Elijah, John, and Me

Matthew 17:10–13 “10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.”

Elijah

Elijah ministered before, and then contemporary with Isaiah; the rule of Ahab; before the fall of Judah.

Is compared to Moses (both parting waters, and training up successors

Perhaps most known for his stands against Baal in 1Kings 17-19 Calling down a drought for about 3 years.

Then he challenged more than 400 false prophets on Mt Carmel and slew them.

1 Kings 18:20–21 “20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.”

Elijah, was called to a specific purpose

His name meant Yahweh is my God.

While he suffered in his ministry, He is known for having a bold confidence in God.

He is also known for his ministry pointing to a follower whose ministry would be greater.

John

John was born to a serving priest, named Zechariah

Zechariah’s song of prophecy: Luke 1:67–80

Mark 1:4–5 “4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Like Elijah, John spoke against the wicked rulers of his day, namely Herod, as in Mark 6.

Herod had beheaded John, but because of the word of Jesus’ miraculous ministry, some thought Jesus was Elijah.He thought John had come back from the dead.

John’s Ministry: Mark 1:4-8

John 1:29 “29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

When asked about Jesus: John 3:30 “30 He must increase, but I must decrease.””

John was called to a particular ministry in a particular time. He was the forerunner of Christ. He, like Elijah, pointed to the true God. He denounced sin among God’s people, and pointed to Christ.

Me

You are not here by coincidence.

You are here to hear the Word of God

Elijah’s challenge: If Christ Jesus is God; follow Him!

John’s testimony: Look to Jesus; it is He who takes away sins! He is the Holy one of God!

Me: Be reconciled to Christ, and church family: let us be reconciled to one another as a family through the fellowship of this meal.

In Baptism, We profess that He is our God; God declares that we are His children.

In the Holy Communion, We profess again that we believe and we belong to this family here. God affirms that we ARE a family, bound in faith and love. Resting in Grace