Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been
fulfilled
among us,2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the
first were eye-witnesses and servants of the word.3 Therefore, since I
myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it
seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most
excellent Theophilus,4 so that you may know the certainty of the things
you have been taught.

the altar of incense.12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was
gripped with fear.13 But the angel said to him: \u201cDo not be afraid,
Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a
son, and you are to give him the name John\u2026.

When he sets out his reason for writing, he tells Theophilus that he writes
his carefully researched gospel so that his readers will KNOW THE
CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.

And, just a few verses down, he introduces us to Zechariah \u2013 a man who
grapples with the angel messenger\u2019s promise and asks a question that
goes so well with Luke\u2019s aim: \u201cHOW CAN I BE SURE?\u201d

Ours is an age ofuncertainty \u2013 and we who claim to know the gospel of
God need to be able to present our faith in confidence and clarity. As our
society gears itself up for the coming festive season \u2013 we must be
prepared too, for we have a serious responsibility to present the wonder of
our Lord Jesus to an uncertain \u2013 a doubting world.

And so, this Advent Sunday morning, I want to speak for a little while about
BEING SURE. First of all from Luke\u2019s preface \u2013 and then from the story of
Zechariah.

\u2135Being sure about what really matters
\u2135Being sure because of reliable witnesses
\u2135Being sure by faith in the One who speaks
\u2135Being sure as we follow it in practise

What is this all about?
Why am I here?
Is there more to life than what I now know?
Is God really interested in me?

So, as Luke sets about the task of introducing the Good News of Jesus \u2013 he makes it clear that he is writing because the story he has to tell is indeed the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD.

Luke knows he is one voice amongst many voices that tell the story of
Jesus \u2013 but his concern is that no one will escape the understanding that
THIS JESUS MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING AND ANYONE ELSE

The subject of his book is JESUS \u2013 and Luke wants Theophilus who has
already been told and taught about Jesus \u2013 to KNOW EVEN MORE
TO BE CERTAIN.

it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most
excellent Theophilus,4 so that you may know the certainty of the things
you have been taught.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been
fulfilled
among us,2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the
first were eye-witnesses and servants of the word.3 Therefore, since I
myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it
seemed good also to me to write an orderly account

Not only is Luke the longest book in the New Testament \u2013 it is a remarkable
Gospel containing a remarkable amount of material found by Luke alone.
So many of his themes like the sources he used speak to our modern day.
He knows there are other sources \u2013 he is not suggesting that his will be
different in its central message \u2013 but he is recognising that what he has to
say will reinforce the testimony of others.

Committed to the recording \u2013 at first verbally and then in writing \u2013 of the
most powerful truth of all \u2013 that God loved us and sent His Son to live
amongst us, to show us the Father and to die for our sins \u2013 Luke wants us
to be SURE!

Jesus is the fulfilment of the promises of God
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus is truly human