Acts 22-24 - You Must Bear Witness at Rome Also

Paul’s Defense Before the Jews

Act 22:14-15 LSB - [14] "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from His mouth. [15] 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Act 22:21 LSB - [21] "And He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

Paul, a Citizen of Rome

Paul Before the Sanhedrin

Act 23:11 LSB - [11] But on that very night, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly borne witness to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness at Rome also."

A Plot to Kill Paul

Paul Is Brought to Caesarea

Paul’s Trial Before Felix the Governor

Act 24:25 LSB - [25] But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you."

Act 24:27 LSB - [27] But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

Acts 19-21- Knelt Down and Prayed

Paul in Ephesus

Act 19:4-5 LSB - [4] Then Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." [5] And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Miracles in Ephesus

Act 19:15-16 LSB - [15] And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" [16] And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them, subdued all of them, and utterly prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Act 19:20 LSB - [20] So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

Riots in Ephesus

Act 19:29 LSB - [29] And the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia.

Through Macedonia and Greece

Act 20:4-5 LSB - [4] And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, [the son] of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. [5] But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas.

Eutychus Raised from the Dead in Troas

Act 20:7, 11 LSB - 

[7] And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul [began] speaking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. ... 

[11] And when he had gone [back] up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left.

Act 20:9-10 LSB - [9] And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the windowsill, sinking into a deep sleep. And as Paul kept on talking, he sunk into that sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. [10] But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him."

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Act 20:18-21 LSB - 

[18] And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 

[19] serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 

[20] how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 

[21] solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Act 20:24 LSB - [24] "But I do not make my life of any account nor dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Act 20:36-38 LSB - [36] And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. [37] And they [began] to weep aloud and falling on Paul's neck, they were kissing him, [38] being in agony especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.

Paul Sets Out for Jerusalem

Act 21:5 LSB - [5] And when our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until [we were] out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another.

Act 21:13 LSB - [13] Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, crying and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

In Jerusalem

Paul Is Arrested

Paul’s Defense Before the Jews

Acts 16-18 - Come Over to Macedonia and Help Us

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

The Macedonian Vision

Act 16:6-10 LSB - 

[6] And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 

[7] and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 

[8] and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

[9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 

[10] And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the gospel to them.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Act 16:14-15 ESV - 

[14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 

[15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

The Philippian Jailer Converted

Act 16:30 LSB - [30] and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Act 16:31 LSB - [31] And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house."

Act 16:32-34 LSB - 

[32] And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his household. 

[33] And he took them that [very] hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his [household]. 

[34] And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with his whole household, because he had believed in God.

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Act 17:5-7 LSB - 

[5] But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly. 

[6] And when they did not find them, they [began] dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; 

[7] and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus."

In Berea

Act 17:11-12 LSB - [11] Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so. [12] Therefore many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men.

In Athens

Act 17:16-17 LSB - [16] Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. [17] So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing [Gentiles], and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.

Act 17:28 LSB - [28] for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.'

Aratus: Phaenomena

From Zeus let us begin; him do we mortals never leave unnamed; full of Zeus are all the streets and all the market-places of men; full is the sea and the havens thereof; always we all have need of Zeus. For we are also his offspring; and he in his kindness unto men giveth favourable signs and wakeneth the people to work, reminding them of livelihood. 

Act 17:29 LSB - [29] "Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man.

In Corinth

Act 18:6 LSB - [6] But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood [be] on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

Act 18:9-10 LSB - [9] And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; [10] for I am with you, and no man will lay [a hand] on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."

Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos

Act 18:24-26 LSB - [24] Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. [25] This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; [26] and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 13-15 - Paul and Barnabas Separate

Barnabas and Saul Sent from Antioch by the Holy Spirit

Act 13:1 LSB - [1] Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was [there], prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Act 13:2-3 LSB - [2] And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [3] Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

On Cyprus

Act 13:9-10 LSB - [9] But Saul, who was also [known as] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, [10] and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?

