Undertsanding the Bible Series 12

Welcome to the NECF Podcast, where we share our weekly sermons and faithfully interpret

the Bible to encourage and direct you on your spiritual path.

We are devoted pastors and special guests devout to the depths of the Bible, exploring

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Glory to God.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made

foolish the wisdom of this world? For sins and the wisdom of God, the world through the

wisdom or through wisdom did not know God. It pleases God through the foolishness of

the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign and the Greeks seek

after wisdom. We preach Christ crucified. The Jews is a stumbling block and to the Greek

foolishness. But to those who are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God

and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, the weakness of God

is stronger than men. So we began what we are trying to clarify what we call the Gnostic

Gospel last week and we try to understand what is Gnostic Gospel because it is something

that is being discussed currently since its discovery or the books that have been discovered

in 1945. We noted that these materials open another chapter of debates and discussion and

some people who have been enemies of the cross use the opportunity to further their narrative

and to bring about some more confusion for those who are undecided or those who are yet

to come to the Lord. For those who are even coming to the Lord or who have come to the

Lord, we have seen that kind of way of their faith shaken and most of the times this is

key that we discuss today, it's key that we go through all this to bring some clarity

in this area. So we noted last week that Gnostic Gospel, they are ancient religious writings

that unfortunately claim that they were written by prominent biblical figures or biblical

characters and we also clarify that they were initially resisted by the early church

and probably this is the reason why they went hiding and those books were also

hidden and they were hidden for probably more than 1,000 years and then were discovered in a

near Egyptian town, we call it Naqnomandi and in 1945 that's why they are called the Naqnomandi

Library. Those collections of books, they are about I guess around 13 and consist of several other

small collections of books also, about 52 Gnostic texts and we noted that although the word Gnostic

Gospel are used to describe them, there is nothing gospel in there, perhaps the word Gnostic

will qualify those things and we said also the word Gnostics are just used to describe all the

materials that are collected in that or found among the Naqnomandi Library. However, not all of them

actually Gnostics because we describe Gnostics or Gnosticism as something that seems to be

a secret knowledge that is only for the elite, it's an elite knowledge that is not common to everyone

but that cannot be because the gospel is accessible to everyone, the knowledge of the gospel

is open, is for everyone. Christ didn't come for specific people and the knowledge of Christ

is not just something that is reserved for some elite in the society. The Bible says for the

grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men, meaning that this grace of God is

for all men, it's not for some certain people. So and this is why we preach the gospel. If the

gospel is not for everyone that cannot be the gospel of Jesus Christ. What makes the gospel

the gospel is that it is a gospel for everyone and that's why we go to preach to all nations.

But these Gnostics gospel or the Gnosticism seems to prefer to

prefer to alleviate some certain knowledge specific to what we call elite knowledge,

some secret knowledge that we've seen as I described last Wednesday. So we also looked at

many things that these teachings try to undermine. Remember we noted that although the idea has been

since the time of the apostles, in fact we said that Gnosticism didn't start

when the apostles were around, it actually began even before Jesus. So it is a combination of all

kinds of ideas and confusion all mixed together, concocted. So it is important that we note that

one. And then we also looked at some few scripture that seems to describe that. We saw how we read

Colossians 8-9, we saw how in that kind the knowledge of Christ is downplayed, the revelation

of his incarnation and we saw how philosophies are promoted. We saw how philosophies are promoted,

this idea of speciality and unfortunately up to today we still see that those kind of things,

where some people in the body of Christ try to claim speciality, try to claim that they have

access to some certain knowledge that others do not. And we said that is Gnosticism in some way.

And each time you practice that kind of thing, you feel that you have access to some certain

secret knowledge that others do not have. Because we normally talked about the Holy Spirit in you is

the Holy Spirit in me. The difference between the leaders in the church who expresses probably the

Holy Spirit, the demonstrations of the Holy Spirit beyond others is because they are grown.

And that's why in the church those ones who are grown, then they are leaders, they are meant to

train those ones who are actually not yet grown in God. And that's how the idea of God. But that's

not to say the one who is grown has some special knowledge or some special revelation or some special

gifts that others do not have. We have one Lord, one Spirit, we have one message, we have one baptism

in the sun. And so we have to differentiate between growth and the expression of the Holy Spirit

depending on how much we have known about it again and also the idea that is being encroached

into the church. You see, we must not practice our Christianity based on philosophies. It's supposed

to be based on the written word, based according to proper interpretation. And that's why we are

taking this time to look at so many things that we need to, as God helps us. Now today I will

talk about something that is very, very important. And I think it is good that we go this way.

