Message Summary
Luke 1:1-80
Birth announcements are always exciting. Luke begins his Gospel with two birth announcements that combine to drive home one amazing truth: “God is near!” Whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, whatever darkness or sorrow you’ve known, even in the face of your guilt, God concludes the chapter by announcing the arrival of “knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (v.77-79)
Discussion Questions
- In 1:74-75, we read that one of the purposes of Christ’s coming is “that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” Trying to establish our own holiness and righteousness through obedience leads to slavish fear. Where do you see Jesus’ provision in these verses? How do these birth announcements move you from fearful obedience to grace?
- In Malachi 4:2, we read prophecies pertaining to these birth announcements. Malachi’s prophecy includes the imagery of healing / making us whole, and leaping like calves out of a stable. What connection is God making between grace and our response?
- Luke makes this very clear, after a 400 year wait, “God is near!” Do you believe this? Gene talked about waking up and not “feeling” God’s particular nearness. He mentioned being encouraged by this chapter because it reminds us that regardless of how we’re feeling, God has made emphatic, historical, objective announcements that we can stake our lives on. In Jesus Christ, God is near! Discuss how this objective truth might encourage you on particular kinds of days or in some particular circumstance you’re struggling with right now.
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