John is Born & Zechariah Speaks
- by: Pastor Lincoln Loney
- Apr 26, 2009
- Series: The Book of Luke
The Obedience Factor: For a believer, there is no alternative to obedience. Obedience is the inevitable consequence of trusting the Lord.
Remember 3 of God's promises to Zechariah in Luke 1.
Promise #1: Your wife will bear you a son - name him John. Verse: 13
Promise #2: He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice at his birth. Verse: 14
Promise #3: You will be silent, unable to speak, until the day this happens. Verse: 20
Those promises are fulfilled with the birth and naming of John in Luke 1:57-66
Promise #1 - John is born. Verve: 57
Promise #2 - Many rejoice at his birth. Verse: 58
Promise #3 - Zeke names his son John and then Zeke speaks. Verses: 59-66
· On the day of his circumcision, the crowd decides to name the baby Zeke, Jr.
· Elizabeth protests: We will call him John.
· The crowd ignores Elizabeth. John is a silly name!
· The crowd appeals to Zeke.
· Zeke confirms: His name is John.
· Zeke's speech is restored: Praise God!
· The people are filled with awe.
Excuses we make not to obey the Lord:
· Obedience doesn't make sense.
· God doesn't understand my situation.
· I have a good reason to disobey the Lord.
· No one else expects me to obey.
· God will forgive my disobedience.
· God doesn't care so much if I disobey Him.
· I've been obedient in the past, so it's alright for me to be disobedient now.
· God would make it clearer to me if He really wanted me to obey.
· God wants me to be happy more than He wants me to be obedient.
When you put your trust in the Lord and believe His word, Christ lives in you and gives you the power to obey Him.
