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Begin with the end in mind.

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Begin with the end in mind.

Who are you?

What are you doing here?

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Begin with the end in mind.

  • 3 categories of this perspective….

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Begin with the end in mind.

  • 3 categories of this perspective….
      • CONFIDENT
      • HOPELESS
      • REST of US

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BEGIN with the END in mind…

Luke writes his gospel in order to increase our confidence, our certainty in the truth of Jesus. 

He is convinced that a justified certainty about Jesus is the foundation of a joy-filled and inspired life. 

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Why we Chose Luke:

  • Timely. Culturally relevant.
  • Author who wrote the MOST of NT.
  • Hillcrest: We Focus on Jesus.

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Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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Who is Theophilus?

  • An actual Gentile
  • A person of some means
  • "Friend of God”

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Who is Luke?

  • Gentile
  • Doctor

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Luke the beloved physician greets you,

as does Demas. (Colossians 4:14)

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Who is Luke?

  • Gentile
  • Doctor
  • Educated
  • Companion of Paul who didn’t desert him

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2 Timothy 4:9-11a

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me.

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Who is Luke?

  • Gentile
  • Doctor
  • Educated
  • Companion of Paul who didn’t desert him
  • Converted through testimonies

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Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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  • Luke researched and checked the sources about Jesus.

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  • Luke compiled a logical account of Jesus.

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  • Luke wrote to increase our certainty in Jesus.
    • Lack of Certainty about Jesus leads to.
    • Certainty about Jesus leads to.

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Begin with the end in mind.

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Lack of Certainty about Jesus leads to:

  • Convenient, consumeristic, apathetic Christianity.
  • Openness to other religious AND cultural perspectives.
  • Various pursuits of meaning, significance and joy.
  • Striving to control circumstances.
  • Anxiety and fear in trials.
  • Jesus appears irrelevant to others by our lives.
  • Lost in retirement.
  • Minimal evangelistic enthusiasm.
  • Fearful when thinking about or confronting death.

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Certainty about Jesus leads to:

  • A COMPLETE devotion to Jesus.
  • Unwavering commitment to Jesus as the only way.
  • Singular pursuit of meaning, significance and joy. Jesus.
  • Intentional/leveraged use of TIME, TREASURE, TALENT for eternity.
  • EVERYDAY, Display the joy-filled, life transforming power of Jesus.
  • Continuous joyful, non-anxious presence.
  • View retirement as opportunity for increased direct ministry.
  • Seeking Transformation with evangelistic fervor/passion/zeal #praywatch.
  • Authentically become more than a conqueror In the face of death

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Implications:

  • EVERYDAYmeeting. Set your alarm to 1:04pm. For Luke 1:4. Meet with Jesus to Increase your Certainty about Jesus.

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  • EVERYDAYmeeting. GenerousRelationship (Value3) towards someone who you think can grow in their Certainty.

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“GOD, What are you inviting me into today?”

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Implications:

  • EVERYDAYmeeting. Set your alarm to 1:04pm. For Luke 1:4. Meet with Jesus to Increase your Certainty about Jesus.

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  • EVERYDAYmeeting. GenerousRelationship (Value 3) towards someone who you think can grow in their Certainty.

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  • EVERYDAYmeeting. Pray/Watch for someone who has yet to experience Certainty in order to SPARK CURIOSITY.

“GOD, What are you inviting me into today?”

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