Luke 1:5-17 (Full text is Luke 1:5-25) In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” Big Idea: God's word is trustworthy even when our faith is weak. Luke 1:5–7 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. Romans 3:10–12 …as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. Luke 1:8–10 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Luke 1:11–13 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.” **John — Jehovah brings grace, or gift of God ** Children Born to Previously Barren Women: Isaac - God told Abraham he would have a son and to name him Isaac Samuel - Hannah was seen weeping in prayer in the temple. Eli, the priest blesses her, saying, “May God grant your request.” She had Samuel after being barren for years. Samuel was the last judge of Israel and the prophet who anointed King Saul and King David. Samson - An angel told his parents they would have a son and that he would help Israel. Samson was a thorn in the side of the Philistines his entire life, killing more Philistines in his death than he did during his life. John - Today's passage Jesus - We will see this announcement next week. Luke 1:14–17 “There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” Old Testament Scriptures The Angel References Concerning John: Isaiah 49:5 And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him; for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength… Malachi 4:5–6 “Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Luke 1:18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” A righteous man, who knew his Bible, doubted the word of God spoken directly to him. Luke 1:19–20 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” “Zechariah shows his disbelief when he says, ‘I am an old man!’ But the angel reminds Zechariah that he is speaking with the authority of God himself. He has come from God with his authority to make this announcement.” Sproul There is grace inside the discipline Luke 1:21–23 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. Luke 1:24–25 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.” Have we believed the word of God, or have we only agreed with it? Romans 3:3–4 What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar, as it is written: That you may be justified in your words and triumph when you judge. Big Idea: God's word is trustworthy even when our faith is weak. Next step: I will repent of the ways I have asked God to prove Himself before I will trust Him. “The weak Christian’s doubting is like the wavering of a ship at anchor; he is moved yet not removed from his hold on Christ.” William Gurnall, Christian in Complete Armor Next Step: I will trust that God has heard my prayers. Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Jesus.