Luke made it his mission to thoroughly investigate the accounts of Jesus' life and compile them into an orderly narrative. Let's look at how Luke went about this important work about trusting in God's words.

The Bible is filled with incredible stories that can often feel larger than life. The gospels in particular contain amazing accounts of Jesus' miracles, teachings, and interactions that demonstrate his divinity in human form. But how can we really know if these ancient stories are true? 

In a recent sermon, our pastor explored this question by looking at how the Gospel of Luke came to be written. Luke was not one of the 12 disciples who walked with Jesus during his earthly ministry. Yet under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke wrote the longest of the four gospels as well as the book of Acts. 

So how did Luke, a man who never knew Jesus personally, gain such vivid insight into his life and message? As our pastor explained, Luke made it his mission to thoroughly investigate the accounts of Jesus' life and compile them into an orderly narrative. Let's look at how Luke went about this important work:

Consulting Written Records

Luke notes in his introduction that "many have undertaken to compile a narrative" about the events surrounding Jesus and the early church. So right away we see that Luke consulted written sources that were already circulating at that time. He likely studied the gospels of Matthew and Mark, as well as other documents recording the growth of the early Christian movement.

Interviewing Eyewitnesses 

In addition to written records, Luke directly interviewed those who personally witnessed the events he recorded. Can't you imagine Luke tracking down Mary, Jesus' mother, to confirm the miraculous story of his virgin birth? Or knocking on the door of the invalid by the Pool of Bethesda, who Jesus healed after 38 years of infirmity? Luke left no stone unturned in gathering firsthand accounts.

Preserving Oral Histories

Finally, Luke captured the oral histories passed down among believers. In a predominantly illiterate culture, stories were shared by word of mouth. Luke recognized the value of these oral traditions in adding detail and context to the life of Christ. 

From this multitude of sources, Luke crafted his "orderly account" of the gospel message. He strove to provide historically accurate, detailed evidence both for believers like Theophilus and for skeptical readers alike. As our pastor said, Luke conducted his research with the rigor of a modern-day documentary filmmaker!

The Case for Certainty  

So what does Luke's painstaking investigative process reveal to us today? For one, it shows that the stories of Jesus were not mythical legends that developed over decades and centuries. On the contrary, the events recorded in Luke's gospel were based on eyewitness testimony from those who were actually present. 

In addition, the similarities between Luke's account and the other gospels demonstrate the historical reliability of the narratives. While each author had their own perspective and audience, the core details align across the board. The coherence of these records should give us confidence that the story of Jesus is rooted in actual occurrences. 

Luke also provides assurance by emphasizing Jesus' humanity and appeal for all people. Since Luke was a Gentile writing for a Gentile audience, his book underscores Christ's compassion for outcasts and marginalized groups. His careful documentation proves Jesus was not some detached, mystical figure, but God incarnate reaching out to our world.

Battling Our Doubts 

Even with all this evidence, sometimes doubts still creep in. We all struggle to fully trust God's word at times. False teachers like Richard Dawkins portray the gospels as fictional, manipulated accounts. And our culture increasingly rejects biblical authority, relying instead on subjective experience. 

When doubts buzz in our ears, we must remember that our faith rests on the solid ground of Scripture. Just as we accept other ancient historical records, like the Declaration of Independence, based on reliable documentation, we can trust the New Testament witness about Jesus. 

Luke's painstaking process gives us assurance that God's word is true. What we have been taught about Christ through the Bible can be believed with certainty. We do not have to rely on feelings, spiritual experiences, or mystical encounters to know who God is. We have the secure testimony of Scripture thanks to Luke's diligent research.

Making Christ Central

As we take communion, we commemorate Christ's sacrifice that purchased our salvation. We also reflect on what our lives would look like if we fully embraced the gospel's certainty. Jesus must become the undisputed center around which everything in our lives revolves. 

Of course, this is much easier said than done. Total devotion requires denying ourselves and giving everything to follow Christ. But investing in God's kingdom work is the only thing that ultimately matters. Luke's own life was radically transformed when he committed himself completely to Christ after compiling his gospel.

May we likewise cling tightly to the truth of Scripture and make Christ the foundation of our lives. Though doubt will come, God's word stands sure. We can trust the gospel record with unwavering confidence.

Hear Pastor Mike's full sermon here!