For the Love of God

Keynote to Say Yes '98

The Gospel of Luke ~ An Introduction

January 4, 1998

Luke 10:25-37

During most of this year we will be coming back again and again to the Gospel of Luke for our worship, our lessons and our sermons.

The Gospel of Luke was written by a companion of the Apostle Paul, the only Gentile writer of the New Testament. He was a physician, a medical doctor, and it seems to me something of a sensitive and poetic soul. In his Gospel we pick up details a musician might notice. There are songs of Mary, of Zachariah, of the angels announcing Jesus' birth, and old Simeon in the Temple.

The Gospel of Luke was written to a man called Theophilus. The Gospel, "Luke," is really Volume One of a two part work; "The Book of Acts" is the Second Volume, also written to Theophilus. Whoever Theophilus was, Theophilus is also anyone who would be a Friend of God.

One story in Luke's Gospel today represents the spirit of the whole: the parable of the Good Samaritan is a great launching pad not only for Say Yes '98 but the entire year's vision for ministry as well. The story was a response to two important questions a very keen person asked Jesus.

The first question is "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus answered in two terse sentences: Love God with all your being. Love your neighbor as yourself. Actually the lawyer said the answer and Jesus simply agreed. Then he said, "If you do that, you will live!"

But that brought up the second question. Maybe the lawyer was thinking: "If I am to love my neighbor as myself, just who might be 'my neighbor?' Next door neighbor? Or within the block on which I live? People I know?" So he said to Jesus: Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus answered with the familiar story:

A man walking the road from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked, beaten, robbed, and left bleeding beside the road. A Priest comes by, and goes to the other side of the road. A Levite— professionally religious person— comes next, and he, too, does not get involved. Then finally an "outsider," a half-Gentile, if there was such a thing— a hated Samaritan comes along. He stops—gives first aid. Then he puts the wounded man on his donkey and takes him to a place of shelter. He promises to come back and take care of any costs involved with care.

And then, having told the story Jesus asked a question of his own: "Which of these three was neighbor to the man in need?"

The correct answer was given, of course: "The one who showed mercy! He was the neighbor!"

Then Jesus said to the lawyer, and the people listening, and to all Christians down across the centuries: Go and do likewise!

That is our keynote! All we have to do is love God—

— and love our neighbor

—and ask God to define the lines of our neighborhood!

Two things I underscore from an overview of the Gospel of Luke, this year's study, for our keynote attention this first day of Say Yes '98:

ONE WE HAVE A UNIVERSAL GOSPEL

[A brief paragraph about Luke's Gospel to state that it is 'the gospel for the Gentiles' for the "outsiders ... with God there are no outsiders]

Our "neighborhood" is wherever God permits us to be. There is no shortage of need for mercy and kindness and grace and love. The Gospel is for ALL people.

During this month we will see that our neighborhood can be half way around the world helping people we may never see until we meet around God's Great White Throne. People like the Stotlers and the Karahadians and the Slingerlands can help us see that very real people with very real needs can have their lives changed because we love God and love them, too!

During this month we may see that our neighborhood can be people with various kinds of needs here in Quincy or Boston, or in New York City or other needy places here in our own homeland. Our own Chinese ministry is reaching neighbors and showing love and concern. God may speak to you about ways you can help now or in the days to come.

During this month God will help us to see again that every person we meet, whether an old seasoned Christian or a hard-to-love next door neighbor or even someone who doesn't like us— every person we meet needs God's love. During this month God will show us that there are ways we can show other people right where we live that God loves them.

The wonderful thing is, we don't have this great assignment/responsibility to do in our own puny strength! For the second part to this humble keynote is:

WE HAVE AN INEXHAUSTIBLE PROMISE

[A brief paragraph about the importance of the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts. From the first chapter of Luke to the final chapter of Acts there are many references to the dynamic inter-action of God the Holy Spirit in the everyday lives of people who will cooperate with God. From chapter one of the Gospel to the last chapter of Acts the Holy Spirit, God at work making his will clear, energizing, empowering, doing whatever is necessary to bring heaven and earth together. ]

Two key verses from the Gospel, in this brief introduction-overview-keynote, are practical verses that unpack this promise of an indwelling God in our carrying out of His will.

In Luke 11:13 is the promise: "If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" In some way, some practical way, Jesus is saying that God's empowering indwelling Presence can be ours for the asking.

And then in the closing paragraph of the Gospel (24:49) there it is again: "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

I ask you this first Sunday of SAY YES '98:

Are you welcoming the Holy Spirit into your life, where you live?

  1. In a new way of living?

    This promise can be, even must be, answered in a time of crisis prayer and faith receiving. The Holy Spirit comes to bring salvation, life, spiritual appetite, when we turn from sin and come to receive assurance of salvation.

  2. In an entire consecration?

    The promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus was speaking about in the closing paragraph of Luke was fulfilled for the disciples on the Day of Pentecost as they waited for the fullness of the Spirit to come and cleanse and empower them.

    Have you made a total dedication of your life to God for time and for eternity? There is a fullness of the Spirit that comes only in this crisis of entire sanctification.

  3. Then— the Holy Spirit is given for everyday victory; in day-by-day asking and receiving!

PRAYER (For the Early Service ONLY)

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Prayer (Second Service: )

Hymn #308 Come, Holy Spirit