Services | No Good, Very Bad, Terrible Decisions - Balaam

Bulletin

Hymn # 55 “I Will Sign the Wondrous Story”

SCRIPTURE READING –
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings

OFFERTORY PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC – Pru Hungate

Praise and Worship
“Open Up the Heavens”
“Love Is War”
“Great Things”

Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“No Good, Very Bad, Terrible Decisions:
”Balaam: Making Decisions Based upon Money”

PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection

“Build My Life”
Benediction “God Really Loves Us”

Acknowledgements and Announcements

Sermon Notes
Numbers 22:1 – 7 In fear of Israel, the King of Moab sends messengers to have Balaam curse Israel
Numbers 22:9 – 14 Balaam offered money to curse Israel, but God instructs him not to go
Numbers 22:15 – 20 Balak send more impressive men and makes the same offer
Numbers 22:21 – 35 Balaam and his donkey have a conversation Balaam ends up blessing and not cursing Israel 3 times Israel sins against the Lord in Chapter 25
Numbers 31:16
Revelation 2:14 It is because of the counsel Balaam gave Balaam ultimately killed
2 Peter 2:10b –16 Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness
2 Timothy 6:10 Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil

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Scritpures

In fear of Israel, the King of Moab sends messengers to have Balaam curse Israel

Numbers 22:1 Then the sons of Israel journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.

Numbers 22:2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

Numbers 22:3 So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.

Numbers 22:4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.

Numbers 22:5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the 1River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.

Numbers 22:6 "Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."

Numbers 22:7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him.

Numbers 22:8 He said to them, "Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the LORD may speak to me." And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Numbers 22:9 Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

Numbers 22:10 Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me,

Numbers 22:11 `Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"

Numbers 22:12 God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Numbers 22:13 So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

Numbers 22:14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

Numbers 22:15 Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.

Numbers 22:16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, `Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;

Numbers 22:17 for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.'"

Numbers 22:18 Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God.

Numbers 22:19 "Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the LORD will speak to me."

Numbers 22:20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do."

Numbers 22:21 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. The Angel and Balaam

Numbers 22:22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.

Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.

Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again.

Numbers 22:26 The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left.

Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.

Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

Numbers 22:29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now."

Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No."

Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.

Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.

Numbers 22:33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live."

Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back."

Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.

Scriptures

Numbers 31:16 "Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD.

It is because of the counsel Balaam gave Balaam ultimately killed

Revelation 2:10 `Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness

2 Peter 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,

2 Peter 2:11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.

2 Peter 2:12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,

2 Peter 2:13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their 1deceptions, as they carouse with you,

2 Peter 2:14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;

2 Peter 2:15 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2 Peter 2:16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.

Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

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Transcript of Service

Perhaps you have read the novel. More likely, you follow it senior moving. Or Satan devil comes. Makes an offer to. Someone and says that basically I will give you everything you want, whether it's power or fame or wealth. If you in exchange will give me your soul. And the stories, whether it's in the novel or the movies, the person makes that exchange. In real life, it's not quite as obvious. It doesn't necessarily come to you with. A grandiose. What he does is he kind of does it in series of little bits that you don't know because it's kind of what you want. So first. We are offered. To exchange your ideals.



Or something? Then you're offered to change your principles. Or something? Then you offer to exchange your conscience. With some Then sooner or later you don't even have a soul to offer in exchange. One of the purposes of my mini series on. No good, very bad, terrible decisions is to get us to understand that decisions. Can terribly affect our lives in how in each of these cases. The God is there to prevent us from making these bad decisions and oftentimes intervenes at various. Physicians to get us to not make and continue to follow on those very bad decisions we've come to, which was going to be originally my first episode, which turns out to be my last episode. Because I believe that's the way the world wanted me to do it. On balaam If you have your Bibles turned in numbers chapter 22 now this story. Is both tragic. In lightning. And humorus. I have never seen anybody in Hollywood, whether it be Christian, want to make. Any part of their film? In this episode. And I think it would captivate the audience, because I just think. If it wasn't so tragic, it would be really, really funny. And so we're going to take a look at at at this. But what Balan does? Now God attempts to intercede. And he's one of the people who have two references in the New Testament. That aren't good. And so in numbers, chapter 22. Verse one, it says in the sense of visual journey, encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho. This is the last encampment before Israel is going to move into the promised land or their camp there, ready to move into the promised land. And so there are those around are going to see, but they're seeing the size of this station and their concern, and says in numbers.



