Have you ever experienced the pain of longing, praying, and hoping for something, only to have it slip through your fingers? In this message, Pastor Caleb unpacks Luke 1:5-25, exploring the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who were righteous and faithful, yet suffered decades of silent longing and unanswered prayers. Discover the powerful truth that God hears your prayers even when He seems silent, and how His loving discipline is an invitation back to belief.

In this sermon, you'll learn:

- The Nature of True Faith: Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as blameless and righteous before God. This meant they had inward integrity and were the same person in private as they were in public.

- The Tension of the Christian Life: You can be Godly and disappointed, righteous and barren, or blameless and brokenhearted. Faithfulness does not exempt you from heartache.

- Two Temptations in the Waiting Room: When you're trying to live faithfully but suffering silently, be careful not to fall into feeling defeated (thinking your pain is payback for sin) or entitled (treating God like a transactional rewards program).

- God's Silence is Not His Absence: Even when we feel like He doesn't, God hears our prayers. God broke the personal silence for Zechariah and Elizabeth and the prophetical silence for His people.

- The Danger of Unbelief and Discipline as Grace: Zechariah's doubt (unbelief) prompted a loving discipline: nine months of silence. For a genuine follower of Jesus, discipline is not punishment (which was finished on the cross) but a form of grace—an invitation to step back into love and obedience.

- The Ultimate Joy of Christmas: The greatest joy Zechariah and Elizabeth found was not in having a child, but in God remembering His people and finally sending His Savior, Jesus Christ.

Key Topics Covered:

- The Messengers Series: Kicking off the Christmas series by looking at the first messengers of Christmas, specifically the angel Gabriel.

- A Personal Story of Loss and Hope: Pastor Caleb's story of naming his stillborn son Gabriel, "God's Messenger of Hope," after the angel.

- The Spiritually Dry Season: Zechariah and Elizabeth lived during a 400-year gap where God did not send a prophet or a fresh word.

- The Parallel with Elijah: Gabriel's message announced that Zechariah's son, John, would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, paving the way for the long-awaited Savior.

- The Consequences of Doubt: Zechariah's questioning, "HOW shall I know this?", revealed a heart full of cynicism, in contrast to Mary's heart of faith.

- Discipline and Discipleship: God uses discipline (like a job loss or a hard marriage season) to form us into the image of His Son, teaching us humility and perseverance.

- If you are currently feeling stuck in a "waiting room" of life, struggling with doubt, or experiencing a season of discipline, this message will encourage you to trust God's loving heart and respond to the message of hope in Jesus.

- Would you like me to share one of the specific application points from the sermon on how to respond to God's voice in a season of discipline or unbelief?