The Consequences of Unbelief
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning the importance of belief from Zechariah's big blunder.
Text: Luke 1:18-25
Date: 01/24/2021, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 4
Description:
As the dramatic meeting between Zechariah the priest and Gabriel the archangel continues, Zechariah makes an epic blunder. Gabriel has just delivered God's message to Zechariah, that even in his old age he would have a son who would be great and would be the forerunner of the Messiah. Rather than rejoicing in praise and thanksgiving, Zechariah responded in skeptical disbelief-- a mistake for which he was punished with muteness. We will analyze the reason for Zechariah's punishment and thereby emphasize the serious consequences when God's Word is either questioned or disobeyed. As a result, we will underscore the vital importance to every Christian of unwavering faith in every Word and Promise that God has made in His Bible. We will learn to trust Him not only for salvation, but for sanctification and ultimately glorification-- thereby avoiding the dire consequences of unbelief.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 1:18-25.
A. Context
B. The egregious sinfulness of unbelief.
1. Zechariah's blunder, vs. 18.
a. A response of unbelief.
i. Seeking a sign, Luke 11:29, Heb. 11:1.
ii. Making application.
• A blunder we can associate with.
• The state of sanctification, Luke 1:6.
b. The rationale of unbelief, Luke 24:5-6.
c. What makes Zechariah's unbelief so sinful.
i. Who he is, Luke 12:48.
ii. Where he is.
iii. Who he is talking to.
iv. What he meant.
• Grounded in the world.
• Signs of disbelief, Ex. 4:1,6.
d. On faith and works, Gen. 15:2,6.
2. Gabriel's response, vs. 19.
a. The angel Gabriel, Dan. 9:21-24.
b. Gabriel's credibility.
i. In the presence of God, Matt. 18:10, Rev. 8:2.
ii. The significance of belief.
iii. Believing the Word of God, Hab. 2:4, Matt. 4:4, Rom. 3:4.
c. Gabriel's mission and message.
3. The consequence of unbelief, vs. 20.
a. Looking closer at the punishment.
i. The nature of the punishment, Matt. 12:34, 15:18.
ii. The reason for the punishment, Lev. 10:1-2.
iii. The duration of the punishment, Psa. 30:5, Gen. 3:15, Heb. 12:6, Rev. 3:19.
iv. The overarching will of God.
b. Questioning the fairness.
i. Considering other examples of skepticism., Gen. 15:1,2,7,8, 18:12, John 20:24-29.
ii. Grappling with the answer, Rom. 9:14-16.
4. Zechariah's reappearance, vs. 21-22.
a. Fear of divine judgment, vs. 21.
b. Unable to bless the people, vs 22, Num. 6:24-26.
5. The resolution, vs. 23-25.
a. Zechariah goes home, vs. 23, Luke 1:39.
b. Elizabeth becomes pregnant, vs 24.
i. The conception.
ii. The secrecy.
c. Elizabeth's song of praise, vs. 25.
III. Application
A. The consequences to the unbeliever, Acts 16:31, Rom. 10:9, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Heb. 9:27.
B. The consequences to the believer, Jer. 29:11, Eph. 2:10, Job 14:5.
IV. Conclusion
