Choosing Faith Over Doubt
Main Point: While our poor choices may have negative consequences, they don’t have to prevent us from being a part of what God is doing in the world.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. —Luke 1:6-7
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. —Luke 1:11-13
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” —Luke 1:14-17
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” —Luke 1:18
I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” —Genesis 17:16-17The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” —Luke 1:19-20
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:1-2
Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. —Luke 1:62-65
Take Away: “God’s grace gives us second chances; choose to trust Him and act in faith this week.”
Discussion questions:
1. Why do you think Zechariah doubted the angel’s message, even after years of faithful living?
2. What does Zechariah’s story teach us about the consequences of doubting God?
3. Why do you think God still used Zechariah in His plan, despite his initial doubt?
4. Have you ever experienced a second chance from God? How did it impact your faith?
5. How can you choose faith over doubt in a decision or situation you’re facing this week?