Welcome to Day 2764 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2764– Only the Best – A Gospel of Excellence – Luke 1:1-4
Putnam Church Message – 11/23/2025
Luke’s Account of the Good News
“Only The Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth “
Last week, we explored the letter of 3 John and Learned how to have “A Confident Life: Balancing Truth and Love.”
This week, we will begin a year-long study of Luke’s Account of the Good News. We are tying in our Thanksgiving celebration in a message titled: “Only the Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth.” Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 1:1-4, found on page 1587 of your Pew Bibles.
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we open the Gospel of Luke, give us eyes to recognize Your truth, ears to hear Your voice, and hearts ready to respond with thanksgiving. Just as Luke carefully recorded the life of our Savior, may we honor the story of Christ with excellence, gratitude, and faith. Shape us today by Your Word, and let our thanksgiving rise like a fragrant offering before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Introduction: Luke’s Gospel Begins with “Thanksgiving.”
Unlike the dramatic beginnings of the other Gospels, Luke opens quietly—with something resembling a letter of dedication. He writes to “most honorable (excellent) Theophilus,” explaining why he has prepared such an orderly, carefully researched account. It is as though Luke begins his entire Gospel by saying:
“Thank you for caring about truth. Thank you for seeking certainty.
I wrote this so you can know for sure what God has done.”
In a season where we pause to give thanks, Luke reminds us that thanksgiving is grounded in remembering. We cannot be thankful for what we forget. And we cannot build our faith on what we do not know.
That is why Luke opens his Gospel with an invitation to excellence, truth, and gratitude. (Bulletin Insert)
MAIN POINT 1 — Excellence in Research
Luke 1:1–2 (NLT):
“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.”
Luke acknowledges that others had already tried to document the life of Jesus, but he felt compelled to go further. He wanted not a loose collection of memories,/ but a dependable record strong enough to support future generations of believers.
- A Historian Among Apostles
Luke traveled widely with Paul. As they journeyed from city to city, Luke met the men and women who had walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Some had broken bread with Him. Some had watched Him sweat, weep, teach, heal, and pray. Others had witnessed the agony of the cross or felt the shock of the empty tomb.
Luke approached each conversation the way a skilled physician examines a wound—carefully, thoroughly, asking the right questions. The word “eyewitnesses” in verse 2 comes from a term meaning “those who have seen with their own eyes, as in an autopsy.”
This was no casual research. This was painstaking, careful work—the kind needed to preserve truth for generations.
- Thanksgiving Connection: Remembering Before It Is Lost
Every Thanksgiving, we rediscover how easy it is to forget blessings unless we intentionally recall them.
Luke understood this deeply. First-generation Christians were aging. Myths were spreading. Fictions were blending with facts.
So Luke did what a thankful heart always does: He preserved the truth so the next generation wouldn’t lose it.
Summary Narrative for Point 1
Luke teaches us that gratitude remembers and records. Excellence in research is an act of thanksgiving to God—preserving His works so they are never forgotten.
MAIN POINT 2 — Excellence in Organization
Luke 1:3a (NLT):
“Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account…”
Research alone doesn’t make a Gospel. Luke didn’t simply gather information—he organized it with a storyteller’s skill and historian’s precision. His Gospel follows not a strict chronology but a meaningful sequence that speaks clearly to ancient readers.
- A Story Told with Purpose
Ancients valued geography, movement, themes, and patterns. Luke arranges the life of Christ so the reader journeys with Jesus from the hills of Galilee to the Temple of Jerusalem, the cross of Calvary, and ultimately the empty tomb.
Luke allows us to “follow along” with Jesus—literally the meaning of the Greek verb in verse 3.
He accompanies the story step by step so we can see its beauty and unity.
- Modern Illustration: Thanksgiving Recipes
Just as a Thanksgiving meal is not prepared by throwing ingredients randomly on a counter, Luke understood that the story of Jesus must be presented with care. A Thanksgiving feast requires:
- A plan
- An order
- A purpose
- A vision of the final meal
Likewise, Luke offers an orderly Good News so believers could “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).
Summary Narrative for Point 2
Luke shows that excellence in organization is an act of love—arranging truth so believers can savor the beauty of Christ with clarity and confidence.
