Moving from Doubt to Declaration
Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: Moving From Doubt to Declaration
Date: 14 April 2024
Speaker: Minister Paula Fuller
Scripture Text: Luke 1:5-25
Sermon Reflections: Moving From Doubt to Declaration
Date: 14 April 2024
Speaker: Minister Paula Fuller
Scripture Text: Luke 1:5-25
Sermon Preamble
God wants to use this message to deliver us from our doubts and move us to a place of confidence in God’s plans for our lives. Minister Paula Fuller shared that in February 2024 she was wrestling with self-doubt and limiting beliefs. At that time, she received a letter from a friend reminding her of a prayer meeting 26 years ago. In that prayer meeting, God declared that God would wrap arms around us, never let go, and send us all out in a new direction. She remembered from God’s Word that many are the plans in a human’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. God will make everything beautiful in God’s timing. We should be ready to lay aside doubt and unhelpful limiting beliefs. A limiting belief is something you believe about yourself, other people, or the world, but limits you in some way. May you and I pray for God to deliver us from anything that constrains us from God and God’s purpose for our life. We can trust God to fulfill God’s Word. These lessons are made plain to us in Luke 1:5-25 when Zechariah’s doubt constrains his ability to fully participate in God’s miraculous plan for his life.
Luke 1: 5-25 Scripture Text – The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right
of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! 20But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. 23When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Zechariah’s doubt constrains his participation in God’s Plans for a son in old age
Zechariah and Elizabeth are righteous people who please the LORD (Verses 5-6). They were both old without children (Verse 7). Zechariah is in the temple fulfilling a “once in a lifetime task” of lighting the incense (Verses 8-9). He has a miraculous encounter with the angel, Gabriel (Verses 10-12). Gabriel assures him that God has answered his prayer for a son. Gabriel even describes the powerful ministry John will have in preparing people for the coming of the Lord (Verses 13-17).
Zechariah’s response reveals doubt; the angel Gabriel responds that God sent Gabriel
The angelic encounter ends on a shocking note as Zechariah’s doubts are revealed. Zechariah’s response, “How can I be sure this will happen?” can also be translated— “How can I be sure of YOU; how can I be sure of God?” (Verse 18).
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a picture of the expression on Gabriel’s face would be priceless! Gabriel matter of factually declares, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news!” (Verse 19).
God is going to fulfill God’s purpose in God’s timing regardless of our doubt; long delay of unanswered prayer contributed to Zechariah’s doubt
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines doubt as: distrust, a lack of confidence, or an inclination not to believe or accept. “But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time” (Luke 1:20). With regard to Zechariah’s prayer for a child, delay has certainly contributed to his doubt. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). Nine months is a long time for Zechariah to sit with a constant reminder of his unbelief.
When Zechariah shares his doubt, what comes out of his mouth reflects what is in his heart
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Most readers (and scholars) looking at the Luke 1 passage, focus their attention on Elizabeth and Mary, the intersection of their birth narratives, and the relationship that forms between them. Renita Weems, an Old Testament scholar, writes about the story of Elizabeth and Mary in her book, Just a Sister Away. She describes Elizabeth as someone who has “learned the most difficult lesson that life has to teach us: she had learned to live with unanswered prayers.” Mary also received a message from Gabriel.
Weems wrote, “The same could be said of Zechariah. Like Elizabeth, he had learned that lesson all too well and after learning to live with that unfulfilled desire, Gabriel tells him that his prayer had been answered! God is going to give them a blessing that they believed was long overdue. For Zechariah, the promise sounded too good to be true.”
Is God late? God doesn’t answer in our own timing, but God is always on time.
Limiting belief is dangerous because it limits what we can do and what God will do in our lives
According to Psychology Today’s “Habits for Wellbeing,” A limiting belief is something you believe to be true but that limits you in some way. The belief could be about you, other people, or the world.
Examples of limiting beliefs include: “I don’t deserve it.” “That would be too risky. I can’t afford to take the risk.” “I am going to fail, so why bother trying.” “I can’t handle it.” “I’m too old to do that.” “I can’t make money doing that.”
Our beliefs drive our actions (or inaction), so it is important to be aware of them. Often, you will know you have hit a limiting belief when you are having trouble getting motivated to act. For example, an action would include reaching out to a networking contact. When you acknowledge your limiting beliefs, you can examine whether they are based on facts or simply an inner narrative that is no longer serving you.
