Of the three synoptic Gospels Luke gives the greatest amount of information about its own beginning. Luke 1:1-4

Luke says his information is well known and believed
His information is from eye witnesses & ministers
His desire was that the reader might have perfect understanding (complete)
He wrote in a specific order (not chronological, but a definite plan)
His goal was that Theophilis might have confidence in the events that Luke was sharing.

Who was Theophilis?

Probably of the upper class
Name means Lover of God or Loved by God
Most Excellent usually used in addressing officials or members of the aristocracy
Possibly a convert of Luke's
Maybe a wealthy patron who helped with the circulation of the writings

Comparing these two texts the similarities are quite obvious.

Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 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,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

The author possessed high literary ability and was most likely well educated.

Col 4:14 Luke is call the beloved physician by the Apostle Paul.

Luke was probably a Gentile.

Tradition says that Luke was an artist & that he painted pictures for the early church.

He first appeared in Acts 16:10 and is the “we” mentioned.

We know this because of the pronoun used and the fact that Luke wrote the book of Acts.

Luke may have pastored the church in Philippi after Paul and Silas left.

Luke wrote to the Greeks and presented Jesus Christ as the compassionate Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost.

Luke is concerned about “sinners” and uses the word 16 times.

Luke mentions women and children more than any other Gospel writer.

6 miracles are only found in Luke.

19 parables are only found in Luke.

Luke alone gives dates to certain events.

Luke gives the most detailed account of Jesus birth (remember he was a physician).

Luke introduces us to Zacharias & Elizabeth & teaches of John’s birth.

Luke would appear to have loved to travel.

Important Message: The Foolish Excuses
Luke 14:16-24

Introduction:
Luke presents far more parables in his Gospel than miracles.
Jesus used parables as a popular method of communication. (Matt. 13:34)
Dr. Salmond, “Parables held a special attraction for the people of the East, with whom the imagination is quicker and more active than the logical faculty. The great family of nations known as the Semitic, to which the Hebrews, together with the Arabs, the Syrians and the Babylonians and other remarkable races beling, has shown a particular genius and liking for them.”
Parobole’ the Greek word has two prominent ideas suggested by the root meaning.
To represent or stand for something.
Placing one thing along side of another.
Lockyer, “The constant use of a word meaning “resemblance” both in the Hebrew and in the Greek, makes it evident that an essential feature of the parable lay in the bringing together of two different things so that the one helped to explain and emphasize the other.”
It has been said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

I. The Parable Explained
a. The Master of the house prepares a great banquet.
b. The guests make excuses as to why they cannot come.
1. Bought a field and now need to go see it.
2. Bought a yoke of oxen and now need to check them out.
3. Married a new wife and cannot come.
c. The command is given to go out into all the areas of the city and bring in the poor the crippled the blind and the lame.

II. Today’s Foolish Excuses
1. Too much to give up
a. Ps 84:11b “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
b. The only thing God takes away are those things which would not be good for us.
c. God the Father gave up His Son for us.
2. Waiting on a Feeling
a. Salvation is based on fact not emotion or feeling.
b. We need to see our sin in Through God’s eyes and that should give us a feeling of sorrow and dread.
3. Too many Hypocrites in the Church
a. What if a physical member of your family mistreated your mother would you quit your family because they’re a hypocrite?
b. What is a hypocrite? They are a counterfeit, or copy of the real thing. There is a real thing!
4. I’m not that bad
a. Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
b. Rom. 3:23 states that all have sinned and fallen short.
5. What will people think
a. Pride will send many people to hell.
b. Prov. 11:2; 16:18; 29:23
6. Not Now
a. When? In 20 years, 10 years,
b. Death may knock at our door before we have the opportunity.
c. Prov. 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Conclusion:
Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?
If not, what excuse are you giving that makes sense?