FBCWest

Sermon Notes

Matthew 27:62 - 66 Because they were afraid that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body make the grave secure by posting guards

Matthew 28:1 - 7 Jesus is resurrected the women discover the empty tomb are told that Jesus was not there and tell the disciple

Matthew 28:8 - 10 Jesus meets with His disciples

Matthew 28:11 - 15 Guards tell the officials about the resurrection, but they bribe them to say that the disciples stole the body

1 Corinthains 15:1 - 15 Witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus

A man hired to discern and influence the future cannot even see what is directly in front of him. Instead, his donkey sees what he cannot, and in doing so, saves his life.

As Balaam travels with the leaders of Moab, motivated by the promise of money and honor, God stands against him. An angel blocks the path, but Balaam is spiritually blind. Three times the donkey turns aside, protecting him, and three times Balaam responds with anger and violence. Finally, God opens Balaam’s eyes—and he sees just how close he was to destruction.

This passage reveals powerful truths:

Spiritual blindness can exist even in those who claim to speak for God

God may use unexpected means to redirect us

The love of money can cloud judgment and lead to compromise

Saying “no” to sin once is not enough—we must remain faithful continually

Balaam’s story is filled with irony, humor, and ultimately tragedy. It warns us that partial obedience is still disobedience, and that a heart drawn toward money, influence, or self-interest will always struggle to fully follow God.

This message challenges us to examine our own lives:

Are we truly seeking to honor God—or just trying to make our own path work?

Do we recognize when God is trying to stop us?

And are we willing to trust Him, even when it costs us?

Message by Pastor Joe

“When a Donkey Sees More than You”

Sermon Notes

Numbers 22:21 Balaam goes with the leaders of Moab

Numbers 22:22 God is angry with Balaam and sends an angel in his way as an adversary

Numbers 22:23 – 27 The donkey sees the angel repeatedly blocking the way. Balaam strikes the donkey repeatedly

Numbers 22:28 – 30 The Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and it speaks and Balaam argues with the donkey

Numbers 22:31 – 33 The angels says if not for the donkey the angel would have killed Balaam

Numbers 22:34 & 35 Balaam acknowledges his sins and offers to return, the angel gives him permission to proceed but only speak what God says

Numbers 22:36 – 41 Balak offers sacrifices to Baal and gives some to Balaam and then takes him to the high places of Baal

As Balak, king of Moab, becomes terrified of Israel, he sends messengers to hire Balaam to curse God’s people. Balaam at first refuses because God tells him not to go and not to curse Israel. But when a more distinguished delegation arrives with the promise of greater honor and greater payment, Balaam asks again and reveals the deeper problem: a heart tempted by profit more than obedience.

This sermon explores how the call of money can influence people to do what they should never do, and how Balaam becomes a warning throughout Scripture. Connecting Jude 11, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Matthew 16:26, this message shows that the love of money is not harmless. Money can pull a person away from faith, truth, and obedience to God. The real issue is not earning a living but loving money so much that it competes with God for first place in the heart.

This is a warning against compromise, greed, and trying to reopen doors God has already closed. It is also a call to value your soul more than wealth, power, prestige, or temporary gain. What will a person give in exchange for his soul? Balaam’s story reminds us that no amount of money is worth losing eternity.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 22:1 – 4 Balak, king of Moab became afraid of the sons of Israel

Numbers 22:5 & 6 Balak sends messengers to Balaam to curse the sons of Israel

Numbers 22:7 Elders of Moab and Midian go to Balaam with money to pay him to curse the sons of Israel

Numbers 22:8 Balaam told them to spend the night so that he could find out what God wanted him to do

Numbers 22:9 – 12 God and Balaam have a conversation about the men and God tells him not to go and not to curse the sons of Isarael

Numbers 22:13 & 14 Ballam tells them he cannot go

Numbers 22:15 – 17 Balak sends a bigger and more distinguished group and increases the price

Numbers 22:19 & 20 Ballam asks God again about going

Jude 11 The error of Balaam - money

1 Timothy 6:10 Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil

Matthew 16:26 The value of the soul

The life-and-death crisis Israel faced in the wilderness. After speaking against God and Moses, the people were bitten by fiery serpents and many died. When they finally confessed their sin, Moses interceded for them, and God gave an unexpected remedy.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 21:4 & 5 Because the people had to travel around Edom, they spoke against Moses

Numbers 21:6 God sends fiery serpents to bit and kills the people

Numbers 21:7 The people acknowledge their sin and ask Moses to intercede for them

Numbers 21:8 God tells Moses to make a serpent and put it on a standard and if those who were bitten look, they will not die

Numbers 21:9 Moses did so and if they looked, they did not die

John 3:9 – 18 Jesus will be lifted up and all who believe will have eternal life

God’s people face another crisis: no water, renewed complaints, and rising pressure on Moses. After Miriam dies, the congregation contends with Moses and Aaron, blaming them and accusing them of bringing the people into a “wretched place.” Instead of solving anything, their complaining produces nothing. Moses and Aaron do what God’s people should have done from the beginning: they fall before the Lord and seek His instruction.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 20:1 Miriam dies and is buried

Numbers 20:2 – 5 No water and the people complain

Numbers 20:6 Moses seeks God’s instructions

Numbers 20:7 – 10 Moses told to take Aaron’s rod and the people, then he is to speak to the rock

Numbers 20:11 Moses strikes the rock twice

Numbers 20:12 & 13 Moses told because he did not treat the Lord as holy, Moses will not be able to enter the promise land

