Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: As we conclude our series on five great men of the Old Testament, we come to the prophet who represents all prophets – Elijah.

There are other significant prophets – Samuel, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all come to mind, but Elijah stands above the crowd in significance to us for two reasons.

First is the manner in which he leaves the physical realm – – and second is that he was with Jesus when He was transfigured – .

Intro: As we conclude our series on five great men of the Old Testament, we come to the prophet who represents all prophets – Elijah.

There are other significant prophets – Samuel, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all come to mind, but Elijah stands above the crowd in significance to us for two reasons.

First is the manner in which he leaves the physical realm – – and second is that he was with Jesus when He was transfigured – .

I) His reputation among his peers

A) He wrote no books (that are preserved in scripture), and was exceeded in length of service by several of the men mentioned above

B) Yet, as a prophet, he was peerless at a difficult time in Israel’s history – ; ; ,

I) His reputation among his peers

A) He wrote no books (that are preserved in scripture), and was exceeded in length of service by several of the men mentioned above

B) Yet, as a prophet, he was peerless at a difficult time in Israel’s history – ; ; ,

A) He wrote no books (that are preserved in scripture), and was exceeded in length of service by several of the men mentioned above

C) For three years he had disappeared to Israel – ,

B) Yet, as a prophet, he was peerless at a difficult time in Israel’s history – ; ; , 5C) For three years he had disappeared to Israel – ,

D) God raised him to be a counterpart to Ahab –

II) Crying in the wilderness

A) There are few events in which Elijah spoke to the king or the multitudes of people, with one real exception –

B) There are many time in which he was alone, or nearly so, and these events reveal the word of God in and through him – – providing food and water for Elijah (and a Gentile widow and her son – ) – raising that son from the dead (first recorded occasion) – – fleeing from Jezebel into the wilderness of Judah – – or sitting on top of a hill –

C) Even in death, he is alone, except for Elisha –

III) Type of John, the Baptizer

A) He has a closer connection to the Christ than any other OT prophet because he is the type for which John comes to be revealed as the antitype – ; ; – Isaiah and Malachi wrote about this, but he is the one whom they write about –

B) As such, his physical appearance is like John – ; – but so are his methods and location

C) As a forerunner to the Messiah, Elijah/John has a most important and vital role in God’s plan –

D) Elijah was never a prophet of peace, but violence against the enemies of God – ; ; , – peace is left for the Messiah to accomplish –

Concl: It is not enough for us to simply examine Elijah without realizing why God sent him.

His life was unique for his role, yet in many ways it reflects our role.

We are raised by God as counterparts to the evil ways of this world.

We are called to speak for God, usually in small ways, that through the power of God will change hearts – .