The End and The Beginning (Message 6)

Two Lessons for This Series:

The whole BOOK of Luke is based on the DEATH and resurrection of Jesus!

Although the crucifixion is the END of Jesus’ life, it is the BEGINNING of so much more!

The Outline of Luke:

The Gospel of Luke is well ORGANIZED.
I. The Preparation of Jesus’ Ministry (1:1-4:13)
II. The Ministry in the Galilee (4:14-9:50)
III. The Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27)
IV. The Last Seven Days - Holy Week (19:28 - 23:56)
V. The Victory - Resurrection and Ascension (24:1-53)

The Author and Recipient:

The author, Luke, was a Gentile PHYSICIAN, and traveling companion of Paul, whose name is found 3 times in our Bibles. He was highly educated and very RELIABLE.
Col. 4:14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
2Tim. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Phile. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

Theophilus, the recipient, was either a Greek NOBLEMAN or a “CODE word” for all believers. (God-lover)
Luke 1:3 . . . having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

The Purpose

To show Jesus as the “SON of MAN” who came to offer hope and SALVATION to the world.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

The Things that We’ve Learned and Their Benefits:

The Gospel of Luke has a broader APPEAL than OTHER gospels.
— This makes it perfect for people who want to EXPLORE Christianity.

The Gospel of Luke is EASY to read and to understand, and includes DETAILS that are not mentioned in other Gospels.
— This makes it perfect for new BELIEVERS and students.

The Gospel of Luke is the ONLY book of the New Testament written by a GENTILE.
— This makes it perfect for most AMERICANS. The book is very INCLUSIVE, which is a priority of our times.

The Gospel of Luke contains 18 PARABLES that are not recorded ANYWHERE else.
— This makes it perfect for people who don’t LIKE to READ or are bored easily. It is also UNIQUE.

The Gospel of Luke is the LONGEST book of the New Testament and the only gospel with a SEQUEL (Acts).
— This makes it perfect to get the FULL story (chronological).

The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts make up 25% of the New Testament.
— This makes it perfect to LEARN, study and even memorize.

The Gospel of Luke has an unusual interest in FOOD (Jesus is present at 19 different MEALS!)
— This makes it perfect to make people COMFORTABLE.

The Scriptures

Luke 24:50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Luke SKIPS over the appearances of Jesus in the Galilee. And, in fact, Luke does not cover ANY of the 40-day period from Easter to the Ascension.
Matt. 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Acts 1:3 . . . He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

At the end of the 40 days, Jesus TOOK the disciples to the Mt. of OLIVES (near the town of Bethany) and while BLESSING the disciples, ascended into heaven.

Why did Jesus ascend into heaven?

a. It signaled the COMPLETION and SUCCESS of His earthly ministry.

b. Jesus needed to RETURN to His FATHER.
John 17: 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

c. Jesus needed to take His RIGHTFUL place of HONOR.
Acts 7:56 . . “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

d. Jesus needed to MEDIATE and prepare a place for us.
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

e. It provided a PICTURE of His second coming.
Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

f. Practically, it STOPPED the appearances or “sightings.”

3. The disciples WORSHIPED (προσκυνέω proskyneō) Jesus and followed INSTRUCTIONS with great joy.

4. And for “the REST of the story,” . . .
Acts 1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

For Discussion:

What has been most helpful in this series and, maybe, in the entire Gospel of Luke?

Why is Luke’s Gospel unique and how can that be helpful to you?

How have you seen the “key thought” played out through the Gospel of Luke?

What do you like about Luke the physician and his writing style? Which is your favorite gospel and why?

Why does Luke skip over the 40-day period after the resurrection (in your opinion)?

Why was the ascension important? Can you think of other reasons not named in our study?

Luke concludes with the disciples worshiping Jesus. What does that tell you about Jesus, the disciples, and the Gospel of Luke?