MAIN POINT 3 — Excellence in Expression
Luke 1:3b (NLT):
“…writing to you in an orderly account…”
Luke’s Gospel is the most literary of the four. His Greek rivals were the finest historians of his day. But Luke’s artistry is not for entertainment—it is for illumination. He wants the beauty of Christ to shine through every line.
- Luke the Storyteller
Luke gives us:
- The songs of Mary and Zechariah
- The parable of the Good Samaritan
- The story of Zacchaeus
- The prodigal son
- The walk to Emmaus
These beloved stories exist because Luke expressed truth not with bare facts but with a God-inspired artistry that captures the heart.
- Ancient Cultural Insight
First-century believers depended heavily on public reading and oral storytelling. A well-crafted narrative was essential for people to remember and pass down the truth. Luke’s Gospel was designed to be memorable—recited aloud in house churches by lamplight.
- Thanksgiving Connection: Stories Worth Retelling
At Thanksgiving, families retell stories around the table—stories of God’s goodness, family moments, hardships endured, and blessings received. We tell them because stories shape identity.
This reminds me of a story I once heard of a grandmother who hosted Thanksgiving for decades. Every year, she laid out the finest dishes, fresh rolls, and her famous apple pie. But one detail confused her grandchildren: she always left one empty chair at the end of the table.
When asked about it, she would smile and say,
“That chair is there in case someone needs a place to belong. God always sends someone who needs to be reminded that they are seen and loved.”
And sure enough, over the years, neighbors, widows, single parents, refugees, and struggling students found their way into that empty chair. Some cried. Some said it saved their lives. And others said it helped them find faith again.
When she died, her family continued the tradition—and discovered something profound: Thanksgiving is not complete when all the chairs are filled, but when one seat is kept open in case God wants to love someone through us.
That story reminds us that excellence in expression isn’t just about words.
It’s about making truth tangible and invitational—just as Luke did.
Luke didn’t simply tell stories of Jesus. He helped people find their place at Christ’s table.
So the question becomes:
“Is there a chair open at our table for those who need Christ?”
Luke’s beautiful storytelling gives the church its foundational identity:
We are the people redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Summary Narrative for Point 3
Luke demonstrates that excellence in expression glorifies God by making His truth approachable, beautiful, and unforgettable. Thanksgiving reminds us that the Gospel is not only accurate—it must also be inviting, like an open chair waiting for a guest whose heart needs hope.
MAIN POINT 4 — Excellence in Purpose and Discipline
Luke 1:4 (NLT):
“so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”
Luke’s goal is confidence—certainty. In a world filled with competing voices, half-truths, philosophies, myths, and heresies, Luke wants Theophilus and all believers to stand on solid ground.
- A Gospel Meant to Anchor Faith
Gnosticism and other distortions were already forming. Luke knew that unless the truth was preserved accurately, the church’s foundation would crumble.
But Luke also understood that truth alone is not enough—truth must be trusted.
So he writes with pastoral discipline:
“I want you to KNOW. I want you to be CERTAIN.”
- Modern Illustration: The Thanksgiving Tree
Certainty comes from remembrance.
Remembrance grows through testimony.
And testimony must be recorded.
Just as Luke preserved the story of Christ for future believers, our Thanksgiving Tree helps us preserve the stories of God’s goodness in our congregation today.
Summary Narrative for Point 4
Luke teaches us that excellence in purpose anchors our faith. Truth recorded,/ preserved,/ and remembered/ strengthens believers for generations.
APPLICATION & THANKSGIVING INTEGRATION
Luke 1:1–4 is not simply an academic introduction. It is a spiritual invitation:
“Give thanks for the truth.
Treat God’s Word with excellence.
Preserve what God has done.
And pass it on.”
Here are three applications, each paired with Thanksgiving emphasis and the Thanksgiving Tree tradition:
APPLICATION 1 — Excellence Honors God
Luke’s careful work was an act of worship. He approached truth with reverence, precision, and gratitude.
Thanksgiving Connection:
As we gather around tables this season, we remember that blessings are not random—they are the work of God. When we give thanks, we honor the Giver. As James tells us in 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Thanksgiving Tree Tie-In:
Each leaf pinned to the tree is not just a note—it is an act of worship.
A declaration: “God has done this.”
Summary Statement:
Excellence honors God because it treats His truth and His blessings with the respect they deserve.
