In Hot Pursuit<\/p>\n
Jude 11<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION:<\/p>\n
A. Why does a person enter military service?<\/p>\n
1. Some want to travel and see the world.<\/p>\n
2. Others are thrill seekers who find adventure (and danger) exhilarating<\/p>\n
3. Then there are the patriots: farmers, teachers, factory workers and business men who are not career soldiers, yet these honorable citizens can be counted on in a time of crisis<\/p>\n
a. These are men and women who serve their country out of loyalty rather than personal gain<\/p>\n
b. They enlist, not because they love a good fight, but because they believe in defending what is right<\/p>\n
c. They are peacemakers, not pleasure seekers or profiteers<\/p>\n
B. In like manner, God’s patriots are people with high spiritual aims.<\/p>\n
1. They are ordinary Christians who are reluctant to fight yet prepared to stand and be counted for truth when duty demands it<\/p>\n
2. To the contrary, false teachers are motivated by things such as notoriety, paychecks, selfish agendas or the intoxicating smell of battle<\/p>\n
3. The prophet Balaam was just such a man<\/p>\n
4. Jude says that these false teachers “ran riotously” or “abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error” (v. 11b)<\/p>\n
DISCUSSION:<\/p>\n
A. A PRAYER WORTH PURSUING<\/p>\n
1. In Numbers 23:10, Balaam said, “Let me die the death of the righteous.” — Unfortunately, the prophet did not heed his own plea<\/p>\n
2. Everyone realizes that death is certain… Hebrews 9:27<\/p>\n
a. They only thing that really matters is whether one is counted righteous at that time<\/p>\n
b. Earthly standing will be of no consequence when appearing before the throne of God<\/p>\n
3. “Righteousness” refers to right standing before God<\/p>\n
a. The Gospel is God’s plan for righteousness Romans 1:16-17<\/p>\n
b. Righteousness is greatly stressed throughout Scripture<\/p>\n
B. THE CURSE OF COVETOUSNESS<\/p>\n
1. Balaam’s desire to meet death in a right relationship with God was admirable, yet his life did not measure up to his prayer<\/p>\n
a. He wanted to please God and the world at the same time<\/p>\n
b. When the two conflicted he chose the world<\/p>\n
2. Jude saw the error of Balaam repeating itself in the church<\/p>\n
a. Some of the religious leaders were giving the appearance of being righteous — but were actually preoccupied with earthly concerns<\/p>\n
b. Greed caused them to put the flesh before God<\/p>\n
3. Covetousness is a subtle sin that if difficult to perceive at the start<\/p>\n
a. In time, those who blind themselves to their materialism will not only defend their actions but will also run unrestrained after more<\/p>\n
b. When a man succumbs to greed he had just sold his own soul<\/p>\n
4. Love of money is a great problem 1 Timothy 6:10<\/p>\n
a. Rather than craving the things of this world we should 1 Timothy 6:11<\/p>\n
b. Realizing 1 Timothy 6:17<\/p>\n
5. To really appreciate Jude’s warning, it is important to recall the events surrounding Balaam’s life (Num. 22-24) — because the temptation to repeat his errors are ever present<\/p>\n
C. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE DECEIVING<\/p>\n
1. When Balaam was first introduced in Scripture, it seemed that he had a desire to live a righteous life<\/p>\n
a. Somewhere along the way it changed<\/p>\n
b. Gradually he shifted his focus from God to serving self<\/p>\n
c. Brethren, we need to be careful that our focus does not shift off God<\/p>\n
2. Balak was troubled with the presence of Israel in the plains of Moab, for he had heard of their victories over Sihon and Og<\/p>\n
a. At his wit’s end, Balak sends messengers to Balaam asking for his help in the matter<\/p>\n
b. Apparently Balaam had quite a reputation for predicting outcomes in battle<\/p>\n
c. Whomever he cursed were cursed, and whomever he blessed were blessed<\/p>\n
d. Balaam asked God if he should go with these men — God said no<\/p>\n
e. By passing up the opportunity to become wealthy, Balaam gave every indication of being an obedient servant<\/p>\n
f. Regrettably things are not always what they seem<\/p>\n
D. THE SIN OF THE SECOND LOOK<\/p>\n
1. These men returned to Balak and told him the bad news, yet Balak was convinced that he should try again.<\/p>\n
a. Balaam left the impression that he would gladly have accepted the offer if the Lord had given his approval<\/p>\n
b. How different things might have been is he would have just said, “I refuse to go with you”<\/p>\n
c. The Lord is NOT pleased with disgruntled servants who keep His will — 1 John 5:3<\/p>\n
2. Balak now sends a more distinguished group dignitaries to negotiate the deal — they carried with them promises of great riches if Balaam would curse the children of Israel<\/p>\n
3. Like Balak, Satan does not give up easily — he believes everyone has a price<\/p>\n
a. Jesus raised a thought provoking question Matthew 16:26<\/p>\n
b. No temporary pleasure or momentary possession can ever make up for the loss of personal integrity or eternal security<\/p>\n
4. Balaam response to Balak second try was impressive Numbers 22:18<\/p>\n
“And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more”<\/p>\n
a. But, Balaam consulted with God again — knowing already God’s previous answer<\/p>\n
b. Balaam had not accepted God will — and wants to see if He had changed His mind<\/p>\n
5. Sadly, the worse punishment God can inflict on man is man’s free will<\/p>\n
a. God allowed Balaam to go with the men to Balak<\/p>\n
b. BUT, he was only to speak what God spoke — God said he could go, but He never said he should go<\/p>\n
c. There is a profound difference between permission and approval<\/p>\n
6. Taking a second look at sin cannot make it less sinful<\/p>\n
a. All it does is make the beholder more tolerant of sin<\/p>\n
