A Shining Example

Today’s Verse:

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. ~2 Timothy 4:11

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Who is the best Christian you know? Who do you look up to that lives out his life as a hands down supreme model of a Christian? This morning we are examining the testimony of a man named Luke. He wrote a gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts. Little is said about him, but what we are given inspires us to follow his shining example.

We see Luke and his light.

His name means “light giving” or “light giver”. Luke was a Christian who brightened the many lives he touched. He gave light as a companion with Paul, Silas and Timothy wherever they preached the gospel. The combination of his faith in Christ and training as a medical doctor enabled him to give needed “light” and insight at critical times to the believers he ministered to. Most importantly, he gave light as a soulwinner and preacher of the gospel. Is your life giving light to those around you?

We see Luke and his labor.

“Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers…” Luke is listed among four key men Paul names as fellow laborers. This means that they served the Lord alongside of Him. He was a man who worked with his hands. He was not shy to do monumental, meaningful and even meager tasks. He was a man who worked from his heart. Whatever he did, he did it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father. He was man who worked with his head. He was prudent and circumspect. He was a man who worked hard. He traveled long distances by foot or ship with Paul. He would labor night and day so that the gospel could reach many, and disciples would be made. Are you committed to serving our Lord?

We see Luke and his loyalty.

“Only Luke is with me…” At Paul’s most difficult moment in life, languishing in an underground Roman prison, he counted one friend at his side. Luke was the only one with Paul. Everyone else was reluctant to be associated with Paul out of fear that they would also be imprisoned and face execution. Loyalty is staying by the side of another no matter what. A loyal person is not to change moved by negative opinions, or adverse circumstances. He was like Aaron and Hur who held up Moses hands when Israel fought with Amalek. Are you someone who is characterized as being fiercely loyal?

We see Luke and his legacy.

“It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:3-4). Luke left a powerful legacy of his Christian life by being used of the Holy Spirit to write the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He wrote his gospel in giving light to Jesus being the perfect and holy Son of Man. In his writings we see Jesus all powerful and Savior. In Acts, we see the propagation and spread of the gospel message through the planting of local New Testament churches. Today, these two books are a blessing as they are being preached around the world.

Luke was a shining example. His great spirit, his loyal companionship and his sold out commitment are an inspiration. Follow his example and make a difference through your life.

Have an illuminating God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 32-34

#Luke #2Timothy #Faithfulness #Labor #Loyalty