TOPIC:
FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN- PART 1
MINISTERING: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
DATE: 8TH JANUARY 2023
BIBLE TEXT: 2 KINGS 2: 9-15
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
Holy is Your Name
Holy is Your Name
Holy is Your Name Oh Lord
Hallelujah
Holy is Your Name
Holy is Your Name
Holy is Your Name Oh Lord
Jesus is Your Name
Jesus is Your Name
Jesus is Your Name Oh Lord
Hallelujah
Jesus is Your Name
Jesus is Your Name
Jesus is Your Name Oh Lord
*OPENING PRAYER
Ancient of Days, the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the Ending; we Worship You.
We Thank You from the bottom of our Hearts for bringing us into the New Year – Thank You for All You did for us in the Past Year (2022); Thank You for Your Mercy through which we are not consumed. Our Father and our God, we say Please accept our Thanks in Jesus Name.
We Pray that in this Year 2023, we will continue to enjoy Your Favour and that Your Mercy over us as Individuals, over us as families, over Your Church and over all Nations of the world will remain Constant.
Thank You Almighty God. For in Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen.
Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!
*Now, I want to say Happy New Year to all of you and I want to assure you that it will be a Year Full of Signs and Wonders and Glory of God in our lives in Jesus Name – Amen!*
We are about to start a New Series – A Series that by the Grace of God will take us from Genesis to Revelation!
I don’t mean that we will be treating the Bible Chapter by Chapter but you will see us touching on several Passages in the Bible by the Special Grace from Genesis all the way to Revelation.
*Our Bible Text for today will be: 2 Kings 2: 9-15.
9. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a Double Portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
11. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven.
12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the Chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
14. And he took the Mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
15. And when the sons of the Prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the Ground before him.
*Several things happened to Elisha the day he got the Double Portion of the Spirit on Elijah!
I know that we have discussed the Double Portion during The RCCG Holy Ghost Congress 2022; but you should know that there is no Possible way that we could finished everything that needed to be said about the Double Portion in just one week.
Several things happened to Elisha the day he got that Double Portion of the Spirit of Elijah – For Example: His Devotion to his Spiritual Father was put to Test.
I. He walked through a River without being Wet twice.
II. He was called upon to see the Invincible
The father said to him that you have asked for a Hard Thing but if you see me when I’m being taken from you, then you will have your Request.
And he saw that day, Chariots of Fire and Forces of Fire that “Ordinary Eyes” cannot behold. And so on and so forth.
*But there is something very Significant that happened to Elisha that day – And that is: “The Heavens opened for him“.
I. The Heavens had to open for the Forces of Fire, the Chariots of Fire to come down.
II. The Heavens had to open for Elijah to disappeared into Heaven.
*But when you go through the Scriptures, you will discovered that he wasn’t the first Person for whom the Heavens opened and neither was he the Last.
That is why we are starting a Series Titled: “FOR WHOM THE HEAVENS OPEN”.
*We will Study as many of these People as Possible so that we might gain some important Truths about the lives, the Character, the Unique Miracles that happened in the lives of these People – “For Whom The Heavens Open”.
*So that by the Grace of God this Year in Particular; the Heavens may open to all of us – Amen!
*I’m Praying that in this Particular Year (2023) and long before this Year (2023) is over; you will know that this Year is very, very Peculiar – “The Heavens will Open for you” (Amen).
*We are going to start with the first Person for whom the Heavens open – A Man known as Noah.
If you open your Bibles to Genesis 6: 5-8; you will see where our Studies will begin.
Genesis 6:5-8
5. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (That sounds like some Countries that I’m sure you know)
6. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8. But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the LORD.
*The first Fellow for whom the Heavens opened was a Man called Noah.
And the Bible says that he found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.
I. The word “Grace” there could also be translated as “Favour” – He found Favour with God.
II. The word “Grace” there could also be translated as “Mercy” .
Remember the Bible says: God says that I will be Merciful unto whom I will be Merciful.
III. The word “Grace” there could also be translated as “Compassion”.
He said I will be Merciful unto whom I will be Merciful and I will have Compassion on whom I will have Compassion.
And here we find the situation whereby the whole world is involved – The whole world is about to be wiped out but a Man found favour with God.
*So, we will talk a little bit about “Divine Favour” today and discovered what exactly is it that caused Noah to find Favour with God!
*So that if we understand this, it might be a Good Beginning of the Year for us:
I. So that we can Patterned our lives after the Life of Noah.
II. So that it doesn’t matter what is going to happen this Year (2023); our Prayer is that only Good things will happen this Year.
*But then, this is an “Unknown Year” – But if we find Favour with God, it doesn’t matter what is happening to the world; you will be Exempted.
*What is the first thing that you could say that Favour will bring to you?
*What was it that Favour brought to Noah and his family?
1. The Bible says in Psalms 30:5 – It says that in God’s Favour is Life.
People all around Noah was drowning – Animals, everything; but Noah, his family and some “Selected Animals” were secured. They were Practically on a Cruise while the world was drowning.
