Thou Shalt Be Dumb (Advent Sermon 3 2022)

THOU SHALT BE DUMB

Text: Luke 1:5- 25

Luke 1:5-25 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7) And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. (8) And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, (9) According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. (11) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (14) And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. (15) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. (17) And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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. (18) And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. (19) And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. (20) And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. (21) And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. (22) And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. (23) And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. (24) And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, (25) Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men (KJV).

Have you ever wanted something so bad that your life was incomplete without it?

That was the life story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They wanted a child. They were up in years and now it seemed impossible. In fact, it has been said, that Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth were past the age of sixty before Elizabeth was pregnant with the John the Baptist. (Paul N. Benware. Everyman’s BIble Commentary: Luke. Chicago:Moody Press, p. 28). Last week, we mentioned several biblical couples who were childless until God blessed them with a child. Today’s text is about another one of those miracle stories.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were a devout couple who did not have any children.

We see in today’s text a lack of faith---unbelief. Then, one day the angel Gabriel showed up and told him that God was going answer His prayers and that Elizabeth would give birth to a son who was to be named John.

Today we will focus on unbelief, dumbness and revival.

UNBELIEF

How did Zechariah respond to the visit of the angel Gabriel?

1) Prayer: He had been praying for a child.

2) Startled: When the angel Gabriel arrived in Zecharaiah’s presence, he was startled. He was startled and fearful because He not ever experienced anything like this until this moment.

3) Judgment: Was he thinking that he was about to meet His maker? How would you have responded if you were Zechariah when Gabriel showed up with good news?

4) If you were Zechariah: Can you imagine what you Would you be thinking that you might be about to meet your Maker?

5) History: Was he thinking of the four hundred years that no one had heard anything from a prophet since the days of Malachi? After all, John the Baptizer was going to be ministering as a forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ in the power and the spirit and Elijah (Luke 1:17).