Luke

The Book of Luke

The Impossible Possible for God — Part One

The annunciation of Jesus’ birth is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. It tells us of the humble maiden kneeling before the angel of God unburdening himself of the message for which the Jews had been waiting for many long centuries.

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The Book of Luke

The Impossible Possible for God — Part Two

The third great impossibility brought about through the birth of Jesus was the salvation of sinners. I don’t know whether Mary specifically had this in her mind when the angel appeared to her and announced the birth of Christ.

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The Book of Luke

The Impossible Possible for God — Part Three

On one occasion a rich young man had come to him, asking what most ministers would consider a marvelous question. He said, “Good Master, how can I achieve eternal life?” We would have said, if we had been in Jesus’ position, “Well, here is a heart that has certainly been prepared by God.”

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The Book of Luke

The Impossible Possible for God — Part Five

The Impossible Possible for GodLuke 1:26-38Theme: Believing the “unbelievable.”This week’s lessons teach us that our God is all-powerful.
LessonI like something the great English bishop J.C. Ryle wrote years ago about the God of the impossible. He said,

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The Book of Luke

Three Miracles of Christmas – Part 3

The second miracle of Christmas announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel is the Virgin Birth. Strangely, this miracle was not a problem for the ancients. At least no strong opposition to its being possible has been recorded. It is only in recent times, in the earlier decades of this century, that the Virgin Birth has been discounted.

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The Book of Luke

Three Miracles of Christmas – Part 4

Theme: Belief in Gabriel’s Message
This week’s lessons help us to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ by
focusing on three miracles seen in the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

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The Book of Luke

Three Miracles of Christmas – Part 5

Theme: “Be Born in Us Today”
This week’s lessons help us to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ by
focusing on three miracles seen in the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

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The Book of Luke

The Lord’s Own Easter Sermon, Part 1

Theme: Jesus’ Resurrection Sermon  
 
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
 
One of the great accounts of the appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples following the resurrection is his appearance to the two Emmaus disciples recorded in Luke 24.

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The Book of Luke

The Lord’s Own Easter Sermon, Part 2

Theme: Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
 
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
 
Today we look at some of the texts Jesus must have used in his sermon, which we discussed yesterday. An obvious place to begin is with Peter’s speech at Pentecost found in Acts 2. Peter used three texts in that message. The first was about Pentecost itself.

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The Book of Luke

The Lord’s Own Easter Sermon, Part 3

Theme: Peter before the Sanhedrin
 
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
 
In the fourth chapter of Acts we have another of Peter’s sermons. Here he has been called before the Sanhedrin (the highest council of the ancient Jews), and he is defending himself and his teaching.

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The Book of Luke

The Lord’s Own Easter Sermon, Part 4

Theme: “In All the Scriptures concerning Himself”
 
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
 
In the eighth chapter of Acts, we have another suggestive text. Here Philip has been sent to the Ethiopian eunuch. When Philip finds him, he is reading from a manuscript he acquired in Jerusalem.

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The Book of Luke

The Lord’s Own Easter Sermon, Part 5

Theme: Having Your Eyes Opened
 
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
 
I say as we end this week of Easter readings that I do not know how much of what I have presented this week is what the Lord preached that day on his walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. But it was a long trip. It would have taken several hours.

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The Book of Luke

No Turning Back, Part 4

Theme: Remember Lot’s Wife
 
This week’s lessons press the importance that it is not enough to merely show an initial interest in following Christ; one must persevere in obedience to the very end.
 
Scripture: Luke 9:57-62
 
When Jesus said of these individuals, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God,” He was not just making a statement, of course. He was giving a warning.

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The Book of Luke

No Turning Back, Part 5

Theme: Onward! Onward!
 
This week’s lessons press the importance that it is not enough merely to show an initial interest in following Christ; one must persevere in obedience to the very end.
 