In Pisidian Antioch

Act 13:15 LSB - [15] And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."

Act 13:42-43 LSB - [42] And as Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept pleading that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. [43] Now when [the meeting of] the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.

Many Gentiles Believe

Act 13:48 LSB - [48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they [began] rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Act 13:52 LSB - [52] And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

In Iconium

In Lystra and Derbe

Act 14:19-20 LSB - [19] But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning over the crowds and stoning Paul, they were dragging him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. [20] But while the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

Act 14:21-22 LSB - [21] And after they had proclaimed the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and [saying], "Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God."

Act 14:23 LSB - [23] And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The Return to Antioch

Act 14:27 LSB - [27] And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they [began to] report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

The Jerusalem Council

Act 15:8-9 LSB - [8] "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; [9] and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

Act 15:11 LSB - [11] "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."

James Issues a Judgment

Act 15:19-20 LSB - [19] "Therefore I judge that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, [20] but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from sexual immorality and from what is strangled and from blood.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

Act 15:40-41 LSB - [40] But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. [41] And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 10-12 - Chains Fell Off

Cornelius’ and Peter’s Visions

Act 10:15 LSB - [15] Again a voice [came] to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no [longer] consider defiled."

Act 10:28 LSB - [28] And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and [yet] God has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.

The Holy Spirit Poured Out on the Gentiles

Act 10:34-35 LSB - [34] And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most truly comprehend [now] that God is not one to show partiality, [35] but in every nation the one who fears Him and does righteousness is welcome to Him.

Act 10:42-43 LSB - [42] "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and solemnly to bear witness that this is the One who has been designated by God as Judge of the living and the dead. [43] "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

Act 10:44-46 LSB - [44] While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the word. [45] And all the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [46] For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

Peter’s Report in Jerusalem

Act 11:16-18 LSB - [16] "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [17] "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as [He gave] to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could prevent God's way?" [18] And when they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance [that leads] to life."

The Church in Antioch

Act 11:25-26 LSB - [25] And he left for Tarsus to search for Saul; [26] and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

An Angel Frees Peter from Prison

Act 12:5 LSB - [5] So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

Act 12:7 LSB - [7] And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Rise up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?

4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain]

 

The Death of Herod

Act 12:23 LSB - [23] And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

 

Acts 7-9 - Who are You, Lord?

Stephen’s Defense

Act 7:2 LSB - [2] And he said, "Hear me, brothers and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

Act 7:51 LSB - [51] "You men--stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears--are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Act 7:53 LSB - [53] you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and [yet] did not observe it."

Stephen Is Stoned to Death

Act 7:55-56 LSB - [55] But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; [56] and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Act 7:59-60 LSB - [59] They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" [60] Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Persecutes the Church

Act 8:1 LSB - [1] Now Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

Act 8:5 LSB - [5] Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and [began] preaching Christ to them.

Act 8:14-15 LSB - [14] Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

Act 8:32-33 LSB - [32] Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: "AS A SHEEP IS LED TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. [33] "IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RECOUNT HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH."

Isa 53:7-8 LSB - [7] He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living, [That] for the transgression of my people, striking [was due] to Him?

Act 8:36-37 LSB - [36] And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" [37] [And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]

The Conversion of Saul

Act 9:3-6 LSB - [3] And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; [4] and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" [5] And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He [said], "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, [6] but rise up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."

Act 9:11 LSB - [11] And the Lord [said] to him, "Rise up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

Act 9:15-16 LSB - [15] But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; [16] for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name."

Act 9:17-18 LSB - [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And he laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord sent me--[that is] Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming--so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he rose up and was baptized;

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Act 9:19-20 LSB - [19] and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, [20] and immediately he [began to] proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Act 9:31 LSB - [31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, being built up. And going on in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to multiply.

