Luke Conclusion

For the conclusion of the "Gospel According to Luke" series, we could see how Luke presented the life of Christ to us as if through a microscope where he focused closer and closer until we could see what was most important.   He started with Christ's Birth, Early Life, Baptism, Temptation, and Rejection at Nazareth; using only 4 chapters to cover the first ~30 years of Christ's life.   Then, another 5 chapters on 1 1/2 years of Public Ministry; another 10 chapters on the next 1 1/2 years of Teaching and Preparing His disciples for what is to come; and then 4 chapters on just the last week with the events leading to Christ's Death, Buriel, and Resurrection.  Then, 1 more chapter on the post-resurrection appearances.  This indicated that the primary focus was on what Christ came to earth for, to die on the cross for our sins and offer the way to salvation.  And this is also what the OT prophets were pointing to.

Looking through the Book of Luke for recurring themes and threads woven throughout; these can be summarized in ways we can apply to book to our lives through:

• Words (the Message) - The gospel message was clearly shown, the Kingdom was proclaimed, evidence was provided, fulfillment of prophecy was shown, techniques were given (e.g. parables or telling stories; answering questions with thought-provoking questions, etc), and the heart of Christ was shown in His seeking and saving that which is LOST (the rejoicing in heaven when the LOST is FOUND)
• Actions (Discipleship) - It was often emphasized that there is a COST to discipleship; and that we are to follow Christ's example in PRAYER, caring not just for the physical but also for the spiritual (i.e. the WHOLE person).  Also, the importance of faithful stewardship was emphasized as well as storing our treasures in heaven.  Apart from showing us how we can live our lives; we are also shown how NOT to live our lives through the warnings and rebuke given to the scribes, pharisees, and other religious leaders