Salvation Has Come to All Nations A Study of Luke’s Gospel Beginning this Sunday, November 24

As we approach Advent, we have the joy of beginning a study of Luke’s gospel. Luke’s gospel is unique in several ways. Luke is the longest book in the New Testament. As a result, we will be spending a good bit of time in Luke. Because it is so long, we will be taking some breaks along the way to preach other series. Luke also introduces material that is not in any of the other gospels. This makes a study of Luke interesting. Just what does Luke contribute to our understanding of Jesus and his gospel? New Testament theologians D. A. Carson and Doug Moo mention four themes that Luke emphasizes: 
 

1. The Central Importance of God’s Plan: Luke wants to show that Jesus’ coming was no accident. He emphasizes God’s sovereign plan of salvation. Jesus came into the world, born of a virgin, grew in wisdom and stature as a human being while also being the divine Son of God who came to “seek and save the lost” (19:10). I take Luke 19:10 to be the central theme of Luke’s gospel. 

 

2. The Salvation of the World: Of what are called the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Luke is the only one who uses the word “salvation” as a noun. And he uses the verb “save” more than any other New Testament writer. As Carson and Moo argue, “Salvation is the thematic center of Luke’s gospel” (p.219). 

 

3. The Inclusion of Gentiles: One of the unique emphases in Luke is how, in Jesus, salvation has also come to the Gentiles. So, while Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, once he saw Jesus when he was presented in the temple, he was overjoyed and declared that now he could die in peace because he had “seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (2:29-32). Luke will show how Jesus welcomes the Gentile into this promised salvation. 

 

4. The Dignity of the Outcasts: Luke shows how Jesus interacts with those marginalized by society: the poor, sinners, and women. In Luke’s gospel, the outcast are the ones who are usually responsive to the gospel, while the religious do not. In this light, Jesus connects our hearts with what we do with our money and material possessions. More than any other gospel writer, Jesus connects our spiritual condition with financial and material stewardship.  

 

5. The Cost of Following Jesus: I would add one more theme in Luke’s gospel: counting the cost of following Jesus. Luke will show how many reject Jesus, but many also follow him. Still, whoever follows Jesus must count the cost. You must be willing to sacrifice all to follow him. 

 
This Sunday, November 24, we will begin our study of Luke’s gospel with a sermon anchored in Luke 1:1-4, but which will give us an overview to the entire gospel. Join us as we learn about this Jesus who came to seek and save the lost of all nations.

Resources of the Week

Re:Connecting Around the Gospel Marriage Workshop | Saturday, December 7 | 8:30 AM to 12 PM 
This workshop is for any married couple to attend together. The workshop will present biblical wisdom then provide time for couples to reflect, process and pray together. We are planning to provide childcare. Click here to register.

Women's Ministry Annual Christmas Brunch | Saturday, December 14 from 10 AM to 12 PM
Ladies, please plan to join the women at our annual Christmas brunch! Aimee Barnes will be speaking. Click here to register.
 
Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.

 Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:

• THIS WEEK all English-speaking life classes are meeting together (Prayer, Discipleship, and Student Ministry)
• Kids Life Class:  For children K–5th grade 
• Spanish Life Class | Discipulado: Principios y Prácticas

NEXT WEEK all English-speaking life classes will begin a three-week class focusing on advent

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• November 24 | Luke 1:1-4, Pastor Juan 
• December 1 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 8 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 15 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 22 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 29 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The Gospel Coalition
 
TGC is a fellowship of evangelical churches in the Reformed tradition deeply committed to renewing our faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming our ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures. We have become deeply concerned about some movements within traditional evangelicalism that seem to be diminishing the church’s life and leading us away from our historic beliefs and practices. On the one hand, we are troubled by the idolatry of personal consumerism and the politicization of faith; on the other hand, we are distressed by the unchallenged acceptance of theological and moral relativism. These movements have led to the easy abandonment of both biblical truth and the transformed living mandated by our historic faith. We not only hear of these influences, we see their effects. We have committed ourselves to invigorating churches with new hope and compelling joy based on the promises received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Our desire is to serve the church we love by inviting all our brothers and sisters to join us in an effort to renew the contemporary church in the ancient gospel of Christ so that we truly speak and live for him in a way that clearly communicates to our age. As pastors, we intend to do this in our churches through the ordinary means of his grace: prayer, the ministry of the Word, baptism and the Lord’s Supper and the fellowship of the saints. We yearn to work with all who, in addition to embracing the confession and vision set out here, seek the lordship of Christ over the whole of life with unabashed hope in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform individuals, communities, and cultures.
You will find links to our Confessional Statement and our Theological Vision for Ministry—a vision rooted in the Scriptures and centered on the gospel.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.