be examined. Luke did not pass along rumors. He sought out eyewitnesses, checked their stories, and arranged what he found with care. He wanted his reader to know the truth with confidence. That means doubts are not enemies to faith; they can be doorways to deeper trust when we pursue honest answers.

You are invited to bring your questions into the light. Name them. Study. Ask. Read. Test what you hear. God is not fragile, and the Gospel does not collapse under scrutiny. When you look closely, you find a Savior who actually walked into history, a cross planted in real soil, and a resurrection that changed real people. Investigated faith becomes steady faith.

Luke 1:1-4
Many have tried to put together an account of the things God has accomplished among us, based on reports from those who saw it from the start and served the message. I also decided to research everything carefully from the beginning and write it out in order, so that you can know for certain that what you’ve been taught is solid.

Reflection: Choose one honest question you carry about Jesus or the Bible. Block 20 minutes today to seek a clear answer—read Luke 1–2 slowly, write down what stands out, and share your question with a mature believer who can help you investigate.

Day 2: God’s story advances through unexpected, ordinary lives.

Description: God often works through people the world overlooks. Luke was a Gentile outsider, yet God used him to preserve one of the clearest records of Jesus’ life. Mary was a young, unmarried woman from a small town, yet she received the announcement that the Son of God would come through her. These stories show that God is not limited by status, education, or background.

You may feel small, underqualified, or unseen. But God delights in using ordinary lives to carry an extraordinary message. The question is not, “Am I important enough?” but, “Am I available?” Say yes in the everyday places you already live—your home, your work, your neighborhood—and watch God weave your simple obedience into His larger story.

Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a young woman named Mary, engaged to a man from David’s family. The angel said, “You are favored by God. Don’t be afraid. You will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, called the Son of the Most High, and God will give him David’s throne. His kingdom will not end.”

Reflection: Identify one ordinary place you’ll be today (kitchen, classroom, office, store). What is one small, humble act you can offer God there—an encouragement, a prayer with someone, an unseen service—and will you do it before the day ends?

Day 3: The Spirit enables what effort alone cannot.

Description: Luke shows the Holy Spirit at work from the start. John would be filled with the Spirit before birth, and Jesus’ conception and mission come by the Spirit’s power. God’s work is not produced by willpower or talent alone. The Spirit guides, empowers, and accomplishes what human strength cannot.

You may be facing a need you cannot meet, a habit you cannot break, or a calling you cannot fulfill by yourself. Do not quit, and do not strive alone. Ask for the Spirit’s presence. Yield your plans. Take the next step of obedience, trusting that the Spirit supplies what you lack. God does more with surrender than we can do with strain.

Luke 1:15-17, 35
John will be great before the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. He will turn many in Israel back to the Lord their God, going ahead of Him in the spirit and power of Elijah to make a people ready for the Lord. And the angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you; that is why the child will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Reflection: Name one task today that is beyond your ability. Stop for three minutes right now to ask the Holy Spirit for help, then take one concrete step you’ve avoided—make the call, start the conversation, begin the work—relying on His strength, not your own.

Day 4: God’s promises outlast impossibility and delay.

Description: God’s Word does not fail. Mary asked how God’s promise could be true, and the angel pointed to God’s power and to Elizabeth’s pregnancy as a living sign. The promise did not ignore reality; it overcame it. Faith is not pretending the mountain isn’t there. Faith is trusting the God who can move it or lead you faithfully over it.

In seasons of waiting or discouragement, hold God’s promise with both hands. Keep showing up. Keep praying. Keep obeying. Some answers come fast. Many come slow. But the Word of the Lord does not expire. He is at work in ways you cannot yet see.

Luke 1:34-38
Mary said, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will act, and God’s power will cover you. Your relative Elizabeth, once called barren, is in her sixth month. Nothing God says will fail.” Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be for me as you have said.”

Reflection: What is one specific promise of God you need to cling to today? Write it on a card or in your phone, pray it morning, noon, and night, and take one small action that aligns with trusting that promise.

Day 5: Deep joy grows where hearts return home.

Description: John’s coming brought joy because he turned people back to God. Jesus’ coming brings even greater joy because He is the Savior who welcomes us home. Joy is not the same as easy circumstances. Joy is the settled gladness that God is here, God is good, and God invites us back to Him.

As you approach Christmas, don’t chase joy in noise or busyness. Return to God with your whole heart. Confess what has drifted. Receive His mercy. Then share that joy—because joy deepens when it is given away.

Luke 2:10-12
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m bringing you good news that brings great joy for everyone: today in David’s town a Savior has been born for you—He is the Messiah, the Lord. This is the sign: you will find a baby wrapped and lying in a manger.”

Reflection: Take ten quiet minutes today to turn back to God—confess, thank, and rejoice. Then bring that joy to someone specific: send a message of encouragement, pray with a friend, or invite a neighbor to join you for worship this Christmas.

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

Today’s message focused on the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke, exploring how Luke “fact checked” the life of Christ and why his account is trustworthy. We addressed common objections to the historical reliability of the Gospels, such as claims that there’s no evidence for Jesus outside the Bible, that the Gospels were written too late to be accurate, or that they’re biased because they were written by Christians. We saw that Luke, a Gentile and a careful historian, went to great lengths to investigate the life and ministry of Jesus, not for personal gain, but to help others know the truth. The miraculous birth narratives, especially Mary’s encounter with the angel, remind us that God’s Word never fails and that the joy of Christ’s coming is meant to turn hearts back to God. As we enter the Christmas season, we are invited to trust the reliability of the Gospel and to find deep joy in the truth of Jesus.

