Zechariah’s Doubt
Sermon Notes
Doubt and FEAR go hand in hand.
[Luke 1:5-9] When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. [6] Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. [7] They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. [8] One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. [9] As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
God is FAITHFUL even He doesn't do what we want.
[Luke 1:10-12] While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. [11] While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. [12] Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
We can respond to problems with FEAR or with FAITH.
[2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
God wants us to have SOUND MIND.
[Luke 1:18-20] Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years." [19] Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! [20] But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time."
Unbelief is a CHOICE.
[Luke 1:24-25] Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. [25] "How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children."
Our irritations can remind us of God's PRESENCE.
[Luke 1:59-64] When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. [60] But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!" [61] "What?" they exclaimed. "There is no one in all your family by that name." [62] So they used gestures to ask the baby's father what he wanted to name him. [63] He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, "His name is John." [64] Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.
We can turn our doubts into PRAISE.