A N S W E R I N G T O U G H Q U E S T I O N S A B O U T

G O D & C H R I S T I A N I T Y

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),

copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

table of contents

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE 02

THE LUKE CHALLENGE 03

INTRODUCTION TO THE LUKE CHALLENGE 05

BACKGROUND ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 06

LUKE CHALLENGE: WEEK ONE 08

LUKE CHALLENGE: WEEK TWO 18

LUKE CHALLENGE: WEEK THREE 28

LUKE CHALLENGE: WEEK FOUR 38

LUKE CHALLENGE: WEEK FIVE 48

COMMUNITY GROUP GUIDE 59

INTRODUCTION TO OBJECTIONS 61

OBJECTION ONE: EXCLUSIVITY 62

OBJECTION TWO: INTOLERANCE 66

OBJECTION THREE: EVIL 70

OBJECTION FOUR: THE BIBLE 74

OBJECTION FIVE: THE CHURCH 78

OBJECTION SIX: SCIENCE 82

NOTES 86

02

how to use this guideThis guide was written to be a tool and a resource for the sermon series, Objections. The guide has two main sections.

The irst section in this book is the Luke Challenge. This portion of the guide walks you through daily readings of the Gospel of Luke. Each weekday (Monday-Friday) you should read one chapter of Luke. For each day, we have selected a few “key verses” for you to focus on with some commentary following each selection of verses.

Additionally, the reason we are calling it the Luke Challenge is because we are challenging you to ask someone you know who is unchurched to read through the Gospel of Luke with you. We all have friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers who are unchurched or non-Christians, and this is a great opportunity to ask someone to read through a book of the Bible with you. So, grab an extra copy of this guide and an extra Bible from our resource area and ask someone you to know to do this with you.

The second section in this book is the Community Group Guide. This portion of the guide provides a weekly format for community groups, and each week corresponds with the objection discussed during the previous Sunday’s sermon. As you listen to the sermon and study the Scripture, jot down your own personal notes and thoughts to be discussed at community group. Along with weekly community group questions, there is a list of resources that can be used for further study.

As you go, go and make disciples...

03

LUKE CHALLENGE

04

05

introduction to the luke challengeThe authors of the Bible tell us that the Scriptures are the very words of God, breathed out by God and useful for shaping us into the people God wants us to be (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This makes learning to read the Bible and gain meaning from it a crucial task. Regular daily reading of the Bible is a great way for us to learn more about who God is and what he has instructed, providing implications for how we should live our lives.

For many, becoming disciplined in daily Bible reading is a dificult thing. Furthermore, determining what to read can often be what causes people to not read. Because of this, we are issuing a challenge for you to read one chapter of the Gospel of Luke each weekday for the next month (25 weekdays, 24 chapters of Luke – Day 25 will have a separate activity).

We are also challenging you to read through Luke with someone you know who is either a non-Christian or unchurched. We all have friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who aren’t Christians. This is a great opportunity to invite them to read the Bible with you for one month.

This guide is designed to assist you in reading and understanding some of the major themes throughout the Gospel of Luke. Each day we have selected a few “key verses” from that chapter. We’ve also included a brief commentary to help you understand those verses even more.

It is our prayer that through this challenge you experience incredible growth in Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit and that many people in the city come to know Jesus as their Savior!

06

the gospel of lukeThe Gospel of Luke is written by Luke, also referred to as the beloved physician and companion of Paul, around 58-60 AD. While Luke could have written the letter anywhere from Caesarea to Rome, it is clear that Luke wrote to Theophilus.

The prologue in the Gospel of Luke tells us three things about Theophilus: 1) he was a man of rank; 2) he has received instruction about Christianity; and 3) he may have needed encouragement in his faith (i.e. he was suffering some sort of doubt). We know very little about who Theophilus was, but there are several opinions among contemporary scholars, with the dominant theory being that he was a patron who sponsored the publications of Luke’s works.

Unlike the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Luke has an explicit purpose statement, “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). Luke’s main purpose in writing this Gospel was to convince his readers that the teaching of the apostles was trustworthy and true. Luke records the eyewitness accounts from his companions by weaving together both history and theology.

BASIC OUTLINE OF LUKE:

I. Infancy and Preliminaries to Jesus’ Ministry | 1-2II. Introduction to Jesus’ Ministry | 3:1-4:13

III. Jesus in Galilee | 4:14-9:50IV. Travel Narrative | 9:51-19:27V. Ministry in Jerusalem | 19:28-38

VI. Passion and Resurrection | 22-24

07

MAJOR THEMES IN LUKE:

Salvation - the word is used 7 times (never in Matthew or Mark). God and Jesus are “Savior.” The verb “to save” is used in a spiritual sense frequently (7:50; 8:12; 13:23; 19:10)

Universal Salvation (Jew and Gentile)

