1. BACKDROP OF SILENCE (Luke 1:5-7) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 2. BARRENNESS TO BLESSING ‍(Luke 1:13) “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. “ 3. BROKEN BELIEF (Isaiah 64:6)  Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Isaiah 64:19-20)The 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. 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.” 4. BOLD PROMISE  (Luke 1:14-17) 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.”