b. If a person’s heart is not pure, it is possible to rationalize and condone almost every course of action<\/p>\n
7. Taking a second look at sin is about to change Balaam’s life horribly<\/p>\n
E. DELIBERATIONS WITH A DONKEY<\/p>\n
1. Balaam, riding a donkey to see Balak, for no apparent reason veered off into a field, Balaam wrestles the beast back into the road with the reins — striking him<\/p>\n
a. A short time later, he came to a place where the road was hemmed in by two walls that protected the vineyard, and the donkey smashed Balaam’s foot against the wall — and Balaam angrily struck his mount<\/p>\n
b. Further down the road the donkey sat down and refused to take another step<\/p>\n
2. Enraged Balaam started beating the donkey<\/p>\n
a. The donkey then cries out, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Num. 22:28).<\/p>\n
b. Without realizing the absurdity of a talking donkey, Balaam replied that he had been making a fool of him — and added if I had a sword I would kill you on the spot<\/p>\n
3. The Lord then opens the eyes of Balaam and he sees an angel with a sword in hand standing in the narrow spot in the road<\/p>\n
F. WORLDLY AND GODLY SORROWS<\/p>\n
1. The angel took up questioning where the donkey had left off<\/p>\n
a. The angels asks why are you beating the donkey who only trying to save your life<\/p>\n
b. Balaam would have surely been slain had it not been for the donkey<\/p>\n
c. God was angry with Balaam and sent the angel to confront him with a sword<\/p>\n
2. To his credit, Balaam confessed his sin.<\/p>\n
a. To his shame, he did not truly repent<\/p>\n
b. Balaam said if continuing on this trip is displeasing Him he will go home at once. IF???<\/p>\n
c. Was it really necessary to ask? — God told him not to take the trip in the first place<\/p>\n
d. Things would have been much different if would have just stayed home<\/p>\n
3. Paul must have been thinking of someone like Balaam when he wrote 2 Corinthians 7:10<\/p>\n
a. Sorrow that does not lead to personal change is worthless<\/p>\n
b. We have many Balaam’s today who recklessly travel down the road of disobedience<\/p>\n
c. 2 Peter 2:15 it was the love of money that led Balaam in the wrong direction<\/p>\n
4. It should be no surprise to us that many church problems come from leaders who have the mentality of Balaam 2 Timothy 4:3<\/p>\n
G. THE TABLE IS TURNED<\/p>\n
1. The angel allowed Balaam to continue his inadvisable course with one stipulation: that he speak only what God would tell him<\/p>\n
2. Balaam finally reaches his destination, and Balak took Balaam to a place where the children of Israel could be seen stretched across the plain<\/p>\n
a. Balaam attempted to appease God’s wrath through sacrifice<\/p>\n
b. Many are like that today — they live as the want during the week, and try to appease God on Sunday<\/p>\n
c. Just as the Lord rejected Balaam’s sacrifices, God will reject those who think they can exchange a religious act for a holy life<\/p>\n
3. Balaam made four attempts to curse the chosen people of God — and failed each time<\/p>\n
a. Instead of a curse — a blessing proceeded from his lips<\/p>\n
b. With every try, the blessings became even stronger<\/p>\n
4. The account of Balaam’s reversal became an often used illustration in the Bible<\/p>\n
a. The account was used as evidence of God’s ability to turn the table on those who would harm His people<\/p>\n
b. The apostle Paul provided similar assurance Romans 8:28<\/p>\n
H. PULLING OUT ALL STOPS<\/p>\n
1. Balak, in rage, refused to pay Balaam whose effort to curse Israel had failed<\/p>\n
a. In last ditch effort Balaam tried to bring a curse on Israel by causing them to sin<\/p>\n
b. How did he do this? He used Moabite women to led them astray<\/p>\n
c. Israel soon found themselves immersed in adultery and idolatry<\/p>\n
2. It is important to remember that religious error and immorality are natural consequences of establishing strong ties with those outside the family of God<\/p>\n
3. It is sad to see the depths to which Balaam sunk.<\/p>\n
a. His selfishness became so severe that he lost all concern for anyone but himself<\/p>\n
b. A terrible plague broke out on Israel, claiming 24,000 lives<\/p>\n
c. The outbreak was halted by Phinehas, the high priest, as he atoned for the people<\/p>\n
4. Although Balaam thought he succeeded, he was badly mistaken<\/p>\n
a. His selfishness had merely sealed his own doom<\/p>\n
b. Balaam was later found among the corpses of the slain idolaters<\/p>\n
CONCLUSION:<\/p>\n
A. It is not enough to know God’s will — a person must cherish it<\/p>\n
1. The righteous are people who not only sorrow over sin but turn from it also<\/p>\n
2. They pursue eternal blessings rather that momentary pleasures<\/p>\n
3. Righteous people sacrifice their hearts to God and nothing less<\/p>\n
B. God’s patriots have a heart of a fighter, but their motivation is different from ruthless mercenaries such as Balaam<\/p>\n
1. God’s patriots have actions guided by love and principle rather than lust and greed<\/p>\n
2. They have a higher cause and are guided by a nobler ethic<\/p>\n
3. Jude’s warning against running greedily after the error of Balaam is still needed in the church today<\/p>\n
4. Every man and every woman is after something in life. What will you choose to pursue?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sermon on Balaam In Hot Pursuit Jude 11 INTRODUCTION: A. Why does a person enter military service? 1. Some want to travel and see the world. 2. Others are thrill seekers who find adventure (and danger) exhilarating 3. Then there are the patriots: farmers, teachers, factory workers and business men who are not career soldiers, … Continue reading “Sermon on Balaam – Spiritual Patriots #6 – In Hot Pursuit – Bible Outlines”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}