• Gentiles, Samaritans, and the outcast are particularly in the spotlight

• Genealogy traced to Adam• Jesus commends the widow of Zarephath and Naaman (4:25-27)• Jesus responds to a Gentile centurion seeking healing (7:2, 10)• Jesus’ teaching hints at the inclusion of Gentiles• The disciples are sent to all nations (24:46ff)• Jesus goes to a Samaritan village (9:52)• Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero in a parable (10:30-37)

The Holy Spirit

• John the Baptist and his parents are illed with the Spirit (1:15, 41, 67)

• Simeon is a man of the Spirit

• Jesus and the Spirit take a prominent role - Conceived by the Spirit (1:35) - Empowered by the Spirit (3:22; 4:1, 14, 18) - Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (3:16) - His Father gives the Spirit (11:13) - Jesus warns of the blasphemy of the Spirit (12:10) - The Spirit will instruct the disciples (12:12) - Jesus promises the Spirit after the resurrection (24:49)

08

What is great about the way Luke starts the story is that he does not actually begin with Jesus. He starts his story earlier than even the birth of Jesus and gives an account that is unlike any other in all of Scripture. “For Luke, the story begins at the point where after four hundred years of silence the voice of God was heard again by his people Israel, with the announcement, shortly before each was born, of due coming of Jesus and his forerunner John.”

Luke brings to our attention that for hundreds of years, God has been silent and has not given instruction, prophecy, or promise to his people. God’s people have been waiting and waiting for the Messiah to come, and God has been completely and utterly silent. Then, Gabriel, an angel, appears to Zechariah and tells him that his barren wife, Elizabeth, will soon become pregnant with a son. This son is to be named John, and he will go into all of Israel proclaiming God’s glory and many people will turn and follow God as a result.

MARCH 28

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 1:11-13

luke 01And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side of the altar of incense.   And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.  But the angel said to him,

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

09

MY THOUGHTS:

01

10

The nativity scene for some is all they really know about Christianity. However, Luke only spends a few verses on the birth of Jesus and gives us just a few facts about what exactly happened. Even so, it is clear that something amazing has taken place: The Savior has been born. The incarnation, God in the lesh, has just taken place.

This is the greatest event that has ever taken place and it truly is the turning point of human history. The Messiah has come to redeem his people, but how are people to know that this has taken place? God sent a messenger, an angel, to tell a few shepherds that Jesus has been born. The shepherds then take and spread the good news that the savior has been born to the world.

MARCH 29

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 2:10-12

luke 02And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all  the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will ind a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

11

MY THOUGHTS:

02

12

Luke began in chapter 1 with the foretelling of and the fulillment of John the Baptist’s birth. John was a cousin to Jesus and was given a purpose, or calling, from God. He was to prepare the way. John would go into the wilderness and then throughout the area surrounding the Jordan to tell people of the Messiah that was coming soon. He preached the gospel to them and called them to repent, believe, and be baptized.

What is amazing about this particular story is what was mentioned in Day 1; that is, that there has been silence from God for hundreds of years. Hundreds of years have gone by and there has been no instruction, no promises, no fulillment from God, and then John’s birth is prophesied and John is sent as a prophet, or messenger, to the people to proclaim the gospel. John’s one and only goal was to point people to Jesus; to call them to repent and believe.

MARCH 30

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 3:2-3

luke 03During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,  the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

13

MY THOUGHTS:

03

14

In chapter 3 Luke records the baptism of Jesus and the Holy Spirit coming upon him. Now, Jesus is led into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. This is a very intriguing occurrence, as it is not the irst time that God led someone into the wilderness. In the Old Testament, Israel as a nation was brought into the desert after the Exodus. Moses was also led onto a mountain without food for forty days.

The parallel to Israel is striking because when Israel was brought into the wilderness, they lailed about and whined to the point of desiring to return to Egypt, even to slavery. On the other hand, Jesus was tempted by the devil and proved to be faithful to the Father. Jesus proved that he was committed to the Father and through his obedience, he is our example in temptation.

MARCH 31

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 4:1-4

luke 04And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.  The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written,  ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

15

MY THOUGHTS:

04

16

The healing of the paralytic is an amazing declaration and assertion of the deity of Jesus. Jesus is both fully God and fully man. In this story, Jesus encounters four men of great faith. They bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus because they believe that Jesus can heal him. Their faith, along with the faith of the paralyzed man, lead them to Jesus and something amazing happens – Jesus forgives them of their sin.

When Jesus forgives the men of their sin, the Pharisees begin to grumble and rightfully state that nobody can forgive sins except God. In order to show that Jesus was fully God, he not only forgave the man of his sins, but he healed him of his paralysis. In doing so, he asserted and clariied that he was both fully man and fully God.

