Bible Study - Redeemed (4) - Redeemed From Crippling Doubt - Luke 1:11-20 and 63-65 - May 8, 2016

Bible Study – Redeemed (4) – Redeemed From Crippling Doubt – May 8, 2016

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Beauty from Ashes: Redeeming Your Broken Moments.”

Our focus scripture Luke 1:11-20, 63-65.

GOD’S Word can be fully trusted.

Does GOD speak to Christians today as we read HIS Word, the Bible? The answer is a resounding YES! HE speaks to us in many ways. In our lesson today, scripture reveals an occasion when GOD spoke through an angel. Why was this and many other occasions recorded in the Bible? Simply to let us know how GOD worked and revealed truth to HIS chosen to prepare them to trust HIM. HE reveals truth to Christians today as they walk with HIM. GOD is just as much in-charge and sovereign today as when HIS activity was revealed in the Bible.

Let’s read Luke 1:1-4: (Background on Doctor Luke and why he wrote the Gospel of Luke.)

The Dedication to Theophilus

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,

2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.

3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus,

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Doctor Luke was commissioned by Theophilus to give him an accurate account of the events regarding the life of JESUS. Many had written such an account but Luke would tell it as accurately and verified as possible.

There had been 400 years of silence regarding the coming of the Promised Messiah. As we read in Malachi 4:5 GOD would send the prophet Elijah:

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

The Prophet Elijah calling was focused on knowing GOD and revealing HIM to the Israelite's. Thus, there would be an Elijah-like prophet to be a forerunner or herald who would go before the Messiah to draw people’s attention to HIM as the promised Messiah.

This child to be born to the prophet Zechariah and Elizabeth would be that Elijah-like person. JESUS stated in Matthew 11:11-15:

11 "I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;

14 if you're willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

15 Anyone who has ears should listen!

Many of us, who know GOD through CHRIST, think that once we have received salvation that GOD is finished with us. But that is only the beginning. We study GOD’S Word, the Bible, to learn how GOD worked in the lives of others who knew HIM and how HE called them to serve HIM. It is the same today, Christians are to study GOD’S Word and see how GOD was involved in the lives of those HE chose to serve HIM. It is no different today, except as Christians, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower, enlighten and guide us as we obediently serve GOD through our relationship with CHRIST. 

How do we respond when the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us? Do we believe it and act upon it or put it aside? When we are in right relationship with GOD through CHRIST, we trust, obey and witness the power of GOD at work through our lives.

Zechariah was a priest and he and his wife Elizabeth were chosen by GOD for a very important purpose. It would be a purpose that they would know that only GOD could accomplish. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Luke 1:5-10: (Introduction – Background)

Gabriel Predicts John's Birth

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

The timeline and the ancestral heritage of Elizabeth are stated. She was a descendant of the priestly line of Aaron and Zechariah was a priest.

6 Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

We learn that both were servants of GOD and obediently served GOD.

7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

They had no children and both were old suggesting they were beyond the age of producing children. If children came along they would be miracles from GOD. Does this remind you of other such barren couples GOD chose to conceive and bare a child to carry out HIS plan and purpose? Discussed later.

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

Israel’s priests were divided into 24 divisions. Each priest served in the temple for one week, twice a year. Each division had hundreds of priests and lots were cast to determine which priest would serve. The casting of lots was a common practice associated when a divine decision or choice was to be made. This was practiced when the disciples needed to replace a disciple after Judas betrayed JESUS as we read in Acts 1:26:

26 Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles.

The selection of Zechariah was not by happen-chance but a divine appointment. 

Many priests never had the opportunity to serve.

We know from Luke’s account that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were a couple dedicated to GOD and wanted to be parents but GOD had not blessed them with a child. Both were either at or past the age of having a child, therefore having a child of their own was out of their minds but not GOD’S.

Does this remind you of another occasion when a couple was promised a child but did not have one? Certainly, Abram and Sarai as recorded in Genesis 17-21 come to mind but there was another couple as recorded in Judges 13:1-3:

1 The Israelite's again did what was evil in the Lord's sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines 40 years.

2 There was a certain man from Zorah, from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; his wife was barren and had no children.

3 The Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "It is true that you are barren and have no children, but you will conceive and give birth to a son.

Do you remember this couple and the baby who would be born to them? The baby was Samson.

GOD does the impossible according to human understanding when HE brings a person on the scene of human history to carry out HIS plan and purpose. 

Samson was to deliver the Israelite's from the Philistines. JESUS would deliver all people who will place their faith in HIM from their sin and eternal death.

As a side note in Judges 13:17-18, we read:

17 Then Manoah said to Him, "What is Your name, so that we may honor You when Your words come true?"

This is faith in action. GOD rejoices when we believe HIM without question.

18 "Why do you ask My name," the Angel of the Lord asked him, "since it is wonderful."

When I read this, the joy of the LORD came over me and the thought passed through my mind that this was JESUS. Only eternity will reveal this.

