Text – Numbers 22:12, 20; Revelation 2:14 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION –
There are still many Believers looking at the state the world is in today and saying that they believe the Lord must be soon to come. This might well be true; but isn’t this also a sad commentary on how Believers must be dropping the ball? I still love, and am challenged, by the words to a song by Deniece Williams: “IF WE ARE THE LIGHT, THEN WHY IS THE WORLD SO DARK?”
We understand that the church has been infiltrated by unbelievers well before Constantine tried to make everyone a “Christian.” This has caused a problem with the effectiveness of the church. Having so many “FAKE” Christians in the churches today causes problems with the local churches physically as well as spiritually. These churches are not able to allow the Lord to use their ministries to their fullest because they have allowed these false Christians to even take up positions of influence in their churches (expound).
But as I already stated, this is nothing new to the church. This so serious that John was inspired to write letters to the seven (7) churches in Asia Minor. Take note that John didn’t just send each church the information about the problem the LORD had with them, but he sent all the churches all the problems that they might examine themselves (expound). Today, we are looking at what the Lord had to say to the church at Pergamum; see if this looks familiar to you as we talk around the subject: TAKE THE SHADE OFF OF YOUR LIGHT . . . OR ELSE!
TEXT:
“Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 ‘A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.’” 12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” 13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.” 15 Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16 They came to Balaam and said: “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17 because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.” 18 But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God. 19 Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the Lord will tell me.” 20 That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.” Numbers 22:10-20 (NIV)
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food, sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. “ Revelation 2:12-16 (NIV)
POINTS –
- “But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed. “ (Numbers 22:12) – When Barak sent some men to Balaam requesting that he come to him and curse some people for him, GOD told Balaam not to go with them (expound).
- “They came to Balaam and said: “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, “ (v. 20) – King Barak sent more men: men more distinguished than the first ones, and told Balaam to not let anything keep him from getting to him. GOD told Balaam that he could go, but do only what HE tells him (expound).
You see, Balaam was enticed by the money the King was offering him, but he also was afraid to disobey GOD by cursing people GOD told him not to. There are a couple of important lessons I want you to observe here:
- How GOD is teaching Balaam to be obedient when it comes to using the gift that he has been blessed with.
- How GOD is showing us what happens when we COMPROMISE, JUSTIFY, and RATIONALIZE the use of GOD’s gift.
- Balaam knew that he could not curse HIS people, but he let Barak know that if the people were corrupted, GOD would punish them (expound).
- Notice in verse 18 that Balaam refers to the LORD as “HIS” God. Does this show us that Balaam was indeed saved?
This brings us to the latter part of today’s text:
“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food, sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. “ (Rev. 2:14) – Take note that even though some of you say it is only one thing; notice the three parts:
- Israelites were “Enticed” to sin.
- They ate food that was sacrificed to idol gods.
- They fornicated with these idol worshipping women.
CONCLUSION –
The Lord did not address His attention to the fake Christians who have infiltrated the church. That should not bother the true worshippers; if the word of God is being preached and ministered there, they are in the right place. But the LORD has beef with the Believers who are compromising, justifying, and rationalizing the word and works of the LORD by not being true to GOD’S way, GOD’s will, and GOD’S word by following the teachings of someone else. The Lord is letting us know that this other teaching that you are following is exactly what Balaam told King Barak to do.
This is exactly what Satan is doing in the church today: “The lust of the eye, the Lust of the flesh, and the pride of life!” Satan has so many ways to entice us to do those things that God is not pleased with. Satan knows that he cannot do anything to you (Believer), but he sure know how to put those things in our lives that entice us to do contrary to what the Lord tells us to do.
Every time a Believer does something that he or she knows is contrary to God’s word, they are compromising, justifying, or rationalizing God’s way, will, and/or His word to suit her or his desire. When a Believer does this, it is like they are putting a shade over their light; the world might be able to see you, but not so much.
There are far too many Believers doing this in the way they are living, and this is how Deniece Williams’ question is answered. The Lord is warning Believers to stop following the teaching of anyone else besides HIM. Does this mean ignore your parents? No. Does this mean ignore your school teachers? No. But what it does mean is that Believers are to live by the word of God, and to not lean to their own understanding. Be careful beloved, the Lord is watching and He is tired of His followers covering up the Light He has given to His witnesses.