APRIL 1

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 5:20-25

luke 05And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone... But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the man who was paralyzed – “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

17

MY THOUGHTS:

05

18

Those who claim to be followers of Jesus are told very clearly here by Jesus that they should not only claim to follow him, but that should actually do what he calls them to do. In other words, they should not only talk the talk, but they should walk the walk. This statement is made directly to those who profess to follow Jesus. The basic point is that it is not about mere words, nor even generally ethic behavior or religious practice, that mark true believers, but whether they “do” what Jesus says.

This warning is the same that Matthew records in chapter 7 of his book, albeit a bit more ampliied. The warning though is clear: one who claims to follow Jesus should build his foundation upon the cornerstone, which is Jesus and his word.

APRIL 4

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 6:46-49

luke 06“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:  he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a lood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

19

MY THOUGHTS:

06

20

An interesting thing happens once the centurion invites Jesus to come – he sends some of his people to tell Jesus to stop, as he feels that he is unworthy of having Jesus enter his house. We are not sure why the centurion does this, but it seems that Luke is stressing the humility of the centurion, who is a Gentile, recognizing that he is not worthy to be in the presence of the Messiah.

Luke is also emphasizing the great faith that the centurion shows in Jesus. The centurion recognizes that Jesus has such great authority that by simply speaking he could heal his servant from afar. Because of his great faith, and by the authoritative word of God, his servant was healed.

APRIL 5

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 7:6-9

luke 07And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him,

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.  Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.”  When Jesus heard these things,  he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

21

MY THOUGHTS:

07

22

When most people think about those who were following and traveling with Jesus, they often only think about the twelve men known as the twelve disciples or apostles. Here, Luke takes a moment to mention that there were some women also with Jesus and the twelve. He speciically mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. While it was not uncommon for women to join leaders like Jesus, it was uncommon for there to be such morally pure relationships.

These women had been healed of much oppression and had devoted themselves to following Jesus, whatever the cost. Their faithfulness was evident in Mary’s presence at the cruciixion while most of Jesus’ disciples had already led. Jesus provides salvation for all people. As Scripture says, there is no longer male or female, Jew or Greek! We are all one in Christ Jesus our Lord.

APRIL 6

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 8:1-3

luke 08Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,  and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and inirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

23

MY THOUGHTS:

08

24

Jesus is essentially “drawing a line in the sand” when he makes these statements. He is trying to make it very clear what it is going to cost those who follow him. Jesus isn’t going to sugarcoat the gospel, or the implications of the gospel, should we decide to follow him. Jesus says that he is going to suffer for us and in return, we give our lives to him. He expects us to go where he tells us, do what he wants us to do, say what he wants us to say, and be what He has made us to be.

When we surrender to Jesus, we give up all that we are for all that he is! We can willingly give up our desires because Jesus willingly took up a cross and in so doing removed the punishment of our sin, and now we can live in a way that sacriices all things for him.

APRIL 7

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 9:57-62

luke 09As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said,

“Lord, let me irst go and bury my father.” And Jesus  said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”   Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me irst say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is it for the kingdom of God.”

25

MY THOUGHTS:

09

26

Jesus uses the imagery of the harvest as he prepares to send out seventy-two of his followers, a common image that he uses throughout the Gospels. In most other instances, however, Jesus refers to the gathering of his people. Here, however, he uses the imagery to describe the urgent task at hand, as his followers get ready to prepare the way for Jesus.

There are always laborers needed to do the work of Jesus. But we must never forget that that we live in a fallen, hostile world. We are like “lambs in the midst of wolves.” While we do not know what kinds of enemies we will face, we must be dependent upon Christ alone, our chief shepherd, understanding that salvation is wholly dependent upon him.

APRIL 8

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 10:2-3

luke 10And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

27

MY THOUGHTS:

10

28

Many of the people who were following Jesus kept asking for a “sign” that would prove that Jesus was who he claimed to be. But Jesus knew that signs alone would not change the hardness of people’s hearts or their unwillingness to believe.

Jesus refers to the sign of Jonah as a response to the people’s plea for a sign. In the book of Jonah, Jonah calls for the need of immediate, widespread repentance in the city of Nineveh in order to avoid the wrath of God. Jesus’ preaching calls for the same thing, “repent and believe,” as seen in Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15. The sign of Jesus is not primarily marked by miraculous signs and wonders, but is marked by repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord.

APRIL 11

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 11:29-30

luke 11When the crowds were increasing, he began to say,

“This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

29

MY THOUGHTS:

11

30

While Jesus does bring peace to those who trust and follow him, one of the costs of following Christ is the potential for division. Jesus’ mission was not to bring peace to the earth, but to save a people for himself, made possible by his death and resurrection. It is belief in this that will cause division, as not everyone will believe.

Followers and disciples of Christ must be prepared for division in their family. Not everyone will agree with our decision to follow Christ. Belief in Christ might set a “father against son” or a “son against father,” in which case we must be prepared for division in order to follow Christ.