**K

Key Takeaways

1. Historical Faith is Not Blind Faith Luke’s Gospel demonstrates that Christian faith is rooted in careful investigation and historical reality. Luke’s attention to detail and his willingness to verify facts—even possibly interviewing Mary herself—show that our faith is not based on wishful thinking, but on events that can be examined and trusted. This challenges us to approach our own doubts and questions with honesty, knowing that God welcomes our search for truth.
2. God Uses Unlikely People for His Purposes Luke himself was a Gentile, not part of the original Jewish community, yet God used him to write one of the most detailed accounts of Jesus’ life. Mary, a young unmarried woman, was chosen to bear the Son of God. God’s work often comes through those who seem least likely, reminding us that our background or status does not limit how God can use us for His story.
3. The Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit more than any other Gospel writer, highlighting how both John the Baptist and Jesus were uniquely empowered by God’s Spirit. This points us to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our own lives—guiding, empowering, and accomplishing what is humanly impossible. We are invited to depend on the Spirit’s presence, especially when facing situations that seem beyond our ability.
4. God’s Word Never Fails, Even When It Seems Impossible The angel’s message to Mary—that nothing is impossible with God—reminds us that God’s promises are trustworthy, even when they defy our understanding or experience. In seasons of doubt or discouragement, we can hold onto the assurance that God’s Word will always accomplish its purpose. This is not a call to ignore reality, but to trust that God is at work in ways we may not yet see.
5. Joy is Found in Turning Back to God The birth of John the Baptist brought joy because he turned people’s hearts back to God, but the coming of Jesus brings even greater joy as the Savior of the world. True joy is not found in circumstances, but in the reality of God’s presence and His invitation to return to Him. As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that the deepest joy comes from knowing and following Jesus, who is the fulfillment of all God’s promises.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gospel of Luke – Fact Checking the Life of Christ**

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### Bible Reading

- **Luke 1:1–38**
- **Luke 1:13–14**
- **Luke 2:10–11**

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### Observation Questions

According to Luke 1:1–4, what reasons does Luke give for writing his Gospel, and how does he describe his approach to gathering information?
In Luke 1:34–38, how does Mary respond to the angel’s message, and what does the angel say about the power of God’s Word?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the events described in Luke 1:35 and throughout the opening chapters?
In Luke 1:13–14 and Luke 2:10–11, what is said about the joy connected to the births of John the Baptist and Jesus?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Luke, as a Gentile and not one of the original disciples, was so determined to investigate and write about the life of Jesus? What does this say about who God uses for His purposes?
The sermon mentioned that Luke’s Gospel is not based on “blind faith” but on careful investigation. How does this challenge or encourage someone who has doubts or questions about Christianity?
The angel tells Mary, “No word from God will ever fail.” How might this statement have sounded to Mary in her situation, and what does it reveal about God’s character?
The joy described in the birth announcements of John and Jesus is tied to people turning back to God. Why is this kind of joy different from happiness based on circumstances?

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### Application Questions

The sermon addressed common objections to the Gospels’ reliability, like “there’s no evidence for Jesus outside the Bible” or “the Gospels are too biased.” Have you ever struggled with these doubts, or do you know someone who has? How might Luke’s approach to fact-checking help you respond?
Luke and Mary were both unlikely people for God to use—Luke was a Gentile, and Mary was a young, unmarried woman. Is there something about your background or story that makes you feel unqualified for God’s work? How might God want to use you anyway?
The Holy Spirit is shown as empowering and guiding people in Luke’s account. Can you think of a time when you sensed God’s Spirit helping you do something you couldn’t do on your own? What would it look like to depend more on the Holy Spirit this week?
The angel’s message to Mary was that nothing is impossible with God. Is there a situation in your life right now that feels impossible? How can you trust God’s promises even when you don’t see a way forward?
The sermon said that true joy is found in turning back to God, not in our circumstances. Are there areas in your life where you need to “turn back” to God? What’s one step you can take this week to do that?
Luke wrote his Gospel to help someone else know the truth about Jesus. Is there someone in your life who is struggling with faith or has questions about Jesus? How could you come alongside them, like Luke did, to encourage their search for truth?
As we enter the Christmas season, what is one practical way you can focus on the joy of Christ’s coming, rather than just the busyness or traditions of the season?

Sermon Quotes

Good morning, CrossRoads. Welcome to our Sunday morning worship Celebration where we love celebrating Jesus, especially during the Christmas season.

And what better way to kick off the Christmas season than looking at a book of the Bible that investigates the life of Christ.

There’s no evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus ever existed. But Luke found all of this evidence outside of the Old Testament about Jesus, although he references the OT. He fact-checked everything.

That is like saying if survivors of 9/11 or Vietnam decided to write a book today it couldn’t be trusted.

Luke did all his research and then found so much evidence that he took part in Paul’s ministry in the early 60’s. So, Luke was likely written mid 60’s—within thirty years, less than a generation after the life of Jesus, making it easy to fact-check.

Does that mean any book written by an atheist cannot be trusted because it is from their perspective? Plus, Luke was not a Christian or a Jew but a gentile, who wanted to research all the things about Christ.

Luke found so much information about the life, ministry, and miracles of Jesus, that Luke used that information to help someone else who seemed to be struggling with accepting the truth of who Jesus was.

This shows the heart of Luke; back then it cost a small fortune to write a letter like this and have it circulated. And Luke didn’t do it for money or fame, but just so others would know the truth of Jesus.

We should end there but I want to end with this: as a servant of the Lord, it is likely that Luke talked to Mary herself to verify this information.

If the birth of John the Baptist was to bring joy, just because he turned people back to God, how much more joy should we have because of Jesus the Son of God.

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