Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 6 December 2020

Text: Luke 1

Subject: “Because you did not believe”

INTRODUCTION

1. Zacharias: A quick profile

a) He was a priest (Luke 1:5a)

b) His wife, Elizabeth, was from the line of Aaron (Luke 1:5b)

2. Description of both husband and wife

a) Righteous before God (Luke 1:6a)

b) Walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Luke 1:6b)

3. Family

a) They were advanced in years

b) They were childless

c) Elizabeth was barren (Luke 1:7)

A SPECIAL VISIT FROM THE ANGEL GABRIEL

1. Zacharias was in the temple

a) In the order of his division

b) His lot to offer incense in the Temple (Luke 1:8-9)

c) Multitude of people was praying outside (Luke 1:10)

2. Visit of an angel of the Lord

a) He appeared to Zacharias (Luke 1:11)

b) On the right side of the altar of incense (Luke 1:11)

3. Reaction of Zacharias

a) He was troubled

b) He felt fear (Luke 1:12)

A WORD FROM THE ANGEL GABRIEL

1. Do not be afraid, Zacharias (Luke 1:13)

a) Fear was addressed

b) His name was known to the angel

2.  Encouraging personal words

a) His prayer was heard

i) For the nation

ii) For himself

b) Elizabeth will bear a son (Luke 1:13)

i) He is to be called John

ii) Personal joy would be experienced (Luke 1:14a)

3. The conception of John explained

a) Many will rejoice at his birth (Luke 1:14b)

b) He will be great in the sight of the Lord (Luke 1:15a)

c) And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink (Luke 1:15b)

d) He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15c)

4. The ministry of John in the future

a) He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16)

b) He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17a)

c) He will turn the hearts… The disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Luke 1:17b)

d) To make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17c)

THE CONVERSATION OF ZACHARIAS WITH THE ANGEL GABRIEL

1. Doubt of Zacharias expressed

“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well-advanced in years?” Luke 1:18

a) Age cited

i) Himself

ii) Elizabeth

b) How could this word of the angel be true?

2. Answer of the angel Gabriel

a) Identity of the angel made known

“I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God” Luke 1:19a

b) Mission of Gabriel

“And was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings” Luke 1:19b

3. Rebuke of the angel Gabriel

a) Discipline

“But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place” Luke 1:20a

b) Reason for this discipline

“Because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time” Luke 1:20b

WAITING FOR THE RE-APPEARANCE OF ZACHARIAS

1. The people waited

2. They marveled that he lingered so long in the temple (Luke 1:21)

EMERGENCE OF ZACHARIAS

1. When he came out, he could not speak to them (Luke 1:22a)

2. They perceived that he had seen a vision (Luke 1:22b)

3. He beckoned to them and remained speechless (Luke 1:22c)

4. He departed to his own house (Luke 1:23)

THE PREGNANCY OF ELIZABETH

1. Elizabeth conceived (Luke 1:24a)

2. She hid herself for 5 months (Luke 1:24b)

3. The words of Elizabeth

a) “Thus the Lord has dealt with me

b) In the days when He looked on me

c) To take away my reproach among people” Luke 1:25

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. The life of Zacharias

a) Righteous

b) Blameless

But these things do not tell us about the state of his personal faith!

2. The real state of faith of Zacharias

a) He had doubts that were strong

b) He could not find the faith to overcome his doubts

3. The rebuke and discipline of Zacharias

a) He would be struck dumb

b) He would not be able to speak till the words of the Lord were fulfilled

4. Our challenge

a) To deal with our doubts

b) To check our personal faith

c) To be rebuked/ disciplined if needs be to regain faith