As Christians, we also need to hold up our beliefs and examine them based on the truth of God’s Word. We have examples in scripture when God’s truth goes beyond the limits of apparent facts!
The grumbling and unbelief of the Children of Israel regarding the Promised Land in Numbers 13 and 14
Twelve spies explored Canaan and ten brought an unbelieving negative report. “1The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.’ From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders” (Numbers 13:1-2). 27 They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.’” (Numbers 13:27-28). “30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’ 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’” (Numbers 13:30-33). They thought about stoning Moses and Aaron: “The whole assembly talked about stoning them” (Numbers 14:10). As a consequence of grumbling against God in unbelief, God declared that none of those 20 years old or more except Caleb and Joshua will enter the promise land (See Numbers 14:29-30).
Jesus limited his ministry because of Doubt and Unbelief
Jesus’ healing ministry was limited in his hometown. Jesus taught people in their synagogue. They took offense at Jesus. Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. “54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. 55 ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 Are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13: 54-58).
This contrasts with the Jesus’ many miracles in Gennesaret. 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Matthew 14:34 -36).
There is power in belief. Henry Ford stated, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration involved Elizabeth, Mary, and the presence of God
We do not see or hear anything about Zechariah in the time between his doubt and his declaration. What we do know is his context and what is happening around him? As a consequence for not believing the Words from God, Zechariah cannot speak (Luke 1:20). Zechariah may have communicated to Elizabeth that she is going to have a son through gestures or a written note (Verses 21-23). Elizabeth conceived and stayed “in seclusion’ for 5 months (Verse 24). She did not listen to folks’ speculation or allow them to speak negatively over her miracle. Elizabeth receives this word as good news. “God has been kind to me. God has removed my disgrace” (Luke 1:25).
As described in Luke 1: 26-56, in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth. Gabriel shares the news that Elizabeth, her cousin, is also pregnant. Mary heads to the hill country to Zechariah’s house. This house was the spot God chose as a place for Mary to be nurtured and built up in her faith during her first trimester of pregnancy. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice at the door, her baby leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the Mother of her Lord: “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Elizabeth recognizes Jesus as LORD. Jesus is known and worshipped before He is born. Mary breaks out in a prophetic praise song because Jesus, the Son of God is present. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
The Israelite people placed God’s Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s presence, at the house of Obed-edom for three months. God blessed Obed-edom and his entire household (See 2nd Samuel 6:11). Similarly, Zechariah and Elizabeth would receive many more blessings with the only Son of God, not just a symbol of God present in their household.
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration is marked by silence (v. 22-25), encounter(v. 26-38), intimate friendship (v. 39-45), worship (v. 46-55), and joy (v. 56)
The home of Zechariah and Elizabeth is a place of blessing, where the Holy Spirit is present, and where the favor of God is resting. Zechariah is not mentioned specifically until his declaration starting in Luke 1:67. We do learn: (1) he is at home, (2) his household is blessed, and (3) his joyous, Spirit-filled wife is talking to him! When you do not have faith, the best place to be is with those who do have faith.
Zechariah’s declaration of God’s good news is rooted in newfound trust in God. During the nine months that John was being formed in Elizabeth’s womb, God was also birthing something new in Zechariah. God used those nine months to transform Zechariah’s heart.
The Birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration
When John is born, her neighbors and relatives hear that God showed Elizabeth great mercy, and they shared her joy of the supernatural childbirth (See Verses 57-58). On the 8th day neighbors and family came for the circumcision of John. They were going to name the baby after his father, Zechariah. But Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John” (Verses 59-60).
Luke 1 ends with Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration. (See Luke 1: 62-80). Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” (Luke 1:63). He then began to speak, praising God. His prayer and desire for a child found its ultimate fulfillment in God’s good news. We also experience ultimate fulfillment in God’s good news.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-What limiting beliefs might you have about yourself, other people, or the world that limits you from God’s purpose for your life?
Luke 1: 5-25 Scripture Text – The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
-Place yourself in this scene as Zechariah. How would you feel and respond if God communicated through your prayer or through someone else about a truth beyond what seems possible?
Zechariah’s doubt constrains his participation in God’s Plans for a son in old age
-Even if, like Zechariah, you have been given a special spiritual assignment, why would you still need to go through a transformation process to deal with your doubt?
