Where can we find a firm place to stand as we round out 2020? Will it be in science, or leadership, or technology, or intellectualism, or finances? As exiles in a foreign land, how can we discern truth, goodness, and beauty in a world full of distraction and deceit?

We may think that this search is simply a modern idea. Yet, the biblical narrative tells us otherwise.

Adam, after being deceived, was cast out of the solid ground of God’s steady, tangible presence. He was now a wanderer, looking for a firm place to stand. And Moses, as he led a people who were rescued and redeemed by God, consistently had to remind a forgetful and easily deceived people where they had come from. Prophet after prophet spoke truth into kings and people who couldn’t hear and couldn’t see.

And yet, within each of these accounts, God left His mark. He made promises to His people that would one day be fulfilled.

After 400 years of silence, God spoke in action! “In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son,'' says Galatians 4.4. This Son would crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3.15). This promised Prophet would speak the very words of God (Deut 18.18). His Son would “open the eyes of the blind” (Isaiah 42.7). He would be “pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53.5).

And God, in His providence, gave us Luke, as one of four Gospel accounts, to record His coming. It is a gift for us to see, in Luke’s eyewitness records, the arrival of God’s promised Messiah—His Son. Let’s look as we read Luke this Advent season, for God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and giving us a firm place to stand.

Luke 1.1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Who is Luke addressing this letter to? [v. 3]

+ How could you paraphrase verses 1-3?

+ What is Luke’s goal in presenting this Gospel? [v. 4]

+ What synonyms can you come up with for certainty? What things in our lives are certain?

+ Why might Luke think that his Gospel would cause Theophilis to be certain of what he had been taught?

+ What keywords does Luke use to describe his thoroughness? [vs. 1-4]

+ Why was Luke motivated to write this account? [vs. 2-3]

+ How can Luke be so certain of his own Gospel?

+ How can we have confidence in his words today?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What promises from God do you and I need to remember as we walk in uncertain times?

+ How can I walk in those promises with confidence?

+ How can soaking in God’s Word help you and I remember God’s faithfulness over time to His people?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ How can our daily time in God’s Word help us walk and be a godly example to others?

+ How does our personal walk and witness affect other brothers and sisters in Christ? How might it affect the watching world?