Focal Passage: Luke 24:44-53  As Luke begins to draw his gospel account and letter to Theophilus to an end, he reiterates the fact that Jesus was the Christ by reminding his readers, and Theophilus, of Jesus’ words to His disciples. That everything had now been fulfilled that had been promised in Scripture. That He was the long-awaited Messiah of God who fulfilled everything that was written about Him in the

Focal Passage: Luke 23:32-49  In our study this week we come to the most tragic and cataclysmic event in human history.  One might say this world has seen a lot of tragedy, wars, earthquakes and natural disasters, famine, pestilence and plagues. Some would argue that the pandemic our world experienced surely ranks among one of the most tragic events mankind has ever faced because of its global impact on humanity.

Focal Passage: Luke 9:18-26  Luke’s account of Jesus’ mission and ministry varies a little from the other accounts in the Gospels. While the other Gospels follow a chronological path of events, Luke takes a slightly different approach. We see him more interested in the theology than the chronology.  So, some of his accounts may not appear to follow in linear progression. He presents the same events with same details but

Focal Passage: Luke 6:17-23, 27-31  As we begin to unwrap Luke 6:17-23 we have to acknowledge the similitude between this passage, which scholars refer to as, “The Sermon on the Plain”, to Matthew 5, which is referred to as, “The Sermon on the Mount”.   There are many similarities, but there are many differences as well. One such difference is topographical references given in each. In Matthew 5:1, it says

Focal Passage: Luke 3:1-6; 4:14-21  Luke was not born a Jew. In fact, he was born a Greek. Some have suggested he may have been a Hellenized Jew, but nonetheless still very much a Gentile before becoming a Christian in 51 A.D. He was born in the city of Antioch in Syria.  Luke was deeply influenced by Greek culture and the search for knowledge and understanding. Thus, he was a

Focal Passage: Luke 17:1-10  Evidence of a mature faith: I have often had people tell me that they do not understand a large portion of Scriptures that they have read. My response is always the same. Pray and ask God to illuminate your mind and look to wise and trusted teachers to help you in your understanding of a given passage.  When you consider Luke 17:1-4, Jesus’ instructions are pretty

Focal Passage: Luke 12:22-34  Where is your anxiety: In my 40-plus years of ministry I have found myself asking people, “What is your greatest fear?”  The answers have varied from person to person, but typically it is a general anxiety of not knowing their future. In these verses Jesus has gathered with His disciples and tells them in Luke 12:23, “Don’t worry about your life.”  He is not telling them

Focal Passage: Luke 11:1-13  Praying to a Holy God. I am always amazed when I hear how people approach God. We find the proper approach to God in Luke 11:2. Jesus instructs His disciples, “Whenever you pray, say, Father, your name be honored as holy.” I believe that we are absolutely God’s precious children, but I think we have often forgotten that He is our Lord.  This scripture takes me

Focal Passage: Luke 8:41-42,49-56  When nothing else matters: In Luke 8:41-42 we find a narrative that most all of us can relate to in some respect. Jesus has just come from Gadara where he has restored a man possessed by a demon and returned to Capernaum.  There is a crowd gathered around Jesus and suddenly a man named Jairus fell at Jesus’s feet. He was a leader in the synagogue.

Focal Passage: Luke 7:1-10  A humble faith: In my observation, one of the greatest life struggles is often faith. I think that the reasons for that reality are many, but often stem from human disappointment.  In my forty plus years of ministry I have seen people with incredible faith, but I have seen more people that struggled everyday with their faith journey.  We live in a very self-sufficient, science-based world