The second verse now beylik the son of Zippor, saw all that is really done to the Amorites. But Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous and low level is in dread of the Sons of Israel. So no upside to the elders of Midian now, this hold will look up all that is around us. As the ox licks up the grass of the field and Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at the time, and so he's concerned. But because of the great number of multitude of the children of Israel who have been camped near him, he's afraid that they're going to consume everything. There will be nothing left for them, so he hatches a plan. We we sent the messengers to Balaam the son of Peor of Bethel, which is near the river in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, behold, a people came out of Egypt. Behold, they covered the surface of the land, and they are. Living amongst Now therefore please come. Curse the people. Or since they are too most mighty for me, perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, or I know that whom you less is blessed for whom you cursed. His curse, and so he sends a group of people. A delegation if you will to Balaam, who's known as a man who renders blessings that occur and renders curses that occur. And he says I don't have the ability to defeat this people on my own, but I want you to come here and curse them for me, and that will give me the ability. To defeat Israel. So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees, or divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam, and repeated balex words to him. You said to them, spend the night here so that I may bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me. And the leaders. The more I've stayed with Baylor, and so Balaam doesn't automatically agree. He sees the delegation. Now all of a sudden, Balaam is important, because these men come from both Midian and Moab offering him money. To curse Israel. But he doesn't automatically agree says wait a minute. Let me go talk to God and see what God has to say. Which seems to. Be a pretty wise thing to do. And so Burstein says, then God came to Balaam and said, who are these men with you?



Now I always find it interesting. Because God asked questions that God knows the answer to. The very first message of this series was God said, who told you you were naked anything. So he asked questions. He already knows the answers to and I think it's for a couple of reasons. One to get us to tell the truth. And two to get us to understand that no matter how important these people may be and no matter how much money they have bear nothing compared. To who got it? Who are these people? It's God saw you. Then David said the God Baal at the son of Zippor, the king of Moab. Send word to me. Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they covered the surface of the land. Now come curse them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out so. Balaam quotes be delegation and he gets it right. He doesn't sugarcoat it. And God responses this and God said to Balaam, do not go with them. You shall not curse. The people who they are blessed. Now I want you to understand something God does something to Balaam that he doesn't often do. To all of us. He tells us one thing. He tells us why? He says I don't want you to curse them. Don't go. But the people are blessed. It is my. Rule that these people be blessed therefore don't curse. So don't curse them. This is the reason. Bulimar rose in the morning and said to balex leaders go back to your land for the Lord has refused to let me go with you. So he complies with what God has instructed him. So so we all do what God has instructed us to do. Verse 14 the leaders of Moab arose and went to Baylor and said Balaam refused to come with us. Then Baylor again sent leaders more numerous and more distinguished than the former. But Bullock was, well, maybe. He didn't come. Because he doesn't think the people. Or the white people. And so I'm going to send really important people, distinguished people that say my goodness, if if they think I'm important, then I must be important. I'm going to do this and so he sings out other people a lot of times we think. Oh well, if if so, and so wants me to do it, then it must be OK. They said to be them, they said best, says Barack, the son of civil let nothing that beg you hinder you from coming to me or I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then curse this people for me. Basically, the leaders say we're numerous were more. The distinguished, and we're giving you a blank cheque. Whatever you say, we'll write the check. You get it. Just curse these people for me. Problem number 14. God already told him no. God didn't stutter. God didn't speak with.



Darkness God instructed him so at this point Balaam should have said thank you very much for the offer. I'm flattered. God already told me no, see ya. But he does. But burning the fire to the. Who better work to give me his house full of silver and gold? I could not do anything other, more or great. Contrary to the command of my God. Now please also. Being here tonight and I will find out what else God will speak to me. So he's hoping Donald change his mind. No, and you've heard. It 'cause it's in the scriptures, it says not. It'll be open seeking, you're fine and ask. It will be given to you and so you'll hear people say well, just keep knocking, just keep knocking, just keep knocking. So if God tells you no, you don't need the doc anymore, you don't need to seek anymore because God has already told you no. Doesn't like that answer. I don't go back to God. Maybe God will change his mind because. Obviously about God knows now they're gonna write me a blank cheque. I'm going to get rich. But I didn't really know this beforehand, but let me, maybe God will change his mind, he says. Let me go. But God came to Balaam at night and said to him. If the men have come to call, you rise up and go with them with only the word which I speak to you, that you do. But it does seem that God changes his mind. But not really. First we went, so Balaam arose in the morning and saddled the donkey, and we went the leaders of Moab. But God was angry because he was going. And the Angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was. Riding on his donkey and his two servers. Were with him. So when we go oh wait a minute, why would God be angry? Because God said to go?



