IN THE WORD DAILY
with Brother Rick
Luke 1: 1
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set
forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed
among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were
eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
We begin today in the gospel
account of the “beloved physician”, Luke. He was a frequent companion of the
apostle Paul, and accompanied him in his missionary work. Luke was an
evangelist and he is the author of this gospel as well as the book of Acts. The
book was written primarily to the Greek Gentile believers. The theme of Luke's
gospel is the humanity of Christ. The key phrase is “Son of man”. The key verse
is found in 19: 10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that
which was lost”.
Our text deals with the basis
of our knowledge of Christ and the foundation of the Christian faith. The men
who were moved by God to write the sixty-six books of the Bible, and in this
case the first hand accounts of the life of Christ, were witnesses and were
inspired by the Holy Ghost to write what they knew to be true. 2 Peter 1: 21
says, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” These men had
first hand knowledge of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus
Christ. They were witnesses. They knew what they were talking about. If you are
called into a court of law and asked to be a witness. They will not accept hear
say evidence. You must report the facts as you know them. The court wants to
know what you have seen and heard. You will have a hard time leading people to
Jesus if you have not actually met the Savior.
Throughout the scriptures, we
find people who had first hand knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus, the Son
of God. Look at the blind man in John 9. Verse 24, 25 says, “Then again
called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we
know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or
no, I know not: but one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
This man was not an educated man. He was not a pillar of society. He was not
the front runner in the political arena. He was not a Theology major. He was an
ordinary man, and because of his physical deformity, we was an outcast to the
religious crowd. But praise God, Jesus don't call the fit, he fits the call.
This man had first hand knowledge of a compassionate God. He met Jesus face to
face.
I know a man who was held in
the clutches of sin for 34 years, he was a drug addict for 25, he was a liar
and a thief. At times, he was homeless and destitute. He had no hope in this
world, and lived as a pauper. But praise God, one day he met the Savior. He has
first hand knowledge of the power of the Son of God. That's right, it was me!!
I know he lives, because I have met him. I talked to him this morning. I had
fellowship with him just yesterday, and he spoke to me through his word. I am a
witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am not speaking on hear say, I'm not taking
the world's view, I know him personally. I'm not taking maw maw's word for it.
I know him for myself. Philippians 3: 9, 10 says, “And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I
may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” I'm glad I know
him.
What is your witness of the
Savior? Are you riding the coattails of the preacher to heaven? Sorry! You
won't make it. Are you trusting in grandpa's salvation to cover you when this
life is over? Sorry! That just won't work. Are you trusting in church
membership, baptism, or the traditions of religion to get you to heaven? Sorry,
friend, that's not the way. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no man
comes to the Father but by him. Have you met him? Do you have first hand
knowledge?
Don't put it off any longer,
get to know the Savior of the world. His name is Jesus, and he IS the dearest
friend I ever had.
