INTRODUCTION

1. Seeking to Understand Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Facts

b) Features

c) Faith

2. Knowledge and Certainty

a) Knowledge

i) That would be significant

ii) Information must be sufficient

b) Certainty

i) It comes from a word that is used to ensure

 

that a prisoner is securely locked up

ii) The prisoners may be chained to ensure security

iii) Certainty of Faith is the Goal

3. Theophilus as a person of high rank

a) He wants facts and not opinions

b) He wants to have a faith that is clear and certain

 

WRITING AS A MEDICAL DOCTOR

1. Not Myths

a) Religious Myths abound

b) All deities have myths that surround their persona

2. Facts

a) Things that are clearly evidenced

b) Information can be checked and proven to be true or otherwise

 

SEEKING FAITH IN GOD

1. The Origin of Religions

a) It usually has an ethnic origin

b) It develops its distinctive features along the way

c) Its Appeal must be given due consideration

2. The Jewish Faith

a) It began in Israel

b) Ethnically a Jewish origin

c) The Natural Appeal is to the Jews

d) It is bound to the history of the nation

3. The Roman gods

a) They were like the Greek gods

With their names changed into Latin

c) Essentially, it was polytheism

d) Temples were built and dedicated to these gods and goddesses

e) Influences

a) January

(Roman god Janus)

b) February

(Roman goddess Februalis; alternative name of Juno)

c) March

(Roman god of war Mars)

4. The Christian Faith

a) There were shared roots with Judaism

b) Features that were common to both Judaism and Christianity

i) Monotheism

ii) But there are remarkable differences

iii) It has a Universal appeal

iv) Gentiles are not just an “add on” feature

 

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The starting point

“A narrative of those things which have been fulfilled” Luke 1:1

2. The Birth Narrative of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) A Divine Plan revealed

i) The birth of a Child called Jesus Luke 1:31

ii) He will be great Luke 1:32a

iii) He will be called “The Son of the Highest” Luke 1:32b

iv) He will be given the throne of His father David Luke 1:32c

v) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever Luke 1:33

b) Human Involvement included

i) A humble girl called Mary

ii) She was a virgin and not yet married Luke 1:34

c) The Power of the Spirit of God

i) The Holy Spirit will come upon Mary Luke 1:35a

ii) The power of the Most High will

overshadow her Luke 1:35b

iii) The Holy One to be born will be called

“The Son of God” Luke 1:35c

3. The significance of this Birth narrative

a) This word given seemed impossible to Mary

i) She was not married

ii) She was a virgin

iii) This was humanly impossible

b) The reply of the angel Gabriel

i) “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37

(Idiomatic Translation)

ii) “Because nothing is impossible with

every word of God”

(Literal translation)

4. From Start to Finish

a) God is involved (Divine plan)

b) The Power of the Spirit of God will be there

c) The Lord Jesus Christ will indeed be great and He will live up

to His name… as One who will save… (Saviour)

 

CONCLUSION

1. Certainty of faith because God and His power will be involved

2. There is a Divine Plan in place

3. The Fulfilment of God’s Plan will confirm the Faith we have in the Lord Jesus