FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN – PART 44 – PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE – SPECIAL RCCG ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE;19TH MAY 2024

SPECIAL RCCG ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE

TOPIC: FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN – PART 44 (CASE STUDY OF JOSHUA – PART 31): “HE WHO LAUGHS LAST LAUGHS BEST”.

MINISTERING: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

DATE: 19TH MAY 2024

BIBLE TEXT: JOSHUA 8: 24-31

Let Us Pray!

SONG

Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name Oh Lord
Hallelujah
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name Oh Lord

OPENING PRAYER

We give You all Glory and Honour for giving us the Grace to be again at Your Feet to hear Your Words.

Thank You for Life, Thank You for Preservation, Thank You for Your Protection, Thank You for being with us even in this Hard Times, Thank You because we know that our tomorrow will be alright.

Please accept our Thanks in Jesus Name.

As we go into Your Words, we Pray that the Power in Your Words again will bring Salvation to many and bring Healings to many and bring Blessings to all of us.

In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!

Well, you shake hands with one (1) or two (2) People and say that the Almighty God will bless you today.

And you then you may Please be seated.

We will continue with our Series: “For Whom The Heavens Open” and this time, we are going to Part 44.

And our Bible Text today will be: Joshua 8: 24-31:

24. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
25. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
26. For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
27. Only the cattle and the spoil of that City Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
28. And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
29. And the King of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
30. Then Joshua built an Altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
31. As Moses the Servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an Altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed Peace Offerings.

You know the Story thus far:

You remembered what happened in Joshua Chapter 7 when the children of Israel attacked Ai not knowing that Somebody had already committed sin and the Men Ai chased them and killed many of the Men of Israel.

And Joshua fell on his face and said God, what am I going to do now? You Promised me that Nobody will be able to Stand before me all the days of my Life.

Now, we haven’t even gone far, we are already running from the enemy.

And God spoke to him – Well, Somebody had sinned, if you restitute your ways then I can consider continuing with you. But for now, I’m no longer with you.

Well, they found out the Culprit; they did what was necessary and then God returned and taught Joshua how to attack Ai the second time.

Now, they attacked Ai the second time and from the Passage we have read they wiped them out completely.

If there is any Lesson to learn from this Passage that we have just read – It is that: “He who laughs Last, laughs Best”.

This is a very important Lesson that you will find throughout the Bible.

1. Moses vs Pharaoh for Example.

You remembered that in Exodus 5: 1-2; when Moses went in to Pharaoh and said: God has sent me to you that you should let my People go so that they can serve me.

Pharaoh said: Who is the Lord that I should obey Him? He said I don’t know the Lord and I’m not going to let Israel go.

… That was Round 1.

And then you go further; you find in Exodus 5: 4-13; Pharaoh said you my Servant increase the burden of these People – It’s like they are not suffering enough that is why they are talking of going to offer a Sacrifice.

Don’t give them Straw anymore for the bricks they are making and make sure that the number of bricks will not diminish.

So, it looks as if things were getting really, really bad for the children of Israel – Going from Bad to Worst.

But at the end of the day, when you get to Exodus 12: 30-36; the same Pharaoh who said who is God, I don’t know Him and you are not going anywhere; is the one who said: Hey, Please go quickly. Take everything you want – Just go and Please bless me also.

I could imagine the Laughter in the house of the children of Israel that day.

… He who laughs Last, laughs Best!

But then, the Story of Moses and Pharaoh even didn’t end there:

In Exodus 14: 1-9; when suddenly Pharaoh realised what had happened – I have allowed these People to go. They are the ones offering me Free Labour and so let’s go after them.

And when they found them by the Red Sea, he said, now I got them – It is either I take them all back or I wiped them all out. And there is no way of escape for them anyway.

But by the time you get to Exodus 14: 13-28; you discovered that there was not a Single one left of Pharaoh and his entire Army.

But by the time you get to Exodus Chapter 15; you will see the children of Israel Singing – Singing the Song of Triumph and Pharaoh was no where around to stop them from Singing.

My Prayer for all of you who are listening to me today or reading now on the Label of DMC is that you will laugh Last – Amen

2. Take Hannah as an Example.

When you read 1 Samuel 1: 1-8; the Bible tells you of the kind of Problem that Hannah was facing in her home.

And the other wife was vexing her sore – Always telling her: Useless woman, you are just here eating our husband food, wearing his dress, living in his house and Producing Nothing.

