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He is Elijah who is to come

Text: Matthew 11:1-15
14 May 2006

(I) THE MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET ELIJAH

1. His word was powerful

“According to the word of Elijah…
According to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah” 1 Kings 17:15-16

2. He is revered as ” a man of God”

“I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth” 1 Kings 17:24
“Is that you, my lord Elijah” 1 Kings 17:7

3. Honoured as “father”

“My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen” 2 kings 2:12

(II) A CRYPTIC PROPHETIC PROMISE

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet,
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

1. Sending of Elijah the prophet

a) Non-literal

b) Symbolic significance

2. Powerful ministry of Elijah

a) His ministry will be most significant

b) He will bring about conversion of hearts (fathers… sons)

(III) FULFILMENT OF AN ANCIENT PROPHECY

“And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” Matthew 11:14

1. John the Baptist was compared to Elijah

2. He was presented as the “Elijah who is to come”

a) His spiritual power

b) His successful ministry

c) His role as Fore-runner of the Messiah

(IV) SIGNIFICANCE OF COMPREHENSION OF JOHN AS ELIJAH

1. He is the Forerunner of the Messiah

2. There is a Day of the Lord approaching

3. Appropriate Response vital

a) Repentance

b) Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah- Saviour

c) Reconciliation