Hello ICC Family!
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Luke 1:1-4
Several times in the past few weeks it has been brought up in our Sunday discipleship time how important it is to know why we can believe that the cross and the resurrection actually took place. Pastor Jimmy suggested last week that perhaps we should make that a topic for discipleship in the coming year and that is not a bad idea at all. I used to have several books on the subject. One of them was called Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Over the years and moves, I have no idea where that book ended up, but it was a large book that came in two volumes that had point after point of evidence concerning why we can trust the Bible, the message of the Bible, and the subject of the Bible, namely God.
Last Sunday we started Advent season looking at the account of Jesus’ birth from the first couple of chapters of Luke. We read the introduction above, but skipped talking about it to get to the story of John the Baptist’s birth. Notice why Luke writes his gospel, however. He wanted to build the faith of this person named Theophilus, who was probably a Roman official who had trusted Christ and that had been taught the basics of the faith, but that may have struggled with doubts.
It is incredibly important to know what you believe and why. Most of us get our information and our news from websites that are all so desperate for money that even the best sell space to advertisers with links that look just barely different from the real headlines. And then even the real articles are often written by people that have their own biases and agendas. So again, it is important to have the most important things of life settled and secure so that when you are tested and when Satan tries to sway you with his lies, the foundation of your faith is solid. We are given the gospel of Luke (and indeed the whole Bible) so that we can know the certainty of the things we have been taught. Luke wrote his gospel so that his readers might have an accurate and orderly narrative of the life, ministry, and message of Jesus Christ. Luke had carefully researched his material, interviewed eyewitnesses, and listened to those who had ministered the Word. And most importantly, he had the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
My hope and prayer for myself and my family and all of you is that during this Advent season, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit speaking to us through his written word, we would encounter the Living Word - Jesus Christ who brings light to the world. We will be walking through Luke’s “carefully investigated” account, and I am confident that as we read the Christmas story there yet again, each of us will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith.
Praying for all of you!
Pastor Aaron
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