Introduction:

Who was Zachariah? His name means "whom Yahweh has remembered." While the name is the same, the man I am talking about this morning is not the Old Testament prophet. This character in the New Testament was a priest from the country. He was one of many priests in those days, so he took turns serving in the temple. He was of the division of Abijah, one of 24 divisions. Each division had temple duty for eight days, Sabbath through Sabbath, once every six months and for special feast days. Perhaps all the divisions were repre¬sented on those special days.

Zachariah was married to Elizabeth, a descendent of Aaron. So Elizabeth was the daughter of a priest and she was married to one. Zachariah is described as righteous and faithful, though of course, not sinless. Zachariah and Elizabeth struggled with being childless which was probably very hard for them to understand in those days when children were looked upon as a blessing from God upon the faithful. However, by this time in their lives they are both old, well advanced in years.

Luke tells us about this particular experience Zachariah had serving as a priest. Generally the priests drew lots to determine who would do what in temple service. This time Zachariah was chosen to light the incense in the Temple. Doing this was looked upon as a great privilege which they might do once in a lifetime. He was alone in the Holy Place, when an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and brought the Word from God.

While God may speak to us however He chooses, we have the Word of God recorded for us in the Bible. This is the time tested means by which we all have the Word of God available to us. In the story from the life of Zacha¬riah we see his two responses to the Word of God and their corresponding results.

I. When we doubt the Word of God we are unable to speak for Him.

Listen to the message Zachariah received from the Angel of the Lord. "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name, John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth."

What was his response? He refused point blank to believe. He doubted the Word of God and demanded a sign. Now some of you may be saying, Pastor Bruce, weren't there others in the Bible who asked for a sign to be certain. Yes there were, Gideon, Hezekiah, and even Mary, but from what the scripture says, this is different in attitude. It is a response of unbelief and doubt.

Listen to what he said to the angel of God, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."

Well, Zachariah got a sign all right, but probably not the sign he though he would get. When he finally left the temple he was unable to speak because he doubted God's word, God's promise to him.

What about today? Sometimes Christians try to find excuses for not witnessing, for not speaking for Jesus Christ. Perhaps some are unable to speak because they doubt God's Word and the promise of His Holy Spirit. They may even be righteous and faithful to God in other areas of their life as Zachariah was.


II. When we depend on the Word of God we are able to speak for Him.

As God's Word had said, a son was born to old Zachariah and Elizabeth. There was much interest, many family and friends were gath¬ered as the infant was to be circumcised. They would have named him after his father, but Elizabeth emphatically rejected their idea, saying, "Not so, he shall be called John." The people were puzzled since no one in their family had that name, and turned to Zachariah. He requested a writing tablet since he was unable to speak. He wrote, "His name is John." He did not write his name shall be John, but already is, in the present John. The child was named by the angel of God and Zachariah accepted the name as an accom¬plished fact.

The result of Zachariah depending on the Word of God, was that he was immediately able to speak. Those gathered around were awe struck by his speaking and what he said. His mouth and tongue were loosed as Zachariah began to praise God. Listen to what he proph¬esied. Read verses 68-79. This passage is referred to as a hymn, Benedictus. He gives Thanksgiving for the Messiah, deliverance, the place of John the Baptist, and the Covenant of Messianic salvation. All that Zachariah had to say was not about the little boy who had just been born, but also of the Messiah for whom his son would speak.

Conclusion

Through depending on the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we too, can speak for God, thanksgiving for Christ, deliv¬erance, and salvation.

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