Message of the Week
- LeapofFaith
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
The Little White Community Church
Scripture: Luke 1: 1-4 Nov. 16, 2025
Message: “Luke!”
by Pastor George Gnade
Introduction:
1. As most of you know, we are doing a series of message on people Paul was thankful for. Then we can apply this to people we know in our own lives.
2. For example, Paul was thankful for Philemon and Onesimus because God used him to lead both of them to Christ. If you have ever led someone to the Lord, that person is probably special to you. We learned about them in our first message in this series.
3. Another person we learned about was Epaphras. Paul was thankful for was Epaphras because God used both of them to spread the gospel. An even better reason is because they were prisoners in Rome around the same time, both because of their faith. We are often thankful for a friend who appreciates what we are going through.
4. Today we are going to learn more about Luke and his relationship to Paul.
A. The most obvious reason for Paul to appreciate him was the fact that Luke became his doctor. Paul often needed him to encourage and advise him.
1. We are told about Luke in Col. 4:14 where Paul calls Luke his beloved physician. Paul had a number of physical problems during his years of ministry. I am sure that is why God caused their paths to cross.
a. Paul often refers to his poor eyesight. He also refers to “his thorn in the flesh” that God refused to take away to help keep him humble.
b. On top of all of that, he was beaten with many stripes many times because of his faith. For all these reasons, I am sure it was a blessing to have him as a friend.
2. My brother Bob was a medical doctor and, for many years, we lived about an hour away from each other. What a blessing he was to me during those years.
a. As a pastor, I am often told how the doctor someone liked the best had retired and moved away. How hard it was to try to find someone to take his place.
b. Paul was constantly on the move. Yet over and over again, we learn that Luke was with him.
B. Secondly, we know Luke was known as a great historian. He was very knowledgeable. This qualified him to be a writer.
1. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Both books are addressed to an important figure named Theophilus.
a. Apparently, Theophilus wanted to know more about Jesus and Luke was led by the Lord to research and write these two books in our Bibles. I can’t speak for you, but these two books have always meant a lot to me.
b. Luke received most of his information from eye witnesses who could verify the truthfulness of what he wrote.
2. Over the years, critics have tried to prove Luke didn’t know what he was talking about. But evidence would soon emerge proving what he wrote was accurate.
3. Obviously this is a gift he received from the Lord.
C. Paul played a major role in all of this.
1. One day, every door seemed to close and Paul prayed for guidance. He didn’t know what to do next.
a. God gave him a vision of a man crying out to him, saying: “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul wasted no time to obey.
b. What is interesting is what Paul wrote in Acts 16:10.
It says: “After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
2. What is interesting is the fact that this is the first time in this book that Luke wrote “we.” And from that time on, the reader can tell when Luke was with Paul by the presence or absence of the little words “we” or “us”.
3. Probably the most important time was during Paul’s journey to Rome to appear before Nero. I am sure that was a very meaningful time for both of them.
4. Every book of the New Testament is backed up by one of the apostles. Matthew was backed up by his relationship to Jesus as one of the 12 apostles. Mark was backed up by Peter. Of course, John calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. Luke was backed up by his relationship to Paul and the time they spent together.
D. It is also possible that the books of Luke and Acts were written by Luke to help Paul when he appeared before Caesar the first time before being released.
1. These books verified who Jesus was as well as who Paul was and what they did. In Acts, what Luke wrote verified how many times Paul was arrested and found to be innocent, like he was in Philippi (Acts 16:38-40).
a. After two years in prison in Rome (Acts 28:30), most scholars believe Paul was finally tried and released.
b. In this trial, Paul only had to prove he was teaching a legitimate presentation of Judaism who believed Jesus was their promised Messiah. The books of Luke and Acts verify that. That is where the Book of Acts ends.
2. After several more years, Rome declared Christianity to be illegal. Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians. This time both Peter and Paul were imprisoned and this time both died for their faith. That happened after these books were written.
E. Let me share one more insight about Luke that means a lot to me. It is the humble way he acted. After introducing himself as the one writing these two books of the Bible, he rarely tells us anything about himself. His only goal was to point people to Jesus Christ.
1. Paul was humble too. He often reminded people of his past and called himself the chief of sinners (I Tim. 1:15-17). If Jesus could save him, then Jesus can save anyone who comes to Him. You can see why they made a good team.
In conclusion: 1. It does not take a genius to figure out why Paul and his doctor were such close friends. Their relationship went far beyond a typical doctor – patient relationship.
2. II Timothy was written by Paul shortly before Paul died.
In II Tim. 4:11, he wrote: “Only Luke is with me.” That is the last time Luke is mentioned. It speaks for itself.
3. I have several doctors that I really like. I am thankful God brought them into my life. You probably do too. But I especially appreciate the relationship bet
ween Luke and Paul. I pray this message has been a blessing to you. Amen!
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