APPLICATION 2 — Excellence Preserves Faith for the Next Generation
Luke wrote so future believers would not be carried away by myths or confusion. He saw truth slipping through the cracks and said, “Not on my watch!”
Thanksgiving Connection:
Families often pass down recipes, traditions, and stories at Thanksgiving.
But the greatest traditions we pass down are the stories of God’s faithfulness.
Thanksgiving Tree Tie-In:
Anyone who walks past the Thanksgiving Tree and reads:
- “I’m thankful God healed me.”
- “I’m thankful for restored relationships”
- “I’m thankful for salvation”
is being discipled by your testimony.
Summary Statement:
Excellence preserves faith by ensuring God’s works are remembered, not forgotten.
APPLICATION 3 — Excellence Encourages and Strengthens the Church
Luke wrote to strengthen Theophilus—so he could stand firm.
Our church is strengthened the same way: through shared truth, shared testimony, and shared thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Tree Object Lesson (Full Integration):
Hold up a blank leaf.
“This leaf may seem small, but it represents a blessing—a moment where God showed kindness. When we write it down and pin it on the Thanksgiving Tree, it becomes visible. One leaf becomes a testimony. Dozens become a forest of gratitude. And our whole church is encouraged.”
When believers remember, they grow stronger.
When a church comes together in remembrance, it grows united.
Summary Statement:
Excellence strengthens the church because gratitude and truth bind believers together.
Conclusion
Luke begins his Gospel with excellence, gratitude, and a commitment to preserving truth. In this Thanksgiving season, let us honor his example by:
- Remembering God’s blessings
- Recording His goodness
- Giving thanks with sincerity
- Pinning our leaves to the Thanksgiving Tree
- And living out our faith with excellence as unto the Lord
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for inspiring Luke to preserve the story of Jesus with excellence and devotion. Teach us to follow his example as we pursue truth, gratitude, and faithfulness. May this season of thanksgiving deepen our confidence in Your Word and strengthen our unity as a church. Help us remember Your blessings, record Your goodness, and pass down a legacy of faith to all who follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next week is the first Sunday of Advent. We will focus on and prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah. Our message will be “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” It will cover the scriptures of Luke 1:5-25.
Transcript
Welcome to Day 2764 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2764– Only the Best - A Gospel of Excellence – Luke 1:1-4
Putnam Church Message – 11/23/2025
Luke’s Account of the Good News
“Only The Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth "
Last week, we explored the letter of 3 John and Learned how to have “A Confident Life: Balancing Truth and Love.”
This week, we will begin a year-long study of Luke’s Account of the Good News. We are tying in our Thanksgiving celebration in a message titled: “Only the Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth.” Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 1:1-4, found on page 1587 of your Pew Bibles.
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we open the Gospel of Luke, give us eyes to recognize Your truth, ears to hear Your voice, and hearts ready to respond with thanksgiving. Just as Luke carefully recorded the life of our Savior, may we honor the story of Christ with excellence, gratitude, and faith. Shape us today by Your Word, and let our thanksgiving rise like a fragrant offering before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Introduction: Luke’s Gospel Begins with “Thanksgiving.”
Unlike the dramatic beginnings of the other Gospels, Luke opens quietly—with something resembling a letter of dedication. He writes to “most honorable (excellent) Theophilus,” explaining why he has prepared such an orderly, carefully researched account. It is as though Luke begins his entire Gospel by saying:
“Thank you for caring about truth. Thank you for seeking certainty.
I wrote this so you can know for sure what God has done.”
In a season where we pause to give thanks, Luke reminds us that thanksgiving is grounded in remembering. We cannot be thankful for what we forget. And we cannot build our faith on what we do not know.
That is why Luke opens his Gospel with an invitation to excellence, truth, and gratitude. (Bulletin Insert)
MAIN POINT 1 — Excellence in Research
Luke 1:1–2 (NLT):
"Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples."
Luke acknowledges that others had already tried to document the life of Jesus, but he felt compelled to go further. He wanted not a loose collection of memories,/ but a dependable record strong enough to support future generations of believers.
A Historian Among Apostles
Luke traveled widely with Paul. As they journeyed from city to city, Luke met the men and women who had walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Some had broken bread with Him. Some had watched Him sweat, weep, teach, heal, and pray. Others had witnessed the agony of the cross or felt the shock of the empty tomb.
