Luke was an investigative reporter.

• Luke’s Credentials: Luke 1:1-4

• Luke focused on the role of Holy Spirit more than any other gospel writer.

Luke 1 & 2—Holy Spirit and the births of John and Jesus

1. Holy Spirit fills people.

• Holy Spirit is the set up.

2. Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary.

• Holy Spirit is the creative Spirit.

1. The Israelites were always complaining.

- Psalm 78

2. God uses discipline to bring us into repentance.

- Hebrews 12:11; Hebrews 12:1

3. Even in time of rebellion, God will always be faithful.

- Amos 9:14, Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus: "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."

Matthew 16:18 NLT

Big Idea | The ekklēsia is a family of worship and mission.

1. We gather as a family.

• Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25

2. We gather for worship.

• Colossians 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 18:20

3. We gather for the mission. • John 10:10

1 JOHN 5:13 ESV "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life".

Big Idea | You can KNOW you have eternal life.

How?

1. If you keep his commandments.

• 1 John 2:3, 5b-6, 3:8-9

2. If you love one another.

• 1 John 3:14, 16-18,

3. If you abide in God.

• 1 John 3:24, 4:16

1 John 1:1, 3-4—John’s Credentials

Big Idea | God will sacrifice everything to fellowship

with his sons and daughters.

1. Sin always breaks fellowship with God.

• Genesis 3 (Adam and Eve)

2. God takes the initiative to restore fellowship.

• John 3:16 - For God so LOVED the world....

• 1 John 2:2 (compare translations of the word hilasmos)

• Atone

• Propitiate

• Expiate

• 1 John 4:10

3. Jesus’ sacrifice ensures that our fellowship with God can be restored.

• 1 John 1:7; 1:9; 2:12