Sermon 13 in Series on Jude--(Also Attached In WordPerfect 9.0 Format)

#1 · June 4, 2002, 11:29 am

Quote from Forum Archives on June 4, 2002, 11:29 am
Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

THE BOOK OF JUDE

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APOSTATE (VS 11)

"FOR THEY. . .RAN GREEDILY AFTER THE ERROR OF BALAAM FOR REWARD"

INTRODUCTION

Balaam was a false money-grabbing prophet mentioned in Numbers 22-25. Thus the error of Balaam was making merchandise of the gospel ministry.

Three New Testament writers refer to Balaam:

I. PETER CONDEMNS THE "WAY OF BALAAM". (2 Peter 2:1-3; 15-16)

He discusses the motives of false teachers who see religion as a means for gaining wealth.

Balaam was the typical hireling prophet. He was anxious only to make money with his gift.

II. JUDE SPEAKS OF THE "ERROR OF BALAAM." (Jude 11; Numbers 22:1-30)

This means that one is so dominated by greed that doing God's will seems unimportant.

A. Despite a clear prohibition against accompanying Balak's messengers (vs 12), Balaam was so eager for his fee that he sought God again for permission to go (Vs 19-20)

B. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord served as a vivid warning to Balaam to speak only what God wanted Him to speak. (Numbers 22:21-41)

C. Balaam tried three times to bribe God with sacrifices to let him curse Israel.

D. Balaam found himself compelled to pronounce God's blessing instead.

(Numbers 23:1-24:9)

E. When the furious Balak threatened not to pay Balaam "handsomely," Balaam thought of a clever maneuver by which Moab might corrupt God's people, supposing that the Lord would then have to curse Israel.

(Numbers 24:10-25:18; Numbers 31:16)

F. This advice reveals Balaam's basic attitude of opposition toward God, who had revealed his intention to bless Israel.

III. JOHN MENTIONS THE "DOCTRINE OF BALAAM." (Revelation 2:14)

This is an attempt to corrupt God's people by a combination of immorality and religion.

Balaam's doctrine was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their character. Numbers 31:15-16

Conclusion

If we are guided by wrong motives, those motives can divert us from the perfect will of God. It is wrong to try to bypass the express will of God for it is impossible to do so without consequences.

Don't try to bribe God to change his mind about his Word. It won't work.

Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

THE BOOK OF JUDE

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APOSTATE (VS 11)

"FOR THEY. . .RAN GREEDILY AFTER THE ERROR OF BALAAM FOR REWARD"

INTRODUCTION

Balaam was a false money-grabbing prophet mentioned in Numbers 22-25. Thus the error of Balaam was making merchandise of the gospel ministry.

Three New Testament writers refer to Balaam:

I. PETER CONDEMNS THE "WAY OF BALAAM". (2 Peter 2:1-3; 15-16)

He discusses the motives of false teachers who see religion as a means for gaining wealth.

Balaam was the typical hireling prophet. He was anxious only to make money with his gift.

II. JUDE SPEAKS OF THE "ERROR OF BALAAM." (Jude 11; Numbers 22:1-30)

This means that one is so dominated by greed that doing God's will seems unimportant.

A. Despite a clear prohibition against accompanying Balak's messengers (vs 12), Balaam was so eager for his fee that he sought God again for permission to go (Vs 19-20)

B. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord served as a vivid warning to Balaam to speak only what God wanted Him to speak. (Numbers 22:21-41)

C. Balaam tried three times to bribe God with sacrifices to let him curse Israel.

D. Balaam found himself compelled to pronounce God's blessing instead.

(Numbers 23:1-24:9)

E. When the furious Balak threatened not to pay Balaam "handsomely," Balaam thought of a clever maneuver by which Moab might corrupt God's people, supposing that the Lord would then have to curse Israel.

(Numbers 24:10-25:18; Numbers 31:16)

F. This advice reveals Balaam's basic attitude of opposition toward God, who had revealed his intention to bless Israel.

III. JOHN MENTIONS THE "DOCTRINE OF BALAAM." (Revelation 2:14)

This is an attempt to corrupt God's people by a combination of immorality and religion.

Balaam's doctrine was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their character. Numbers 31:15-16

Conclusion

If we are guided by wrong motives, those motives can divert us from the perfect will of God. It is wrong to try to bypass the express will of God for it is impossible to do so without consequences.

Don't try to bribe God to change his mind about his Word. It won't work.