GOD REVEALED

The GospelsActs of the ApostlesLettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 3: Luke: Son of Man Seeks and

Saves

Matthew: God’s Kingdom on Earth

Mark: Christ, Chief Cornerstone

Luke: Son of Man Seeks and Saves

John: Life to the Full

NT Walkthru’: The Gospels

Introduction The Son of Man Came to Seek And to Save The Lost Discussion

Presentation Overview

New Testament Timeline

Luke 19:10

This book was written to record an accurate account “so that you may know the exact truth” (1:4), of the life of Jesus Christ as the perfect Savior of the world.

IntroductionPurpose

Luke was a Greek doctor who Wrote the book around 59-61 A.D. Was the only Greek writer in the New

Testament Accompanied Paul on mission journeys, as

described in the book of Acts, which Luke also wrote.

Introduction

The emphasis of Luke is:Parables. It contains more than any other Gospel (19 total).

"Son of Man" which is used 80 times.

To present Jesus for everyone

IntroductionEmphasis

Luke emphasizes that Jesus values character vs. background race or nationality. Jesus sends out the "seventy". In the Jewish

Torah, 70 refers to all nations of the earth Traces geneology to Adam as opposed to

Abraham (Matthew) Certain Instances of Christ reaching non

Jews are talked of only in Luke Highlights instances of Jesus reaching Jews

as well eg. Zacchaeus

IntroductionEmphasis

He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - Luke 19

IntroductionContext

Occurs more times in Luke than any other Gospel (80 times)

The term beautifully depicts Christ’s combined deity and humanity

It describes him as fully God yet fully man Occurs in Daniel, Acts (Stephen’s speech),

Gospels and Revelation

Son of Man

Jesus reaches out to anyone who needed and sought him.. Jews and non Jews alike.

He sets out a new relationship protocol – that “My mother and my brothers are these who hear God's Message and obey it.“ Luke 8:21

Luke also covers many details not otherwise covered in other gospels particularly in his choice and communication with the various people.

Son of Man

Jesus, as a man seeks one individual through the milling crowds

Son of Man

Christ became completely man to reach all mankind.

The perfect bridge between God and man

Son of Man

In Luke alone we find: The parables of the Good Samaritan, the Publican and the Pharisee (praying) The rich man and Lazarus the lost coin The prodigal son The unjust steward The rich fool (build greater barns) Incident of Zacchaeus The conversation with the thief on the cross Jesus applauding Mary’s (Martha’s sister) better choice And many more…

Do we see a pattern in Jesus’ choices on who he came to seek as in the previous slide?

Came to SeekDiscussion

Christ takes the initiative With his disciples With those outside his kingdomHe goes the extra mile to reach themHe is never too busy to personally connect

Came to Seek

57As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." 58And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father."60But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."……Luke 9:57-60

Came to SeekOutside His Comfort Zone

Jesus worked tirelessly, continuously outside his comfort zone, to reach them. The parable of the lost coin, sheep, prodigal’s son indicates just how close “seeking” is to Jesus’ heart.

Came to Seek

Are we going outside our comfort zones, outside our familiar haunts to search and seek and connect with those who need God, who can only reach God through us?

Came to SeekPoint to ponder

If we are not prepared to go outside our comfort zone what can we infer from Luke 9:57-60?

Came to SeekDiscussion

He is still searching today

Came to Seek

He transformed their lives He associated with them even though they

were rejected by society – and certainly the religious leaders of the day

He assigned women a position of status as co-labourers as he endorsed Mary “choosing the better part” (Luke 10:42) instead of working in the kitchen

Not only did he reach out to these people, he saved them and gave them the hope of eternal life.

And to Save

The biggest and primary act of salvation is through his death

The lives saved were lives which in turn were transformed enough to glorify Christ and extend his kindom.

The paralytic through roof was second in command to Caesar, who was leading the procession of the widow of Nain’s son and probably invited Christ. Both these men where huge witnesses for Christ and played a role through the ages in many ways including preserving the library of Bible writings (when Nero was destroying the data) among other things.[1]

The forgiven adulteress was again a highly influential lady who built a church which exists even today known as “the church of the forgiving saviour”.[1]

The disciples (men and women) were the little band who brought Christ to the world

1. Dr. Ron Charles

And to SaveSaved by Christ, Lived for Christ

They were touched by Christ, they touched others for Christ. Their influence benefitted generations.

And to SaveSaved by Christ, Lived for Christ

When God blesses us, it is with full faith that we in turn go the extra mile to share the blessing to others

Have we fully leveraged His blessings?

And to SaveSaved by Christ, Lived for Christ

Luke emphasized that Jesus reached: Everyone – irrespective of caste, creed,

gender, religion Those who sincerely knew and

acknowledged their need for Him Every lost hope, lost credibility, lost status,

lost life, etc. .most of all, lost fellowship with God.

And set a benchmark that everyone is our neighbour (Good Samaritan – Luke 10)

The Lost

Tax collectors were considered among the most corrupt people. The Pharisees charged that Jesus was "a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34). 

The Lost

We often ask the question – what about those who have never heard Christ?

What are we doing about them?

Even today, Christ is reaching out to them. He is looking for labourers to go out into the harvest.

The Lost

Jesus could restore in a way no one else could. Eg. Widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7). Distinguished soldier marched for final

military honours Embalmed – i.e. no organs - heart, brains,

eyes Blood drained and body filled with fluid.

Jesus restored non existent organs and gave him life

Ref:Dr. Ron Charles

The Lost

Are we ready, to follow Christ, to truly seek out the lost for their salvation???

The Lost

Christ has blessed us in many ways. Are we using the blessing to bless others? Please share.

What are some challenges in “seeking” out the lost outside our known territories. How can we overcome them?

Share some ways in which we are/ can “seek” out the lost, and help them to receive Christ’s salvation outside our comfort zone.

Discussion