Don’t Be a Balaam: Does This Apply to Me? Numbers 24:15-25

Don’t Be a Balaam: Does This Apply to Me?

Numbers 24:15-25
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

In the story of Balaam, we see the tension between following selfish desires and living in obedience to God – a tension we still feel today in our own lives. There never seems to be a shortage of different opinions on where we should go, what we should do, and how we should live. Amidst all these competing voices, are we tuned in to how God is calling us to live? In the end, it’s up to each of us to decide who we will follow. Who do you choose?

February 23: What is my test? – Numbers 22:1-20

March 2: What is my answer? – Numbers 22:21-41

March 9: What sets me apart? – Numbers 23:1-12

March 16: Who is in control? – Numbers 23:13-26

March 23: How big is God to me? – Numbers 23:27-24:14

March 30: Does this apply to me? – Numbers 24:15-25

April 6: Is my heart really in this? – 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev. 2:14

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Does this apply to me?

Numbers 24:15-25

1. I must look at where I . (15-16)

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3

For people will love only themselves… 2 Timothy 3:2a

Notes:

2. I must look at where stands. (17-19)

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

¹³ But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” ¹⁴ God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:13-14

Notes:

3. I must look at what is in of me now. (20)

²⁵ Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. ²⁶ Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. ²⁷ Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25-27

Notes:

4. I must look at what I place my in. (21-22)

¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:6 (ESV)

Notes:

5. I must look at will vs. God’s will. (23-25)

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39

Notes:

Challenge: Why am I here today?

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord  laid on him [Jesus] the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6 

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 

⁶And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. ⁷Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. ⁸Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:6-8 

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.