Zechariah’s response reveals doubt; the angel Gabriel responds that God sent Gabriel
-When have you felt unsure of the impact of God’s truth or prophetic message in your life?
God is going to fulfill God’s purpose in God’s timing regardless of our doubt; long delay of unanswered prayer contributed to Zechariah’s doubt
-When has a delay in timing of God answering your prayer resulted in more doubt?
When Zechariah shares his doubt, what comes out of his mouth reflects what is in his heart
-Why does alleviating the problems of doubt require God to change the deep inside heart?
Limiting belief is dangerous because it limits what we can do and what God will do in our lives
-Among the examples of limiting beliefs, which resonates most with you as requiring changes in your thinking?
The grumbling and unbelief of the Children of Israel regarding the Promised Land in Numbers 13 and 14
-The truth of God’s Word promised to give the Promised Land to the Israelites. Put yourself in the scene as part of the spies sent to view the land with strong powerful forces. Would you rely on God’s communications to you to resist with love and justice in the promise land or would you engage in a cycle of fear and violence in the face of power of this fallen world? Why?
Jesus limited his ministry because of Doubt and Unbelief
-As Christian followers of Jesus Christ, what doubt and unbelief might limit what Jesus does in ministry for our life journey?
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration involved Elizabeth, Mary, and the presence of God
-In the relationship of Zechariah to Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, and her cousin, Mary, why can you consider Elizabeth and Mary as spiritual leaders ministering to him?
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration is marked by silence (v. 22-25), encounter(v. 26-38), intimate friendship (v. 39-45), worship (v. 46-55), and joy (v. 56)
-As John was being formed for birth in the womb of Elizabeth, what is God birthing through transformation in the heart of Zechariah?
The Birth of John the Baptist & Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration
-In Zechariah’s prophetic declaration in Luke 1: 67-80, what is meaningful to you in showing Zechariah’s deeper relationship with God on the righteousness of God for God’s purposes? -Why is it so important to be delivered from the hand of enemies and serve God without fear giving light to those in darkeness?
God wants to use this message to deliver us from our doubts and move us to a place of confidence in God’s plans for our lives. Minister Paula Fuller shared that in February 2024 she was wrestling with self-doubt and limiting beliefs. At that time, she received a letter from a friend reminding her of a prayer meeting 26 years ago. In that prayer meeting, God declared that God would wrap arms around us, never let go, and send us all out in a new direction. She remembered from God’s Word that many are the plans in a human’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. God will make everything beautiful in God’s timing. We should be ready to lay aside doubt and unhelpful limiting beliefs. A limiting belief is something you believe about yourself, other people, or the world, but limits you in some way. May you and I pray for God to deliver us from anything that constrains us from God and God’s purpose for our life. We can trust God to fulfill God’s Word. These lessons are made plain to us in Luke 1:5-25 when Zechariah’s doubt constrains his ability to fully participate in God’s miraculous plan for his life.
Luke 1: 5-25 Scripture Text – The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right
of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! 20But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. 23When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Zechariah’s doubt constrains his participation in God’s Plans for a son in old age
Zechariah and Elizabeth are righteous people who please the LORD (Verses 5-6). They were both old without children (Verse 7). Zechariah is in the temple fulfilling a “once in a lifetime task” of lighting the incense (Verses 8-9). He has a miraculous encounter with the angel, Gabriel (Verses 10-12). Gabriel assures him that God has answered his prayer for a son. Gabriel even describes the powerful ministry John will have in preparing people for the coming of the Lord (Verses 13-17).
Zechariah’s response reveals doubt; the angel Gabriel responds that God sent Gabriel
The angelic encounter ends on a shocking note as Zechariah’s doubts are revealed. Zechariah’s response, “How can I be sure this will happen?” can also be translated— “How can I be sure of YOU; how can I be sure of God?” (Verse 18).
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a picture of the expression on Gabriel’s face would be priceless! Gabriel matter of factually declares, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news!” (Verse 19).
God is going to fulfill God’s purpose in God’s timing regardless of our doubt; long delay of unanswered prayer contributed to Zechariah’s doubt
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines doubt as: distrust, a lack of confidence, or an inclination not to believe or accept. “But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time” (Luke 1:20). With regard to Zechariah’s prayer for a child, delay has certainly contributed to his doubt. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). Nine months is a long time for Zechariah to sit with a constant reminder of his unbelief.