2. Favour can Change “Sure Death” to Life.
Esther 4: 10-11 tells us of a certain King in those days to whom Esther was married.
He had this Strange Rule – If you come into His Presence without him calling for you, all he had to do for you to die is to do Nothing.
Just look at you and not say a word and not make a Movement and that will be a Signal to his Guards to take off your Head.
But in Esther 5: 1-3; Esther went to his Presence without being summoned. The Bible says that Esther found Favour with the King.
Not only did the King lifted up his Golden Sceptre to her – Which is a Sign of saying: Alright, you are not to die, Nobody should touch you.
The King went as far as to say: “Sure Death” has been Changed to Life for you and in addition, you can have half of my Kingdom.
… That tells yoi how Powerful Favour can be!
*I Pray for everyone of you my children – This Year (2023); you will find Favour with God (Amen); and you will find Favour with Men (Amen); and you will find Favour with those who are in Authority over you (Amen).
*Husbands, you will find Favour with your wife – Amen; Wives, you will find Favour with your husband – Amen. And those of you who need Help of those who are above you, you will find Favour with them – Amen.
3. When you want to talk about Favour and you want to see how it could influence your Career, influence your Promotions, influence your Success; then Probably a very Good Example will be:to look at the Story of two (2) People – One is called Isaac and the other is called Jacob. If it Pleases God, we might consider them in our Studies. If not, we will do as the Holy Spirit leads.
*But the issue I’m discussing now about these two (2) People is the issue of their Marriages!*
I. In Genesis 29:15-18; Jacob laboured for fourteen (14) years before he could marry the lady he loved without Salary. You know the Story.
II. Whereas in the case of Isaac – If you read the Story in Genesis 24: 1-end; you will discovered that Isaac didn’t even know that his father was already arranging for Wedding for him.
He just went on a Stroll and saw a lady coming and said: Wao, who is that “Beautiful Lady” and they said: Your wife.
*One Man laboured for fourteen (14) years; another went for a Stroll.*
*You can see the difference between the two (2) – One found Favour and the Other had to Labour!
*I Pray for you one more time – In the Name that is above every other names; this Year (2023), you will find Favour with God and you won’t have to Labour in vain – Amen!
*When you find Favour, you will still work hard but you will get Good Results for you working hard!
*Without Favour, you will Labour very hard before you can ever reach your Goal!
4. When you read 1 Samuel 16: 11-22; you will see again what Favour can do in the Life of a Man.
You know the Story – God wanted to anoint a New King in Israel because He has forsaken King Saul. So, he sent a Prophet – Go to the house of Jesse and go and anoint me a King.
Samuel got there, Jesse Produced his first seven (7) sons – Big boys and God rejected all of them!
And then God Prompted Samuel to say: Are these all your children? The father reluctantly brought forth David and David was anointed to be King.
His Destiny was revealed to him – You can call it Favour of God. He didn’t work for it – He was busy in the farm and he suddenly got a Message: Come! He came and before he knew it, a New King has been anointed.
But the important Point in this is – The “Rejected King” became a Mad Man and then Somebody said to the King: Sir, an evil Spirit from the Lord is troubling you. We feel that you need a Musician to help you and they find David.
And the King sent for David and David began to Play. And the King saw that when he was Playing, his Health gets better.
He sent for his father (David’s father called Jesse) – Please, your son has found Favour with me. Let him come and live with me in the Palace.
Now, David is a Shepherd Boy – He is now going to be a King. He didn’t know how to behave like a King as he had never lived in the Palace before. But Favour brought him in.
*Favour brought him in to Prepare him for his Destiny!
*There is Somebody listening to me now – Your Destiny is already set. But this Year (2023) by the Favour of God; you will be located to where you will begin to learn how to fulfill Destiny – Amen.
*This will be one of the Wonders that God will do for you this Year (2023) – Amen!
That is not to be interpreted that you will “Japa”.
*L: “Japa”, a Yoruba Slang which means “to run, flee or escape”. And it has taken root in the Minds of Young Nigerians and become something they aspire to, in hopes of a better future in a more structured System.
David didn’t go outside his Country but God arranged this. It is not going to have anything to do with your arrangements.
When David found Favour first with God, his Talent that has been hidden suddenly became Transparent. And then the King needed him and he moved to the Palace.
The King didn’t know that he has brought his Successor in.
5. When we talk about Favour, let’s take another Example in Daniel 1: 1-20.
Daniel and many of his friends – Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were Slaves. And the King said: Begin to feed them with food from my Table and Wine from my Cellar.
And Daniel said: I am a Slave but I don’t want to defy myself; I don’t want to be corrupted but I want to remain Pure to my God. But a Slave has no Power to dictate to the one who has Captured him.
But the Bible said that Daniel has already found Favour with the Man in Charge of Slaves, so he could now talk to him.
Sir, Thank You for being my friend. Permit me not to eat what the King said you should give us. Allow me to Please my God, allow me to live Pure.
And because he has found Favour – That Favour which was extended to his friends: Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego; allowed these four (4) boys to live in Purity before the Almighty God.
You will then see in the Book of Daniel that these boys who were Slaves became Rulers even in the Nations where they were supposed to be Slaves.
