January 31, 1999
His Name is John, Part One
From Series: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 1
by Alistair Begg
With the birth of John the Baptist, a long period of waiting came to an end. The priest Zechariah had not been able to speak for his wife Elizabeth’s whole pregnancy—but after John’s birth, he proclaimed the Lord’s faithfulness to his people. Israel had waited centuries to hear John’s message of repentance and to be pointed to the Messiah. Today, we share in that redemption and are called to lives of faithful service to our Savior.
The Birth of John the Baptist
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 1
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
As a well-traveled doctor and the only Gentile writer in the New Testament, Luke sets the story of Jesus’ birth in the context of the Roman Empire and the secular world of its day. Walking us through these opening chapters, Alistair Begg shows us the necessity of the Incarnation—that Jesus had to be fully human and fully God to be able to fulfill the plan for our salvation.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 10
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume ten of this series, Alistair Begg focuses on Luke’s powerful description of Jesus’ last days with His disciples, betrayal, and arrest. Christ’s compassion and love for His friends and enemies was clear in His words and His actions. Even in Jesus’ suffering and betrayal, we see God’s sovereignty always at work. As His followers, we too will have trouble in the world—but we can trust that Jesus reigns over all and God is working everything for our good and His glory.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 11
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume eleven of this series, Alistair Begg walks us through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Luke’s account focuses not on the sensational details of Jesus’ suffering, but on what He accomplished there. We see figures like Herod, the Roman centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and the women at the tomb face an important decision: Will they go on as they always have—or will they be changed by the redemptive work and certain resurrection of Christ?
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 2
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
When John the Baptist first came on the scene, many thought he was the long-awaited Messiah. Though they regretted to learn that he wasn’t, their disappointment was short-lived: even as John spoke, Christ was making His way into their region. Soon they would see Him and hear Him in person. In volume two of this series, Alistair Begg describes the explicit responses Christ provoked—the people either believed Him fully or rejected Him completely.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 3
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume three of this series, Alistair Begg focuses on the lordship of Christ and the contrast between the world’s values and those of the believer’s life. Jesus’ early ministry and teaching focused on a wide range of themes, including the Sabbath, prayer, evangelism, mercy, love, forgiveness, dependence on God, obedience, and gratitude. Through it all, though, we catch glimpses of the Son of Man as He continues the journey that will lead him to Calvary.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 4
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume four of this series, Alistair Begg leads us through Jesus’ interactions with a series of individuals, including his own disciples, a demon-possessed man, and the significant religious and political figures of His day. Confronted with the power of Christ, each had to come to a conclusion about who Jesus was—a decision that promised to change their lives forever.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 5
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume five of this series, Alistair Begg follows Luke 11’s account of Christ’s continuing ministry in Galilee. Jesus patiently taught His disciples to pray, performed a miracle, instructed the crowds, and defended the truth against the Pharisees and teachers of the law. At each step, He revealed the truth of who He truly was: the promised Messiah, the Son of God.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 6
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume six of this series, Alistair Begg examines several of Jesus’ sermons, many of which included parables illustrating godly living. Woven through Jesus’ lessons to the multitudes is one constant theme: “Repent now, before it’s too late.” His warnings are an important reminder to us that one day the opportunity to turn toward Him will have passed, and God’s judgment will be exacted. Let us seek Him today, while He may be found!
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 7
Luke’s gospel is the longest book in the New Testament. When you consider it along with the other book that he wrote, namely the Acts of the Apostles, Luke is responsible for over a quarter of New Testament material.
Luke was one of Paul’s most significant companions and several things about him help us understand why God laid his hand upon this man. He was a Gentile, the only Gentile writer in the whole of the New Testament. He was also a doctor and an educated man. He was an historian. In fact, he was more of a historian than Matthew or Mark or even John, each of whom sets the life of Jesus firmly within the realm of Palestine. Luke intersects Biblical truth with the historical development of the Roman Empire.
There is much to learn by studying the gospel of this man of wide views and broad sympathies, most importantly his emphasis on the universality of the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 8
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume eight of this series, Alistair Begg leads us through Luke's narrative of Christ's journey to Jerusalem, where He would soon offer Himself as a sacrifice for the world. Along the way, Jesus reveals the topsy-turvy nature of God's kingdom—the last made first, the lost being found, outsiders being brought in, and sinners being made righteous. As He approaches the cross, His words rebuke the prideful, but promise hope to those who lean on His perfection.
Other messages in: The Gospel According to Luke, Volume 9
As the Gospel of Luke begins, its author declares his intent to compile “an orderly account” of the person of Jesus so that anyone who reads it “may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” When we open its pages, this is exactly what we find. Tracing Jesus’ life from His Nativity and ministry to His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Luke presents us with a portrait of a perfect, divine Savior in whom we can believe fully and securely.
In volume nine of this series, Alistair Begg leads us through Luke’s account of Christ’s life as His ministry and mission nears its culmination at Calvary. Preparing both His followers and enemies for His death and resurrection, Jesus answers questions about His authority and identity, warns unbelievers of the judgement to come, and comforts the faithful with the promise of eternal life and fellowship with God.
