Message Notes

THE CAUSES OF UNBELIEF

1. Hardening of the heart   Hebrews 3:8

2. Rebellious spirit   Hebrews 3:8

3. Testing of the Lord   Hebrews 3:9

4. Going astray in the heart   Hebrews 3:10

5. Ignorance of God’s ways   Hebrews 3:10

6. An evil heart   Hebrews 3:12

7. Departing from the Lord   Hebrews 3:12

THE CONTEXT OF THE UNBELIEF OF ZACHARIAS CONCERNING THE WORD OF GOD

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

1. Zacharias did not believe the content of God’s message given by the Angel Gabriel

a) Answer to the prayer of Zacharias   Luke 1:13

b) His son will be the forerunner of the Lord

i) The birth of John will bring joy to many   Luke 1:14

ii) He will be great in the sight of God   Luke 1:15

iii) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit   Luke 1:15

iv) He will prepare the people in the spirit and power of Elijah as the prophet Malachi prophesied   Cf. Malachi 4:5, 6

2. He replies with unbelief And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.   Luke 1:18

a) Limited regard for the word of God

b) His spiritual sight was restricted by his physical limitation

THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

1. The discipline of the Lord But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place   Luke 1:20

a) The angel Gabriel had to discipline Zacharias by causing him to be mute

b) Only way for him to realise how serious the consequence of his unbelief was

2. Today’s context

a) Danger of not entering the spiritual place of rest   Hebrews 3:19

b) Danger of remaining in our sins and wrong intents   Hebrews 4:12

c) Danger of being spiritually immature   Hebrews 5:13,14

COUNTERING THE PROBLEM OF UNBELIEF

1. Highest regard given for the word of God And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.   Luke 1:19

a) The word of God was given through the authority and power of the Angel Gabriel

b) Gabriel was a powerful angel who represented God and came from His presence

c) He was sent by God with full authority

d) He was giving God’s good tidings to Zacharias

e) There should have been the greatest regard for the word of God

2. Respond by mixing faith with the word of God

a) Faith comes through hearing the word of God   Romans 10:17

b) Mix faith with word of God   Hebrews 4:2

c) Applying faith to overcome unbelief

i) In life

ii) In ministry