Sermon Series: Through the Gospel of Luke

By Pastor Dwain A. Hill • 195 Messages (September 2021 – June 2026)

For nearly five years, our church has journeyed verse by verse through the Gospel of Luke. Starting with the careful prologue in Luke 1:1-4 and continuing through the crucifixion and resurrection, Pastor Hill has guided us through this rich account of the life of Jesus Christ. Luke, the beloved physician and careful historian, wrote with precision and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to provide certainty about the things we have been taught.

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The Heart of Luke’s Gospel

Luke presents Jesus as the compassionate Son of Man who came for everyone—Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, saint and sinner. The series highlighted Luke’s unique contributions: about 59% of his material is found only in his Gospel, including many parables and miracles that reveal Jesus’ heart for the lost, the marginalized, and the hurting.

From the very beginning, Pastor Hill emphasized the reliability of the Gospel. Luke investigated everything carefully, drawing from eyewitness accounts and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He wrote in classical Greek, in an orderly fashion, so that readers like Theophilus (and us) might “know the certainty of those things in which [we] were instructed.”

Key Themes and Sections

The series opened with the birth narratives. We met righteous but childless Zacharias and Elizabeth in the dark days of Herod’s rule and 400 years of prophetic silence. God broke that silence with the announcement of John the Baptist—the forerunner who would turn many back to God in the spirit and power of Elijah.

Then came the announcement to Mary: the virgin would conceive and bear the Son of the Highest, whose kingdom would have no end. These events were no accident but part of God’s sovereign plan. The series repeatedly showed God’s providence at work—even in the “course of human events.”

“God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform... Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.”

As Jesus’ ministry unfolded, Luke showed His authority over demons, disease, and nature, His compassion for sinners, and His teaching on the kingdom of God. Parables like the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Persistent Widow illustrated grace, forgiveness, and prayer. Jesus sought the lost, ate with tax collectors and sinners, and welcomed women and children in a culture that often overlooked them.

The journey to Jerusalem brought increasing tension. Jesus warned of coming suffering, rejection, and the destruction of the city. The Olivet Discourse (Luke 21) received careful attention: signs preceding the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, the “times of the Gentiles,” and ultimately the return of the Son of Man. Pastor Hill stressed watching, praying, and living with eternity in view.

The Climax: The Upper Room and the Cross

The final chapters explored the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as the new covenant in His blood. He washed feet, warned of betrayal, predicted Peter’s denial, and prayed in agony in Gethsemane. The series did not shy away from the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, the trials, the crucifixion, or the resurrection.

Jesus willingly drank the cup the Father gave Him. The power of darkness had its hour, but it served God’s eternal purpose. On the cross, the perfect Lamb of God offered the final sacrifice for sin. The series closed with the empty tomb and the risen Lord, commissioning His followers.

“This is My body which is given for you… This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20)

What We Learned

Throughout the series, several truths stood out:

Pastor Hill consistently called us to application: dying daily to self, living by the Spirit, examining our hearts, and sharing the gospel according to our lives. He reminded us that the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus and the early church is available to us.

Why This Series Matters

Walking through Luke has deepened our understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. We have seen the Savior who touches lepers, forgives adulterers, and welcomes children. We have seen the King who will one day return in glory. And we have been challenged to live as citizens of His kingdom in a world that is often dark.

As Pastor Hill often noted, quoting J.C. Ryle and others: Christianity is a religion of facts. The Gospel is the history of Christ—His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. In Him we find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal hope.

We invite you to join us as we conclude the series this year. Whether you are new to the faith or have walked with Christ for years, Luke’s Gospel offers good news for everyone. The Son of Man still seeks and saves the lost.