March 13, 2021 Elijah: Following Truth in an Age of Lies

Part 5 | “The Call of Elisha –Points to Jesus, the God Who Exceeds Expectations”

Sent by God.
Fed by Ravens and Widows.
Standing for righteousness.
Hated by his world.

These are the phrases that describe the life of Elijah. Yet James says “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” James 5:17

Can modern-day Christians really learn something from this ancient wild prophet? His story seems out of the realm of possibility and yet he speaks to us in our day louder than ever.

The journey of following Christ will be filled with constant temptations, hostile opinions, and devastating occasions. But God’s still small voice will always lead you home. The key is to learn to listen.

From 1 Kings 19:19-21

As New Testament believers we should read the Old Testament with JESUS in mind.

📖 Mark 9:4-7 (ESV) And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”

Moses, the , represented the Law. Elijah, the , represented the Prophets. God elevated Jesus above the law and prophets.

Jesus is the .

📖 Isaiah 42:4 (ESV) He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.

Moses , Elijah was , but Jesus .

When we operate under Moses’ ministry we will , when we operate under Elijah’s ministry we will be , when we come to God through Jesus, we are well-pleasing before .

Jesus the Law.

The SPIRIT of Jesus is different from the SPIRIT of Elijah.

📖 Luke 9:52-56 (NKJV) and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

Elijah was and tried to himself before God based on ; God his ministry and shifted to Elisha.

📖 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NKJV) He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.

Elisha’s name means “GOD SAVES”; Jesus’s name means “YAHWEH SAVES”.

Jesus is our Elisha.

Just as God moved from Elijah to Elisha, God also moved from the to .

Similarities between Elisha and Jesus:
• Both ministries started at the RIVER JORDAN
• Both healed LEPERS (GENTILE/JEWISH)
• Both fed large numbers with a small QUANTITY OF FOOD
• Both were betrayed for love of MONEY
• Their deaths bring NEW LIFE
• Both left their COMFORT ZONES
• They both exceeded their PREDECESSORS

Jesus the of those who looked to Him.

Jesus and the Woman with the Issue of Blood: Jesus her and made her .

📖 Mark 5:29-34 (YLT) and immediately was the fountain of her blood dried up, and she knew in the body that she hath been healed of the plague.30 And immediately Jesus having known in Himself that out of Him power had gone forth, having turned about in the multitude, said, `Who did touch my garments?’31 and his disciples said to him, `Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and thou sayest, `Who did touch me!’32 And He was looking round to see her who did this,33 and the woman, having been afraid, and trembling, knowing what was done on her, came, and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth, 34 and He said to her, `Daughter, thy faith hath saved thee; go away in peace, and be whole from thy plague.’

Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery: Jesus saved her from , and He gave her the gift of .

📖 John 8:10-11 (ESV) Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Jesus and Little Children: Jesus placed His on them and took in His hands.

📖 Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV) Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus and Peter’s Temple Tax: Jesus paid His and Peter’s .

📖 Matthew 17:24, 27 (NKJV) When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” …. 27 “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Jesus and Peter’s Boat: Peter gave Jesus his boat (career/business). Jesus his business overnight.

📖 Luke 5:3-8 (NKJV) Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

When you yourself to Jesus believing, He will exceed your expectations.

📖 Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God was POINTING to Jesus in the story of Elijah and Elisha.

Just as Elisha’s ministry that of Elijah, so also Jesus’s ministry exceeded the Law and the Prophets.

What the could not do for us, Jesus . Jesus fulfilled the Law and came to fulfill prophesy.

📖 Romans 5:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.