Now, one of the claims of these people who have promoted this idea or this Antichrist message,

because Antichrist is not something that will come someday. Already is here, is an idea.

Antichrist, anyone that anything, any knowledge that discredits the knowledge of Christ,

his incarnation, his suffering, his death and resurrection, that's an Antichrist.

That's an Antichrist. And so I want us to know that. Now the Gnostic gospel promotes something,

and especially now some people have had these, immediately after this document we have found in

1945, there have been some voices actually shouting loudly that actually these Gnostic

gospel are lost books of the Bible. Remember we took time to prove that 27 books are the

actually canon of the New Testament, the section of the Bible we call the New Testament. Now there

have been some movement, moving that no, it is not just 27 in the sun. Part of those books that

we are, we are rejected by the Church Fathers when they are compiling the canon is because,

is this, I mean, is this lost Gnostics gospels. And so they call those Gnostics gospel,

the lost books of the Bible. And they just go, they are, they went into the Bible,

they'll find some texts here and there, which we are going to look at them, that seems to

point out that there are some portions of the writings, either of the apostles that has not

been found. We don't have record of them up to today. But they are, they are, they are

found. And so they look at and say, Oh, there are some scenes. That's why I told you they wrote,

that's why they use the Gnostics gospel use names of prominent people and apostles. And so I say,

look at apostle Paul, he missed some things. But this one is called the prayer of the prayer of

Paul. Remember I showed you some, the revelation of Paul. This one is the gospel according to

Thomas. And but we still have other ones, even in this Bible we are holding up that there are

some places that is saying that we don't have record of what some, some of them wrote. So that

means this, this were the other ones that were lost. So that's the argument. And they kept arguing

concerning that. Now let's look at those things and look at the argument and see whether it hold

any credibility or not. So we have many people, atheists, skeptics, Gnostics, and so on that.

Now keep talking about that the lost book of the Bible. Okay. Now lost books of the Bible. What are

these lost books of the Bible? What are these lost books of the Bible? Now, and sincerely we have

about probably at least at least up to 30 different works mentioned in the Bible that we do not

have them again, or we do not have record of them about 30 or let's say at least 30. As we read the

Bible carefully, you will see that there are a lot and lot of places, but majority are in the Old

Testament, about 28, probably just two are in the New Testament and first Corinthians chapter five,

first Corinthians chapter five. That's the first one that was noted in the new, the epistles,

particularly first Corinthians chapter five. Look at verse nine. Look at verse nine. I wrote to you in the epistle.

Let me start again. I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexual immoral people.

Now when he said, I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexual immoral people.

I hear the apostles is likely mentioning because this is the first letter to the Corinthians.

So it must have been talking that he wrote to them in a separate letter, which we do not have record of.

I want to read that please in other versions. Let me read maybe in NLT. He said, when I wrote to you

before, NLT says that, when I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with the people who

indulge in sexual sin. So this just indicated or indicates that there was a writing of the apostle

prior this one. So he wrote to them earlier on that do not associate with the those who indulge

in sexual sin. But the question is that where is that epistle that was written earlier on?

We don't have record of it. Glory to God. Colossians chapter 16. That's the next one.

Colossians chapter 16. Why am I making the verses, the chapter today? Glory to God.

Maybe I'm not part of the Gnostics. I don't want anything to be added to the scripture.

Colossians chapter 4 verse 16. Glory to God. Colossians chapter 4 verse 16. He said,

Colossians 4:16 Colossians 4:16

now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the

Laodicean and that you likewise read the epistle from the Laodicean. So this indicated that of

course, you know, we took time to talk about how we even saw the church Colossi is the Laodicea is

just a neighboring town. And Paul said that you should, when you read this Colossians just pass

it to the church in Laodicea. And then as well also, so this verse give an indication

that there was a letter to the Laodiceans which Paul wanted also the Colossians to read.

And they also, they should pass this Colossians to the Laodiceans as well. They should also read

the epistle to the Laodiceans. Now the question is that where is the epistle to the Laodiceans?

