Faith and Unbelief: Lessons from Zacharias' Story
Summary
In the passage from Luke 1:18-25, we encounter Zacharias, a righteous and blameless priest, who is visited by the angel Gabriel with the astonishing news that he and his wife Elizabeth will have a child in their old age. This child, John, will be the forerunner of the Messiah. Despite his devout life, Zacharias struggles with unbelief, questioning the angel's message due to his and his wife's advanced age. Gabriel, standing in the presence of God, delivers this message as a divine proclamation, yet Zacharias' doubt leads to a temporary judgment—he is rendered mute until the prophecy is fulfilled.
This narrative highlights the gravity of unbelief. Unbelief is not merely a lack of persuasion; it is a sin with eternal consequences. It challenges the integrity of God, suggesting that His word is not trustworthy. The story of Zacharias contrasts with that of Abraham, who, despite his initial doubts, was justified by faith. Abraham received God's promise with patience and grace, while Zacharias faced immediate consequences for his disbelief. This distinction underscores the seriousness of unbelief and the necessity of faith in God's word.
The sermon also touches on the doctrine of limited atonement, emphasizing that Christ's atoning sacrifice is effective only for those who believe. This theological point underscores the importance of faith as the sole instrument of justification. Faith is not a leap into darkness but a reasoned trust in the reliability of God's promises. The narrative of Zacharias serves as a reminder that belief in God's word is not optional but essential for salvation.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Sinfulness of Unbelief: Unbelief is not a trivial matter; it is a sin that questions the very integrity of God. When we doubt God's word, we are essentially accusing Him of being untrustworthy. This sin has serious consequences, as seen in Zacharias' temporary muteness. Unbelief is an affront to God's character and must be taken seriously. [08:50]
2. Faith as the Sole Instrument of Justification: The story of Abraham illustrates that faith alone is sufficient for justification. Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith, not his works. This principle is central to Christian doctrine and emphasizes that our salvation is based on trusting God's promises, not our efforts. [11:37]
3. The Doctrine of Limited Atonement: Christ's atonement is effective only for those who believe. While His sacrifice is sufficient for all, it is only applied to those who have faith. This underscores the necessity of belief in Christ for salvation and highlights the importance of sharing the gospel with others. [16:59]
4. The Rationality of Faith: Authentic faith is not credulity or a blind leap into the unknown. It is a reasoned trust in the trustworthiness of God. Doubting God's word is irrational because it contradicts the character of the One who is the source of all truth. Faith is grounded in the reliability of God's promises. [24:47]
5. The Consequences of Unbelief: Zacharias' story serves as a warning that unbelief can lead to divine judgment. While God is patient and merciful, there are times when He administers justice. Unbelief is not merely an error in judgment; it is a moral failing that can have eternal consequences. [27:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Zacharias and the Angel
- [01:06] - The Vision in the Temple
- [01:50] - The Sacred Word of God
- [02:49] - Zacharias' Blamelessness
- [03:36] - The Irony of Unbelief
- [05:21] - Gabriel's Authority
- [06:13] - The Gospel Proclaimed
- [08:01] - Consequences of Unbelief
- [09:46] - Unbelief as Sin
- [10:47] - Abraham's Faith
- [12:24] - God's Patience with Doubt
- [13:55] - Mercy and Justice
- [15:32] - Limited Atonement
- [19:16] - The Source of Truth
- [21:41] - Living by Faith
- [23:26] - Faith vs. Credulity
- [24:47] - The Rationality of Faith
- [27:03] - The Consequences of Unbelief
- [29:47] - Responding to God's Word
- [30:51] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:18-25
- Genesis 15:1-6
- Habakkuk 2:4
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Zacharias' initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and what consequence did he face for his unbelief? [08:01]
2. How does the sermon describe the character of Zacharias before his encounter with Gabriel? [03:36]
3. What is the significance of Gabriel's identity and authority in delivering God's message to Zacharias? [06:13]
4. How does the sermon contrast Zacharias' response to God's promise with that of Abraham's response in Genesis 15? [10:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the sinfulness of unbelief, and how does it relate to the integrity of God? [09:46]
2. How does the doctrine of limited atonement, as discussed in the sermon, highlight the importance of faith for salvation? [16:59]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is a reasoned trust rather than a blind leap? [24:47]
4. How does the sermon explain the different responses of God to Zacharias and Abraham regarding their doubts? [13:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with unbelief. What were the consequences, and how did you overcome it? [08:50]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of faith as the sole instrument of justification. How can you strengthen your faith in God's promises this week? [11:37]
3. Consider the doctrine of limited atonement. How does this understanding affect your approach to sharing the gospel with others? [16:59]
4. The sermon describes faith as a reasoned trust. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's promises to build a more rational faith? [24:47]
5. How can you ensure that your response to God's word is just and not influenced by personal doubts or cultural pressures? [29:47]
6. Think of a situation where you might have doubted God's word due to personal circumstances. How can you remind yourself of God's trustworthiness in similar situations in the future? [27:03]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's word more fully. What practical steps can you take to cultivate that trust this week? [21:41]
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Unbelief
Unbelief is not a mere intellectual doubt; it is a sin that questions the very character of God. When Zacharias doubted the angel Gabriel's message, he was not just expressing skepticism about a miraculous birth; he was challenging the trustworthiness of God's word. This act of unbelief resulted in a temporary judgment—Zacharias was rendered mute until the prophecy was fulfilled. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that unbelief is a serious offense against God, one that can have significant consequences. It is an affront to God's integrity and must be addressed with the gravity it deserves. [08:50]
Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling with unbelief? How can you actively choose to trust God's promises today?
