The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on Nov 1, 2026.
We have a choice. Even Jesus gave the people a choice. The Bible says we are the salt of the earth, as well as the light. Others should see that Light in us. The church has allowed far too much into it and into our nation by not speaking out. There’s been too much compromise.
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The church compromised, even as mentioned here in scripture. We can be Christians and still do (fill in the blank). No, we can’t. The big telescopes that we’re fortunate to have in use in space show there is order to creation. It wasn’t a big bang. People have fallen into the way of Balaam. The book of Numbers gives us the story. As a recap, Balaam was a man of God. He’s the one the donkey talked to. The children of Israel were getting ready to take over the Promised Land. Balac tried to get Balaam to curse Israel. At first, he simply refused. They went back a second time to him, and he allowed them to stay outside of his place for him to think about it overnight. He allowed them an audience, something he should never have done. He still wouldn’t curse Israel, but he told Balac how to hinder them. The Lord almost took his life.
We have compromised, being told to stay out of things like politics, even local things. Christians used to have influence. Christians were the first to campaign against slavery in the US. The true church and its people always show love and provide the moral compass for the world around us. Balaam saw dollar signs and prestige being offered to him. He got on his donkey to go do what he promised. The animal saw the Lord with his sword drawn ready to kill Balaam. He stopped. Balaam beat it. He made it go until finally it turned and spoke to him. The donkey was willing to help his owner despite being abused. God opened his eyes. He saw what was about to happen to him. The Lord told him to go and say only what he was told. He blessed Israel instead. Balac got mad. This is when Balaam told him how to cast a stumbling block for Israel. What happened? They started mixing and marrying the Canaanites, something God had strictly forbidden. Twenty-four thousand people of Israel died because they mixed in and allowed the compromise.
This is what has happened in the church. We stopped standing on the Book–the Bible. All sorts of false doctrine is being preached in church buildings. In recent months things have come to light about pastors doing things they ought not. Are we vetting them and others enough? Many preach only what people want to hear–you know, the tickling of the ears the Bible warns about. So goes the church. So goes the nation. Our Bill of Rights and Constitution came right out of the Word of God. That’s why God has blessed this nation for so long. We’ve allowed society to tell us this isn’t true, that the Bible had nothing to do with us. Organizations like the ACLU have planned and successfully campaigned against prayer in schools. Now look at what we have–a police presence at every school. People are grabbing onto anything not realizing that what they seek deep inside is Jesus Christ. Because of compromise we can see what has and is happening in our land.
We need the Holy Spirit to convict us. Back in the day, Christians used to shout out the praises of God. As citizens we need to vote, and we need to vote with biblical instruction in mind. Because we’ve let things slip, the name of Jesus can hardly be spoken in the public realm outside the church walls. Celebrities who do get blacklisted. So many people in every walk of life have stepped back. Sinister things are creeping into this nation, even into our neck of the woods. Look at what’s happening in Norton VA right now.
We need to empower ourselves with the knowledge of scriptures. We need to teach young people how important being a Christian is and how to withstand peer pressure to do what they should not. Radical ideas and people that are completely contrary to the Bible are quickly spreading throughout the land. We need to pray. We need to know the Word. We need to live Christ-like. Else we will see this nation taken over by things and ideas contrary to God. PRAY! LIVE LIKE CHRIST. Don’t follow the doctrine of Balaam.
