What God Did Not Reveal

What God Did Not Reveal

Scripture: Luke 1:5-37; Hebrews 11:15-16; Galatians 6:9

Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message this morning is “What God Did Not Reveal.” This message looks at the story surrounding the birth of Christ and the faith those involved had to walk in based on what God did and did not reveal to them. Remember, Second Corinthians 5:7 tells us “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The two stories we will examine are examples of people walking by faith and not by sight.

Have you ever considered the fact that Christians sometime have questions and/or doubts about something we believe God has told us to do because we run into problems when we start doing it? It is not that we did not hear or understand what God told us to do, but when we started doing it we ran into so much opposition from other Christians that we questioned if we truly heard from God. So, because of the severity of the trials we go through to do what God has called us to do, we question if we truly heard God correctly. Christians have come to believe, incorrectly, that if God has told us to do something that it will flow perfectly and those helping us will be in total agreement with it and life would be good. That is not the case. What happens is that there are problems when we get started and those collaborating with us get tired and turn back – yet we must continue in what God has instructed us to do. We cannot allow doubt to enter in because of the difficulty we face in completing the task. Our ability to believe what God has told us to do cannot be influenced by the hardships we are sure to face when doing it. It is not the hardships that God measures or looks upon, it is our obedience to following His instructions. With that being said, this morning we will examine the stories of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. In both situations God called upon them to do something special, but He did not reveal everything they would face in their obedience to Him.

Let us begin with Zacharias. Please turn to Luke chapter one and we will begin reading at verse five. “(5) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7) But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (8) So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, (9) according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.” (Luke 1:5-12) Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were advanced in age and were childless even though they had been praying for a child for years. On this day, it was Zacharias’ turn to keep the incense burning on the altar in front of the most holy place. When the priests became so numerous that they could not at once minister at the altar, David divided them into 24 classes or divisions, each one of which officiated for a week. Zacharias was of the division of Abijah. As he fulfilled his responsibilities, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Zacharias’ first response was one of fear until the angel Gabriel spoke. Let us continue with verse thirteen.

“(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. (15) For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. (16) And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (17) He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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 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 1:13-20) The angel Gabriel told Zacharias what would take place with John. Every bit of what he said was true. But look at how Zacharias responded.