Peter Heals Aeneas

Act 9:31, 34 LSB - [31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, being built up. And going on in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to multiply. ... [34] And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Rise up and make your bed." Immediately he rose up.

Peter Raises Tabitha to Life

Act 9:40-41 LSB - [40] But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand and raised her up. And calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Acts 4-6 - Obey God rather than Men

Peter and John Arrested

Act 4:8 LSB - [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,

Luk 12:11-12 LSB - [11] "Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Act 4:11-12 LSB - 

[11] "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, [but] WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER [stone]. 

[12] "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

1Ti 2:5-6 LSB - [5] For there is one God, [and] one mediator also between God and men, [the] man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness for this proper time.

 

Peter and John Threatened and Released

Act 4:19-20 LSB - [19] But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge; [20] for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Act 4:29-30 LSB - [29] "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your word with all confidence, [30] while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders happen through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

Act 4:31 LSB - [31] And when they had prayed earnestly, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and [began to] speak the word of God with confidence.

Distribution Among Needy Believers

Act 4:32 LSB - [32] And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common.

Act 4:34-35 LSB - [34] For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales [35] and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Ananias and Sapphira

Act 5:8 LSB - [8] And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you were paid this much for the land?" And she said, "Yes, that much."

The Apostles Jailed and Freed

Act 5:19-20 LSB - [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and taking them out, he said, [20] "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

Act 5:29-32 LSB - 

[29] But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men. 

[30] "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a tree. 

[31] "This One God exalted to His right hand as a Leader and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 

[32] "And we are witnesses of these things, and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey Him."

Gamaliel’s Counsel

Act 5:41-42 LSB - [41] So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name. [42] And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus [is] the Christ.

Selection of the Seven

Act 6:4 LSB - [4] "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word."

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

Act 6:15 LSB - [15] And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.

Acts 1-3 - Repent

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Act 1:8 LSB - [8] but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to THE END OF THE EARTH."

The Greek word used here for witness is martys (from which we get "martyr"), meaning a legal or personal witness—someone who testifies to what they have seen, heard, and personally experienced.

Scripture and historical theology outline several key ways a Christian acts as Jesus' witness:

1. Empowered by the Holy Spirit (The Source) A believer cannot witness effectively through human effort alone. As Jesus emphasized in Acts 1:8 LSB, witnessing begins with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, who grants boldness, guidance, spiritual gifts, and spiritual fruit to testify to Christ.

2. Proclaiming the Gospel (Verbal Testimony) To be a witness requires spoken or written communication. A Christian testifies to:

• The Person and Work of Christ: Proclaiming His life, sacrificial death on the cross, physical resurrection, and lordship.

• Personal Experience: Sharing how Christ has transformed their own life, brought forgiveness, and given hope.

3. Living a Holy and Loving Life (Moral & Relational Testimony) Verbal witness is supported by a transformed character:

• Love for Others: Jesus noted that people would know His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35 LSB).

• Good Deeds: Living in a way that brings glory to God so others see Christ through ethical living, integrity, and mercy (Matthew 5:16 LSB).

4. Enduring Suffering and Rejection (Faithful Endurance) Because martys carries the weight of sacrifice, being a witness often involves being willing to face ridicule, opposition, or persecution for holding fast to the truth of Christ without backing down.

5. Reaching Expanding Circles (The Scope) Jesus outlined a geographic strategy that applies spiritually and practically to every believer:

• Jerusalem: One's immediate sphere (family, friends, workplace, local community).

• Judea & Samaria: Expanding into neighboring regions and cross-cultural contexts (including people who are different or historically alienated).

• End of the Earth: Supporting or participating in global missions to unreached peoples.

 

The Ascension

Act 1:9 LSB - [9] And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Act 1:11 LSB - [11] They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Act 1:14 LSB - [14] These all with one accord were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with [the] women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

Act 1:26 LSB - [26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. 

