All Things are Possible With God (Luke 1:1-56)

Since there are a few people in my Sunday school class that read this blog, as well as a few that are not that visit as well, I thought I'd share with you my SS class notes as I go through the Gospel of Luke. This first outline was from last week:

All Things are Possible with God

Luke 1:1-56

1. The certainty of Jesus’ life is possible to those who accept Christ (v.1-4)

a. We can accept Christ because of the many accounts (v.1) – Luke says that many have undertaken the task to compile events of Jesus’ life.

b. We can accept Christ because of the many eyewitnesses (v.2)

c. We can accept Christ because of Luke’s exactness (v.3-4) – This section of Greek is widely considered the best, most precise Greek written in entire NT. Luke was a doctor and had an eye for detail. He desired to paint as accurate a picture of Jesus’ life as there was. He was a perfectionist. I imagine he had read all of these other accounts and probably thought that they all fell short.

2. The assurance of God’s plan is possible even to those who doubt Christ (v.5-25)

a. There will be good families who doubt God’s plan (v.5-7) – In this instance it was God’s plan that John the Baptist would pave the way for Jesus. It was also God’s plan that Jesus Christ would die for sinners. There are plenty of people who seem to be from good families, who go to church who will miss God’s plan for their life, which is to be saved.

b. There will be religious people who doubt God’s plan (v.8-20) – Zechariah was from a royal lineage and in order to see which priests would burn incense they would cast lots. Sometimes a priest would go his entire life without getting his name drawn. So, you can imagine him being “troubled" when he entered the temple and was greeted by Gabriel. He probably wandered if this sort of thing was normal. Despite having an angel of God reveal to him what would happen, Zechariah did not believe that God could open his wife’s womb. Likewise, there will be people who get a Word from God but still refuse to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and is the only way to eternal life.

c. There will be consequences when we doubt God’s plan (v.21-25) – The consequences for Zechariah’s unbelief was that he would not be able to speak until his son was born. The consequences for not believing in Christ will be eternal separation from God in Hell.

3. The promise of a Savior is possible to those who believe in Christ (v.26-45)

a. Those who believe in Christ are obedient (v.26-34) – They yield to God’s will in their lives. God’s will in Mary’s life was that she would carry God’s son. Mary did not act in unbelief like Zechariah. Mary simply asked how the conception would work out since she was a virgin. How is her statement different then Zechariah’s? Because Gabriel didn’t make her mute, the motives in her heart proceeding her question must have been evident.

b. Those who believe in Christ are humble (v.35-38) – What was Mary’s reaction after finding out that she would birth Christ? Did she go around boasting and bragging, “I’m going to be Jesus’ mother…”? No. She said she was the Lord’s servant and to let it all happen as according to his Word.

4. The salvation of all is possible to those who acknowledge Christ (v.39-56)

a. Salvation is available to those who acknowledge God’s promise (v.39-45) – Elizabeth stated how blessed Mary would be since she believed that which was spoken to her would be fulfilled. Likewise, if we acknowledge God’s promise of salvation in our life we will be blessed in this life and in the next. However we have to acknowledge this fact and that is what Baptism is - a public profession or acknowledgment.

b. Salvation is available to those who acknowledge God’s mercy (v.46-56) – The fact that we have a chance to have our sin atoned for is according to God’s grace and mercy.