Probably would have had Laodiceans also just like we have Colossians. However, we don't have a record

of it. Okay. Now is that a problem? So this is just the ones in the record in the part of scripture

we call the New Testament or we can just say in the epistles. I told you several in the about

more of them in around 28 which are about in the Old Testament. Is that a problem since we don't

have records of these? Does these scriptures justify then that the Nostra's gospels should

have been the ones that should fill in these gaps that have been so to say lost? No, not at all.

Now this is not the, I'll show you this is not the only place I show that there are certain things

that have not been recorded. So this is not an alarm on anything at all. Now their unavailability

did not undermine anyway the revelation of Jesus Christ that salvation is by faith through,

I mean salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. So whether we don't have them now, it is no way,

it doesn't reduce or add to the message at all because whatever Paul wrote it was what all his

writings if you see that's why we have overlap. So most of sometimes what Paul wrote to some churches

is actually what he wrote to other churches is the same Jesus he preached. It is the same Jesus

he preached. It is the same revelation of Christ. You understand? Look at Colossians chapter 1.

Colossians 1 · chapter mention

Look at Colossians chapter 1 verse 14. Colossians chapter 1 verse 14. In whom we have redemption

Colossians 1:14 Colossians 1:14

through his blood the forgiveness of sins. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness

of sins. And go back to Ephesians chapter 1. Ephesians chapter 1. Look at verse 7. In him we have

Ephesians 1 · chapter mention Ephesians 1 · chapter mention

redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. Did you

see that? So I mean I just saw one portion. So he wrote it to the the gospel to Colossians the

same thing. You can see almost there are many passages from these places. Because we are not

doing that's not our focus today. You will see that they are almost like a replica of those also

verses in other places. Like if you see this verse verse 14 of Colossians 1 and then verse 7 of

Colossians Ephesians chapter 1. You will discover that they are just like a copy and paste. The

Ephesians 1 · chapter mention

only difference likely is just the latter part he said which Paul added in Ephesians according

to the riches of his grace. And of course even though he didn't put it in Colossians it definitely

is according to the riches of his grace. So the fact that we don't have the epistles in

Laodiceans or the earlier writings of Paul to the Corinthians asking them that they should not

keep company with those who indulge in sexual sin doesn't actually take anything away from

the gospel. Everything that a man needs to be saved is available. That's the most important thing.

Glory to God. John chapter 20. John chapter 20. So I want you to know that it's not everything that

John 20 · chapter mention John 20 · chapter mention

God ever did that he actually just preserved. There are many things that God did he chose not

to preserve the writings or what was done. So is a prerogative of God. If we do not have those ones

it's because God just chose that those things will not be preserved. And as I said they actually

did not reduce anything from the gospel. Neither did they add anything. So whether they are available

is still the gospel. Whether they are not available the gospel is still available. Glory to God.

Amen. Can you look at that John 20? I want to read just two verses there. John 20 verse 30.

John 20:30

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written

in this book. Do you see that? So there are many things Jesus did but they were not recorded which

were not. This shows that they lack their ability. No, no. It's just like a decision that they will

not be covered at all. They were not recorded in this book. But look at but verse 31. But these

were written. That means there is a like a direction of writing. This shows to us that the writing was

not just like something done haphazardly like accidental. They just occur like that. No.

That the the writings were deliberate. There was a goal for the writing. So when the Holy Spirit

was moving these men to write there was a deliberateness. There was a goal of each of

the writings. And that's why if you read through every book you will never miss why the book was

written. It was always so why the book was written. Whether it was written to an individual or to a

church. They said but these were written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of

God and that by believing you may have life in his name. These were written that you might believe

that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that by believing you may have life in his name. So the

question is that all that has been written all that has been written concerning the Christ is

sufficient for us to believe and have life in his name. Oh yes. Is it sufficient that the nature of

God is revealed? Who God is is no longer in type and shadows. That God has been revealed. Christ has

been revealed to us. We don't need extra materials to know who Jesus is. No he's not mysterious.

You know some people say we don't know know how God is. He's the Son. He might appear this way.