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Act 2:4 LSB - [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Act 2:11 LSB - [11] Cretans and Arabs--we hear them in our [own] tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God."

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

Act 2:19-21 LSB - 

[19] 'AND I WILL PUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 

[20] 'THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD COMES. 

[21] 'AND IT WILL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'

Act 2:32-36 LSB -
[32] "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
[33] "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
[34] "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
[35] UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET."'
[36] "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

About Three Thousand Souls Saved

Act 2:37-38 LSB - 

[37] Now when they heard [this], they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men, brothers, what should we do?" 

[38] And Peter [said] to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

A Far-reaching Promise by Spurgeon

“The old-fashioned grace of repentance is not to be dispensed with; there must be sorrow for sin; there must be ‘a broken and a contrite heart.’ This, God will not despise; but a ‘conversion’ which does not produce this result, God will not accept as genuine.” 

Act 2:42 LSB - [42] And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

The Lame Beggar Healed

Act 3:6-7 LSB - [6] But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!" [7] And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.

Peter’s Sermon in Solomon’s Portico

Act 3:19 LSB - [19] "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Luke 22-24 - Jesus Is Risen!

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Luk 22:3 LSB - [3] And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, who belonged to the number of the twelve.

Act 5:3 LSB - [3] But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back [some] of the price of the land?

The Passover Meal

Luk 22:7-8 LSB - [7] Then came the [first] day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] And [Jesus] sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it."

The Lord’s Supper

Luk 22:15-16 LSB - [15] And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; [16] for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

Luk 22:18 LSB - [18] "For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes."

Luk 22:19-20 LSB - [19] And when He had taken [some] bread [and] given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." [20] And in the same way [He took] the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

1Co 11:23-26 LSB -

[23] For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was being betrayed took bread,

[24] and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

[25] In the same way [He took] the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink [it], in remembrance of Me."

[26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.

 

Who Is Greatest?

Luk 22:26-27 LSB - [26] "But not so with you; rather the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. [27] "For who is greater, the one who reclines [at the table] or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Luk 22:32 LSB - [32] "But I have prayed earnestly for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, once you have returned, strengthen your brothers."

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Luk 22:40 LSB - [40] Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Luk 22:40, 61 LSB - [40] Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." ... [61] And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times."

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

Luk 22:69 LSB - [69] "But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD."

Dan 7:13-14 LSB - 

[13] "I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And came near before Him. 

[14] "And to Him was given dominion, Glory, and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and [men of every] tongue Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not be taken away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

Psa 110:1-2 LSB - [1] Of David. A Psalm.
Yahweh says to my Lord:
"Sit at My right hand
Until I put Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet."
[2] Yahweh will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, [saying],
"Have dominion in the midst of Your enemies."

 

Jesus Before Pilate

Jesus Before Herod

Pilate Grants the Crowd’s Request

Simon Carries the Cross

Luk 23:28-31 LSB - [28] But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop crying for Me, but cry for yourselves and for your children. [29] "For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' [30] "Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, 'FALL ON US,' AND TO THE HILLS, 'COVER US.' [31] "For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

The Crucifixion

Luk 23:34 LSB - [34] But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." AND THEY CAST LOTS, DIVIDING UP HIS GARMENTS AMONG THEMSELVES.

Luk 23:40-43 LSB - [40] But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 

[41] "And we indeed [are suffering] justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done; but this man has done nothing wrong." 

[42] And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 

[43] And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

Luk 23:44-45 LSB - [44] And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, [45] because the sun was obscured. And the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two.

Jesus Is Buried

Jesus Is Risen!

Luk 24:5-8 LSB - 

[5] and when [the women] were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, [the men] said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 

[6] "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 

[7] saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." [8] And they remembered His words,

The Road to Emmaus

Luk 24:30-32 LSB - 

[30] And it happened that when He had reclined [at the table] with them, He took the bread and blessed [it], and after breaking [it], He was giving [it] to them. 

