The Compromise of Balaam - Santosh Poonen - August 2, 2017
http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/compromise-balaam River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant ministry with the New Covenant ministry, emphasizing that true discipleship involves inviting people to see the reality of one's life, not just hearing sermons. He argues that the focus of the church should be on the life lived outside the building—in the home and in private thoughts—as this is the true
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The New Covenant call to 'Come and see'Examining Jesus's interaction with John the disciples in John 1, the speaker explains that New Covenant ministry is about inviting people into real life rather than just preaching sermons.
The iceberg illustration of spiritual lifeSunday gatherings should just be the tip of the iceberg of a hidden, daily walk with God that includes secret praise and purity.
The compromise of Cain and the brevity of lifeDrawing parallels to Cain's hidden jealousy, the speaker warns against self-absorption and reminds believers to view their short earthly seconds through the lens of eternity.
Beholding the love of God and becoming like HimBelievers are called to actively behold the Father's love and anchor their hope in the promise that they will ultimately be conformed to the image of Jesus.
Entering the error of BalaamWarning against treating sin casually as a mere mistake, the speaker turns to Jude and the story of Balaam to trace how initial obedience can erode into secret compromise.Jude 1:11
When the tempter returnsJust as Balak sent more distinguished leaders with greater rewards to tempt Balaam, the enemy repeatedly targets believers with enticements of money and pleasure.
Pestering God until He answersBalaam entertained covetous thoughts and pestered God for permission to go with the leaders, demonstrating how God sometimes grants requests in judgment when our hearts are set on compromise.
From a one-time error to the way of BalaamApostle Peter describes how forsaking the right path turns an isolated slip into the 'way of Balaam,' where people are driven purely by unreasoning instincts and lusts.2 Peter 2:12–15
The doctrine of Balaam in the churchThe warning to Pergamum highlights how the teaching of Balaam—loving money, pleasing oneself, and leading others into spiritual compromise—can infiltrate a church.Revelation 2:14
Balaam's secondary strategy of moral corruptionUnable to curse God's people directly, Balaam advised Balak to lead Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality through intermarriage with Moabite women.
The righteous zeal of PhinehasPhinehas took radical, decisive action against open sin in the camp, turning away God's wrath and securing a covenant of perpetual peace for his jealous stand for God.
A ruthless attitude toward personal sinThe message concludes with an urgent plea for believers to adopt the uncompromising attitude of Phinehas toward their own sin and cut off anything that displeases God.
