Sermon Outline | Group Questions
Light and dark, truth and lies, good and evil. While the world often feels like it’s filled with shades of gray, we all know that there are ways of living in the world that fill us with hope and joy, and there are ways of being that cause regret and despair. Join us in season three of our teaching series from the Gospel of John, Light in the Darkness, as we follow Jesus as he guides us on the path of life.
Light in the Darkness: Happy New Year 2024
Bible Text: Luke 1:28-30, Matthew 1:19-25, Philemon 2:5-11 | Pastor, Assad Saif
Author, Date, and Recipients
Luke was a physician (Col. 4:14) and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote this Gospel and its sequel, the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Luke–Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in Acts 28, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to “Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1), about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” (Luke 1:4) about Jesus.
Theme
The gospel is for all, Jews and Gentiles alike, since Jesus is the promised one of God as prophesied in the OT and as seen in God’s saving activity in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Christian traditions Luke’s readers have received are true; by believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, they will receive the promised Holy Spirit whom he gives to all who follow him.
Purpose
Luke probably had several goals in writing: (1) to assure his readers of the truth of what they had been taught; (2) to help them understand how Israel’s rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles’ entrance into the kingdom of God are part of God’s plan; (3) to clarify that Jesus did not teach that his bodily return would come immediately but that there would be a period between his resurrection and his return; and (4) to emphasize that they need not fear any mere earthly power such as Rome.
Key Themes
- God’s sovereign rule over history (13:33; 22:22, 42).
- The arrival and actual presence (though not yet the completion) of the kingdom of God (11:2; 17:20–21; 21:34–36).
- The coming and presence of the Holy Spirit for Jesus and his followers (1:15–17, 35; 2:25–27; 3:16, 22; 4:1, 18; 24:49).
- The great reversal taking place in the world, in which the first are becoming last and the last are becoming first, the proud are being brought low and the humble are being exalted (1:48; 6:20–26; 13:30; 14:11).
- Believers are to live a life of prayer and practice good stewardship with their possessions (6:12; 9:28–29; 11:1–4; 12:33–34; 18:1; 22:40).
- The danger of riches (6:20–26; 8:14; 12:13–21; 16:10–13, 19–31).
What is your "Best Gift"?
End of the year giving campaign.
In the past two years, Orchard has been a force in our community. We literally feed over 50+ weekly, and have helped numerous families navigate financial hardship, reconcile marriages, help provide kids with places they can find community, and have a weekly recovery meeting where people find hope. We had over 30+ people join our membership and baptized 10 people this year. God is on the move, and we need your help to continue the cause for Christ in our community.
Every year our church does a giving campaign titled "Your Best Gift". The idea is to bring your best gift to God through an additional financial offering to the church. Our church depends on this gift. This year we are trying to raise $50,000 in the month of December. I invite you to join me, my family, and our Elders in making a significant financial contribution to our church through this campaign.
General Life Group Questions
- Is there a sermon point or illustration that you liked or connected with?
- Which Bible verse or verses stood out to you the most?
- Take some time to re-read the Bible verses that stood out to you?
- How do the Bible verses connect to the sermon points?
- How do you think God is speaking to you with these verses?
- What do you think God may be asking you to do with what he is saying to you?
- Think about how you might share this message in your own words with someone.
- Ask God to put someone on your heart to share this message with.
- Who is that person? How will you share God’s truth with them?