INTRODUCTION

1. The unbelief of Zacharias

a) This was uncalled for

b) Chastening had to take place

2. Months later

a) A baby boy was born

b) The ceremony of naming the child took place

 

THE WORD OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL

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. Luke 1:13-14

1. The birth of a baby was announced

2. The name of the baby was to be called “John”

 

THE NAMING OF THE CHILD

59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child;

and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.

60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called Luke 1:59-62

a) This was a special rite for all baby boys

b) This was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

c) The baby is circumcised on the 8th day

d) He would also be given his name on that day

2. The traditional choices

a) To name a son after his father

b) To name him after one pf the relatives

c) The name “Zacharias” was suggested

3. Elizabeth

a) The mother of the baby was asked

b) She knew about the angelic visit of Gabriel

c) She was determined to obey

d) Thus she declared

“He shall be called John” Luke 1:60

4. Objections were raised

a) The name was not a traditional one

b) There was no one called John in the family of Zacharias

5. Calling upon Zacharias

a) He was finally called

b) They wanted to know what his son would be called

c) What would be the reply of Zacharias?

 

FULL OBEDIENCE

63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying,

“What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. Luke 1:63-66

1. Zacharias had been struck dumb

a) For the better part of the year he had been mute

b) This was chastening from the Lord

c) Had he been able to recover from his unbelief?

2. A writing tablet

a) Zacharias asked for a writing tablet

b) He wrote down the name to be given to his son

“His name is John” Luke 1:63

3. The people marvelled

a) John was forgoing the special privilege of having a son named after him

b) This was most unusual

c) All knew that this would be their only son

d) The meaning of the name “John”

It means “The LORD is gracious” Luke 1:63

 

THE END OF THE CHASTENING

“Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God” Luke 1:64

1. His mouth was opened

2. His tongue loosed

He spoke and praised God

 

THE AWE OF THE PEOPLE

65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them;

and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying,

“What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. Luke 1:65-66

1. A sense of “fear” came upon the people

2. This miracle was discussed throughout all the hill county of Judah

3. All wondered

“What kind of child will this be?” Luke 1:66a

4. And the hand of the Lord was with him.

 

THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

1. The last stretch had been a difficult one

2. Unbelief had to be chastened

3. Faith finally triumphed over unbelief

4. The blessing of this new-found faith had just begun!