FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN – PART 43 – PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE – SPECIAL RCCG ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE;12TH MAY 2024

SPECIAL RCCG ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE

TOPIC: FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN – PART 43 (CASE STUDY OF JOSHUA – PART 30): “DIVINE STRATEGIES IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE”.

MINISTERING: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

DATE: 12TH MAY 2024

BIBLE TEXT: JOSHUA 8: 1-2

Let Us Pray!

SONG

I will enter His Gates
With Thanksgiving in my Heart;
I will enter His Courts with Praise.
I will say this is the Day
That the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad,
He has made me glad,
I will rejoice
For He has made me glad.
He has made me glad,
He has made me glad,
I will rejoice
For He has made me glad.

OPENING PRAYER

Almighty God, the Owner of Heaven and Earth, the Controller of Times, the Controller of Seasons; the Only One who is Unchangeable, the Unchangeable Changer – We Worship You.

We Thank You for all You have done for us in the Past, Thank You for having made us glad – Please, accept our Thanks in Jesus Name.

Thank You for what You have done for us thus far; Thank You because we believed that Today is our Day – That this is the Day that You have made for us to rejoice and to be glad.

Please Lord, before this Day is out; cancel every Sorrows in our lives and give us New Joy.

As we begin to move forward in Your Name my Father and my God, accelerate our Promotions, accelerate our Victories, accelerate our Joy and just let all be well Lord.

In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!

We will move on to Part 43 in our Study: For Whom The Heavens Open” – Studying Joshua, a Man for whom the Heavens open and a Classical Example also of Divine Repositioning.

We have been looking at Joshua 8: 1-2:

1. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the People of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the King of Ai, and his People, and his City, and his Land:
2. And thou shalt do to Ai and her King as thou didst unto Jericho and her King: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the City behind it.

One could stay on this Passage for a very long time because there are so many Hidden Treasures in this Particular Passage.

But the Section that I want to look at today is where God said to Joshua – Lay an ambush for the City behind it.

And I want to talk in the Little Time that we have on: “DIVINE STRATEGIES IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE”.

God was telling Joshua – This war is not going to be Frontal Attack; this time, you are going to lay ambush for the enemy.

We need to remember as we have learnt in the Past – And it is good to repeat certain things because as any well trained Teacher would tell you; Repetition is a very good way of Teaching.

If you want to teach a Child a Language, you have to go on repeating and repeating and repeating.

If you want to learn how to Play Piano, or any Instrument; you have to keep on repeating, repeating and repeating.

We have learnt that our God is a Man of War.

We know that one of His Titles is “The Lord of Host”.

We have learnt that God is the King of Glory and the King of Glory is God Strong and Mighty in Battle.

We have learnt that when they say that He is the Lord of Host; He is not just the Lord of Host in Heaven but He is the Lord of the Host on Earth and Underneath the Earth.

We have learnt that our God is a General by Land – That He knows how to fight by Land.

We have learnt in Numbers 16: 1-34 – Our God knows how to solve the Problems of every General.

That the Problem of a General is: What to do with the bodies of the Enemies that I killed in the Battle?

Do I bury them? – Waste Precious Time burying the bodies of the Enemies?

Or do I leave them to rot and create a Plague at the end of which even in their death they might create a Problem for my Army?

That God showing that He is a General of Generals solve that Problem by making sure that the Ground swallowed His Enemies?

He didn’t have to bury them – You find that in Numbers 16: 1-34.

And when you go through the Scriptures, you can find that the Almighty God can turn “Ordinary Sand” to a weapon of Warfare – Exodus 8: 16-19.

He told Moses – Pick up sand, throw it into the sky and when it is falling down, it will come down as Lice to invade the whole of Egypt.

We have leant that He is an Admiral by Sea – That He can fight by Sea.

That just as He solved the Problem of His Enemies on Land by asking the Ground to open its mouth to swallow them – In Exodus 14: 1-21, when He killed His Enemies; the Host of Pharaoh (A whole Army), He made sure that He just drowned there.

There were enough fish in the Red Sea to finish the job for Him.

We have learnt from Exodus 7: 17-21 that He can fight with water – He can Change Water to Blood.

… He can make sure that His Enemies has no water to drink.

We have seen from Exodus 8: 1-3 that He can call frogs out of the River and used them as an Army to invade the Territories of His Enemies.

I mean when He decided to fight Pharaoh with frogs, there were frogs everywhere – Frogs on the bed, Frogs in their pot of soup etc.

We have learnt that He is Air Marshall by Air – That when it comes to fighting by Air, He is the Leader.

When you read Exodus 8: 20-24; He used flies to fight Pharaoh.

By the time you get to Exodus 9: 13-33; He used Hays to fight – Dropping Hays from Heaven to fight.

