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As we move on into Luke 3, remember we are studying the essential basicsin the Gospel record. Let us see where that will lead us. In verse 2, the Word of God came to John in the wilderness.

There is now a new Caesar on the throne of The Roman Empire. Again we are rooted in history. He proved to be a bad Emperor and the seeds of decay were sown.

There was political upheaval in ISRAEL, as the nation was divided into four. There was no one king, so they were quite accurate when they said, “We have no king but Caesar”. There was also a question as to who was the…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Luke 2:40, where we read that the child, Jesus, grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Here we see Jesus growing in every way. In Jesus, there is a perfect development and balanced growth, physically, emotionally, socially and of course, spiritually.

Sometimes we see young people develop in a few of these ways but Jesus shows us how we can grow and mature in various areas of our lives. Place some people, who think they are so able, capable and mature, in a Prayer Meeting, and they become surprisingly silent. The growing…  ( Click for more )

We are in Luke 2:25, we read of an old man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and godly - he was waiting to see the Messiah - and The Holy Spirit was upon him. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord and to make the required sacrifice, and this man Simeon had been waiting for this very moment.

Simeon had had an inward revelation from GOD that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He was the only JEW who knew that the Messiah was coming soon. This had been revealed to him. One day the Holy Spirit nudged him and prompted…  ( Click for more )

We come to Luke 2:21-40. We have read of the circumstances surrounding JOHN when he was 8 days old. Let’s look at the amazing and wonderful things which happened and which were said, when Jesus was 8 days old.

When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.

These verses will appear quite unfamiliar to many. This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just a week after the angels appeared to the shepherds. I am not aware of any hymns or carols…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 2 we read of a ruler issuing a decree. Everyone in the Roman Empire is to be registered.Caesar Augustus orders a census, and this involves all the heads of households - all the men folks - to go to their own cities.For Joseph that means an 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem.Some 700 years previously prophets had proclaimed that - but how can it be arranged?It is very difficult to arrange your own birth!God uses the most unlikely person to have Mary and Joseph where He needs them to be.

Mary went with Joseph.She did not…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 1 and at verse 74, the tongue of Zechariah has been loosed when his son is born and once he names him John, and begins to prophesy, we reach that phrase when he speaks about God rescuing us to enable us to SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR.

Here is freedom.So many people want freedom - so many people shout about freedom and march for freedom - and demonstrate for freedom.Here is freedom - to be saved from our enemies - and from the hand of those who hate us.But it is not just being saved from but also saved FOR - Service - Holiness - and Righteousness.These are the two faces…  ( Click for more )

Luke Chapter 1 verses 57 – 80, where we read of the birth of the baby who grew up to become known as John the Baptist.So much has been going on - we have looked at some of those events which happened over these weeks and months, as GOD was preparing the way for John and Jesus to walk onto the world’s stage.

Angels - appearing in the Temple - and to Mary at Nazareth - the reactions of the individuals involved - the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary - so much was going on.

Time has come for Elizabeth to give birth to John. It is a real family affair. The neighbours…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 1 verse 39, we read of Mary making her way to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth at Ein Karen, a village outside Jerusalem and around 70 miles south of Nazareth.Some 9 months later this same virgin, Mary, would make the 80 miles journey south with Joseph to Bethlehem.

Mary arrives at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth, and greets Elizabeth.Mary knows all about Elizabeth, but Elizabeth knows nothing about Mary.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she speaks with a loud voice saying,…  ( Click for more )

We were reading in Luke Chapter 1, of how the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple while he was going about his duties leading the people in prayer and worship, and because Zechariah did not fully believe what the angel had said, he was given a sign. He was struck dumb and would remain silent until what GOD had said would happen actually happened.Dr Luke then tells us that Elizabeth conceived.

Verse 26. Six months later, this same angel, Gabriel, appears to Mary and shares the news from GOD THE FATHER that this young virgin has been chosen to be the mother of the…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in Luke chapter 1, where the angel Gabriel has appeared and spoken to Zechariah the priest, in the Temple in Jerusalem, when he was on duty, and the people realise that something unusual has happened.When GOD is truly at work, people are aware of it.They might wonder what it is all about - some know - some continue to wonder - some come to know and see - and some never do.

v 24Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived and hid herself.Occasionally, GOD does hide what He is doing - for a season.He does not reveal everything at once, and He does not reveal everything…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 1 at verse 17, we learn that one main task of John’s ministry was to prepare a people for the coming of Jesus Christ.This is part of our ministry - TO MAKE A PEOPLE READY FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD.

After all this had been announced concerning the birth of John, Zechariah, the faithful and deeply spiritual man of God whose prayers have been heard and who has been specially chosen, asks - “How can I be sure of this?” Is he beginning to rationalise his way out of this?Is he beginning to try to wriggle out of his calling just like Moses tried to?“I’m…  ( Click for more )

We are studying these opening verses of Luke Chapter 1.Zechariah was a faithful priest in a day when there was not a lot of faithfulness around.I wonder how many people thought, “Look at that silly old priest going away to conduct a service - and say prayers - and preach something - a message - which no-one really wants to hear.”How many people might say that of us as we meet for Worship and Prayer week by week?

Ignore it - forget it - overlook it - let people say what they want.If you know you are right in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, let people think and say…  ( Click for more )

Having completed the Book of ACTS, we now start a series of studies in the Gospel of Luke.Many people had been writing about Jesus and writing about the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. We have some of these writings. There were many rumours going around - many myths - many stories - many fanciful legends growing up.You can imagine!This invariably happens with someone unusual or famous.