You barren woman – When will you get out of here?

But in 1 Samuel 1: 9-20; you see what happened when God intervened.

And all of a sudden, the one they said can never have a child had one.

And so you see the Song she sang in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10 – That the one they thought will not have any children has become mother of many.

Because in 1 Samuel 2:21; the one they thought will never have a child ended up having six (6) children.

Not just any kind of six (6) children, but the first one among them was very Peculiar:

I. In 1 Samuel 3: 19-21; that boy became a Major Prophet in Israel.

The Bible says that when he speaks, God will not even allow his words to fall to the Ground.

II. Not only that, by the time you look at 1 Samuel 10: 1-8; that boy became the first King Maker of Israel.

III. And in 1 Samuel 15: 1-29; the boy became the first King Remover in Israel – Not just the King Maker.

It is one thing to be the one who will make a King, it takes an Extra Anointing to be the one who can remove a King!

So, when we talk about laughing Last, you can see Hannah having the Last laugh!

And I’m decreeing for those of you who are Trusting God for the Fruit of the Womb; you will laugh Last – Amen!

3. Consider the case of David vs Goliath.

That is a very good example of what God can do – How He can give you the Last laugh.

When you read 1 Samuel 17: 1-end – But you may just take Verses 41 to 52.

You know Goliath has been boasting – Send me your Best Man, let the two of us fight. If I win, then you become our Slaves; if he wins, we will become your Slaves.

But hear him Specifically from Verse 41 when he saw David coming:

He said: You coming against me? Am I a dog? He said that I am going to feed your flesh to the birds, I will kill you and there will be Nothing left.

But by the time he (Goliath) hit the Ground through the caterpault of David; by the time his big head was cut off – He couldn’t speak anymore.

What followed was a huge shout of a whole Nation.

I can imagine a whole Nation shouting Hallelujah at the same time.

The Ground must have trembled on that day!

I have a Feeling that the Almighty God is going to fight for your Nation – Amen!

That a Day is comimg when the whole Nation will shout Hallelujah – Amen!

4. Consider Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego with Nebuchadnezzar.

When you read Daniel 3: 14-15; the Bible tells us that Nebuchadnezzar said: Who is that God who can deliver you out of my hand?

He was boasting and he had cause to boast – He was Powerful and he was talking to Slaves.

He said: Don’t you know who I am? I am your owner as you are just Slaves – I asked you to bow down to my idols and you ate talking rubbish?

I give you an opportunity – Bow to my Idol or you burn.

You know the Story – He said that if you don’t bow, I will throw you into the Furnace. There is no God anywhere that can deliver you out of my hands.

But before the end of the day; in Daniel 3: 24-29, that same King said: There is no God like the God of these boys (DMC NOTES: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego).

I’m believing God for Someone that all those who has been asking: Who is your God; God will Prove Himself to them today – Amen!

5. You can Consider Daniel.

In Daniel 6: 6-18 – All the Peers of Daniel conspired against him.

He hasn’t done anything wrong but just that God was Blessing him – That was what made them mad. And they saw the way he was going.

So, they all conspired against him and got him thrown into the Den of Lions. They made sure that a decree has been made that cannot be Changed.

But you know the end of the Story – By the time you get to Daniel 6: 19-28; it was those who threw Daniel into the Den of Lions who replaced him.

I wasn’t there but I believed that when Daniel was going that day, he must be laughing.

And if you check the Story very well; you will discovered that Nobody ever disturbed Daniel again for the rest of his Life.

May I Pray for Someone today that in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ; no Enemy will ever disturb you again because you will have the Last laugh – Amen.

6. But Probably the biggest Example of all is that of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When all the Host of Hell ganged up against him and they got Him hanged on the Cross; the Bible says that Darkness was reigning so Supreme.

In Matthew 27:45, for 3 hours on that Particular Day; the Sun refuses to shine. And when at Noontime, the whole world became dark.

That is a way to say that Darkness reigned Supreme; oh you don’t have to be a Great Theologian to be able to imagine what must be happening in the Host of Hell at that time.

They were rejoicing – The devil felt that he was in Control. The One who is called the Light of the world has been put out and they thought that we got Him.

And you know that the Bible says that for three (3) days, He was there in their Kingdom – Only God knows what was happening during those three (3) days.

But then came the Ressurrection Morning in Matthew 28: 1-6 – And the Light came bright as ever.

