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Eliminate doubt, fear and misunderstanding about specific Bible passages through faith, prayer and group discussion.

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Welcome Luke 1:1-25 Request a Prayer Free Paintings

GOSPEL OF LUKE CHAPTER 1

BIBLE STUDY GOALS:

Diagnose why certain actions or beliefs were wrong and how they could be corrected.
Stress proclamations of God's loves for us.
Examine passages that may cause confusion, misunderstanding or doubt.
Learn how to talk to God in prayer and how to talk about God to those around us.
Identify the behavior and convictions that are pleasing to God.

Luke 1:1-25

New King James Version (NKJV)

Bible Commentary

Dedication to Theophilus

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, To be an eyewitness of the Word: explain the problems and desires you had and how they were solved by God's provisions. Identify how God answered you prayers. To be a minister of the Word: tell everyone about what God did for you. 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, Encourage each other and strengthen one another in faith. 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Theophilus is a student of Luke, of lower degree and maybe of a younger age. Do not let pride close your heart with feelings of superiority. Readily complement others for their service to God, even when they are younger, hold an inferior position and are less educated than you.

The opposite of FAITH is DOUBT, we must believe with passion and undeniable conviction how good and loving God is. By studying the Bible, we learn the reliability and faithfulness the Creator’s Word. In Biblical studies, we discover how merciful and understanding God is in the lives of Bible characters, even when they fail, sin and doubt their Heavenly Father.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. This was good for them and pleasing to God; so we should do likewise. Studying the Bible allows us to discern right from wrong. It equips us with explanations, evidence and support for our faith. It will prepare us for defense of God's law in public ridicule, to fight silence in face of obvious sin, and to counter justification of wrongdoing. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,and they were both well advanced in years.Things such as pain, illness (being barren), death, war, environmental, political and economic conditions, are of this world and belong to the prince of this world. We are only tenants here: our home is in heaven. When we offer our misfortunes in persevering prayer with trust to God, He transforms them into blessing for all those who love, worship and serve Him.

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. God speaks to us, He gives us revelations and inspired visions during prayer, service to His church, and during social gatherings in His name. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Fear to sudden supernatural signs is natural. Whenever we feel fear or troublesome thoughts, we should pray, turn to God, recite His words and be assured in Him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Zacharias has been praying for the same intention for many years. If God answered our prayers immediately, we could get the idea that He can be manipulated, thus our intentions would be evil and selfish. But God is good beyond our imagination, He chose the perfect time for John to be born: six month before The awaited Messiah. John was born when the people who needed to hear him the most will benefit from his teaching. God's timing was a blessing not only to John's father, but also to everyone; it was part of God's divine gift of our salvation.

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Here the angel tells us that God wants us to be glad and joyful, moreover, the Lord wants everyone to rejoice. It is important that, when we tell people of the good things God did in our lives, we wish them the same and explain to them that God wants everybody to have such joy. This will help our fellow humans cure ill thoughts of jealousy with reasons for hope and possibility. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. Although we may have strong faith now, in the future we may begin to doubt or forget about what God is telling us. Such commitment to "not drinking" is a helpful reminder to stay faithful throughout our lifetimes. Self-discipline is a virtue, because it liberates us from addictive tendencies of the flesh. John’s commitment is also for others to help them not to doubt God's prophet, as it related to commitments of the Pharisees and the Nazarite Vow. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. Although an unplanned pregnancy may seem a mistake, it was planned by God, and He loves children, The Spirit of Almighty God himself can live in infants, even when they are just a couple of unformed cells. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. What are some ways in which we can turn people to God today? We can tell them to talk to God, ask Him, pray. We may also read on about what John did and attempt similar service. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ Teach about mercy or the influence parents have on the convictions of their children. and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”Address the lost with language they will understand, with examples and stories centered on things that are familiar to them. Every unbeliever is good to those who are good to him, address this fleeting goodness to help him see something more: God.

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? In other Bible translations this appears as "How can I be sure?" (NIV and NLT) and "Do you expect me to believe this" (The Message). For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” Although Zacharias was a Priest and followed God's commandments, he began to think in terms of "this world" (age, health). He began to limit God's power by what is humanly possible (fertility and age). But God loved him and forgave him. Even the faithful and ordained can be lost, and with time begin to limit their faith by "things of this world". God helped Zacharias, he renewed his faith and strengthened it by a constant reminder of what not to assimilate "ways of the world" through the commitment of John not drinking alcohol. 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, Zacharias wanted another sign to help him believe, aside from an angel, so he received such sign: a temporary loss of speech. As we will soon see in further reading, this was also a blessing in disguise for many people. because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Nine months without talking, is a long time; it would be difficult to stage a disability for so almost a year. The angel stressed the phrase "fulfilled in their own time" to refer to perseverance in prayer: God's timing is perfect, His will is good for multitudes and benefits many generations, we must trust God's timing and pray without ceasing.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

Being mute blessed Zacharias for he didn't have to try on his own strength and to convince the multitudes that God spoke to him: the muteness was a blessing that helped others believe. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” God cares about our day-to-day lives. He is compassionate toward us when others when others treat us with reproach. He cares about our relationships. Tell others that God is kind. Explain to them what God has done for you, and how bad it was before. Everything that is good in this life is from God himself. Glory be to God, who is Perfect Love!

NEXT:Luke 1:26-38 >>