1. Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
Longest of the four Gospels.
Addressed to an individual (Theophilus).
Objective: to assure Theophilus (and other Gentiles) about GOD GIVING HOPE through Jesus.

2. A lesson from Luke Chapter 1
The Seeds of Hope
Pray
Turn to Luke 1
In his professionally written history…
Interesting, Luke starts off with stories about two pregnant women!
“Preggie 1 and 2”
Ang Kuwento ng Dalawang Buntis
A lesson from Luke Chapter 1

3. Outline of Luke 1 Prediction about John’s birth
Prediction about Jesus’ birth
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Birth of John (the Baptist)
2 buntis!
John was a Levite.
His father Zechariah was a Temple priest of the line of Abijah, and his mother Elizabeth was also descended from Aaron (Luke 1:5).
Jesus Christ and John the Baptist were related.
Their mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, were cousins. (Luke 1:36).
John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus Christ (Luke 1:36).

4. On John (the Baptist)
1.17 And he will go on before the Lord…to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Two Insights from the song of Zechariah, John’s dad, “The Doubting Daddy”

5. 1. The Darkness of Sin Zechariah’s concern The world’s concern
Our concern?
Zechariah – from a priestly clan; usually Israel’s priests were concerned with purity matters
Zech understood the situation
Seeing things from Heavens’ eyes; the world is lost, the world needs help, a lot of help
>We can get focused on the glitter and glamour of the world
e.g.
What are our dreams?
Are we more concerned about our kids accomplishments in school? Or their spirituality?
Remember, testimony sa atin si Naz, anak ni Joseph and Perlie, nasa campus ministry ng NC
Sabi niya: Before I became a disciple, my dream was to become a model…now it’s to become a missionary.
>On a deeper level, we can get used to the sin in the world
FB accounts – what are we reading? What are we posting?
A brother talked to me…when people

6. 2. The Light of Salvation
The more you apprehend the darkness, the more you appreciate the light
Like John the Baptist, each one of us is to be an instrument of light.
When we see how dark the world is, we can see how awesome the light is
The dark is really dark; the light is really light
e.g. me – reading in the dark;
It’s easy to be used to it; listening to the news (me-a.m. radio madalas…; a time hindi ako nakakinig, shocked)
Stat: Teenage pregnancies in the Phils, highest in SEA; also highest in abortion
When we see how dark things are; any light is appreciated
e.g.
Brother, shared: I have anger issues, and kung hindi ako naging disciple, and kawawa talaga, anak ko. Buti nalang disciple na ako, kasi…
Chall: Spread the light.

7. Challenge
Avoid the darkness of sin!
Approach the light of salvation!