Do you really believe?

December 22, 2006

Read Luke 1

V5-10

• We are going to look at a contrast of perspective as it deals with faith. Two sets of people faced with similar circumstances but who respond in opposite ways. The first of our character study is found in Luke chapter 1, and his name is Zacharias.
• Many had the title of priest but few would be given the description of a man of God like Zacharias. You must understand that in order to burn incense in the holy place one must have their division called. At that time there were approximately 24 divisions. And furthermore within your division the lot must fall on your name. This was a prestigious honor because a priest could only serve in this capacity once in a lifetime, and most would never have this opportunity. So we see this was truly a moment of a lifetime for Zacharias. Then just as he’s enjoying the moment, wham!

V11-18

• In the most shining moment of his professional career as priest an Angel shows up. Judging by Zach’s response, he definitely was not expecting this (v12). Fortunately for Zacharias, the Angel brings good news telling him he would have a son. Notice he says…
  1. Your son will bring you and your wife joy
  2. Your son will bring others joy
  3. Your son will be set apart and used mightily by God
  4. Your son will be used to bring many to the Lord
• What parent wouldn’t love to hear that about their children? But Zacharias, the man of God, serving the people for God, didn’t trust God when it came to his wife’s barrenness? Is there one area in your life that you find hard to completely trust God?

V19-25

• He is given a mute tongue for his faithlessness. Psalm 35:28 says our tongues should speak of God’s righteousness and praise all day long. But since Zacharias spoke words of doubt to God’s messenger, God shut his mouth. Let this be a lesson to us if we will not use our tongue to speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Shush!
• Now let’s look at our other case study found in Matthew chapter 2 - the wise men.

Matthew 2

v1-12

• Astrologers from the east come asking, “Where is he? We have seen His star.” And it takes them directly to Jesus. They were not coming to get something from Jesus, rather they came to give something to Jesus - their worship. Notice the contrast from our two characters:
  1. Zacharias is a priest - they are astrologers
  2. Zacharias is righteous - they are heathen
  3. Zacharias is serving- they are searching
  4. Zacharias is spoken to by an Angel - they are spoken to by a star
  5. Zacharias is given a gift - they come bearing gifts
  6. Zacharias responds in unbelief - they respond in overwhelming relief (v10)
  7. Zacharias receives a rebuke - they receive a reprieve (salvation)
• I will point out that Zacharias learned his lesson (Luke 1:57). Notice his wife Elizabeth (v60). Although she wasn’t in the temple, she believed everything Gabriel said. How? Zacharias had written everything to her. An angel couldn’t convince him, but words on paper convinced her. We see that today don’t we? How unbelievers are given signs but still refuse to believe; believers say show us words (the bible) and we’ll trust it.