Luke was a researcher, a chronicler, wrote it down in sequence.
Unlike all other religions, Christianity (and Judaism) has historical
references, facts that can be proven.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Our world and what happens in it is important to God
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31
All of creation God said it was good, but when he made humans he said it was very good.
"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13
Elohim -- the Creator -- has never stopped working. Past-- Present-- Future -- all belong to God. Jesus -- fulfillment of prophecy of Micah -- 700 years
"And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
God had and has it all planned out. God never changes -- Jesus never changes. When people take God out of the picture they will see less and less reality in the world.
"I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
We serve a risen Savior who is in the World today.
"He Lives!" written by Alfred Ackley in 1933.
God is active -- not reactive
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20
You are important to God
You are part of history -- God's plan -- You are important. We are all called. God wanted/wants you here.
"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
God has everything planned.
You were chosen before the foundation of the world.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
"13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:13-17
Your life and circumstances are part of God's plan
Every single generation is an advancement of God's plan. Advancing God's will. Don't let things slip. God's timing is always perfect.
9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9
"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
"and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3