Luke tells us, “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning ….” Now, this is important.Luke wants to reassure people, that what they believe about Jesus…  ( Click for more )

We come finally to our last study from the Book of Acts. This is study 192. I can hardly think that it has taken me 192 weeks to go through the whole of Acts. I am reluctant to conclude because I have so enjoyed preparing these studies. Bible Studies – dry, dull and boring? Nonsense!

One of the strong messages arising throughout the Book of Acts is, nothing can stop the Gospel, and, no-one can prevent this Word from spreading.

Paul the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ is now in Rome as Jesus had indicated a few years previously, and he continues to speak and preach…  ( Click for more )

As we come to these concluding verses in Acts Chapter 28, let’s recap on what we have been studying, remembering that recapitulation is a significant aspect of teaching. Nothing has really been taught until it is learned!

We have been reading of Paul arriving in Rome. Over these past weeks we have read the detail of that exciting sea journey - the accuracy of Luke's account - the way God spoke with Paul - how all 276 were kept safe - because of God's man, Paul.

We have read of the miracles on Malta - the journey to Italy - his being allowed to fellowship with…  ( Click for more )

Paul has finally arrived in Rome, Acts 28 verse 13, and after only three days, he is hard at work, using every available opportunity open to him. Paul called for the Jewish leaders in Rome. Why the Jews? He begins first with those who should be able to understand - those of his own background - those who believed in God. He had done this in all the various centres we have been reading of. He needed to know the position of the Jewish leadership. This was his method, and it remained unchanged, even after all that they had said about him and against him. This is God's pattern…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 28 verse 13, Paul finally reaches Puteoli in Italy, where he is met by some fellow believers, and is invited to spend a week with them. On his missionary journeys Paul was usually the first believer to visit a city or area. Now there are disciples of Jesus in so many centres.

Can you imagine what it must have been like during that week - for these disciples of Jesus Christ to have Paul with you for a week? Teaching you - encouraging you - speaking about these exciting 20 years of how Jesus Christ used him and led him and rescued him - and how he had been praying…  ( Click for more )

Acts 28:11f. After all we have we have been reading and studying over these past weeks, these verses might at first sight appear to be rather ordinary. They may even sound 'low key'. Jesus Christ had said - "Paul as you have witnessed for me in Jerusalem, so you will witness for me in Rome." And now, almost three years later, Paul arrives in Rome, which is, for him, a long way from Jerusalem.

God was not in a hurry, and Paul had a lot to do along the way, and many people to speak with and minister.

Behind this move of God in taking His man to Rome,…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 28:3, having been shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul helps gather sticks for the fire and a viper which had been attaches itself to Paul’s arm. The local people observe this incident and consider this to be an omen about what type of prisoner he really was, but Paul shook off the snake into the fire, and felt no harm.

The onlookers expected him to swell up suddenly and fall down dead - but as they closely observed and watched and waited - they witnessed no ill effects - and they began to say he was a god! Paul pays no attention to that comment either.…  ( Click for more )

We move into Acts 28. The exciting sea story is over - that dramatic breath-taking event has come to an end as everyone is washed up on the shores of Malta. The ship - the cargo - the precious grain - have all gone - but every life is preserved just as God had indicated through His servant Paul, during a time of prayer and fasting.

So many lessons - about men - and how men are closed to God - and closed to what God is saying - even when their very lives are in danger. Lessons about God - how He speaks and intervenes and reveals - reassures and guides - promises, and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 we have been reading of this dramatic sea story which is so accurate in so many various ways. We have seen how this man of God’s life is rescued time and time again - and usually by the Romans - so that he could fulfil his mission for Christ Jesus in Rome - and - so that we can receive this reliable and authentic Word.

If God has promised to get you someplace, He will get you there, perhaps through courtrooms and prison cells and storms. "Through many dangers" If you are set on going where God wants you to be, you will arrive. It is not always…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27, we are reading of this exciting sea story, where Paul is being transferred from Caesarea to Rome. The narrative is a masterpiece of accuracy. We saw how they sailed right into trouble, because they paid no heed to the man of God. They rejected the advice of the servant of Jesus Christ. They would not hear nor receive what was being said through the Apostle Paul - a man with a lot of experience - a man who knew how to listen to God and commune with God.

We took time to ask and answer that important question – “Is the Bible true?” - and this is…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 we are reading of this Mediterranean adventure where real danger threatens the lives of all 276 people aboard.The soft wind worsened and a storm arose and all the sailors could do was let the ship go.

Verse 15. Let it be driven along. Rejecting the advice which God gives can mean people are just driven along - even in a direction in which they do not want to go. Soon it is a tempest. The timbers were beginning to spring open – verse 17 - and to prevent the ship from breaking up, they passed ropes underneath the ship, to tie the ship together. This was…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 when Paul sailed just south of Cyprus, I wonder what was in his mind? It was in Salamis in Cyprus some 20 years previously, where he preached his first sermon on that first missionary journey. Did he consider what had been through during these intervening 20 years? We have read of the experiences he had had with men, and with the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

v. 10. There is a conference aboard that ship. Should we go on? Paul shared his concern and said, "No. It is far too dangerous. If we sail on just now, cargo, ship and lives will be at risk.…  ( Click for more )