Day 2: Faith as the Foundation of Righteousness
The story of Abraham illustrates that faith is the sole instrument of justification. Abraham was counted as righteous not because of his works but because of his faith in God's promises. This principle is central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing that our salvation is based on trusting God's word rather than our own efforts. Just as Abraham received God's promise with patience and grace, we too are called to embrace faith as the foundation of our relationship with God. Faith is not about blind belief; it is about trusting in the reliability of God's promises. [11:37]
Romans 4:20-22 (ESV): "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.'"
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to hold onto more firmly today? How can you strengthen your faith in this area?
Day 3: The Scope of Christ's Atonement
The doctrine of limited atonement emphasizes that while Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for all, it is effective only for those who believe. This underscores the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation and highlights the importance of sharing the gospel with others. The atonement is not a blanket coverage for all humanity; it is a specific application for those who place their trust in Jesus. This theological point challenges us to consider the urgency of evangelism and the role of faith in accessing the benefits of Christ's sacrifice. [16:59]
John 10:14-15 (ESV): "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the saving grace of Jesus? How can you share the gospel with them this week?
Day 4: The Rationality of Faith
Authentic faith is not a leap into the unknown; it is a reasoned trust in the trustworthiness of God. Doubting God's word is irrational because it contradicts the character of the One who is the source of all truth. Faith is grounded in the reliability of God's promises and is a rational response to His revealed character. This understanding of faith challenges the notion that belief is irrational or blind. Instead, it invites us to engage our minds and hearts in trusting the God who has proven Himself faithful throughout history. [24:47]
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Reflection: How can you engage both your mind and heart in trusting God more fully today? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of His promises?
Day 5: The Consequences of Unbelief
Zacharias' story serves as a warning that unbelief can lead to divine judgment. While God is patient and merciful, there are times when He administers justice. Unbelief is not merely an error in judgment; it is a moral failing that can have eternal consequences. This narrative reminds us that our response to God's word is crucial. We are called to respond with faith and obedience, recognizing that unbelief is a serious matter that can hinder our relationship with God and impact our eternal destiny. [27:03]
Hebrews 10:26-27 (ESV): "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are deliberately choosing unbelief? What steps can you take to align your heart with God's truth today?
Quotes
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. 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.” [00:34:40]
And so Gabriel administers a judgment of God upon this supposedly righteous man, for his unbelief. But I don’t think we take seriously enough the sinfulness of unbelief. We have a tendency in our culture, and even in the church to think that belief in Christ, or unbelief in Christ, believing and trusting in the things of God, or not trusting in the things of God, are optional. [00:54:44]
Now there are many dimensions of theology that are related to this problem that we face here with Zacharias. Let me just begin by saying, why does God punish Zacharias for his struggle here, when he didn’t punish Abraham for example, in the Old Testament? He said, “Abram I’m your great reward and your shield. And Abram said, “Reward? What are you going to give me because I don’t have any children and my heir is my servant, Eliezer of Damascus.” [01:03:33]
And what happened? In Genesis 15 we read, “And he believed in the Lord and He accounted it to him to righteousness.” This was the first clear example of a man being justified by faith alone, the cardinal issue of the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation. Paul labors the point that before Abraham offered up Isaac on the altar in Chapter 22, that already in Chapter 15, he was counted righteous before God. [01:11:12]
And God went to elaborate measures to convince Abraham that His Word could be trusted, and there wasn’t the slightest hint of judgment given to Abraham for wanting to have the Word of God confirmed. As it was the case with Hezekiah, as it was the case with Gideon and his fleece. Throughout Scripture we see people hearing the Word of God and staggering in unbelief and God being patient with them, forbearing, tender and kind. [01:21:12]
Zacharias got justice. And once again we see that God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy and be gracious to whom He will be gracious. And because He gives grace to one and then again to another and to another for the same thing, does not mean that we can then assume that He will be ever so gracious to everyone else who commits the same sin. [01:25:52]
Because a necessary condition to be saved by the atoning death of Jesus Christ is to have faith in Jesus Christ. And, if you have no faith in Jesus Christ, the atoning death of Christ only exacerbates your guilt before God and will do nothing to alleviate it because you have rejected the perfect sacrifice that was offered once for all. [01:40:05]
Obviously, the atonement of Christ is made only for those who believe and so in that sense the efficacy of that atonement is limited. It is limited to believers. Jesus didn’t die for everybody. He died for believers. You can take it to the next step if you want. I do, without hesitation. He died for the elect. And everyone for whom He died, everyone for whom He made an atonement, has their sins forgiven forever. [01:47:04]
And to not believe the Word of God is to sin. And so, to believe in God — and not just to believe in God, but to believe God — is at the very essence of what it means to be a Christian person. Back in the Old Testament, the prophet Habakkuk made the comment, “the just shall live by faith.” We can translate it, ‘the righteous shall live by trust.’ [02:08:22]
Credulity is the person who just believes anything anybody tells them, for no reason at all. But, faith, authentic faith, biblical faith, is grounded in the trustworthiness of God Himself. Nothing could me more unreasonable, nothing could be more irrational, than to doubt a word that comes from God. [02:29:54]
I want to go with an eraser or a marking pen and cross out the middle premise. If God said it, it’s settled! God does not need your agreement for His Word to be true. I can disbelieve everything God has ever said and all that does is make me a fool and a sinner that cannot contradict the trustworthiness of God Himself. [02:37:28]
The reason why we doubt the Word of God is not because His Word is unbelievable or incredible, but because we project upon God the untrustworthiness that describes our own condition. Let every man be a liar, but God’s Word is true. When God speaks, if you don’t want to believe it Zacharias, then fine, you’re not going to speak. [02:44:08]
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