APRIL 12

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 12:51-53

luke 12Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be ive divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

31

MY THOUGHTS:

12

32

The mustard seed was one of the smallest known seeds in Jesus’ day, yet once fully grown the mustard tree could reach up to ten feet in height, big enough for birds to build nests in. Jesus is using this parable to represent that that which is tiny can still be effective.

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah to come with power, overthrowing all of the oppressors of Israel. So for Jesus to compare the coming of God’s kingdom like a mustard seed, seemingly insigniicant and tiny, would have been surprising. But there is still inherent power in the seed.

APRIL 13

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 13:18-19

luke 13He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

33

MY THOUGHTS:

13

34

The command here to hate one’s father and mother does not contradict the ifth commandment in Exodus 20:12 to honor one’s father and mother. Instead, Jesus says that the irst condition to be his disciple is for someone to love their family less than they love Christ. The word translated as “hate” here would be better understood to mean neglecting the social custom of family loyalty.

The metaphor of bearing one’s own cross would have been shocking. Cruciixion was one of the most humiliating and painful forms of death in Jesus’ day. Jesus’ second condition to be his disciple is to give up self-will and stubbornness, and embrace and follow Christ no matter the costs.

APRIL 14

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 14:26-27

luke 14“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

35

MY THOUGHTS:

14

36

The father’s reaction here is extremely surprising. The fact that the father saw the son from a long way off means that the father must have been watching for him, perhaps daily. The father running to the son would have also been considered undigniied for a man in his position. The son tried to say his rehearsed speech, but the father cut him off and extended forgiveness to him.

The fattened calf would have been being saved for some kind of special occasion, because people in irst-century Palestine did not regularly eat meat. And this was something to celebrate, just as the salvation and restoration of people to God’s kingdom should be celebrated.

APRIL 15

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 15:20-24

luke 15And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

37

MY THOUGHTS:

15

38

APRIL 18

luke 16“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

— Luke 16:13

COMMENTARY:

We are all servants of something. We will either be servants of God, or servants of the material world and of money. Even if we have both God and money, we cannot serve them both because we will ultimately end up loving one more than the other. Disciples of Christ must make the decision to either serve God or serve money.

Money, and the things that money can buy, can very easily being to occupy an idolatrous place in our life. The best way to serve God rather than money is to use our money and our resources at work for the good and service of others and for the work of the Kingdom of God.

39

MY THOUGHTS:

16

40

APRIL 19

luke 17“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.””

— Luke 17:20-21

COMMENTARY:

In this passage, the Pharisees have yet another question for Jesus. Throughout the Gospels the Pharisees want to get Jesus’ opinion on a number of matters – sometimes out of genuine interest, and sometimes to test him. Here they ask him about the kingdom of God. What is it? When will it be here? Jesus makes it clear to the Pharisees that this kingdom is unlike any that they would be familiar with from Jewish history – this doesn’t look like the Roman kingdom, or the Persian kingdom, or the Babylonian kingdom.

This kingdom can’t be observed because it is of a different kind. This kingdom does not come about from man’s attainment, but through God’s gifting. You can’t see it through signs or careful observations – but by the life and ministry of a person. The kingdom is here because Jesus is here. The kingdom has been inaugurated through the coming of Christ – it was among the Pharisees there, and among us now. The kingdom of God is here.

41

MY THOUGHTS:

17

42

In this passage, Jesus has just told a parable about a persistent widow. This widow sought justice against an adversary over and over from a judge. Though the judge neither feared God nor respected man, eventually he relented and granted her requests due to her “continual coming” to him.

Jesus uses an argument from the lesser to the greater to make his point. If even an unrighteous, ungodly judge will give justice to the one who persistently asks, will not the just judge, the Lord himself, give justice to his own people, those who “cry to him day and night”? Christians understand that things are not as they should be on this earth – and our response is to cry out to God in prayer, asking for healing and for justice to be done on the earth. Luke afirms that God, in his love for his people and his love for righteousness, will indeed listen to the prayers of his people.

APRIL 20

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 18:6-8

luke 18And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he ind faith on earth?

43

MY THOUGHTS:

18

44

Zacchaeus, the main character of this story, was a rich man, a chief tax collector. In this position, he would also be one of the most hated men in his town, as his job was to collect taxes from the people for the Roman government, and his means of acquiring wealth was to over-charge on taxes and keep the rest for himself. The crowd’s dislike of this man is apparent in the text, too – verse 7 says that after Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, the people grumbled because Jesus “has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

But Jesus has a purpose in coming to Zacchaeus’ house. He came to seek and save the lost, like Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus understood who Jesus was, and his response to the ministry of Jesus was repentance for his sin and a promise to make restitution – even more restitution for his sins than the law required! Jesus’ response does not mean that salva-tion has come to Zacchaeus because of works, but rather that Zacchae-us’ heart transformation is revealed by his actions.