When Zechariah shares his doubt, what comes out of his mouth reflects what is in his heart
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Most readers (and scholars) looking at the Luke 1 passage, focus their attention on Elizabeth and Mary, the intersection of their birth narratives, and the relationship that forms between them. Renita Weems, an Old Testament scholar, writes about the story of Elizabeth and Mary in her book, Just a Sister Away. She describes Elizabeth as someone who has “learned the most difficult lesson that life has to teach us: she had learned to live with unanswered prayers.” Mary also received a message from Gabriel.
Weems wrote, “The same could be said of Zechariah. Like Elizabeth, he had learned that lesson all too well and after learning to live with that unfulfilled desire, Gabriel tells him that his prayer had been answered! God is going to give them a blessing that they believed was long overdue. For Zechariah, the promise sounded too good to be true.”
Is God late? God doesn’t answer in our own timing, but God is always on time.
Limiting belief is dangerous because it limits what we can do and what God will do in our lives
According to Psychology Today’s “Habits for Wellbeing,” A limiting belief is something you believe to be true but that limits you in some way. The belief could be about you, other people, or the world.
Examples of limiting beliefs include: “I don’t deserve it.” “That would be too risky. I can’t afford to take the risk.” “I am going to fail, so why bother trying.” “I can’t handle it.” “I’m too old to do that.” “I can’t make money doing that.”
Our beliefs drive our actions (or inaction), so it is important to be aware of them. Often, you will know you have hit a limiting belief when you are having trouble getting motivated to act. For example, an action would include reaching out to a networking contact. When you acknowledge your limiting beliefs, you can examine whether they are based on facts or simply an inner narrative that is no longer serving you.
As Christians, we also need to hold up our beliefs and examine them based on the truth of God’s Word. We have examples in scripture when God’s truth goes beyond the limits of apparent facts!
The grumbling and unbelief of the Children of Israel regarding the Promised Land in Numbers 13 and 14
Twelve spies explored Canaan and ten brought an unbelieving negative report. “1The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.’ From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders” (Numbers 13:1-2). 27 They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.’” (Numbers 13:27-28). “30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’ 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’” (Numbers 13:30-33). They thought about stoning Moses and Aaron: “The whole assembly talked about stoning them” (Numbers 14:10). As a consequence of grumbling against God in unbelief, God declared that none of those 20 years old or more except Caleb and Joshua will enter the promise land (See Numbers 14:29-30).
Jesus limited his ministry because of Doubt and Unbelief
Jesus’ healing ministry was limited in his hometown. Jesus taught people in their synagogue. They took offense at Jesus. Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. “54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. 55 ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 Are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13: 54-58).
This contrasts with the Jesus’ many miracles in Gennesaret. 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Matthew 14:34 -36).
There is power in belief. Henry Ford stated, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration involved Elizabeth, Mary, and the presence of God
We do not see or hear anything about Zechariah in the time between his doubt and his declaration. What we do know is his context and what is happening around him? As a consequence for not believing the Words from God, Zechariah cannot speak (Luke 1:20). Zechariah may have communicated to Elizabeth that she is going to have a son through gestures or a written note (Verses 21-23). Elizabeth conceived and stayed “in seclusion’ for 5 months (Verse 24). She did not listen to folks’ speculation or allow them to speak negatively over her miracle. Elizabeth receives this word as good news. “God has been kind to me. God has removed my disgrace” (Luke 1:25).
As described in Luke 1: 26-56, in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth. Gabriel shares the news that Elizabeth, her cousin, is also pregnant. Mary heads to the hill country to Zechariah’s house. This house was the spot God chose as a place for Mary to be nurtured and built up in her faith during her first trimester of pregnancy. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice at the door, her baby leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the Mother of her Lord: “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Elizabeth recognizes Jesus as LORD. Jesus is known and worshipped before He is born. Mary breaks out in a prophetic praise song because Jesus, the Son of God is present. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
The Israelite people placed God’s Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s presence, at the house of Obed-edom for three months. God blessed Obed-edom and his entire household (See 2nd Samuel 6:11). Similarly, Zechariah and Elizabeth would receive many more blessings with the only Son of God, not just a symbol of God present in their household.
