Sermon Tone Analysis

Occasion

In the few decades following the instantiation of the church, many people were writing accounts of the church and of its beginnings (Luke 1:1).

Having followed things closely (Luke 1:2) and walked with Paul for some time (2 Timothy 4:11; Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24), Luke decided to write an account for the man, Theophilus (Luke 1:3), that the things already taught to him might be established as true (Luke 1:4)

Purpose

Luke’s purpose is to show Theophilus and the rest of the world that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all the world, as the scriptures promised, and that his salvation should be proclaimed to all the nations by his followers.

That is, people should be called to repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Theme

As was promised in the Scriptures, Jesus came to save people from the whole world, Jew and Gentile, forming them into a faithful people, and commissioning them to his global, redemptive mission.

Outline

Prologue: Luke’s Purpose in Writing (Luke 1:1-4)

The Arrival of Jesus Signifies Salvation for the Whole World, Jew and Gentile Alike (Luke 1:5-4:13) [cf.

Luke 1:17, 55, 76-78; 2:11, 29-32; 3:8-9, 16-17, 22, 38]

Because of the way he came (Luke 1:15-2:52)

Preceded by a promised forerunner (Luke 1:5-25)

Descended from David as the promised king (Luke 1:26-38)

Resulting in praise from the humble, those who believe (Luke 1:39-56)

Came through a sunrise like visitation (Luke 1:57-80)

With a promise of peace for all his people (Luke 2:1-21)

As a light to Jew and Gentile (Luke 2:22-38)

Because he is the Son of God (Luke 2:39-52)

Because of the Righteous life he lived (Luke 3:1-4:13)

Salvation not solely by lineage, but through a heritage of Righteousness (Luke 3:1-20)

He is the obedient Israel, Second Adam, and Son of God (Luke 3:21-4:13)

Jesus Exemplifies How God Will Fulfill His Mission to Save the World (Luke 4:14-9:50) [cf.

Luke 4:18-19, 25-27, 40, 43; 5:8-11, 21-24, 31-32; 6:4-11, 20-23, 24-26, 41-42; 7:9, 22-23, 28-30, 33-35, 41-50; 8:4-8, 9-10, 18, 49-56; 9:1-2, 6, 21-24, 35, 43-45, 45-48]

By proclaiming good news to the poor and oppressed (Luke 4:14-5:11)

By calling sinners to repentance and provoking those who believe themselves righteous (Luke 5:12-6:49)

This truth demonstrated (Luke 5:12-6:11)

This truth taught (Luke 6:12-7:1)

By showing compassion those who have faith, the lowly, and giving offense to the haughty (Luke 7:2-50)

By keeping blind the person whose faith does not bear fruit, and giving understanding to those who faith is true (Luke 8:1-56)

By calling others to suffer and follow him in a life of humility (Luke 9:1-50)

Jesus Shows That the Fulfillment of God’s Redemptive Purpose is the Formation of a Wholly Faithful People (Luke 9:51-19:27) [cf.

Luke 9:62; 10:1, 13-16, 22, 36-37, 42; 11:3, 28, 32, 36; 17:19; 18:8, 17, 29-30, 42; 19:17]

Because true disciples receive the word of God and keep it (Luke 9:51-11:52)

By promising a judgment for those who hear, yet do not change, practicing hypocrisy (Luke 11:53-13:9)

By blinding the blind and forsaking the unrepentant (Luke 13:10-17:10)

Blindness exemplified in the Pharisees (Luke 13:10-14:6)

Judgement increased through parables (Luke 14:7-16:31)

Therefore, disciples called serve the Lord in faith (Luke 17:1-10)

By denoting proven faith as the requisite for the reward (Luke 17:11-19:27)

Jesus Accomplishes the Redemption of the Faithful through the Cross (Luke 19:28-23:56)

His agony over Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44)

His challenge from Jerusalem (Luke 19:45-21:4)

His judgement of Jerusalem (Luke 21:5-38)

His way of salvation for Jerusalem (Luke 22:1-38)

His betrayal by Jerusalem (Luke 22:39-23:25)

His salvific mission accomplished through death at the hands of Jerusalem (Luke 23:26-56)

Jesus Enlightens the Faithful to the Global Mission of Redemption (Luke 24:1-53)