APRIL 21

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 19:8-10

luke 19And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

45

MY THOUGHTS:

19

46

Jesus once again makes the point that he is looking not for outward signs of greatness, but inward hearts of humility and repentance toward God. The scribes put on a great show for the public – they wore lashy clothes, sat in the best seats, and prayed wonderful, long, poetic prayers that would impress the people.

But God is not fooled by our attempts to mask the deceit and hardness of our hearts with outward displays of piety. Elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus calls the teachers of the law and the scribes “whitewashed tombs” – though the outside might look ine, the inside is full of rot and decay. God knows that no matter how hard we try to appear as though we have it all together, all of us are in need of God’s grace in our lives, and all of us need what only the gospel can provide – forgiveness of our sins.

APRIL 22

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 20:45-47

luke 20And in the hearing of all the people he said to his

disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

47

MY THOUGHTS:

20

48

Having just mentioned widows in the previous passage, Jesus next shows the crowd the kind of faith that he is looking for. In sharp contrast to both the scribes who put on a great show, and the rich who contribute out of their abundance, a poor widow gives to the offering box all she has – just a couple copper coins.

The point Jesus is trying to make is that this widow understands the kingdom of God – the kingdom that the scribes and Pharisees seem to misunderstand. This widow is willing to give away everything, to be rich toward God rather than herself, and leave any anxiety she might have about this life at the door. She understands that what is truly important is not what other people think about her, or even whether she will have enough to eat that night, but her relationship with and attitude toward God.

APRIL 25

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 21:1-4

luke 21Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

49

MY THOUGHTS:

21

50

At this point in the story, Jesus knows what he must do. Though the disciples are still largely confused and heavily resistant to Jesus going to the cross and dying, Jesus understands why he has come to the earth and what his fate must be. Jesus, though he was fully God, is also fully human. As a human, he naturally does not look forward to death, especially a death as brutal as a Roman cross.

So Jesus asks if there is another way: “Can I accomplish this salvation without having to go to this cross, Father?” But the answer is no, and he is willing to submit to his fate. The only way that our sin could be forgiven is through death – not just any death, but the death of a perfect person in our place. It is only because Jesus Christ lived the life of perfection we weren’t capable of living, and died the death on the cross that we deserved that our sins could be, and have been, forgiven.

APRIL 26

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 22:39-42

luke 22And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

51

MY THOUGHTS:

22

52

Here we encounter Jesus on the cross, in agonizing pain, in his last hours of life. He has laid his life down for those he loves, and is now ready to give up his spirit. But what does the text mean that “the curtain of the temple was torn in two”?

In this period, the time known as “Second Temple Judaism,” there was a curtain that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple. “This curtain symbolized the separateness, the remoteness of God. The tearing of the curtain at this time gives symbolic expression to the truth that the death of Jesus has made the way open into the very presence of God.” Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Christians now have full access to God through Christ.

APRIL 27

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 23:44-46

luke 23It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

53

MY THOUGHTS:

23

54

The women prepare to go to Jesus’ tomb with spices and ointment for his dead body – but imagine their surprise when they arrive and see that not only has the stone been rolled away, but the body is gone! Already surprised and perhaps frightened by these developments, two angels appear and remind the women that Jesus had predicted this would happen all along.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the single most important event in human history. No one had ever brought themselves back to life after dying! While the life of Christ fulilled the righteous requirements of the law for us, and the death of Christ paid the sin debt that we owed to God, the resurrection of Christ represents God the Father’s ratiication and acceptance of the life and sacriice of Christ. The resurrection also gives us all a sure hope that we, too, will eventually be resurrected after death.

APRIL 28

COMMENTARY:

— Luke 24:3-7

luke 24But when they went in they did not ind the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be cruciied and on the third day rise.”

55

MY THOUGHTS:

24

56

For the last 24 days you have been diligently reading through the book of Luke. We have been praying for you as God took you on this journey. It has been our prayer that God has been in your heart throughout your time studying Luke.

On this inal day of the Luke challenge, take this time to jot down what God has been teaching you.

What have you learned?

How has God worked in your life?

How has God used you throughout this challenge?

What questions do you still have?

Take some time to praise God for what he has been doing through this challenge. Continue to pray for those who do not know Jesus as Savior.

APRIL 29

congratulations!

57

MY THOUGHTS:

58

59

COMMUNITY GROUP

GUIDE

60

61

introduction to objectionsThroughout human history, religion has played a major role in shaping culture, the arts, and society. In fact, religion was such a major part of American history that the right to practice or not practice religion—the freedom of religion—is written into our nation’s Constitution. For many years, the majority religion of our nation was Christianity, and one could even say that Christianity in America was the expected religion of all citizens.

However, times have changed. We now live in a culture that is growing, not only increasingly non-Christian, but also non-religious. The fastest growing “religious movement” in America is a group known as the “Nones.” This group identiies as people who do not ascribe to any religious afiliation. The reason for this is that many people are inding more and more reasons to separate themselves from any organized religion, even Christianity.