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration is marked by silence (v. 22-25), encounter(v. 26-38), intimate friendship (v. 39-45), worship (v. 46-55), and joy (v. 56)
The home of Zechariah and Elizabeth is a place of blessing, where the Holy Spirit is present, and where the favor of God is resting. Zechariah is not mentioned specifically until his declaration starting in Luke 1:67. We do learn: (1) he is at home, (2) his household is blessed, and (3) his joyous, Spirit-filled wife is talking to him! When you do not have faith, the best place to be is with those who do have faith.
Zechariah’s declaration of God’s good news is rooted in newfound trust in God. During the nine months that John was being formed in Elizabeth’s womb, God was also birthing something new in Zechariah. God used those nine months to transform Zechariah’s heart.
The Birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration
When John is born, her neighbors and relatives hear that God showed Elizabeth great mercy, and they shared her joy of the supernatural childbirth (See Verses 57-58). On the 8th day neighbors and family came for the circumcision of John. They were going to name the baby after his father, Zechariah. But Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John” (Verses 59-60).
Luke 1 ends with Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration. (See Luke 1: 62-80). Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” (Luke 1:63). He then began to speak, praising God. His prayer and desire for a child found its ultimate fulfillment in God’s good news. We also experience ultimate fulfillment in God’s good news.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-What limiting beliefs might you have about yourself, other people, or the world that limits you from God’s purpose for your life?
Luke 1: 5-25 Scripture Text – The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
-Place yourself in this scene as Zechariah. How would you feel and respond if God communicated through your prayer or through someone else about a truth beyond what seems possible?
Zechariah’s doubt constrains his participation in God’s Plans for a son in old age
-Even if, like Zechariah, you have been given a special spiritual assignment, why would you still need to go through a transformation process to deal with your doubt?
Zechariah’s response reveals doubt; the angel Gabriel responds that God sent Gabriel
-When have you felt unsure of the impact of God’s truth or prophetic message in your life?
God is going to fulfill God’s purpose in God’s timing regardless of our doubt; long delay of unanswered prayer contributed to Zechariah’s doubt
-When has a delay in timing of God answering your prayer resulted in more doubt?
When Zechariah shares his doubt, what comes out of his mouth reflects what is in his heart
-Why does alleviating the problems of doubt require God to change the deep inside heart?
Limiting belief is dangerous because it limits what we can do and what God will do in our lives
-Among the examples of limiting beliefs, which resonates most with you as requiring changes in your thinking?
The grumbling and unbelief of the Children of Israel regarding the Promised Land in Numbers 13 and 14
-The truth of God’s Word promised to give the Promised Land to the Israelites. Put yourself in the scene as part of the spies sent to view the land with strong powerful forces. Would you rely on God’s communications to you to resist with love and justice in the promise land or would you engage in a cycle of fear and violence in the face of power of this fallen world? Why?
Jesus limited his ministry because of Doubt and Unbelief
-As Christian followers of Jesus Christ, what doubt and unbelief might limit what Jesus does in ministry for our life journey?
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration involved Elizabeth, Mary, and the presence of God
-In the relationship of Zechariah to Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, and her cousin, Mary, why can you consider Elizabeth and Mary as spiritual leaders ministering to him?
Zechariah’s journey from doubt to his declaration is marked by silence (v. 22-25), encounter(v. 26-38), intimate friendship (v. 39-45), worship (v. 46-55), and joy (v. 56)
-As John was being formed for birth in the womb of Elizabeth, what is God birthing through transformation in the heart of Zechariah?
The Birth of John the Baptist & Zechariah’s Prophetic Declaration
-In Zechariah’s prophetic declaration in Luke 1: 67-80, what is meaningful to you in showing Zechariah’s deeper relationship with God on the righteousness of God for God’s purposes? -Why is it so important to be delivered from the hand of enemies and serve God without fear giving light to those in darkeness?
Posted in Stand Alone Sermon
Posted in doubt, Luke 1, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Gabriel, delay, God\\\\\\\'s timing, limiting belief, grumbling, unbelief, miracle, heal, Psalm 16:11, 2 Samuel 6:11, trust, transform, Promisd Land, spiritual leader
Posted in doubt, Luke 1, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Gabriel, delay, God\\\\\\\'s timing, limiting belief, grumbling, unbelief, miracle, heal, Psalm 16:11, 2 Samuel 6:11, trust, transform, Promisd Land, spiritual leader
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