Sermon # 3 - A People Blessed By God Series

We read in Numbers 23:11, Then Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you have done is bless them." (GNB)

As we continue these studies on the church, we realize that many people have not understood the importance of church, and hence they prioritize studies, work and business over church. We are learning that there are some important aspects of the church that we can pick up from the life of the Israelites as they journeyed towards the Promised Land.

Balak the king of Moab was terrified with the growth and progress of the Israelites, and he wanted to stop this. With this in mind, he urged and bribed the Prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel so as to hinder their advancement.

The two important words to note in this verse are curse and bless. Balak invited Balaam by offering him lots of money and gold with the one thought that he would pronounce a curse on the Israelites.

There were some unique characteristics about the people of Israel.

The church is separated for the Lord

Firstly, they lived alone, and were a people separated unto the Lord. They were not a people who lived like others, and did not follow the traditions of those around them. There was a huge difference between the people of Israel, and those around them.

We too as the church are a people set apart for the Lord. The Lord instituted the church to go into the world, and be a witness for the Lord. Sadly, the church has allowed the world to come into the church. What has happened over the years is that we as Christians have become content to attend church on Sundays, just like people of other religion who make it their duty to visit their place of worship once a week. Through the week there is no difference between us who call ourselves children of God, and the people of the world. This is a dangerous place to be in when we as a child of God live in a way that is in no way different or distinct from those in the world. If you are a businessman for example, the way you do business should distinguish you as one who belongs to Jesus. So also is you are a student or an employee at a work place your life must testify to others that you are a child of God, set apart for the Lord. We can in no way call ourselves a church if we do not have this clear distinction from those around us.

The growth of the church is unstoppable

Secondly, the growth of the church cannot be controlled by anyone. God gave a promise to Jacob that the people of Israel would be like the dust of the earth. Many kings, powers and authorities tried their best to destroy the church, but failed miserably. The fact is that the church is not built by any man or by the schemes of man or the strength of any man, but is built by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus said He would build the church upon the rock, and the gates of hell could never prevail against it. Anyone who tries to fight against the church will himself be destroyed. Just imagine a person driving a huge truck up a mountain trying to dash against a rock because he was driving a sturdy truck – we know what the outcome would be. Nothing will happen to the rock, but only the truck will be damaged. That’s exactly how it will be for a person who tries to fight against the church of God. The growth of the church is not based on man’s word, but on God’s word. Any number of orders by governments, prohibitions or schemes of men can never stop the growth of the church. Every word of God will be fulfilled, and Jesus said that not one jot or tittle will pass from the law until they are all fulfilled.

The church is blessed by God

Thirdly, the church, the people of God (we are not talking about the building) are blessed by God. We are the temple of the living God, and God has blesses us. Even if one as strong as Balaam rose up against the church, there is nothing they can do, but can only bless the church.

We read in Numbers 23:11, Then Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you have done is bless them." (GNB) that Balak was so perturbed that the prophet whom he had paid a huge sum of money to, whom he had called to curse the Israelites pronounced blessings on them.