For many, the tenants of Christianity are just too problematic. There are too many objections. With a growing discomfort with what the Bible teaches, multiple objections to Christianity have arisen over the years. In this series, we are going to examine the top six objections people have with Christianity. 

62

MARCH 27, 2016

exclusivity

01

63

SERMON NOTES:

64

exclusivityOBJECTION 01:

How could there be only one way to God? How could there be only one true religion? To say that there is only one way to God or only one true religion seems exclusive and arrogant. These are the typical questions and statements most often voiced for this objection to Christianity. The whole premise of this objection is that it is arrogant for a person to claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven because it excludes billions of people and assumes everyone else is believing a lie.

Here’s the main issue with this objection: all religions are exclusive. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, just to name a few large religions, are all exclusive to their own set of beliefs and customs. Each belief system in some way will exclude others from it; there is no getting around that. Even those who say they include everyone into their beliefs still exclude some. Atheism immediately excludes anyone who believes in God. Pluralism and universalism immediately exclude those who believe there to be only one true God and only one way to get to him.

Objecting that Christianity is exclusive becomes a moot point when one considers the exclusivity of all beliefs. However, one could come to the conclusion that Christianity is actually, what can be called, the most inclusive exclusivity. Christianity puts all people into the same category: sinners completely separated from God. It offers the same thing to all people—redemption from sin through the sacriice of Jesus on the cross. God is the same to all people; he is perfect.

Most people do not have problems with the latter. The issues come when they think through the implications of these truths as they relate to those who remain in their sin. Scripture is clear, however, that those who remain in sin will be eternally separated from God. This does not sit well with us, nor should it. However, simply because we do not like it does not make it any less true. This is why Jesus commands his follower to go into the world, just as he was sent to the world, to tell others about the redemption that is found at the cross, to make disciples of all nations.

65

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. Read John 14:6. How does this verse relate to the objection?

How have you or others explained this verse

to others who have this objection?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis• A Theology for the Church by Daniel Akin

2. Can different religions “coexist?” What does that

look like? Should they?

3. How are other religions exclusive? How does one become

included into that religion and what are its main facets of belief?

4. Have you ever interacted with somebody who has

this objection? How did that conversation go?

5. Are there ways that the church can be exclusive to others?

(think about community group, worship gatherings, Serve the

City, etc.)

6. How can we as a church represent/demonstrate the most

“inclusive exclusivity?” How is this possible?

66

APRIL 03, 2016

intolerance

02

67

SERMON NOTES:

68

intoleranceOBJECTION 02:

Unfortunately, Christianity has become known for what it “does not allow,” or is “against” instead of what it is “for.” In other words, a common way this objection is voiced is, “Christianity is too intolerant” and should be more accepting of other viewpoints and opinions. Some have even made statements that Christianity has no room for “fun,” or in other terms does not allow them to do what they want to do.

This objection is similar to the previous objection about Christianity being exclusive, but it is a little more speciic to particular views and opinions. The thought behind this objection is that Christians should be accepting of all others regardless of their choice of lifestyle or their opinions on the Bible, doctrine, etc. This is the major issue with this particular objection. Tolerance is not the same thing as acceptance. Unfortunately, in our culture, tolerance has become synonymous with acceptance.

Tolerating someone’s opinions is different than accepting or agreeing with them. Acceptance is essentially to condone or agree with someone and their particular lifestyle. Christianity, to be clear, is not accepting of every lifestyle or even every opinion for that matter. God calls his people to be a holy people, called to a kingdom lifestyle that is exempliied and perfected in Jesus Christ.

Christianity may be restrictive when it comes to worldly lifestyles, but that is not a negative thing. While some sin seems to be “fun” in the moment, it is truly devastating as it destroys the relationship one has with the Father. True freedom isn’t the ability to do whatever you want to do; true freedom is operating the way you were designed to live. Our culture has taught us that we should be able to do what we want whenever we want to do it. However, the Bible teaches us that we should consult the Holy Spirit and the Scripture to see if what we desire actually lines up with what God desires and how he wants us to live.

Christianity is what actually allows somebody to experience true freedom in this life. When you realize who God is, who you are, and your need for Christ, something incredible happens. You ind your true purpose in life! You ind your passions and desires and are given the power to live a redeemed lifestyle of freedom –freedom from sin, a freedom that provides true joy rooted in the gospel of Christ.

69

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. What are some things that people say Christianity does

not allow? Why has Christianity become known for these things?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• unChristian by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons• When Skeptics Ask by Norman L. Geisler

2. What is holding people back from living the

Christian lifestyle?

3. How would you respond to somebody with this objection?

If somebody was talking with you and said that they think

Christianity is primitive and should be more accepting of

other lifestyles, what do you say?

4. What is the difference between acceptance and tolerance?

Does our culture make a distinction?

5. Read Galatians 5:13 & 1 Corinthians 10. How does

Christianity provide true freedom? What does this freedom

look like practically? Are there limitations?