He might appear that way. No brother you didn't read your Bible very well. God is the same

yesterday today and forever. He does not appear this way. He does not appear this way. No no no

no no no. Yes we have record and this is the reason why we spend huge time and we label a lot

to really present clearly clearly I mean what God revealed about himself because especially when you

look at the the writings in the Old Testament a lot has been modeled up. It is light in the

Old Testament. It is light in that place. You will see you will see light here all covered by a lot

of things and some of the word has spoken by prophet. In fact they use and the Lord said so

the fact that the the the portion of the Bible you know and say and the Lord says so when you read

the Old Testament you will you will seem to see a God that contradict himself. He said here I love

you after a little while he said I will kill you. I will destroy you. You understand? I hate you. I

will squeeze you. I mean the question you need to ask is that which type of God is this? Like a

bipolar person he moved this way when they are you move the other way but you don't see those kind of

contradictions in the in the in the epistles. You don't see the apostle speaking of God as loving

and then speaking of God again as one who is going to do you understand saying but now because he

has been revealed fully he has been revealed fully. So it's not today that Luke chapter 9 is not today

Luke 9 · chapter mention

that we started to to see that. So both we must subject the words of the prophets all they said

that's why Jesus what Jesus did is to sieve those things concerning himself because it's not everything

they said that is concerning him. Oh ye foolish of heart I mean slow of heart oh ye fools or foolish

ones slow of heart to believe all that the prophet have spoken or not Christ in the sun to suffer

and then to enter his glory and beginning at Moses beginning at Moses and all the prophet

he expounded he explained expounded unto them the things concerning him he expounded unto them

the things concerning him is the things concerning him and the things concerning him Jesus got

you went through the text and said this one is about me this one is about me this one no I'm

not the one who said it although the prophet said it but he's not talking about me innocent. So he

was putting a disclaimer and then going into those things but now that we have the Holy Spirit we have

the ability to know that which was freely given to us that which is freely given to us to those in the

past eyes have not seen ears have not heard it has never come to the heart of man what God has preserved

for those who loved him but he has opened to them open these things to us by his spirit to others

they don't know we will know it and that's how we can confidently go through scriptures and know

that I say no this one is not actually the the the the words of God to us hallelujah amen. So we have

everything we need we have everything we need glory to God I'm just happy to know that

nothing is missing that God has has he has kept everything for me as a very in fact as a responsible

father he has everything we need in Christ everything we need in Christ. Second Peter chapter 1 verse 3

2 Peter 1:3

second Peter chapter 1 verse 3 but let me read from verse 1 Simon Peter a born servant and apostle

2 Peter 1:3

of Jesus Christ to those who have obtained like precious faith oh I love this one in always on

people feel that that there are some certain things the some people have they don't have you see what

the apostle say he say those who have obtained like precious faith like judeo say common salvation

he said like precious faith doesn't mean the faith he has the same thing he is writing to

to these men that are all scattered around Asia besides say we we all have like precious faith

he said with us he said by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ verse 2 grace and

peace be multiplied to you or really be you understand in the knowledge of Christ and of

Jesus Christ our Lord verse 3 as his divine power has given us not he will give us his divine power

he said has given us we have it already glory to God he has given to us all things that pertains

to life and godliness how did we come into this all things he said it is by the knowledge

of him who has called us to glory who has called us by glory and virtue that means these all things

are in Christ we access them through the knowledge of Jesus Christ this knowledge talking about

through the believing of Christ through coming into God through the the the the rebirth of the

spirit that's how we access it when we believe we come we come he said that they might know him

the only true God he's talking about that they might believe in him that's what he's saying

so we access these all things that is needed for our life is through his knowledge the knowledge

of Christ who himself have called us by glory and virtue and by which we have been given to us

exceedingly great and precious promises that through this you might be partakers or we are

partakers of his divine nature he said having escaped we have escaped already he said having

escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust we have escaped the corruption

we have already we have precious we are partakers of his divine nature we are not going to be

partakers we are partakers we have everything that we need in life for our godliness we have it

no cause for alarm we have a precious God who has given us all things but I don't be concerned

because you have everything oh I have everything everything I need for my sojourn here everything