In Exodus 10: 21-23; He used Darkness – He just told the Sun not to rise and there was Darkness all over.

Darkness so thick that People could touch it.

Darkness so thick that where People were sitting down, they couldn’t get up for three (3) days.

You have heard the Testimonies of Witches who came against the Almighty God and they couldn’t fly again.

Everyone of you who is a Child of God – If there is any Witch in your family; from today, they won’t fly again – Amen!

So, when we are talking of Warfare; there is no one like God to give you Advice – To tell you the Strategies to use!

He knows Warfare inside out:

I. How to fight by Land – He is Number 1

II. How to fight by Water – He is Number 1

III. How to fight by Air – He is Number 1

So, you should Pay attention to His Advise when it comes to Warfare!

For Example:

1. There is a Time He will Advice you to Run!

There is a Time God Almighty will say to you – Don’t fight, Run for Cover!

In Matthew 2: 1-15; Wise Men came when they discovered that Jesus Christ was born.

On their way, they stopped by in the Palace to ask: Where is this one born to be the king of the Jews?

The King said: Is that so? Go and find out where this your King is and come back and tell me so that I too can go and Worship Him.

And the Angel of the Lord told the Wise Men – Don’t go back to him. Go another way back to your own Coumtry.

And then God sent a Message to Joseph: Take the Child and Run – Flee to Egypt.

Now, if you think like a Man, you will say that it doesn’t make sense?

A Child was born, the Host of Heaven came down to come and sing and Celebrate Him and now, one “Ordinary King” says that he want to kill that boy and God says Run?

Where are the Angels? Can’t the Angels come down and defend the one they have come to sing for?

You better know that you are not as wise as God – When it comes to Warfare, you don’t come near Him at all in Ability.

And He said in 2 Timothy 2:22 – He said: Flee Youthful Lust.

… Flee! He didn’t even say Run.

And Flee means: Run as in Terror! Run as if it is the devil himself Pursuing you.

And I think that I have said something to you before – I said that if you find yourself being tempted by Somebody of the Opposite Sex, don’t wait to fight; Run!

Because God knows that if you say you want to resist and you want to stand to fight; you will loose.

I made it clear to you that it is not a Question of “I am Anointed”.

Samson was highly Anointed but he lost his Life and his eyes were Plucked out.

He was a Mighty Man of God – Alone he killed a thousand of People with the Jawbone of an Ass.

But a little girl brought him down.

And I gave you the Example of Elijah – He is a Mighty Man of God, he called down Fire from Heaven.

But when a woman say that I’m coming to get you; he ran.

… When God says run – Run!

Oh, but the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want …. – He said run, so Please run.

• Run from the Lust of the eyes.
• Run from the Lust of the Flesh.
• Run from the Pride of Life.

That’s what He said!

2. And then, there might be occasions He will say: Don’t run, just be “Still”.

When He says that, it is because He has made up His Mind that He is going to deal with the situation.

In Psalms 46:10; He said: Be still and know that I am God.

When He tells you not to run, it is because He wants to demonstrate His Power.

In Exodus 14: 13-14; when Moses said to the children of Israel: Hey, be still. Hold your Peace he said because God will fight for you.

There are occasions when He will ask you: Don’t worry, just stay cool.

When David said: Thou has Prepared a Table before me in the Presence of mine Enemies.

It is because He has taken care of it.

When God says: Don’t worry; it means that the matter is Settled.

… Learn to listen to Him!

I told you the Story of when I got information that one Military Head of State was going to come for me because Somebody told him that I will be interfering with his Plans.

And I was afraid and I went out to Pray and cry to God. And God says: Don’t mind him, I have taken care of the situation.

You remembered the Story: He said, just tell your People to say Happy New Year – That’s in June.

He told me not to run and that is why I could stay.

3. And then there could be occasions when He will say to you fight.

And He says so in James 4:7 – He says you Submit to me, then resist the devil and the devil will flee from you.

But take Note of the Pre-Condition: “Submit to me” – Do whatever I asked you to do, be one hundred Percent Obedient, make sure that your entire Life and all your Plans are in accordance with my Plan for you.

Then resist the devil and He will flee from you.

When He asked you to fight, then you stay and fight.

When He ask you to resist, then you can Stand to resist.

And take Note: It is the devil that He asked you to resist:

• Not the girl who is smiling at you in a way that is likely to lead you into trouble.
• Not the brother who is telling you that: Hey, I have never seen Somebody like you before. Where have I been all those years? When I see you, it seems as if the Sun is just rising.

That is not the one He asked you to Stand and resist; it is the devil.

In Deuteronomy 28: 1-7; the Bible says that if you will hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and to do all that He has Commanded you this Day – That’s the Condition.