6. What is Christianity “for?” What would you say The Bridge

Church is “for?”

70

APRIL 10, 2016

evil

03

71

SERMON NOTES:

72

evilOBJECTION 03:

One of the most heart-wrenching and personal objections to Christianity has to do with evil and suffering and pain in the world. This objection is phrased a few ways including, “How could a good God allow suffering?” or “God could not exist with all the evil in the world.” As one looks into our world it doesn’t take long to see suffering, brokenness, and evil all over the globe.

Christianity does not claim that simply because a good, loving, and just God exists that there would then necessarily be no evil in the world. Rather, Christianity makes it clear that God is a good, loving, and just God who created humans in his image, but that they rebelled and sin entered the world. It is because of sin and rebellion against God that suffering, brokenness, and evil exist.

To simply state that because there is evil in the world negates the possibility of a gracious, good God does not hold. We must irst understand what evil is. Evil is the absence of good, much like darkness is the absence of light. Evil cannot exist apart from good. The only way we know evil is because we know good. Ultimately, moral incorrectness doesn’t exist without moral correctness.

God is perfectly good and created man with the ability to choose. To create a being that is forced to love is not love at all. He would have simply created robots. We have the choice to follow God, or to rebel against him. Romans 3, Ephesians 2, and other Scriptures tell us that we have all chosen sin and we are dead in that sin. But because God loved us, he redeemed us through Jesus.

This redemption does not mean that we will never see evil or suffering again, but it does come with the promise of Revelation 21:5 that he will one day make all things new. This is the hope of future redemption that Christianity provides. A hope and a longing for the day when there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more suffering, no more brokenness. Outside of Christianity, there is no hope for such a thing. Outside of God there is no true goodness, no true love, no hope. In God we have a reason for suffering, and while it yet still hurts, one day we will never experience hurt.

73

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. Have you experienced something in your life that you felt

was unfair? Either the situation itself or the effects of it?

Why did you feel it was unfair? Did God seem distant to

you during this situation?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• Making Sense Out of Suffering by Peter Kreeft• Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller• Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper & Justin Taylor• The Radical Cross by A.W. Tozer & Ravi Zacharias

2. Have you ever been angry or upset with God? Why? How did

you overcome that anger? Did you think that God was working

and doing something greater even though you couldn’t see it at

the time? What effect has this had on you spiritually and on your

outlook on life in general?

3. Is it appropriate for us to express our dislike, anger, or

frustration to God? If so, how should we do that? Is it healthy?

4. Why is there suffering in the world? How could such a

loving and just God allow evil to go unpunished and allow

good people to suffer?

5. Read Psalm 13 and Habakkuk 1. How is David’s lament similar

to Habakkuk’s? What is David’s conclusion?

6. Read John 11: 1-46. How are Martha and Mary’s statements

to Jesus similar to Habakkuk’s questions? What do they say to

Jesus? How does Jesus answer them? How can you relate

to this story and to David in Psalm 13?

74

APRIL 17, 2016

the bible

04

75

SERMON NOTES:

76

the bibleOBJECTION 04:

If humans wrote the Bible, and one admits that humans are not perfect, then how could one believe that the Bible is historically reliable? Not to mention, multiple people wrote the Bible over lengthy periods of time a long time ago. Can the Bible truly be that accurate?

It is true that multiple people had a hand in writing the Bible over many, many years. However, simply because it was constructed by humans, does not mandate that it is inaccurate. After all, all of our history books (or any textbook for that matter) were written by humans, and most people do not question the authenticity or accuracy of those writings.

Nonetheless, as one researches the Bible one will soon see that the Bible is indeed historically accurate. There are hundreds of early dated manuscripts that have been translated into English and comprise what we know as the Bible today. Since there are so many manuscripts it is clear that our current Bible is accurate because there are very few differences amongst the manuscripts (the most common differences or errors are grammatical errors that do not pose cause for concern).

Beyond all the manuscripts that exist, there have also been several writings outside of the Bible that report the same historical events as the Bible. These non-Christian or non-Jewish authors recorded events and people and all the information coincides with that recorded in the Bible.

Furthermore, one can rest assured that the Bible is historically accurate because of archeology. There have been thousands of archeological digs and there have not been any that disprove or go against what the Bible says. All of the archeological indings correspond with what is found in Scripture.

77

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. What does it mean for the Bible to be inerrant? Do you

believe that the Bible we have today is without error?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman L. Geisler• Scripture and Truth by D.A. Carson & John Woodbridge (editors)• Biblical Authority by Kenneth Keathley • A Christian View of the Bible as Truth by Francis A. Schaeffer

2. What are some errors people propose the Bible has?

How can these be reconciled? Why are there some differences

in the early manuscripts?

3. Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17. How does this passage speak to

the validity of Scripture?

4. How do archeology and non-Christian writings help

verify biblical accounts?

