INTRODUCTION

1. Theme for Advent in 2025

“The Dayspring from on high has visited us” Luke 1:78

2. A Journey of Faith in the life of Zacharias

 

A GOOD TESTIMONY EARNED

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias,

of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. Luke 1:5-7

1. Zacharias and Elizabeth

2. Their testimony

a) Both were righteous before God

b) Both were blameless walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord

c) A sad reality

They were old and childless

 

A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE GIVEN

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Luke 1:8-12

1. Zacharias was serving as a priest before God

2. It was his lot to burn incense in the temple of the Lord

3. A whole multitude was praying

4. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias

5. He was troubled and was gripped by fear

 

A SPECIAL BOON WAS GRANTED

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;

and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’

and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17

1. The angel’s message to Zacharias

a) His prayer had been heard and will be answered

b) He and Elizabeth would have a son

c) He is to be called “John”

2. A prophecy concerning John

a) He will bring joy and gladness to their hearts

b) Many will rejoice at his birth

c) He will be great in the sight of the Lord

d) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit

e) He will turn many of the children of Israel to God

f) He will go in the spirit and power of Elijah

g) He will make ready a people ready for the Lord

 

A STRUGGLE WITH FAITH

18 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.”

19 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.

20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Luke 1:18-20

1. Zacharias could not bring himself to believe

2. He was conscious of his advanced age

3. He lacked the faith that Abraham had

4. The faith of Abraham

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations,

according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body,

already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:18-22