I need for life and ministry everything I need to do God's will I have it you don't need to be

bothered those things in fact apostle john told us that this we are written that means those ones

that have been preserved for us he said they are written that we might believe and we have believed

and he said again even as we come into him already everything we need is available

everything we need is available glory to Jesus now there's something that is also important

and I need to touch it also is the citation aside the issue of what is a lost books which now yes

we will just say that they are materials which have not been preserved you understand as we have

done through this series you should know that to have this bible in this form is definitely an act

of God no bible I mean no material on earth has been sold as a scripture since the beginning of

the printing press and no material we have seen how this has preserved and astute hostile men

hostile emperors hostile nations they wanted to destroy this material and destroy

the work of God on the earth but it's not possible is God that preserved his words and he did that

because he loved us God cannot preserve these 66 books and then you say he's mysterious I mean how

how can you I mean it means that I was I don't know how to there's one of my my my my professor

back in school he said he does not believe lazy people will make him

and that's exactly because probably he looked at he knew that only I mean hard working people

will definitely pay attention to what God is saying in the sun glory to Jesus now the point

is that how then do we come into another I mean to defend another argument what is argument

does the citation or allusion of some um some materials extra biblical materials extra canon

uh uh extra canon materials or or extra inspired materials not inspired material non-inspired

materials into the into the scripture uh shows that they also are scriptures because we have

a number of places in the bible we are materials let me call it quote-unquote

uh a secular materials that has been quoted by the prophet and apostles in the bible those are

shows that just because they quote from those portion of those uh a uninspired materials

what I mean uninspired means uninspired by God because definitely it has been inspired by the

men who wrote them in the sun whatever inspired them whether they themselves were the only

inspired themselves or something else inspired them the point is that they are materials in which

they are not scriptures but we see apostles and prophets quoting them so when when apostolic

quote them or make reference or allude to these materials do they shows or are they indicating

that those material also have equal authority with the bible because there are some skeptics

trying to bring some things back they're gonna say ah if this one was not an authority why did

the apostle quote it or why did the prophet make reference to it so we want to now look at these

those things and see and prove that the fact that the apostle make reference to such materials

does not equate them or does not bring them at the same authority with the scriptures glory to God

amen now first there are no biblical sources which have been repeatedly quoted in the old

testament let's start from the old testament and see a number of them numbers to 21 numbers to 21

from verse 13 and 14 numbers 21 13 and 14 I'll just move somewhere else and find a place

and stop for the day but I believe that God is bringing light to us and we're seeing reasons why

I mean how we can be able to stand and defend the faith yes you must not be a passive believer

you must you must defend the faith is part of the faith to defend the faith and defending the faith

is by bringing sound argument sound knowledge of God's words to counteract lies and evil and to

show that what God has done is eternal a universe 13 of 20 21 of numbers is the number of the

it says therefore it is said in the book of the walls of the law will help is shuffa the book of

the unknown and the slope of the brook that reaches to the dwelling of air and lies on the border of

moab did you see that one it has been said in the book of the walls of the law which one is a book

of the wars of the lord so we have a material which the prophet quoted in where he said in the

books he said it it is said in the book of the wars of the law we don't have that book

whatever that book moses got you go he have access to those books amen so we have one material that

was noted the books of the wars of the lord another one is the books the book of joshua joshua chapter

Joshua 10:13

10 verse 13 joshua chapter 10 verse 13 the book of joshua let's see joshua 10 verse 13

Joshua 10:13 Joshua 10:13

he says so the sun stood still and the moon stopped i don't want to go into trouble in this one i know

there's some confusion happening here you know when you don't read carefully you think that the sun

stops and then please don't go and be disgracing us in the sun leave science alone and forget about

science please i beg you let's focus on the bible and leave science till the people science knows

how to arrange themselves in the sun because if you are a scientist you know you know how

that scientists have a way of rearranging themselves in the sun even if a thought they have held for

decades and for centuries overnight they will overturn it and continue in other direction so

don't go and be disgracing yourself on the issue of scientists leave them in the sun they know how

to arrange themselves and come back to the truth and continue even after a long time amen glory to

jesus so he said till the people had avenged upon their enemies is this not written in the book of

joshua and i'm just of course concerned about joshua the book of joshua that means this was written

in the book of joshua of course it also makes reference to second um second samuel second samuel

second samuel 1 18 let me start reading from verse 17 then david lamented with this lamentation

over soul and over jonathan his son i believe you know the the story when somebody came i mean

someone came and gave him a story that he was the one who killed our soul and he told them to

them to to teach the children of judah the song of bar indeed it is written in the book of what

joshua is it the beauty of israel you are in you are in and you know this prominent

