Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon today. I hope that you are all doing well and are in good health. I've been on vacation and off work for the past few days in order to get to feeling a little better. I am pleased to report that I am feeling much better, and I thank the Lord for this.
As you know, we have been studying the life of the prophet Elijah and what we can learn from him to apply to our lives today. I had planned to post a couple more sermons on this topic, but I am going to conclude our messages on Elijah today. I want to start the new month with a new series with a book of the Bible series from the New Testament.
Everyone has died as far as we know except for two people mentioned in the Bible. The Bible says that Enoch was taken to Heaven by the Lord, and today we see that Elijah was taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire.
It was revealed to Elijah that it was about time for him to leave the scene. He was accompanied by his protégé Elisha who would not leave him in spite of what Elijah wanted him to do. Elisha made a request of Elijah. He asked to receive a double portion of the spirit that rested on Elijah. Elijah told him that he would only receive it if he saw him taken up into heaven.
About that time, a fiery chariot came for Elijah. Elijah was taken to Heaven, and his cloak fell to the ground. Elisha picked up the cloak, and from that time, he became the Lord's major spokesman to the people. He would go on to have a powerful ministry proclaiming the world of the Lord.
This isn't the end of the story about Elijah however. In the book of Malachi, we see that it is prophesied that Elijah will return and be the forerunner of the Messiah. Jesus told us in the Gospels that this was fulfilled through the ministry of John the Baptist. He called the people to repentance preparing their hearts to hear the message of the Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ.
We will see Elijah again during the events of the Transfiguration. Jesus went with Peter, James and John upon a mountain. There, the glory of the Lord came down. Moses and Elijah came and conversed with Jesus upon the mountain. Moses was the one who represented the Law and Elijah represented the prophets. They came I believe to demonstrated that the law and the prophets were in agreement with the message of Jesus. He was the fulfillment of the law and He was the fulfillment of all of the prophecies that were given about the Messiah. Both Moses and Elijah acknowledged Jesus as Lord.
James tells us something about Elijah in his epistle. James tells us that Elijah was a man who prayed fervently that it would not rain. We know that the rain stopped for a long time. James calls us to be fervent people of prayer just like Elijah. The Lord is willing to answer our prayers when we pray in His will just as He heard the prayers of the prophet.
Now there is a theological debate as to whether this is the last mention of Elijah in the Bible. Some Bible scholars believe that Elijah is one of the two witnesses who will come and minister during the end times. Some believe that the witnesses are Moses and Elijah while others believe that the two witnesses are Elijah and Enoch. Some believe that they are two entirely different people while others believe that the two witnesses are symbolic of something else.
Here's what I want to point out as we conclude. First of all, Elijah was a great prophet who faithfully served the Lord. He was a person just like we are, yet he was wholly committed to God. He is an example to us of doing what God has called us to do even in difficult circumstances. He is an example to us in prayer.
I would also like to point out that even though Elijah was a great prophet, he was not as great as the Lord Jesus. He came and worshipped the Lord Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration. What he did in his ministry pointed to the Messiah. All of the Old Testament points to the one who would come and redeem the world from sin. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of the Father. Jesus said that if you have seen me you have seen the Father. We are to follow Jesus above all. He is our ultimate example. Jesus is Lord.
I hope that you have enjoyed studying about Elijah. I hope that you will take these lessons and grow in your faith and in your desire to serve the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray that may health will be good. I am doing well right now. I am going back to work today, and I am praying that all will go well. Thank you for your prayers.
Please pray for those who are experiencing bad flooding in the US. St. Louis and Kentucky are having a lot of flooding problems right now.
Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus and monkeypox outbreaks. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
Remember to keep praying for peace on this earth. Ukraine, Syria and Yemen really need our prayers right now.
For our prayer focus countries, let us pray for those in the nations of Madagascar and China. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week we will be starting a new sermon series. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to have a midweek post. May God bless you all.
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