Lesson Five – “The Way of Balaam”

Conquerors Bible Class – Sunday, August 30, 2020

Today’s Lesson thought can be summed up by asking this simple question…

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“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;”

II Peter 2:15

Introduction to the Lesson:

What is your motivation today for serving God?

What makes you do what you do for the Lord Jesus Christ??


Lesson: ‘The Way of Balaam’

I : The Bold Accusers are seen
    - II Peter 2:10-11

        A: We See Fleshly Indulgence in verse 10
            - II Peter 2:10
                - 1 - Peter characterizes false teachers as those who are continually indulging
                        in sin and sins of the flesh!
                - 2 - Peter characterizes false teachers as those who despise authority!
                      - II Peter 2:1
                - 3 - Peter characterizes false teachers as those who are presumptuous
                        and self-willed!
                      - Hebrews 13:17

    B: These false teachers go Beyond Angels
        - II Peter 2:11
                - Now, compare II Peter 2:1 with James 2:19
                     - Jude 1:8-10

II : The False Teachers Appear as Brute Beasts
    - II Peter 2:12-14

        A: They display Irrational Behaviour as seen in verse 12
            - Romans 1:28-32, Jude 1:19, II Peter 3:9, John 3:16-18, and even Luke 19:10

        B: These false teachers display Spots and Blemishes as seen in verse 13
            - II Peter 2:13, Proverbs 13:20

        C: These false teachers are displayed as Cursed Children in verse 14
            - II Peter 2:14, Ephesians 5:6


III : The False Teachers Follow Balaam’s Way
    - II Peter 2:15-16, Numbers, chapters 22 through 24

        A: Balaam’s Way is seen in verses 15 and 16
            - II Peter 2:15

        B: Iniquity rebuked in verse 16
            - II Peter 2:16, Numbers 22:21-35


CONCLUSION…

The heart of the story is simply this…

Balaam “KNEW” what God had instructed him to do and to say, yet for personal gain he was willing to do the exact opposite of what God said do!

Peter draws the parallel between Balaam and those who follow Balaam’s example literally snubbing God and spitting in the face of God seemingly stating, “I’m going to do what I want to do no matter what you say, God!”.

And while God may not always use a “Better Business Burro” in today’s world to rebuke false prophets, God does nonetheless rebuke the error and doctrines of false teachers and preachers today through His precious Word!

Oh, Christian…do you love the Word of God today??

Are you staying “in The Book” and allowing “The Book” to stay in you??

The Bible reminds us in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

We don’t need to correct the Word of God today through all these new “versions and perversions”…we simply need to let the Word of God correct us and lead us in paths of righteousness, which God has promised it will do!

Child of God, don’t get caught up in the way of Balaam…lost souls are depending upon YOU today to lead them in the right direction so they too can know Jesus as their Saviour!