5. If there is so much evidence for the historical accuracy of the

Bible, why do people still debate and object its validity?

6. Jesus spoke often of the Old Testament, calling them

“the Scriptures.” What does this tell us about the Old Testament

and how we should approach it?

78

APRIL 24, 2016

the church

05

79

SERMON NOTES:

80

the churchOBJECTION 05:

History is clear. There have been many people hurt by religion—people claiming to act according to their beliefs or on behalf of a deity. There is no getting around this fact. Even Christianity has unfortunately been responsible for much bloodshed, heartache, and suffering throughout history. For one to ignore this would lack compassion and be unhelpful. Christians, along with people of other religions, must own this fact.

That being said, Christians today are not responsible for what Christians of the past have done. Also, one must question whether or not these “Christians” throughout history were genuine followers of Jesus, though they claimed to be. Regardless, Christians today can show compassion to those who have been hurt by individuals or groups claiming to be Christian and we can help to redeem their view of Christianity and God.

Either way, to throw out all of Christianity because there have been some previous events in which people caused suffering “in the name of Christ” is not fair or proper. This would be the same as saying that one will no longer associate with any Middle Eastern person or anyone who claims to be a Muslim because of the radical Jihadists that have caused so much pain and suffering.

This objection is like “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” There have been many people of many different religions who have caused pain and suffering, but that does not mean that they all agree with or encourage such acts. To lump all Christians into one category is to generalize and be prejudiced, which is something that most would disagree with.

If one reads and studies the Bible, one will come to see that it is in Christ that compassion and love is shown. While it is true that there has been injustice caused, one should read the Bible and ind out who God is and what Christianity is truly about, and then make a decision.

81

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. Have you or anyone you know ever been “burned” by the

church or another Christian? How did you/they respond?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark• How Should We Then Live? by Francis A. Schaeffer

2. Is it true that religion, speciically Christianity, has caused injustice? If so, in what ways? How did the church then and how

should the church now respond?

3. Read Joshua 7:10-26. In light of this and other Old Testament

and New Testament accounts of God’s people harming and

killing others, how is this justiied? How could a loving God command his people to do such things?

4. Does God still command his people to respond to sin in the

same way? Does God still respond to sin and rebellion in the

same manner?

5. Does God change?

6. How can we as a church respond to current injustices, even

those caused by other Christians?

82

MAY 01, 2016

science

06

83

SERMON NOTES:

84

scienceOBJECTION 06:

“Christianity is so primitive.” “Reason is more important and trumps faith.” “With all the advancements in science and technology, anyone can recognize there is no God.” These are all common phrases associated with this particular argument. The idea here is that science has revealed so much about how the universe works, that there is no need for God.

“Science has disproved Christianity.”

From radioactive (absolute) dating, to the explanation of how the universe was formed, some believe science has shown that the Bible and Christianity have been wrong all along. However, that is not the case. Even as one looks into the theory of evolution, there are holes in the theory that cannot be accounted. Are there trends to be seen and are there even changes that we have witnessed amongst various organisms? Yes, but that does not mandate the macroevolution of species.

In an effort to not be too scientiic, let us simply look to some scientists who have been conducting research and comparing that to the Bible. Remember earlier that archaeology has not shown a single inaccuracy in the Scriptures. Several scientists, some Christian and some not, got together a few years ago to form a movement called “Intelligent Design.” The idea behind this movement, again started by scientists who were not all Christians or religious, is that the universe and everything that we see is so perfectly and inely put together that there must be some sort of intelligent creator.

Their argument uses astrophysics, mathematics, biology, entropy, and chemistry to show that science cannot prove that a God doesn’t exist. Instead, in all their studies these scientists were left stunned, with nothing else to conclude except that there must be a God. Several of those scientists have since studied the Bible and have become Christians. Others have not. Nonetheless, they would agree that science has not disproved Christianity.

85

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS:

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1. What are some of the major scientiic questions or evidences people typically have against Christianity? How do/should you

respond to those questions?

• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller• Redeeming Science by Vern S. Poythress • Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey• Icons of Evolution by Jonathan Wells

2. Can science and Christianity coincide and “play nice” with

one another? Why or why not?

3. Read Genesis 1. How does the Bible say the earth and all

things were created? What are some of the different creation

theories that you know of? (Literal day theory, gap theory, etc.)

4. How does majority science claim the universe and all

things in it came to be? Can this view and the biblical view

be reconciled? How?

5. What is the purpose of science? How can Christians

appropriately use science to glorify God?

6. Why is only one theory/view taught in our school systems?

How should Christians respond to this?

86

1 Wilcock, M. (1979). The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel (p. 32). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

² Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 862). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

³ Ibid, 896.

4 Longman, Tremper, and David E. Garland. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke--Acts. Revised ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007. Kindle. Location 6759.

5 Ibid, 7080.

6 Ibid, 7286.

7 Morris, Leon. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 347.

notes

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