Number one because God said, don't go. Just because God may say it's OK doesn't mean he wants you to go. Second, I think what's going to happen is that God knows what's in Bailon's heart. And Balaam is going to go. And he's going to violate God's command by cursing. So he puts. The Angel. As an adversary. When the donkey saw the answer, the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned from off from the way. And went onto the field. Bucked the donkey to turn her back into the way and so the donkey goes. Wait a minute, there's an Angel with a sword I don't want to go that way. I'm gonna turn and he Balaam tries to get the donkey back and correct him. Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path, and the vineyard with a wall on this side, and a wall on that side. When the donkey saw the Angel. Of the Lord, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam foot against the wall. But he struck. Her again, so this is the second time he's hit the dump. Hindi Angel Lord went further and stood in the narrow place where there is no way to turn to the right hand or to the left. Basically it's a one way road and there's no other way. It's one donkey wide. When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she laid down under Balaam. So Balaam was angry and strung the donkey with his stick. So donkey goes. I've had it. I'm going to just lay down. And what does Balaam? Do he starts beating the donkey? The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she said to Balaam, what have I done to you that you have struck me these three times? And Balaam said to the donkey, because you have made a mockery of me. If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now. There isn't it interesting? There isn't stored in the angels. And balaam. This talking is donkey. Here's here's a. This is for free. If you find yourself talking to your donkey. You've made a really bad decision. OK, so if you find yourself doing if you're talking to your donkey. You've made a very bad decision. The donkey said to Balaam, am I not your donkey on which you have written all of your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you? We say no. Here's the second bit of advice if you're donkey.



Makes more sense than you do. You've made a terrible decision. And this donkey is making more sense than Balaam. Now I want you to notice it. Was three time. But the Angel. Stood in the way. And it's three times the donkey saw him and said I don't want any part of this. I'm saving your life. And there's three times. When program gets to. We will seek. Pay them to curse the children visual retime. And Balaam will bless them for free. I believe it wasn't coincidental that three times the. Angels stood in the way. Each time, remembering the reminding Balaam. I'm gonna let you go. You better not curse my people. 'cause that's what you're not to do. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam. You saw the Angel. Of the Lord. Standing in the way with worn board. In this hand. You bowed all the way to the ground. Angel Lord said to him, why have? You struck their donkey these three times. Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. You're doing what I don't want you to do. But the donkey saw me and turned aside from the bee three time. If she had not turned aside from me. I would have surely have killed you by now. Let her be. Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, or I did not know that you are standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you. I will turn back. Maybe it should have gone to begin with. But the Angel of the. Lord said to Balaam, go with the men. But you shall speak only the words which I tell you. But Balaam went along. With the leaders of Valac. As I said. Raven will go. And Billeck will present him so. He sees the people. And they offer sacrifices, and Balaam blesses Israel. And then I go. What are you doing? This is terrible I I'm paying you to curse them because maybe maybe you don't understand, but it gives them a second opportunity. And Balaam blesses. And he gets upset again. I was going. To make you rich. We give you another opportunity. To curse the people of Israel. And he does a third time and he ends up blessing the people. I wish that was the end of the story. The next chapter in Chapter 25. We will see that a plague happens. Because the. From both mideon. And from Moab. Give an invitation to the children of Israel. The worship bergeon And to sacrifice to their God. And they accept the invitation. And as God says, Israel plays the harlot. They become unfaithful to God as they're about to take the land that God had promised. They become. Not only do they. Worship as a part of their worship. They perform sexual immorality and because we have a young audience, I won't. But it is. Is amazing that they do. They did this. Because of balaam's counsel. Balaam goes, I can't curse them.



It's God prohibits me. But I'll tell you what? I'll give you a way that God. Will curse them. If they worship another God. But they're unfaithful to him. But they commit sexual immorality with your people. I don't have to curse them, God. And as a result of Israel sin. 24,000 people of Israel perish. Under a play. Because of balams. #31 verse 16 says, behold, these caused the sons of Israel. Through the. Counsel of Balaam. To trespass against the Lord in the matter of Bill. Or so the flag was among the congregation. Of the Lord. Numbers tells us now it's after all these things happen and numbers. Also tells us. At Baylor Is killed. Emblem is killed. The number of many in it million night women and others in the leaders of Israel or slain. Or this sin? But you see, Baylor is more concerned. About the money. Than about doing what God wanted. He didn't curse them. If you do it, God, but he sold himself out for the money. Revelations Chapter 2 verse 14 says. But I have a few things against you. Because you have. You have, there are some who. Hold to the teachings of Balaam. Who kept teaching Bale act to put a stumbling block? Before the Sons of Israel. Eat things sacrificed to idols and commit acts of immorality. We are told. But the Council of Balaam. What happens in the churches today? Uh, people will counsel, you know and and people who are Christians and non Christians almost going while you Baptist in new Christians believe in salvation by grace, which means you can do anything and then we get the idea, we can do anything and we you know we get the idea while it's easier to ask for forgiveness and permission. Is God going to forgive us anyway? We act in indecent ways. Because pastors and other people tell you it's OK.