parliamentarian i mean you you know this you you will know this given a lot of scripture he

popularized them in the floor of the at the house the beauty of israel is learned upon on on your

high places how the mighty are falling tell it not in god proclaim it not in the stretch of ashkalon

let the daughters of the philistine rejoice let the daughters of this uncircumcised triumph and

then you can continue still talking about what was written there in the book of joshua i mean

there is another one let me just read it also is it the book of the act of solomon first king the

books of the act of solomon the books of the act of solomon first king chapter 11 first king 11

verse 41 first king 11 verse 41 now the rest of the acts of solomon and all he did

and his wisdom are they not written in the book of the act of solomon are they not written in the

book of the act of solomon then we have what we call the annals or the chronicles of david's

of king david's first chronicles 27 24 first chronicles 27 24 the annals or chronicles of

king david 24 joab the son of zerua began a census but he did not finish for that came upon israel

because of the census nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of king david

or the annals of king david now the issue is that these are all we see all quotation from all these

materials although these are non-canonical books non-canonical books they still have some truth

of course what was quoted is to make reference to some things they have some truth there now why do

i say that sometimes those quotations have some truth let's go to me to first peter let me show

you a verse that is not just only books because those books were written by men although they are

non-canonical they still sometimes contain truth just the same way like you can have a wicked man

but still has some truth in truth the fact that it can is from a wicked person doesn't mean that

they just because he speaks the truth and then that means whatever he said is is is also wicked

or evil no in the sense truth is truth it doesn't matter which mouth it came from you have to because

truth is not validated by a person truth is not validated by a person whether it's righteous or

wicked truth is validated by itself so if if the if the if the evil spirit that followed the apostles

and he was shouting and said these were the men of this they are here them here you can imagine

evil spirit is a here the apostle you know but truly the evil spirit is even saying the right thing

you know what i'm saying but it's not that the opposite god annoyed because it's just disturbing

them they the lady just keep pestering them anywhere they enter she started the first day

the second day she was disturbing them they also got annoyed and say i thought and commanded the

spirit to leave the lady so they you cannot say just because it was evil spirit who were saying

he didn't say no it's not the truth it's wickedness no no no no hallelujah glory to jesus second

peter that's the second peter yes second peter chapter 2 verse 15 look at a man called balam balam

2 Peter 2:15

is an interesting figure in the sun whereby there are some there have been some warning everywhere

concerning him balam is not an example at all second peter 2 15 he said they have forsaken the

right way and gone astray following the way of balam the son of world who loved the wages of

unrighteousness who loved the wages of unrighteousness jute one of course verse 11 jute verse 11 or jute 1

11 war to them for they have gone in the way of cain leave cain aside i'm just focusing on

on balam first focusing on balam have run greedily in the error of balam for profit

and perish in the rebellion of corral to leave corral leave cain and focusing on balam because

i'm just trying to make a point that someone can be wicked someone can be unrighteous someone can

be in error but sometimes can speak the truth but that the fact that is wicked unrighteous

and and often speak lies when he speaks the truth doesn't qualify the truth to be lied just because

he has been a liar no no because the truth is not qualified by the person who said it

the truth is validated by itself revelation chapter 2 verse 14 revelation 2 14 revelation 2 14 but i

Revelation 2:14

have a few things against you because you have because you have there those who hold the doctrine

of balam who taught balak to put a stumbling block before the children of israel to eat the things

sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality now let's go back to numbers let's see what balam

said you know what he has been saying although look at him he has caused israel to stumble to

eat those things sacrificed to idol and as well to commit sexual immorality he has been a man who

is unrighteous who actually collect the wages of unrighteousness are we together he's a man of error

he has a way and the way has become a doctrine you see that his way has become a doctrine

glory be to god oh thank you lord number 24 maybe let me read some portion from verse one

and then i will jump and then reach verse 14 and i think that is uh he said now verse 24

verse one now when when balam saw that it pleases the lord to bless israel he did not go as at other

times to seek to use sorcery so you can see the man has been using sorcery the sorcerer but he set

his face toward the wilderness and balam raised his eyes and saw israel encamp according to their

tribes the spirit of god came upon him then he took up his oracle and said the utterance of balam

the son of boar the utterance of the man whose eyes are open the utterance of him who hears the