Luke approached each conversation the way a skilled physician examines a wound—carefully, thoroughly, asking the right questions. The word “eyewitnesses” in verse 2 comes from a term meaning “those who have seen with their own eyes, as in an autopsy.”
This was no casual research. This was painstaking, careful work—the kind needed to preserve truth for generations.
Thanksgiving Connection: Remembering Before It Is Lost
Every Thanksgiving, we rediscover how easy it is to forget blessings unless we intentionally recall them.
Luke understood this deeply. First-generation Christians were aging. Myths were spreading. Fictions were blending with facts.
So Luke did what a thankful heart always does: He preserved the truth so the next generation wouldn’t lose it.
Summary Narrative for Point 1
Luke teaches us that gratitude remembers and records. Excellence in research is an act of thanksgiving to God—preserving His works so they are never forgotten.
MAIN POINT 2 — Excellence in Organization
Luke 1:3a (NLT):
"Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account…"
Research alone doesn’t make a Gospel. Luke didn’t simply gather information—he organized it with a storyteller’s skill and historian’s precision. His Gospel follows not a strict chronology but a meaningful sequence that speaks clearly to ancient readers.
A Story Told with Purpose
Ancients valued geography, movement, themes, and patterns. Luke arranges the life of Christ so the reader journeys with Jesus from the hills of Galilee to the Temple of Jerusalem, the cross of Calvary, and ultimately the empty tomb.
Luke allows us to “follow along” with Jesus—literally the meaning of the Greek verb in verse 3.
He accompanies the story step by step so we can see its beauty and unity.
Modern Illustration: Thanksgiving Recipes
Just as a Thanksgiving meal is not prepared by throwing ingredients randomly on a counter, Luke understood that the story of Jesus must be presented with care. A Thanksgiving feast requires:
A plan
An order
A purpose
A vision of the final meal
Likewise, Luke offers an orderly Good News so believers could “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).
Summary Narrative for Point 2
Luke shows that excellence in organization is an act of love—arranging truth so believers can savor the beauty of Christ with clarity and confidence.
MAIN POINT 3 — Excellence in Expression
Luke 1:3b (NLT):
“…writing to you in an orderly account…”
Luke’s Gospel is the most literary of the four. His Greek rivals were the finest historians of his day. But Luke’s artistry is not for entertainment—it is for illumination. He wants the beauty of Christ to shine through every line.
Luke the Storyteller
Luke gives us:
The songs of Mary and Zechariah
The parable of the Good Samaritan
The story of Zacchaeus
The prodigal son
The walk to Emmaus
These beloved stories exist because Luke expressed truth not with bare facts but with a God-inspired artistry that captures the heart.
Ancient Cultural Insight
First-century believers depended heavily on public reading and oral storytelling. A well-crafted narrative was essential for people to remember and pass down the truth. Luke’s Gospel was designed to be memorable—recited aloud in house churches by lamplight.
Thanksgiving Connection: Stories Worth Retelling
At Thanksgiving, families retell stories around the table—stories of God’s goodness, family moments, hardships endured, and blessings received. We tell them because stories shape identity.
This reminds me of a story I once heard of a grandmother who hosted Thanksgiving for decades. Every year, she laid out the finest dishes, fresh rolls, and her famous apple pie. But one detail confused her grandchildren: she always left one empty chair at the end of the table.
When asked about it, she would smile and say,
“That chair is there in case someone needs a place to belong. God always sends someone who needs to be reminded that they are seen and loved.”
And sure enough, over the years, neighbors, widows, single parents, refugees, and struggling students found their way into that empty chair. Some cried. Some said it saved their lives. And others said it helped them find faith again.
When she died, her family continued the tradition—and discovered something profound: Thanksgiving is not complete when all the chairs are filled, but when one seat is kept open in case God wants to love someone through us.
That story reminds us that excellence in expression isn’t just about words.
It’s about making truth tangible and invitational—just as Luke did.
Luke didn’t simply tell stories of Jesus. He helped people find their place at Christ’s table.
So the question becomes:
“Is there a chair open at our table for those who need Christ?”
Luke’s beautiful storytelling gives the church its foundational identity:
We are the people redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Summary Narrative for Point 3
Luke demonstrates that excellence in expression glorifies God by making His truth approachable, beautiful, and unforgettable. Thanksgiving reminds us that the Gospel is not only accurate—it must also be inviting, like an open chair waiting for a guest whose heart needs hope.