In our lesson today, we learn of another occasion when GOD does the impossible and used a Godly, barren couple to give birth to HIS chosen at a certain time in history according to HIS plan and purpose. Timing is very important to GOD and it is vital that humans know that the will of GOD is manifested according to HIS plan and not the will of man; Thus, the human impossibility of the birth of Isaac, Samson, John the Baptist and JESUS. GOD is in charge of history and HE is in-charge of our lives but we have the freedom to choose.

Let’s read Luke 1:11-17:

11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.

Being startled and experiencing fear is common when we experience something out of the ordinary. Zechariah was already on high alert because he was entering the Holy Place to burn the incense. It was likely the first time in his career as a priest to enter the Holy Place.

Hebrews 9:2-3:

2 For a tabernacle was set up; and in the first room, which is called "the holy place," were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.

3 Behind the second curtain, the tabernacle was called "the holy of holies."

Zechariah was in the first room. The incense table was just outside the Most Holy Place and Gabriel was to the right of the altar.

When the people saw the smoke rising upward they knew that incense was being burned, the priest prayed and the people prayed.

13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

The angel was very quick to put Zechariah at ease, “Do not be afraid.” It was vital for Zechariah to listen and receive the message of GOD. The angel confirmed that GOD had heard his prayer. We do not know what his prayer was. He could have prayed about the coming Messiah or that they were barren. The good news was that they were going to have a baby! Not just any baby but a baby ordained by GOD who GOD named “John.” Normally the father named the new born on the eighth day after his birth. GOD named this baby. John means “GOD is a gracious giver” or “the LORD has shown favor.”

Then the angel gave an overview of the purpose and ministry of John.

14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb.

What constitutes “great in the sight of the LORD?” Obedience! This baby was to be a Nazarene, who abstained from alcohol and adhered to certain religious rites. Notice, “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb.” We need to pray for our child as soon as we know that a child has been conceived.

This baby would be anointed by GOD for a special purpose.

GOD has a plan and purpose for every Christian and gifts each Christian accordingly. But as with salvation, every Christian has a choice – will he or she respond to the will and purpose of GOD?

16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

GOD ordained John for ministry and he will be effective in accomplishing his calling.

17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

Notice the tie to Malachi 4:5 that GOD would send a prophet like Elijah:

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

GOD’S Word is eternal. We today, have the privilege of reading the complete Word of GOD. The Bible is the revelation of GOD on an ever ascending scale culminating in the revelation of CHRIST. We have no excuse. We have the complete picture but so many look for other ways to come to The One True GOD of the universe, YAHWEH, “I AM.” 

JESUS said it best in John14:6 - 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Let’s read Luke 1:18-20:

18 "How can I know this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years."

Zechariah asked a good question but we need to keep in mind that he was a priest. He was on praying terms with GOD. But does he believe GOD or trust GOD?

He was face to face with an angel of GOD. What does Zechariah’s question reveal about him? Many of us can espouse GOD’S Word to others but when it comes to us, how do we respond when GOD’S message is directed to us? Abraham and Sarah laughed. Zechariah wanted to know how this message could be confirmed. Certainly time would tell. Was Zechariah wanting to get all the details before the angel left him? We do not know. But the question does give pause to Zechariah’s faith, yet he was a priest.

Contrast Zechariah’s response with Manoah’s response after the angel of GOD told him that he and his wife would have a son:

Judges 13:17-18, we read:

17 Then Manoah said to Him, "What is Your name, so that we may honor You when Your words come true?"

This is faith in action. GOD rejoices when we believe HE gives us a message and we believe it.

18 "Why do you ask My name," the Angel of the Lord asked him, "since it is wonderful."

Now refer back to Zechariah’s response in Luke 1:18.

Let’s continue reading in Luke 1:19-20.

19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

The angel gave Zechariah his name “Gabriel.” There are two angels mentioned in the Bible “Gabriel” and “Michael.” Both are “archangels” or “super angels.” Gabriel is mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21. Angel means “messenger.” Gabriel means “strong man of GOD.” Gabriel stands in the presence of GOD. GOD sent him to tell him this good news. Does that ring a bell? It is Good News that the Promised Messiah is about to come to earth WHO is the Good News!

20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

Gabriel admonished Zechariah to pay special attention and listen carefully. Certain things would happen to him but they would be temporary and these things were the result of him doubting the words delivered by Gabriel.

We know that Zechariah was praying when Gabriel entered his presence. Had Zechariah been going through the motions of being a priest? The important matter is that Zechariah had a special encounter with Gabriel sent by GOD who delivered him a special message of good news.

I encourage you to read the verses 21-59. They reveal what took place during Elizabeth’s pregnancy. The promised baby was born and on the eighth day the baby was dedicated to GOD, circumcised and named. Luke 1:59-62 records Elizabeth’s response regarding the name of the baby:

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.

60 But his mother responded, "No! He will be called John."

61 Then they said to her, "None of your relatives has that name."

62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.

Let’s read Luke 1:63-65:

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN And they were all amazed.

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue [set free], and he began to speak, praising God.

65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea.

66 All who heard about [him] took [it] to heart, saying, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him.

When GOD speaks or sends HIS messenger to us how will we respond?

Blessings!!!