word of god who sees the vision of almighty who falls down with eyes wide open how lovely are your

tents oh jacob your dwellings oh israel like valley that stretches out that stretch out like guarding

the like gardens by the riverside like aloes planted by the lord like sida beside the waters

he shall pour waters from his pocket and he sit shall be in many waters his king shall be

he higher than agak and his kingdom shall be exalted verse eight god brings him out of egypt

he has strength like a wild horse he shall consume the nation nations his enemies he shall bring

break their bones and pierce them with his arrow he bows down he lies down as a lion

and i say lion who shall arouse you bless is he who bless you and cause is he who causes you

then he said then balak got angry then balak's anger was aroused against balam and he stroke his

hand together and just like this stroke his hands together and balak said to bala i call you to cause

my enemies and look you have bountifully blessed them these three times now look at john i want you

to jump after balak finished lamenting i was angry look at verse 14 and now indeed i am going to my

people come i will advise you what these people would do your people in the latter days so he took

so he took up his oracles and said that is balam took uh up his oracles and said the

utterance of balam just the same way like he did in verse three the oracles of balam the son of

boa the utterance of the man whose eyes are open the utterance of him who's a hey who hears the

word of the lord and has the knowledge of the most high who sees the visions of the almighty

who falls down with his eyes wide open verse 17 where i will stop he said i see him but not now

but i behold him but not near a star shall come out of jacob a scepter shall arise out of israel

and better the bros the bro of muak and destroy all the sons of tumor you can imagine what this

man is saying this is the same man who is wicked this is someone who is unrighteous this is same

man understand who you have seen that his ways have turned to they have done they have done to

doctrine is that they started as a way of error but now it has become a a doctrine again look at

what he's saying this does not invalidate what he said the fact that he's wicked and all that

does not invalidate this truth about israel about the sons of jacob glory to god so god can even

speak through donkeys have you seen that place when god spoke to through donkey not even human

the same number just move backward a bit where you just read numbers 20

22 28 look at numbers 22 28 you see where donkeys spoke then the lord opened the mouth of the donkey

and said to balam what have i done to you that you have struck me this three times and balance

continue to speak and we saw so many times where they don't i mean where the lotto so even the

donkey spoke just to teach this unrighteous man better things you know he was just trying to

be wicked to the donkey now as i said truth is truth doesn't matter which mouth it came from

it came from no matter where it is from also sometimes you find out that um non-biblical

resources or sources are repeatedly used in different places so when we come next week we

will look at those ones that appear in the uh new testament in fact they are the most crucial one

most of the argument brought by the by the 80s and some skeptics they actually use uh interestingly

some of the things we call the northeastern gospel in fact there are some quotation that allude

that the quotation were from those there were one or two books on those northeastern gospel

we're going to look at it and then bring the argument to show that the fact that just like

we saw many other materials the prophet used and quote this is not that they continue to quote from

there as if they are they make reference to certain things in those materials and then they

return and then we'll make see how that is not an issue at all except you just want to for the sake

of argument keep making argument because you want to confuse many people you know and the people you

confuse are those people who wants to do evil but they are looking for an opportunity you understand

most times when somebody wants to do something he doesn't have i remember in church here sometimes

people will be in leadership you know you are dragging them they are dragging you you are dragging

them they are not being or they don't want to do things i said these people are not here is this

thing immediately you remove that leadership you see them they will disappear from the church that

shows i see you they have been keeping them all so what i'm trying to say is that when somebody

wants to do evil or when somebody wants to go his own way he's looking for an opportunity to do it

you understand the condition might not be in order but once the person had the opportunity

he just moves away in the sun and then you will now use that as an excuse no he's not an excuse

he's not earlier on you have been wanting to do it in the sun so brother follow your heart but know

that like uh what's that the person who says that um uh i think it's solomon but remember

after you follow your heart and there is consequences to it whatever you follow hallelujah

the lord will help us in jesus name amen can we just pray thank you father we appreciate you because

you are wonderful and you are wonderful beyond measure beyond expectation thank you for preserving

the truth for us all that we need for life and ministry all that we need to do your will is

available to us thank you father because we will serve you in our day before our time is over before

this flesh would give way thank you because we are strengthened in our inner man we're encouraged in

whatever situation we are but may our eyes continue to see you to see you and to see you

and to see ourselves in you thank you lord amen

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