[31] Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. 

[32] And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?"

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luk 24:44-49 LSB - 

[44] Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 

[45] Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 

[46] and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 

[47] and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] "You are witnesses of these things. 

[49] "And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

The Ascension

Luke 19-21 - Zaccheus Is Saved

Zaccheus Is Saved

Luk 19:5 LSB - [5] And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

Luk 19:9-10 LSB - [9] And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. [10] "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

Zacchaeus - A Song for First Reconciliation

Parable of the Ten Minas

Luk 19:13 LSB - [13] "And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come [back].'

Luk 19:16-17 LSB - [16] "So the first appeared, saying, 'Master, your mina has made ten minas more.' [17] "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'

Luk 19:26 LSB - [26] 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

The Triumphal Entry

Luk 19:38 LSB - [38] saying, "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Psa 118:26 LSB - [26] Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Yahweh; We have blessed you from the house of Yahweh.

Zec 9:9 LSB - [9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a loud shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Lowly and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.

 

Lament over Jerusalem

Luk 19:45 LSB - [45] And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling,

Jesus Drives Merchants from the Temple

Luk 19:45-47 LSB - 

[45] And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, 

[46] saying to them, "It is written, 'AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN." 

[47] And He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him,

 

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Parable of the Vine-Growers

Luk 20:17-18 LSB - [17] But when Jesus looked at them, He said, "What then is this that is written: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNER [stone]'? [18] "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."

Taxes to Caesar

The Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

Luk 20:37-38 LSB - [37] "But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed in the [passage about the burning] bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB. [38] "Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him."

Luk 20:38 LSB - [38] "Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him."

The Widow’s Offering

Signs of Christ’s Return

Luk 21:14-15 LSB - [14] "So set in your hearts not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; [15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

When Christ Returns

Luk 21:25-26 LSB - [25] "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, [26] men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the POWERS OF THE HEAVENS will be shaken.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Luk 21:32 LSB - [32] "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.

Luk 21:36 LSB - [36] "But keep on the alert at all times, praying earnestly that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Luke 16-18 - The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Parable of the Unrighteous Steward

Luk 16:9 LSB - [9] "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves from the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will take you into the eternal dwellings.

Luk 16:13 LSB - [13] "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Luk 16:14 LSB - [14] Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.

Luk 16:16 LSB - [16] "The Law and the Prophets were until John; since that time the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luk 16:22-23 LSB - [22] "Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried. [23] "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.

Jhn 1:18 LSB - [18] No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained [Him].

Jhn 13:23 LSB - [23] There was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

Luk 16:31 LSB - [31] "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Do All Which Jesus Commands

Luk 17:10 LSB - [10] "In this way, you also, when you do all the things which are commanded of you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done [only] that which we ought to have done.'"

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

Luk 17:15-16 LSB - [15] Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, [16] and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

The Coming of the Son of Man

Luk 17:34, 37 LSB - [34] "I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. ... [37] And answering they said to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body [is], there also the vultures will be gathered."

Parables on Prayer

Luk 18:7-8 LSB - [7] "Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? [8] "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth?"

Luk 18:13 LSB - [13] "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'

Luk 18:14 LSB - [14] "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luk 18:16-17 LSB - [16] But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [17] "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."

The Rich Young Ruler

Luk 18:18 LSB - [18] And a ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

Luk 18:22 LSB - [22] And when Jesus heard [this], He said to him, "One thing you still lack: sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me."

Bartimaeus Regains His Sight

Luk 18:41-43 LSB - [41] "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, [I want] to regain my sight!" [42] And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." [43] Immediately he regained his sight and [began] following Him, glorifying God. And when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

Luke 13-15 - One Sinner Who Repents

Repent or Perish

Luk 13:3 LSB - [3] "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Luk 13:7 LSB - [7] "And he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'Behold, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?'

