The Gospel of Luke

This week we start reading Luke. Here is and excerpt from Bible Knowledge Commentary on the purpose and characteristics of the book:

  Luke had two purposes in writing this book:

1- confirm the faith of Theophilus, that is, to show that his faith in Christ rested on firm historical fact (1:3–4).

2- present Jesus as the Son of Man, who had been rejected by Israel. Because of this rejection, Jesus was also preached to Gentiles so that they could know the kingdom program of God and attain salvation.

1. Luke emphasized the universal message of the gospel more than the other Gospel writers. He often wrote about sinners, the poor, and outcasts from Jewish society. He also referred many times to Gentiles who shared in the blessings of the Messiah. Samaritans were presented as coming to faith in the Messiah. And Luke wrote frequently of women and children and their faith.

2. Luke’s Gospel gives a reader a more comprehensive grasp of the history of the period than the other Gospels. He presented more facts about the earthly life of Jesus than did Matthew, Mark, or John.

3. Luke emphasized forgiveness (3:3; 5:18–26; 6:37; 7:36–50; 11:4; 12:10; 17:3–4; 23:34; 24:47).

4. Luke emphasized prayer. At many points in His ministry Jesus prayed (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 29; 22:32, 40–41).

5. Luke noted the individual’s place in coming to repentance. He stressed the action which must come from each individual who followed Jesus. Examples include Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Martha, Mary, Simon, Levi, the centurion, the widow of Nain, Zacchaeus, and Joseph of Arimathea.

6. Luke said more about material things than did any other author in the New Testament. He did not always present the poor as being righteous, but he did say that the self-sufficient rich, who regarded riches more highly than Jesus, were unable to enter into the salvation Jesus offered.

7. Luke often spoke of joy that accompanies faith and salvation (1:14; 8:13; 10:17; 13:17; 15:5, 9, 32; 19:6, 37).

John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 198-199; 201.

NT Reading April Schedule

 

Just Sisters

 What a wonderful time we had this morning! Thank to all of you who came. You made our best day possible! :)

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Coming Up!

 

Lies Women Believe: A Book Review

 Hello Book Worms out there! If you are looking for a good read, head over to our church library and you are sure to find something. But, if you are like us, a suggestion or two will be always welcome! Our OA team member Debbie Toomey has read quite a few books lately (she is aiming for that Dairy Queen gift card! :)). Below is a review of her latest reading: 

As women, we must guard our thoughts and emotions against worldly ideologies or “lies” that permeate our society. These lies would have us believe:

1. God does not love us.

2. We need something in our lives other than God to complete us.

3. We have no control over our emotions/hormones. 

I recently checked out the book “Lies Women Believe” from our church library, and it was extremely helpful to me. Nancy DeMoss outlines 40 lies that can lead women to believe things about themselves and God that are untrue and unscriptural. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly ) I struggle with many of the lies she outlined and have let them dominate my thoughts and attitudes. It was such an enlightening yet very humbling read. If you struggle like me, this book will be helpful.

Debbie Toomey

Coming Up: Ladies' Bible Study

 

March

February passed by so quickly, we almost missed it! We said good-bye to the month with a morning  of praise and prayer, and what a wonderful sweet time of fellowship we had! Thank you to all of you who came! You were a blessing to us!

We welcome March in joyous anticipation of Spring (My shears are ready to get pruning things around!). And we are already looking forward to our next get together. Come join us at Best Day Coffee to have the best time with us and a good cup of coffee (details here). For those of you who have been part of Just Sisters in the last few months, it will be a time to celebrate with your special sister. If you have not been a part of the program, you are welcome to join us as well!  The sign up sheet is at the welcome center waiting for you!

Are you keeping up with your NT Reading 2026? We sure hope so! The March schedule is posted here. 

Lastly, the newest member of the OA Team, Janette Kern, has written her first post, reflecting on the sufferings of our Savior. It fits beautifully with our reading schedule, as we approach the the last chapters of Matthew. Check out the post here.

Many blessings!

March NT Reading Schedule

 

The Mystery of Suffering

"But if all I knew about suffering was by observation alone, it would still be sufficient to tell me that we're up against a tremendous mystery. Suffering is a mystery that none of us is really capable of plumbing. And it's a mystery about which I'm sure everyone at some time or other has asked why."

(Suffering is Never for Nothing, by Elisabeth Elliot) 

Matthew 26:36-45 says, "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."

Suffering is not a foreign concept to mankind. Even Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, experienced the greatest suffering of all time. 

For what purpose? To redeem mankind--you and me. To pay the penalty for our sin. To clothe us in His righteousness. To grant us a relationship with Himself. To give us the hope of eternal life with Christ. 

It is no mystery. It was because of ultimate love for us that Jesus faced a life of suffering. Perhaps, as you read this, you find yourself in a season of suffering. Take courage as you view your suffering in light of Christ's suffering for us. May you remember that suffering is never for nothing. There is purpose to your pain, and there is a Savior in your suffering. 

Just Sisters with a good cup of coffee (or tea to those non coffee drinkers out there :) )