As for Daniel who found Favour with the Controller of Slaves, he ended up in Daniel Chapter 6 as one of the Top three (3) in the whole Land. And he was even on the way to becoming Number one Man, next only to the King.
I. Favour will grant you Exceptions.
II. Favour will enable you to serve God the way you wanted to serve Him.
III. Favour will lead to Specific Promotions meant for those who remained Pure with God.
*Again, this Year (2023); I Pray that you will find Favour with God – Amen.
6. But then, let’s quickly consider the case of Noah.
As a result of finding Favour with God, Noah suddenly was able to find out what is God Planning to do. He gained access into the Secret of the Almighty God.
God told him what he was going to do – Genesis 6: 12-22.
God said that I am about to wipe out the whole world and I am going to spare your family.
The Bible says in Psalms 25:14 that the Secret of the Lord is for those who feared Him.
*Now we see what is it that is Special about Noah!
*Hebrews 11:7 tells us that it is the fear of God that moved Noah to obey God to do what God told him to do which led to the Salvation of his entire family.
By Faith, Noah moved by the fear of God was able to be Preserved because the Heaven looked down (The Almighty God looked down) and decided that I will show this one Favour.
*This will lead to a Big Question: Do you fear God?
In other words, are you a Wise Man or Woman?
Because Psalms 111:10 says: The fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom.
*I’m not asking you if you are “Highly Educated” because there are People who are “Highly Educated Fools” – Sorry to use that Language but that is the Truth!
I. I mean that a Person could be a Medical Doctor and yet be Smoking – Highly Educated and doing what he knows could kill him.
II. A Man could be a Highly Educated Lawyer and still be a Criminal – He knows the Penalty for committing Crimes but he could still be Practicing Crime even as he is Practicing Law.
*So, I’m not asking – Are you Highly Educated? But I’m asking: Are you Wise and do you fear God?
*Because if you are Wise and you fear God; there are certain things that you should be doing that could cause the Heavens to open for you!
Proverbs 11:30 says: He that winneth Soul is Wise.
Ask yourself the Question: As we are entering into a New Year; how many Souls do you win in the Year that has just gone Past?
Were you a Soul Winner last Year? Are you willing now to become a Soul Winner?
Because Daniel 2:3 made it clear – If you are turning People to the way of Righteousness; you will Shine. God will Pick you out of the crowd and your Sun will Shine Bright.
Proverbs 3:35 made it clear: The Wise shall inherit Glory but Shame shall be the Promition of fools.
Are you Wise? Will you be a Soul Winner this Year?
*Because if you are an Addicted Soul Winner, I can guarantee you that the Heavens will open for you – Amen!
*And this will be a Year of Glory for you – Amen!*
Because several things will happen that only the Favour of God can bring to you!
*ALTAR CALL*
As for those of you who are yet to give your Life to Jesus Christ; you can’t be talking about Glory unless Christ is in you.
Colossians 1:27 made it abundantly clear: It is only when Christ is in you that you can have a Hope of Glory.
Oh, you want the Heavens to Open for you this Year (2023); the best thing you should do straightaway is to invite Jesus Christ into your Heart.
Because once Christ comes in, the Possibility of you being “Singled Out” for Divine Favour that will lead to Glory; the kind that you have never seen before will be Christ in you.
So, may I give you an opportunity now to surrender your Life to that Jesus Christ. Or do you want to delay as you did Last Year (2022)? It is by the Grace of God that you survived.
But we don’t know what is in Store for you this Year (2023). But if you give your Life to Jesus Christ; it doesn’t matter what is in Store, you know that it is going to be well with you – Amen!
Because if Christ is in you, your Hope will be Glory and not Shame!
So, I will bow my head in Prayer with you and you too will bow your Head wherever you are or reading now on the Label of DMC!
Let Us Pray!
*PRAYER FOR SALVATION AND CLOSING PRAYER*
My Father and my God, I want to Thank You for Your Words and I want to give You all the Glory and Honour for all those who has decided now that they want to surrender their lives to You. They want to begin the Year with You.
Please Lord, remember Your Promise that as many as will come to You, You will no wise cast out.
Please receive them, have Mercy on them, save their Souls, let Your Blood wash away their sins Lord, receive them into the Family of God and as from now on, let them enjoy Your Favour. And anytime they call on You, answer them by Fire.
And I Pray for them and all those who are already “True Children” of God that this Year (2023), like never before; we will all find Favour with You and find Favour with Men. And that this Year (2023) will be an “Extremely Successful” Year for all of us.
In Jesus Mighty Name we have Prayed – Amen!
Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!
Now, those of you who has given your Life to Jesus Christ; I want to say Congratulations!
I will love to hear from you and be Praying for you.
So, if you will Please send your names, your Address and your Prayer Requests. I Promise you that I will be Prayijg for you.
And look for the nearest The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) – I’m sure that there is one not too far from you. Tell the Pastor there that you have just given your Life to Jesus Christ and he will tell you what to do next. God Bless You!
Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!!!
Thank you so much for staying all through to read.
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