He then went on to say in Verse 7 – The Enemies that rise up against you shall be smitten before your face and they will come against you in one way, they will flee seven (7) ways.

It is when your Surrender is Total; it is then that you can resist and win.

I. You cannot be one of those People who are trying to twist the Bible to fit your Purpose, that can resist the devil and the devil will flee.

II. You cannot be one of the People who are saying that what God said, that one is in the Old Testament.

When God says: Pay your Tithe – That’s in the Old Testament but now, we are in the Age of Grace.

When you are trying to Select what Part of the Bible you are going to believe, and then you say you want to resist the devil? The devil will knock you out!

And then, the most important aspect of this Passage is that He says: “Lay ambush for the Enemy”.

I’m telling you my Beloveth Children – It took me quite a while to figure that out.

How do I lay ambush for the Enemy?

I can understand when You ask me to flee; I can understand when You ask me to ignore him; I can understand when You ask me to resist him – How do I lay ambush for the Enemy?

So I have to really, really ask Him – And so what I am about to tell you is what He shared with me.

So, don’t think that your daddy must be a very Great Theologian.

He said to me: Son, whenever you face a Major Challenge; Praise me – Sing, Worship me, do it in Spirit, do it in Truth and then see what will happen!

According to John 4: 23-24; the Bible says that God is a Spirit, they that Worship Him must Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to Worship Him.

He says you Worship me in Spirit and in Truth, and what do you think will happen as I get up to come to you?

Psalms 68: 1-2 will happen – Let God arise and His Enemies will scatter. And the Enemies will melt like wax.

You find the Enemies trying to attack: They have made their Plans, then you begin to Worship me.

And they will look at you and say:

I. Hey, he doesn’t know what is coming – We are going to swallow him up and finish him up.

II. Leave him alone – He has gone to the Holy Ghost Service to sing and shout but we are waiting for him.

He said: Worship me; let them look at you as if you are Defenceless and I will arise.

By the time I arise, they won’t have anywhere to run to.

And He gave me an illustration in 2 Chronicles 20: 1-25.

When some Kings gathered together and they were going to swallow up Jehoshaphat and the Almighty God says: Hey, just sing and just Praise me.

And the Enemies heard – These People they were Singing and they were Praising God and they said these People were meat for us now. They didn’t even know how to fight.

And the Almighty God said that He laid ambushment against them.

When you have a Problem you can’t handle, just go ahead and Praise Him.

And you should remember what happened in Acts 16: 25-end.

At Midnight, Paul and Silas Prayed and sang Praises unto God.

The Enemies thought that by tomorrow Morning, we will finish Paul and Silas – We will end their Destiny and they will never be able to Preach again.

But they sang Praises unto God and the Almighty God arose and shattered the Prison doors.

By the time you get to the end of the Story, you will find out that the Jailer became a Servant and the People who threw them into Prison had to come and bow down and beg them to leave.

The Lord asked me to encourage Somebody who is in a very Great situation – You are facing a Problem that is beyond your Ability to Control. He asked me to tell you: Worship Him, Praise Him and then go to Sleep!

He said that before you wake up, He will take care of the situation – Amen!

He asked me to tell you to read Acts 12: 5-24.

When the King thought that he was going to kill Peter.

Peter was fast asleep when an Angel came to take him out.

And the King that thought that he was going to finish Peter was the King that worms ate.

I’m going to encourage all of you today – Spend Quality Time Worshipping the Almighty God and you will be laying ambush for your Enemies!

And very soon, I will hear your Testimonies – Amen!

ALTAR CALL

Those of you who has not given your Life to Jesus Christ, this is a Great God and so come to His Side.

Oh, one with God is a Majority.

Come to His Side – He knows how to fight and He will fight your battle for you.

Come to Him today and Surrender your Life.

Bow your head and I will Pray with you for the Salvation of your Souls and you will never have to fight any battle alone anymore.

PRAYER FOR SALVATION AND CLOSING PRAYER

And so my Father and my God, I’m Thanking You once again for Your Words and I’m Thanking You extremely for all those People who are Surrendering their lives to You now.

I’m Praying my Father and my God that You will receive them, You will save their Souls, Your Blood will wipe away all their sins and You will receive them into the Family of God so that they will be secured under Your Protection.

And I Pray that from now on, anytime they sing Praises unto You; You will lay an ambush against their Enemies and give them Total Victory.

And all Your Children today, even as they go into a Session of Worship and Prayer, You will Please Lord God Almighty remove every Obstacles on their ways.

In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!

Now, I rejoice again with those of you who has given your Life to Jesus Christ today.

I want to assure you that I will be Praying for you from now on.

So, Please get in Contact with the Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) nearest to you – They will tell you what to do next.

I Promise you that I will be Praying for you.

God Bless You!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!!!

Thank you so much for staying all through to read.

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