Exodus 17:5 & 6 Moses struck the rock once the first time

1 Corinthians 10:4 That rock was Jesus

Matthew 16:13 – 18 Upon this rock

1 Peter 2:4 – 10 Jesus is the cornerstone and we are living stones being built together

Miracles did not stop Israel’s unbelief or grumbling. To demonstrate His sovereignty, God gave His people a clear sign, confirming His chosen priesthood and silencing their rebellion. On our own, we are prone to spiritual rebellion as well. But God sent Jesus so the Law could be fulfilled, and through Him we can live in alignment with God.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 17:1 – 4 Collecting 12 rods with names inscribed on them and placed in the Tabernacle

Numbers 17:5 One rod will sprout so that the grumbling stops

Numbers 17:6 & 7 Moses does what God instructs

Numbers 17:8 & 9 Aaron’s rod sprouts buds, blossoms and ripe almonds. Moses brings out all of the rods

Numbers 17:10 & 11 Moses told to put Aaron’s rod in the Tabernacle as a sign and Moses does so

Very few people are willing to stand in the gap, and even fewer are willing to do so for people who complain about them, blame them, or even hate them. Aaron step into that very place. After rebellion and judgment, the people continue to grumble against Moses and Aaron. God’s wrath begins, and a plague spreads through the camp. At Moses’ instruction, Aaron takes his censer, runs into the midst of the congregation, and stands between the living and the dead. He risks his own life to make atonement for the very people accusing him.

This sermon challenges us to ask:

Are we willing to stand in the gap for others?

Will we intercede for those who misunderstand or mistreat us?

Are we living in gratitude for the One who stood in the gap on the cross for us?

The gospel is not about what we have done, it is about what Christ has done. We were dead. He made us alive. And now, as His workmanship, we are called to reflect His heart by standing in the gap for others.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 16:41 & 42 The people grumbled and blamed Moses and Aaron for yesterday

Numbers 16:43 – 45 God tells Moses to get away from the people

Numbers 16:46 & 47 Moses tells Aaron to make atonement for the people and he does so

Numbers 16:48 Aaron by standing between the living and the dead stooped the plague

Numbers 16:49 & 50 The results of the plague

Ephesians 2:1 – 10 We were dead, but now alive because of Jesus

A direct rebellion against God’s appointed leadership, and a judgment so dramatic it leaves no doubt who the Lord has chosen. Korah, along with 250 leaders of renown, rises up against Moses and Aaron, claiming that “all the congregation is holy” and accusing Moses of exalting himself. The issue isn’t Moses’ ego. It’s the people’s refusal to accept God’s authority and God’s choices.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 16:1 – 3 Korah & 250 others rebel against Moses and Aaron

Numbers 16:4 – 7 Moses tells Korah God will make His choice of them

Numbers 16:8 - 11 Moses tells Korah wasn’t enough that God was using them

Numbers 16:12 – 14 Moses summons those who were apart of the rebellion but had not come to him, but they refuse

Numbers 16:15 Moses asks God not to regard Korah

Numbers 16:16 –19 Moses tells Korah how the test of God’s choosing will take place

Numbers 16:20 & 21 God tells Moses to separate from the people because He is going to destroy them

Numbers 16:22 Moses intercedes for the people

Numbers 16:23 – 30 God tells Moses to tell the people to separate themselves from those who rebelled

Numbers 16:31 – 35 God judges the rebellious by the ground opening up and shallowing them alive

Numbers 16:36 – 40 God tells Moses to use the censors of the rebellious, which is holy for a different holy purpose, but also used as a reminder

This message is both a warning and a call to faithfulness:

- Don’t challenge what God has established.

- Don’t despise the ministry God has given you.

- Serve with full commitment, regardless of the “size” of your role—because God assigned it.

Israel makes the same mistake twice. First, they say, “we can’t,” then they say, “we can,” and they are wrong both times. Because the deciding factor was never their ability but weather God was with them.

After God’s judgment that the older generation would die in the wilderness, the people mourn and then attempt to take the Promised Land anyway. Moses gives them a clear warning that they will not succeed, because the Lord is not among them. The Ark and Moses remain in the camp, but the people presume they can move forward without God. They go their own way and are defeated exactly as Moses said.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 14:39 & 40 The people mourn the pronouncement, but attempt to take the promise land anyway

Numbers 14:41 – 43 Moses warns the people that they will not succeed without the Lord

Numbers 14:44 & 14 They went anyway and lost

Psalm 140:6 – 8 God covers you in battle

Psalm 144:1 – 8 God is our shield and stronghold

Romans 8:28 – 38 Because of God we are overwhelming conquerors

When things don’t go according to our plans, we often ask God to fix the situation. But then try to tell Him how to do it. We see why that approach can be spiritually dangerous and why Scripture warns us to be careful what we ask for.

Sermon Notes

Numbers 14:1 – 4 The people say it would have been better if they had died in Egypt or the wilderness. They appoint another leader

Numbers 14:5 – 10 Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb attempt to keep the people form rebelling against God

Numbers 14:11 & 12 God tells Moses He is going to kill all of them and start over with Moses

Numbers 14:13 – 19 Moses becomes an advocate for the people and the glory of God

Numbers 14:20 – 25 God tells Moses He will pardon the people, but there are still consequences

Numbers 14:26 – 35 God tells Moses He will do what the people want and “They’ll died in the wilderness”

Numbers 14:36 – 38 The 10 who gave the bad report died of a plague