INTRODUCTION

1. An angelic manifestation

a) Special

b) Sacred

2. An angel

a) Bears the authority of God

b) The word he bears is from God directly

 

RESPONSE TO THE UNBELIEF OF ZACHARIAS

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. He announces his name

a) He is Gabriel

b) He stands before the presence of God

c) He was sent directly by God to speak to Zacharias

2. He pronounces the judgment of God

a) Zacharias would be mute

b) His inability to speak would last until what the angel said was fulfilled

3. Reasons for this judgment

a) Because you did not believe the words of the angel Gabriel

b) This was not just an error

c) This was sin before the Lord!

4. God had shown so much grace and mercy

a) He would give Zacharias and Elizabeth a son in their old age

b) This son would be a great prophet

c) He would have a fruitful ministry

d) There should have been great gratitude

e) Instead there was such unbelief!

 

CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOWED

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.

22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them;

and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:21-25

1. The Negative aspect

a) Zacharias had become dumb

b) He could not speak to the people

c) His ministry was suspended because he could not speak

2. The Positive aspect

a) What the angel Gabriel said came to pass

b) Elizabeth conceived

c) She was grateful

d) She proclaimed:

“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:25

i) God had taken away her reproach

ii) God had looked upon her with favour

 

THE CHASTENING THAT COMES FROM GOD

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect.

Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless,

afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11

1. Chastening comes from the Lord

2. Reasons why He chastens

a) Because we are God’s children who need to behave well

b) Because He wants us to be partakers of His holiness

c) Because He wants us to be fruitful in our life