It was early this morning as I was waking up the Lord dropped this scripture in my heart from Jude 1: 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
But the focus was on the error of Balaam for reward.
As I was laying there in bed a few minutes before 7am thinking about Balaam the Holy Spirit brought to my mind another scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:2 where Paul says do not handle the word of God deceitfully.
2 Corinthians 4:1-4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
***I want to be clear this morning that this message is for all of us as individuals today and not for a religious denomination, organized non-profit. This message is applicable to each of our lives as we go through our time here on earth before God calls us home.***
Paul tells us as believers to make our Calling and Election Sure
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
***Here is the same passage in the Amplified Bible***
10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by [a]doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; 11 for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you.
***I want to share some sobering news with you this morning. It was late 2021 that the Lord brought a family to Joy. They were coming back to the Lord. First the Mom and Son attended church and then after a few weeks the father came and we had a chance to speak after service. He informed me he was in the Army stationed here at Fort Lee. He was not really into church but he was coming to support his wife because she seemed on to like it here at Joy. Fast forward a few months and I noticed this young man as he was in worship services and during the message. He would listen, after church sometimes he would ask me follow up questions. It was around this same time the Lord put it on my heart to start the Joy Rangers program and Zach and his son Jecorey were a big part of launching that ministry. The whole family came to family camp with us that summer of 2022 and later that fall Zach let me know that they were being transferred to Georgia for his next duty post….But before he left he wanted to be baptized. He wanted to make is confession of faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Many of you were here on October 30th 2022 to witness Zach make his profession of faith publicly and be baptized. His Son Jecorey was also baptized on that afternoon. In just a few days Zach and His family moved to Georgia to his next duty post and we have had limited contact with them. Last night Beverly received a text from Zach’s wife that last Sunday Zach passed away in his sleep. When she told me this news I was very heartbroken for the family but I was very grateful to have been with Zach on October 30th 2022 when he made his calling and election sure.
Romans 10:9-10
King James Version
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
**I know there is possibility some of you here today that have been in and around Church your whole lives but you have never made your calling and election sure. Jesus said in Matthew 22:1414 For many are called, but few are chosen.
On March 31st, Easter Sunday morning here at Joy we are going to have water baptism service in the Heart following Sunday Morning Service but you do not have to wait till then to make your calling and election sure. You can make your profession of faith today.
***First point of the Message today: Salvation through Christ Jesus is an individual gift and not a religious membership benefit.***
Said differently there is no gate at Heave with a sign over it that says Group Sales Enter Here .
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
***So now that many if not most of us here are Saved and in Relationship with the Father God through Christ Jesus what does God want us to learn about through the error of Balaam?
Balaam son of Beor,[2] was a biblical character, a non-Israelite prophet who lived in Pethor. According to chapters Numbers 22–24 of the Book of Numbers, he was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel, but instead he blessed the Israelites, as dictated by God.
***To recap the story this Prophet was not an Israelite but had a relationship with God that God Spoke to him and he spoke to God. During this time when the King of Moab was trying to get him to curse the Children of Israel God sends a Angel to kill him and his donkey see the angel
Numbers 22:20-35
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
***The 2nd point of the message: You can be in communication with God and not be in relationship with him.
You may say well Pastor Jon I do not know about that. I talk to God every day and he tells me things to do and I do them. Congratulations you have reached the level of engagement with God that the Devil has. Look at Job Chapter 1 and you will see a perfect example of how you described your relationship with God. You may say will that is the Old Testament…..Okay lets see what Jesus himself said in Matthew 7
Matthew 7:13-23
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
***First point of the message today: Salvation through Christ Jesus is an individual gift and not a religious membership benefit.***
***The 2nd point of the message: You can be in communication with God and not be in relationship with him.
The 3rd point of the message: Using your spiritual gifts and talents is not a substitute for living the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:13-26
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
The 3rd point of the message: Using your spiritual gifts and talents is not a substitute for living the fruit of the Spirit.
***Lets go back to Numbers 22:23
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
***The 4th point of the Message this morning: A judgmental spirit and attitude is not a gift of God or fruit of the spirit.
Romans 2:1-8
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
***God’s true prophets speak the truth in love and many of them weep, lament and cry over the message God has given them to speak.
***Lets go back to Numbers 22:31
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
I found a Bible commentary on line that summarizes what happens after Balaam was unable to prophesy against the children of Israel. Numbers 31:16 Moses is speaking about the incident
Numbers 31:16. “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.”
What was Balaam’s advice to the women that turned the Israelites away from the Lord? Do we know?
The advice of Balaam seems to have been to send the women of Moab out to the Israelites. They then offered the men sexual favors if only they would worship their god with them. The god was Baal Peor or “the Lord of Opening,” whom when the men would worship, the women would “open” to them.
Balaam was a prophet, and no doubt knew both the LORD’s standards of morality, as well as His jealousy against worshiping any other gods. He used this knowledge to attempt to turn God against the Israelites by getting them to perform this wickedness. Sad that anyone would use knowledge of the LORD this way! The LORD did become angry with Israel because of this, and those men who became involved with Baal Peor were slain. However, the LORD’s anger also arose both against the Moabites and against Balaam because of this, and they were executed by the Israelites for their treacherous actions against Israel.
***1st point of the message today: Salvation through Christ Jesus is an individual gift and not a religious membership benefit.***
***The 2nd point of the message: You can be in communication with God and not be in relationship with him.
The 3rd point of the message: Using your spiritual gifts and talents is not a substitute for living the fruit of the Spirit.
***The 4th point of the Message this morning: A judgmental spirit and attitude is not a gift of God or fruit of the spirit.
***The 5th and Closing point this morning: Don’t use God’s gifts with earthly wisdom for personal gain
2 Peter 2:14-16
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
James 3:10-18
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.