A Woman Healed on the Sabbath

Luk 13:15-16 LSB - [15] But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath release his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it away to water [it]? [16] "And this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for--behold--eighteen years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Luk 13:18-19 LSB - [18] Therefore, He was saying, "What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? [19] "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES."

Luk 13:21 LSB - [21] "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata of flour until it was all leavened."

The Narrow Door

Luk 13:23-25 LSB - [23] And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there [just] a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, [24] "Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. [25] "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'

Luk 13:27-28 LSB - [27] "And He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU WORKERS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.' [28] "In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being cast out.

Lament over Jerusalem

Luk 13:34 LSB - [34] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [the city] that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen [gathers] her brood under her wings, and you did not want [it]!

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Luk 14:3-4 LSB - [3] And Jesus answered and spoke to the scholars of the Law and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" [4] But they were silent. And He took hold of him, healed him, and sent him away.

Parable of the Wedding Feast

Luk 14:13-14 LSB - [13] "But when you give a reception, invite [the] poor, [the] crippled, [the] lame, [the] blind, [14] and you will be blessed, since they do not have [the means] to repay you; for it will be repaid to you at the resurrection of the righteous."

Parable of the Dinner

Luk 14:24 LSB - [24] 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'"

The Cost of Discipleship

Luk 14:26-27 LSB - [26] "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. [27] "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luk 14:33 LSB - [33] "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luk 15:1 LSB - [1] Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

Luk 15:7 LSB - [7] "I tell you that in the same way, there will be [more] joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Drachma

Luk 15:10 LSB - [10] "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luk 15:20 LSB - [20] "So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Psa 103:10-11 LSB - [10] He has not dealt with us according to our sins, And He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

Luke 10-12 - One Thing

The Seventy Sent Out

Luk 10:1 LSB - [1] Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

Luk 10:2 LSB - [2] And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Luk 10:5-6 LSB - [5] "Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace [be] to this house.' [6] "And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him, but if not, it will return to you.

Luk 10:16 LSB - [16] "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me. And he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me."

The Joyful Results

Luk 10:18-19 LSB - [18] And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. [19] "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

Luk 10:20 LSB - [20] "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

Luk 10:22 LSB - [22] "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal [Him]."

The Good Samaritan

Luk 10:29 LSB - [29] But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Luk 10:36-37 LSB - [36] "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' [hands]?" [37] And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."

Martha and Mary

Luk 10:41-42 LSB - [41] But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, [42] but [only] one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luk 18:22 LSB - [22] And when Jesus heard [this], He said to him, "One thing you still lack: sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me."

Psa 27:4 LSB - [4] One thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Yahweh And to inquire in His temple.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Luk 11:2-4 LSB - 

[2] And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 

'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 

[3] 'Give us each day our daily bread. 

[4] 'And forgive us our sins, 

For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. 

And lead us not into temptation.'"

Luk 11:9-10 LSB - [9] "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [10] "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

Luk 11:13 LSB - [13] "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Jesus and Beelzebul

Luk 11:20 LSB - [20] "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luk 11:23 LSB - [23] "He who is not with Me is against Me and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.

The Sign of Jonah

Luk 11:29 LSB - [29] Now as the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks a sign, and [yet] no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.

Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers

Luk 11:46 LSB - [46] But He said, "Woe to you scholars of the Law as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

Luk 11:52 LSB - [52] "Woe to you, scholars of the Law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering."

Fear Only God

Luk 12:4-5 LSB - [4] "But I say to you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. [5] "But I will show you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

Luk 12:8-9 LSB - [8] "And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God, [9] but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luk 12:10 LSB - [10] "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.

Parable of the Rich Fool

Luk 12:20-21 LSB - [20] "But God said to him, 'You fool! This [very] night your soul is required of you; and [now] who will own what you prepared?' [21] "So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Do Not Worry

Luk 12:24 LSB - [24] "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and [yet] God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!