Second Peter. Also tells us. About Baylor And talking about false teachers and in the middle of that in chapter. Two verse 10 in the second part of it says, and especially those who indulge in the flesh in its corrupt desires. Despise before. Daring self willed. They do not tremble when they revile angelic majesty. Whereas angels, who are greater in might and power. Do not bring the reviling judgment against them. Before the Lord. But these like unreasoning animals. Born as creatures of instinct can be captured and killed. Rebonding where they have no knowledge. Will end the destruction. Both creatures also be destroyed. Suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They counted a pleasure to read. Bill in the daytime. They are stained. Having eyes full of adultery that never ceased from sin, enticing, unstable fold. Having a heart train and greed a cursed children. Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the weight of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteous. So again, we see the New Testament condemning Balaam's actions. He allowed the children of God to sin against God. And if his decision did not. Long ago and far away. Book of Revelations tells us Peter warns us. To make sure that we receive Godly counsel and not unrighteous. The last verse we're going to take a look at is the first step is the verse, chapter 6, verse 10. But the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Or some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and placed himself. With many Now, I didn't say. That money? It's the root of evil. Wealthy people can do wonderful. But it's the love of money. It is a sort of all sort of the. When you decide. Versus like just. You made wrong. When you decide the temporary. Is better than the eternal. You've made the wrong decision. And the problem is these are little tiny steps that we make. You know I can put off my commitment to God. 'cause I need to finish my education. Then after I finish my education. But you know, I have a lot of bills from my education or in either really good paying job. Well, this really. Good paying job requires me to not. Really be at church. But maybe once every once in a. While but you know, I think dollars and once I make make make the good money and pay off my education then. I'll follow them. But you know? The next step is that promotion.



Then I can make a lot and then. I could be worry. Free about money and I can. Follow them. Then when you're 97 and on your death. No God. Why didn't I follow you? All the days in my life. I'd frequently say. You will never see. EU haul trailer. On the back of the hearse. But you can't take it with you. I don't care how Rich Balaam became after he gave them counsel. He didn't get to live very long. To enjoy it. And even if he did, a lid or 100 year. He would have never been able to return. To that place where he and God were. And will be a human having the reputation. Of saying this person when they bless. There's blessing. When there's curse, there's cursing. And instead we decided to take the love of money. In counseled on righteous. For always. But you see. The poorest man and woman in heaven. It's far richer. Then the richest person through the live day or whatever it is. As they will dwell in the house. Of the Lord forever. Very frequently. When you are. Given a decision. That gives you a second opportunity. You're right. Gives you his word. Gives you his counts. He wore Inge. Gives you your conscience, say. Maybe I'm not doing the right? Then as. I say. One of the ways you can make and determine whether you're making the right decision or not. Is after you make this decision. If you decide to go this way. Will it bring you closer to God? Then go down. If this way will not make you closer to God, but further from God, then you don't go that way. You go another way. You see, wisdom isn't necessarily knowing all the answers. It is knowing the correct destination. And usually you can tell. When the job is offered to you. Or whatever or situation and that causes you. At worst. Just simply stay where you are with God. And that's the long decision. Because we need to be walking with him. Every single day. Don't accept the counsel of Baylor. Don't accept other people's consultation. Hear the word of God. Do the word of God. No good. Very bad. Terrible decision. And you've made, and you may have made. No good, very bad, horrible decision. But if you're listening to me today. It's not too late. Get back on making the right.

For him.

God is giving you one more opportunity. Get back on the road. The narrow The world for few. It's the boat that Jesus. The road that we are to walk with him. They walk humbly with our God. It is that role that we choose. We choose. To make sure our life is built. On his love. Our life is built on his wish. Our life is built on his counsel. Our life is built on what he says to do and not to do. And we don't need to ask it again. When he says yes, it's yes. When he says no, it's no. He doesn't stutter, he doesn't mumble. He speaks clearly. We simply need to do. But he is called in to do. Now God, people said.