MAIN POINT 4 — Excellence in Purpose and Discipline
Luke 1:4 (NLT):
"so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught."
Luke’s goal is confidence—certainty. In a world filled with competing voices, half-truths, philosophies, myths, and heresies, Luke wants Theophilus and all believers to stand on solid ground.
A Gospel Meant to Anchor Faith
Gnosticism and other distortions were already forming. Luke knew that unless the truth was preserved accurately, the church’s foundation would crumble.
But Luke also understood that truth alone is not enough—truth must be trusted.
So he writes with pastoral discipline:
“I want you to KNOW. I want you to be CERTAIN.”
Modern Illustration: The Thanksgiving Tree
Certainty comes from remembrance.
Remembrance grows through testimony.
And testimony must be recorded.
Just as Luke preserved the story of Christ for future believers, our Thanksgiving Tree helps us preserve the stories of God’s goodness in our congregation today.
Summary Narrative for Point 4
Luke teaches us that excellence in purpose anchors our faith. Truth recorded,/ preserved,/ and remembered/ strengthens believers for generations.
APPLICATION & THANKSGIVING INTEGRATION
Luke 1:1–4 is not simply an academic introduction. It is a spiritual invitation:
“Give thanks for the truth.
Treat God’s Word with excellence.
Preserve what God has done.
And pass it on.”
Here are three applications, each paired with Thanksgiving emphasis and the Thanksgiving Tree tradition:
APPLICATION 1 — Excellence Honors God
Luke’s careful work was an act of worship. He approached truth with reverence, precision, and gratitude.
Thanksgiving Connection:
As we gather around tables this season, we remember that blessings are not random—they are the work of God. When we give thanks, we honor the Giver. As James tells us in 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Thanksgiving Tree Tie-In:
Each leaf pinned to the tree is not just a note—it is an act of worship.
A declaration: “God has done this.”
Summary Statement:
Excellence honors God because it treats His truth and His blessings with the respect they deserve.
APPLICATION 2 — Excellence Preserves Faith for the Next Generation
Luke wrote so future believers would not be carried away by myths or confusion. He saw truth slipping through the cracks and said, “Not on my watch!”
Thanksgiving Connection:
Families often pass down recipes, traditions, and stories at Thanksgiving.
But the greatest traditions we pass down are the stories of God’s faithfulness.
Thanksgiving Tree Tie-In:
Anyone who walks past the Thanksgiving Tree and reads:
“I’m thankful God healed me.”
“I’m thankful for restored relationships”
“I’m thankful for salvation”
is being discipled by your testimony.
Summary Statement:
Excellence preserves faith by ensuring God’s works are remembered, not forgotten.
APPLICATION 3 — Excellence Encourages and Strengthens the Church
Luke wrote to strengthen Theophilus—so he could stand firm.
Our church is strengthened the same way: through shared truth, shared testimony, and shared thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Tree Object Lesson (Full Integration):
Hold up a blank leaf.
“This leaf may seem small, but it represents a blessing—a moment where God showed kindness. When we write it down and pin it on the Thanksgiving Tree, it becomes visible. One leaf becomes a testimony. Dozens become a forest of gratitude. And our whole church is encouraged.”
When believers remember, they grow stronger.
When a church comes together in remembrance, it grows united.
Summary Statement:
Excellence strengthens the church because gratitude and truth bind believers together.
Conclusion
Luke begins his Gospel with excellence, gratitude, and a commitment to preserving truth. In this Thanksgiving season, let us honor his example by:
Remembering God’s blessings
Recording His goodness
Giving thanks with sincerity
Pinning our leaves to the Thanksgiving Tree
And living out our faith with excellence as unto the Lord
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for inspiring Luke to preserve the story of Jesus with excellence and devotion. Teach us to follow his example as we pursue truth, gratitude, and faithfulness. May this season of thanksgiving deepen our confidence in Your Word and strengthen our unity as a church. Help us remember Your blessings, record Your goodness, and pass down a legacy of faith to all who follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next week is the first Sunday of Advent. We will focus on and prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah. Our message will be “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” It will cover the scriptures of Luke 1:5-25.
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