Be Ready for His Coming

Luk 12:40 LSB - [40] "You too, be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

Luk 12:47 LSB - [47] "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many beatings,

Not Peace, but Division

Luk 12:51 LSB - [51] "Do you think that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;

Luke 7-9 - You give them [something] to eat!

The Centurion’s Faith

Luk 7:3, 6-7 LSB - 

[3] Now when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. ... 

[6] Now Jesus was going on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not good enough for You to come under my roof. 

[7] "For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but [just] say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Luk 7:14 LSB - [14] And He came up and touched the coffin, and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!"

Questions from John the Baptist

Luk 7:29-30 LSB - [29] And when all the people and the tax collectors heard [this], they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. [30] But the Pharisees and the scholars of the Law rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

Luk 7:47-48 LSB - [47] "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." [48] Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

Many Women Contribute to Jesus’ Ministry

The Parable of the Sower

Luk 8:10 LSB - [10] And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest [it is] in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

Luk 8:11 LSB - [11] "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

Luk 8:15 LSB - [15] "But the [seed] in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

A Lampstand and the Light

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Luk 8:21 LSB - [21] But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."

Jesus Calms a Storm

Jesus Saves a Man from Many Demons

Luk 8:35 LSB - [35] And [the people] went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Luk 8:39 LSB - [39] "Return to your house and recount what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’ Daughter

Luk 8:48 LSB - [48] And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Luk 8:54-55 LSB - [54] He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!" [55] And her spirit returned, and she stood up immediately. And He gave orders for [something] to be given her to eat.

The Twelve Disciples Sent Out

Luk 9:1-2 LSB - [1] And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. [2] And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

Luk 9:13 LSB - [13] But He said to them, "You give them [something] to eat!" And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people."

Peter Confesses Jesus Is the Christ

Luk 9:20 LSB - [20] And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."

Take Up Your Cross

Luk 9:23-24 LSB - [23] And He was saying to [them] all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. [24] "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

Luk 9:26 LSB - [26] "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and [the glory] of the Father and of the holy angels.

The Transfiguration

Luk 9:29 LSB - [29] And it happened that while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing [became] white [and] gleaming.

Luk 9:35 LSB - [35] Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, [My] Chosen One; listen to Him!"

Jesus Casts Out a Demon

Luk 9:45 LSB - [45] But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Who Is the Greatest?

Luk 9:48 LSB - [48] and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great."

The Cost of Following Jesus

Luk 9:62 LSB - [62] But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 4-6 - Levi and Sinners Called

The Temptation of Jesus

Luk 4:1-2 LSB - [1] Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was being led around by the Spirit in the wilderness [2] for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had finished, He was hungry.

Luk 4:4, 8, 12 LSB - 

[4] And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'" ... 

[8] And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" ... 

[12] And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Luk 4:14-15 LSB - [14] And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. [15] And He was teaching in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

Luk 4:24-27 LSB - 

[24] And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. 

[25] "But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land, 

[26] and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, [in the land] of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 

[27] "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Demon

Luk 4:32 LSB - [32] and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

Luk 4:36 LSB - [36] And amazement came upon them all, and they were talking with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out."

Peter’s Mother-in-Law and Many Others Healed

Luk 4:39 LSB - [39] And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she stood up and [began] waiting on them.

Luk 4:43 LSB - [43] But He said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."

The First Disciples

Luk 5:10-11 LSB - [10] and James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, [were] also likewise [amazed]. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." [11] And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Jesus Heals a Leper

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Luk 5:19-20 LSB - [19] But not finding any [way] to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle [of the crowd], in front of Jesus. [20] And seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you."

Levi and Sinners Called

Luk 5:27-29 LSB - [27] And after that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, "Follow Me." [28] And he left everything behind, and rose up and [began to] follow Him. [29] And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other [people] who were reclining [at the table] with them.

