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LUKE 1:5-20

"THE PERILS OF UNBELIEF"

Intro: Unbelief is one of the greatest enemies we face. It will have us weeping when  we
       should be rejoicing. In despair when shouting victory - fearful vs. confident. Unbelief
       at times comes into heart of Christian - Abraham.

I. A LOOK AT ZACHARIAS.
        A. "Righteous before God." vs. 6.
                1. "He had to be a man of faith..."
                2. "The just shall live by faith." "without faith..."
                3. Yet he said "Whereby shall I know this?"
        B. He was well instructed and enlightened. "Walking in all the commandments and
           ordinances. .blameless."
                1. As a priest well instructed in Word.
                2. Because of his age classed as experienced saint.
                        a. He had no doubt many experiences of God's power and faithfulness.
                        b. Still he questioned "Whereby shall I know this?"
        C. Specially favored by God. An angel appeared to him.
                1. He brought glorious news.
                        a. He was to become a father.
                        b. His son would be special...forerunner.
                2. God expects more from His servants than from strangers.
                        a. For a stranger to say "Whereby shall I know?"

II. THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGEL TO ZACHARIAS.
        A. He speaks first to soothe "Fear not Zacharias."
                1. As might be expected Zacharias was troubled and fearful when he first saw
                   this divine messenger.
                2. But the angel spake not words of rebuke but comfort.
        B. The angel then speaks words of Joy. "Thy prayer is heard."
                1. Zacharias had been praying for a son. Now when angel tells him he is going
                   to have a son he can't believe it.
                        a. There is much unbelief mingled with all our prayers.
                                1. Evidenced by our shoek when prayer is answered.
                                2. A-happy coincidence.

III. WHY DID ZACHARIAS WAVER AT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT?
        A. He looked at natural possibilities.
                1. "I am an old man, my wife well stricken in years."
                2. We too often have our eyes on difficulty.
                        a. So overwhelmed by the power of enemy.
                                1. "Lord open his eyes."
                                2. Lord, open our eyes.
        B. He sought for a sign.
                1. So many today running around looking for signs.
                        a. This in itself a sign of unbelief.
                        b. "If God will do this then I will believe."

IV. THE SIGN GOD GAVE HIM.
        A. His unbelief punished he was to be dumb and deaf until birth of the child.
                1. He received his sign.
        B. Dangerous to place our faith on certain actions of God.
                1. If He will heal my child.
                2. If my business prospers.
                3. If He keeps me strong.
                4. Job "Though He slay me still will I trust Him."
        C. God's sign was so valuable to him Shut up to other voices and sounds listened to
           God for nine months.
                1. Observe his song of praise. vs. 68-79.
                2. Like a dam having burst, they flow.
        D. The punishment God gave was not as bad as it might have been. God struck him deaf
           and dumb, He could have struck him dead.
                1. It's a wonder some of us can hear and talk.
        E. God still fulfilled His promise vs. 2O.
                1. His unbelief did not cancel God's work.
        F. His unbelief robbed him of his speech and hearing.
                1. Some of you today unable to hear.
                        a. Though God speaks to you. deaf.
                2. Some of you have lost your power of speech.
                        a. Once praised God. LIPS
 b. Sang songs of joy. NOW
 c. Witnessed.
                           SILENT
        G. If unbelief can do this to one of God's children, what of you who never believed? 
           "And this is the condemnation. . ."