Just one Angel from Him came and all the Soldiers guiding the Tomb fell down as dead Men.

The Angel rolled away the Stone, sat on the Stone and said, Let me see who will come and roll this Stone back again.

And the King of Glory came out of the Tomb.

And you know; when He was coming, He didn’t come out empty handed.

According to Revelation 1:18:

• He came out with the keys of Death as well as of Hell.
• He took away the Absolute Control of Death and Hell that had been in the hands of satan.
• And from that moment onwards, the Bible says: He gave Total Freedom to all the People who for the Fear of Death has been Subject to satan all the days of their lives.

That is why every Child of God can be assured that you will laugh Last!

Because the Bible tells us in Colossians 3:4 – It said this Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again. And when He returns, He will return in Glory.

The first time that He came, He came as a Lamb to be Slain; the next time that He will come back, He will come as a King – The King of Glory.

And Colossians 1:27 gives us the assurance – That only if you will let Him take over your Life absolutely, according to Colossians 1:27; the only Hope you can have is the “Hope of Glory” – Your Future will be Guaranteed.

It doesn’t matter how many battles you are fighting now, you will laugh Last – Amen!

So, I’m rejoicing with those of us who are Children of God – You know that the tougher the Battle you are fighting, the Greater will be your shout of Victory.

Some People were asking me not too long ago – Why is the Battle so hot? Why are you getting attacks from right, left and center?

I said that is Good News – It simply means that we are making Progress.

You don’t ask the Featherweight to go and fight the Heavyweight.

When you are a Boxer, Featherweight will fight Featherweight.

The moment you grows – You grow in Strength or you grow in Weight or you grow in Ability – They Change your Opponent.

And when they discovered that just one Opponent is not enough to handle you anymore, then they bring a crowd.

I. How many People were there when they wanted to bind Samson? – Three thousand (3,000) Men just to bind one Man.

And he begged them – You are my Relatives, just make sure you don’t efforts to kill me. Otherwise Relatives or no Relatives, you will Perish.

And when a Single Man got up and wiped out a thousand of the Enemies and the rest fled; they bowed to say: Wait a Minute o, who is this Man? What is the Source of his Strength?

II. I told the Fellow to emember very well that when a King wanted to arrest Elijah – A Prophet who has no Weapon:

• He sent 50 Soldiers and a Captain – They came and didn’t returned.
• So he sent another 50 Soldiers and a Captain – They didn’t return too.
• He sent another 50 Soldiers and another Captain.

… All because he had respect for Elijah.

III. But when you considered what happened when a King wanted to arrest Elisha – He knew that this Fellow is not like Elijah.

Elijah may be a Champion, but there is a Bigger Champion here – He sent a whole Army.

Are you facing attacks? – Rejoice, as it means that you are making Progress.

And I can assure you that you will laugh Last!

ALTAR CALL

So, those of you who has not given your Life to Jesus Christ; you don’t know what you are missing – There is Victory for you in Salvation.

Give your Life to Jesus Christ and He will take over your Fighting, take over your Battles and you will laugh Last.

And so, if you will love to Surrender your Life to Jesus Christ now; wherever you may be – Please bow down your head and cry to the Almighty God.

And ask Him to Please receive you, ask Him to have Mercy on you, ask Him to accept you into the Family of God and ask Him to save your Soul.

Talk to Him now!

Promise Him that you will serve Him for the rest of your Life.

And I will Pray with you now!

In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen.

PRAYER FOR SALVATION AND CLOSING PRAYER

My Father and my God, I want to Thank You for Your Words and I want to Thank You for all those who had heard Your Words today or reading now on the Label of DMC and have made up their Minds that they will Surrender unto You.

Father, Please receive them, have Mercy on them, let Your Blood wipe away their sins, write their names in the Book of Life, save their Souls and receive them into the Family of God.

And Please Lord, from now on; in all the areas of their lives, let them laugh Last and let them serve You till the End.

And all the Children of God listening to Your Words this moment or reading now on the Label of DMC; Father whatever may be the Battle they are fighting, give them Victory and let them laugh Last.

In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen.

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!

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

And may I encourage you to Please as soon as Possible, contact the nearest Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to you.

Tell the Pastor there that I sent you – He will tell you what ti do.

Particularly he will direct you to send your name, Address and Prayer Requests to me.

And I Promise you that I will be Praying for you.

It shall be well with you – Amen!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!!!

Thank you so much for staying all through to read.

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