Luke 1:1-4
Introduction

We have finished our study of Kings in the Old Testament and turned our attention to Luke in the New, but it’s not the case that we are shifting gears completely. Pastor Dave emphasized that both are parts of the same redemptive story. Kings told us the “bad news” part of the story: We are sinners in need of a savior. Luke brings us the “good news” part, the gospel of Jesus Christ. One constant temptation in 1 & 2 Kings was to point the finger at those stupid, contemptible, idolatrous Israelites, imagining ourselves to be better than they were. But the truth is, we are not. Like them, we sin because we can’t not sin. It’s as if our DNA has been corrupted. Here, at the beginning of our Luke study, let’s pause to remember how pervasive sin is in our lives. It’s not that we do a wrong thing every now and then. We are incessant sin-thinkers and sin-doers, by nature. Without a savior, we are barred from the presence of God, and we are doomed.

The last two verses of this week’s passage communicate Luke’s purpose in writing this book, namely, that its readers – Theophilus, and also you and I – may have certainty about what we have been taught about Jesus. Dave pointed out that certainty is scarce in our world. In this dawning age of AI, we can’t be certain that a photo or video we see is real and true. I wondered recently if my health coach on an app-based PT program was a real person or an AI chatbot. I texted “her” to ask and, though “Renee” claimed to be human, I can’t say I’m certain about it. But we can be certain about the gospel Luke wrote and about all of Scripture. Speaking for Calvary Church, Dave said dogmatically, “We believe Scripture, in its original writings, to be absolutely true, without error, and infallible.” He pointed us to the EFCA statement of faith for a clear and succinct statement of certainty about the Bible. He asked, “Can you sign off on this?” If your answer is yes, bow before the Lord and commit to believing and obeying every word of Luke we hear over the next two years. If your honest answer is no or I’m not sure, bow before the Lord and talk to Him about it.

Calvary Family

Lift up the Women's Ministry event, "Bunco and Blessings," on Friday evening. Pray for good and godly fellowship, and ask the Lord to use it to draw women who live on the fringe of the community into fuller participation.

Our junior high and high school students will be away at Winter Camp next weekend. Thirty-seven people, youth and leaders, will be on retreat at Angeles Crest Christian Camp in the mountains northeast of Pasadena. Austin will teach on “Remaining Calm in Chaos” from Matthew 14. Pray that each student will hear from the Lord and grow in their faith. Austin told me that this group of students is “younger” on the maturity scale than in other years; pray that the leaders can help the students function well as a group, without selfishness and with unity. Austin is thankful for the generosity of donors who provided nearly $1000 for full and partial camp scholarships. They are a big help for families sending multiple kids to camp.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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