Scripture: Luke 9:57-62
 
The greater part of this chapter has been negative, warning those who are contemplating Christ’s service that the mere setting out is not sufficient. There must be perseverance. It is he who “stands firm to the end” who is saved (Matt.

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The Book of Luke

The Birth of the Savior, Scene 1

Theme: The Most Important Birthday of All
 
In these lessons on the birth of Christ we focus on its paradoxes, and how these show that Jesus’ coming is for all who will receive him.
 
Scripture: Luke 2
 
Birthdays are usually very happy times. For that reason we generally try to remember the birthdays of close friends. We who have children cannot forget birthdays; the children will remind us.

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The Book of Luke

The Birth of the Savior, Scene 2

Theme: The King in a Manger
 
In these lessons on the birth of Christ we focus on its paradoxes, and how these show that Jesus’ coming is for all who will receive him.
 
Scripture: Luke 2
 
There are other paradoxes besides the two mentioned yesterday.  The one that is most apparent to anyone is that the Lord of glory came in humble circumstances and was presented to us in His first moments upon earth in a manger.

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The Book of Luke

The Birth of the Savior, Scene 3

Theme: No Room in the Inn
 
In these lessons on the birth of Christ we focus on its paradoxes, and how these show that Jesus’ coming is for all who will receive him.
 
Scripture: Luke 2
 
Another related paradox comes in at this point: When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay. As a matter of fact, there was no room even in the inn.

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The Book of Luke

The Birth of the Savior, Scene 4

Theme: Angels and Shepherds
 
In these lessons on the birth of Christ we focus on its paradoxes, and how these show that Jesus’ coming is for all who will receive him.
 
Scripture: Luke 2
 
We talk about there being no room in the inn.

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The Book of Luke

The Birth of the Savior, Scene 5

Theme: How to Celebrate Christmas
 
In these lessons on the birth of Christ we focus on its paradoxes, and how these show that Jesus’ coming is for all who will receive him.
 
Scripture: Luke 2
 
I notice something else at the end of the story. It is what I would call instructions on how to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ.

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The Book of Luke

Three Miracles of Christmas – Part 2

Theme: That God Should Become Man
This week’s lessons help us to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ by
focusing on three miracles seen in the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 1

Theme: The Lord’s Own Thoughts about Palm Sunday
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
It’s an interesting feature about the critical moments in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ that His own comments about them are seldom found in conjunction with the events themselves, but rather you find them somew

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 2

Theme: What Jesus Demands 
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
It’s very easy to interpret this parable of the great banquet. Sometimes the parables are hard, but not this one.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 3

Theme: The Cost of Following Jesus
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
Now, if you come to the point where you understand the cost, even though you’re not willing to pay it, let me at least say that you have come a long way, and that’s a good thing.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 4

Theme: The Chief Barrier in Coming to Jesus
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
Yesterday we concluded by talking about people’s resentment toward God for having characteristics that sinners hate.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 5

Theme: Christ Is Willing
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
What did the people of Jesus’ day who did not like Him do about it?

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 1

Theme: A Question of Necessity
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26 
 
In Luke 24:26 we read, “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” That’s a question of necessity and it’s unlike other questions that Jesus asked.

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 2

Theme: The Emmaus Travelers as Eyewitnesses
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Yesterday we ended by talking about the identification of Cleopas and his wife, the couple from Emmaus who had thought Jesus was going to be Israel’s redeemer, but now after seeing his crucifixion were retu

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 3

Theme: When Hope Died
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Here’s a couple who knew about these things, and Jesus appeared to them. It’s really extraordinary what they experienced and what they said. First of all, let’s remember that Mary, Cleopas’ wife, was at the cross.

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 4

Theme: Resurrection and Redemption
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
We ask the question, “If sensible people like that, who had seen Christ die, and who had no anticipation of a resurrection whatsoever, came to believe in the resurrection, as they most certainly did, what is it that

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 5

Theme: Three Kinds of Openings 
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Yesterday we said that the first opening that God does is that of opening the Scriptures to us.

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