Luk 5:31-32 LSB - [31] And Jesus answered and said to them, "[It is] not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. [32] "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Lord of the Sabbath

Luk 6:5 LSB - [5] And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath

Jesus Appoints the Twelve

Luk 6:12-13 LSB - [12] Now it happened that at this time He went off to the mountain to pray, and He was spending the whole night in prayer to God. [13] And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: 

Luk 6:19 LSB - [19] And all the crowd was trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing [them] all.

The Beatitudes

Luk 6:22 LSB - [22] Blessed are you when men hate you, and exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

Jesus Pronounces Woes

Love Your Enemies

Luk 6:35-36 LSB - [35] "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil. [36] "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Do Not Judge

Luk 6:37 LSB - [37] "And do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Build Your House on the Rock

Luk 6:47-48 LSB - [47] "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you whom he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Luke 1-3 - I am Your slave

Luke’s Account of Things Fulfilled

John the Baptist’s Birth Foretold

Luk 1:15 LSB - [15] "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and HE WILL NOT DRINK ANY WINE OR STRONG DRINK, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

Luk 1:31-33 LSB - 

[31] "And behold, you will conceive in [your] womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 

[32] "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 

[33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of His kingdom."

Luk 1:38 LSB - [38] And Mary said, "Behold, the slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Psa 116:16 LSB - [16] O Yahweh, surely I am Your slave, I am Your slave, the son of Your maidservant, You have loosed my bonds.

 

The Birth of John the Baptist

Luk 1:41 LSB - [41] And it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luk 1:50 LSB - [50] "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

Psa 115:13 LSB - [13] He will bless those who fear Yahweh, The small together with the great.

Rev 19:5 LSB - [5] And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His slaves, you who fear Him, the small and the great."

 

Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem

Luk 2:7 LSB - [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room.

Luk 2:10 LSB - [10] But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

Luk 2:30-32 LSB - [30] For my eyes have seen Your salvation, [31] Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples, [32] A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And for the glory of Your people Israel."

The Return to Nazareth

Luk 2:40 LSB - [40] Now the Child continued to grow and become strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Luk 2:49 LSB - [49] And He said to them, "Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's [house]?"

The Preaching of John the Baptist

Luk 3:16-17 LSB - [16] John answered, saying to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] "His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

The Baptism of Jesus

Luk 3:21-22 LSB - [21] Now it happened that when all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."

The Genealogy of Jesus

Luk 3:23, 38 LSB - [23] When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, ... [38] the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Jonaha 1-4 - Jonah Flees from Yahweh’s Presence

Jonah Flees from Yahweh’s Presence

Jon 1:3 LSB - [3] Yet Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, and paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh.

Gen 3:8 LSB - [8] Then they heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God in the midst of the trees of the garden.

Gen 4:16 LSB - [16] Then Cain went out from the presence of Yahweh and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Psa 139:7 LSB - [7] Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

2Th 1:9 LSB - [9] These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND FROM THE GLORY OF HIS MIGHT,

2Th 1:9 ESV - [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Jon 1:17 LSB - [17] And Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

Mat 12:40 LSB - [40] for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mat 16:4 LSB - [4] "An evil and adulterous generation eagerly seeks for a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.

Luk 11:30 LSB - [30] "For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

 

Jonah’s Prayer

Jon 2:1-2 LSB - 

[1] Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the stomach of the fish, 

[2] and he said, "I called out of my distress to Yahweh, And He answered me. I cried for help from the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice.

Jon 2:9 LSB - [9] But as for me, I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to Yahweh."

Ninevites Turn from Their Evil Ways

Jon 3:4-5 LSB - 

[4] Then Jonah began to go into the city, one day's walk; and he called out and said, "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown." 

[5] And the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Jon 3:10 LSB - [10] Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, so God relented concerning the evil which He had spoken He would bring upon them. And He did not bring [it upon them].

Jonah’s Anger

Jon 4:11 LSB - [11] "So should I not have pity on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know [the difference] between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"