Every good story begins with a preface. It sets the stage, tells us why the story matters, and prepares us for what’s ahead. Without it, the book feels random. It’s like a cookbook with no explanation of a bizarre title. Odd biographies and niche titles need to have a preface. The same is true of Gospel accounts too! Luke begins his Gospel with such a preface, and it’s worth lingering over his opening words before we rush into the birth of Christ or the parables or the cross.

Luke tells us three things in these opening verses:

When You Feel Weak, Remember This: God’s Grace Is Enough

Eleven years ago, my family took what I like to call our most memorable vacation. Not because it was fun, but because it went so terribly wrong.

We had tickets to Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital of the world. I was pumped. But somewhere along the way from Greenville, SC to Sandusky, OH, our GPS betrayed us (thanks to my sister’s “avoid tolls” setting). Hours of winding West Virginia backroads later, we ended up way off course, stuck in Cincinnati traffic for what felt like forever.

We finally made it to the park… only to ride two coasters before the water main broke, shutting everything down. Our big trip ended with a detour to Dollywood instead.

Now, whenever I drive south, I’m grateful for the right route. Why? Because I’ve experienced how miserable the wrong route can be.

That story sticks with me because it illustrates something deeper: in life and in ministry, there are wrong routes to take if we want to be effective for Christ. Many of us chase pedigree, suffering, or spiritual experiences as if they’re the “secret” to gospel impact. But the Apostle Paul shows us something better: real effectiveness in ministry is rooted in God’s grace, not in us.

Exposing Foolishness Without Becoming a Fool

2 Corinthians 11:1–21a

Foolishness is dangerous. Proverbs 26 warns us both not to answer a fool according to his folly—lest we become like him—and also to answer a fool, lest he think himself wise. That’s the razor’s edge Paul had to walk in Corinth. We get to see that fine line in 2 Corinthians 11.

The Corinthian church was cozying up to false apostles—spiritual pretenders who undermined the true gospel of Jesus Christ. These teachers were eloquent, persuasive, and polished, but their message was rotten at its core. Paul could have ignored them, but his jealous love for the church drove him to speak. He knew that sometimes Christians must confront false teachers in the church, even using biting sarcasm and irony to make the point.