A. It is easy to “go with the flow” of current thought and doctrinal deviation in the ministry. 👍Someone said: “Any dead fish can float with the current.” Paul didn’t receive his “Well done” from the Savior by compromising, but by being “steadfast, immovable…” so that he was able to say at the end of his ministry, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” He didn’t quit, turn aside or compromise. I am sure that our text verse helped him on more than one occasion when he was tempted. It will help you too.
B. It has been said that a man who will not stand for something will fall for anything. The temptation to compromise convictions, change beliefs, take the easy path, go with the tide or straddle the fence rears its ugly head in business, in the home, and in the Lord’s work. The men-of-God who are remembered are not the compromisers, not the middle-of-the-roaders, but those who have stood their ground.
ILLUS: 💥Martin Luther is remembered not for giving in to the damnable heresies of the Roman harlot, but for his uncompromising stand against popular opinion against God’s Word. He declared before those who would have him back down from a biblical position: “Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me.” 💥Tryon Edwards defined compromise as “the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another – too often ending in the loss of both.” Someone else noted “It is the weak man who urges compromise – never the strong man.”James Russel Lowell said: “Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is a temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in states-manship.” Strength stands, weakness compromises!
I. THE WELL-MEANING MAN WHO BECAME SHAMEFUL – BALAAM:
A. Corrected By A Donkey:
1. Desire for profit corrupts. Numbers 25:5-8
a. There is often money involved in temptation to compromise; a raise in pay, a bribe disguised as an incentive, etc. b. Baalam didn’t take the bribe, but he gave it consideration and even prayed about it (sounds spiritual)!
ILLUS:Gambling corrupts the same way. It is a desire to get something big for a small investment. Gambling corrupts: it destroys the work ethic, it places you in unsavory company, it supports a corrupt industry, may destroy your family and encourages compromise. Most importantly it says you can’t trust God to care for your needs. Someone said to me “I am in the Pa. Lottery’s millionaire circle. Pray I will win so I can tithe the money.”
ILLUS: It is almost axiomatic that those who seek fame and prestige by the world or their peers have to compromise. They may sacrifice their purity, become drug addicts, alcoholics, etc. Ex: sports figures, TV stars, Hollywood stars, etc.
ILLUS: Here is the wise man who not only became sinful, but became a fool! The true God had appeared to him on 2 occasions; still he turned away from the Lord to worship false gods. What might he have become if only he had remained true to the Lord, instead of allowing his lust to dominate his decisions. His compromise ruined his integrity and stole the blessing of God from his life. Lust – thru any means – TV, the internet, movies, pornography or simply ogling the opposite sex (yes, women lust too!) – will destroy your testimony, your ministry, your marriage, your home, your family, your life! 🔅The Bible promises that if you delight yourself in the things of the Lord, there will be no vacuum in your life – he will give you the desires of your heart.
DON’T LUST – JUST TRUST!
III. THE WEALTHY MAN WHO BECAME SAD: THE RULER
A. Crushed By His Riches:
Matthew 19:21-22Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
1. The love of money contaminates the soul.
ILLUS: It appears that this young man was moral, sincere and determined to follow the Savior. But Jesus knew his heart and made him face reality. He loved his luxury and prestige, more than he wanted the Lord. No doubt in that instant he saw someone else living in his beautiful home, others dining on gourmet meals, new voices issuing orders to his servants, and saw himself walking the dusty roads with the poor disciples, wondering where his next meal would come from. He didn’t realize that Jesus was testing him even as he had tested Abraham on Mt. Moriah centuries before. Abraham passed, the ruler failed. He remained a wealthy pauper.Abraham became a poor rich man. 🔅It is Abraham everyone remembers, not this rich young ruler.
2. The pursuit of riches condemns the soul.
BE WISE – SHUN WEALTH!
IV. THE WEAK MAN WHO BECAME SIDETRACKED: DEMAS A. Corrupted By His Desires:
2 Timothy 4:10aFor Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…
1. Peer pressure leads to compromise. 2. Popularity leads to compromise.
ILLUS: 🔹Here is a man who traveled with the great Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, who is called a “fellow laborer,” but now has gotten side-tracked by his love for the things of this world. 🔹I have no doubt that he looked around and saw his successful friends, their luxury and compared that to his life as a disciple of the lowly and lonely and persecuted missionary Paul and chose the path of least resistance. 🔹The city of Rome had many attractions for the flesh and the gaiety of the city contrasted with the gloom of Paul’s cell. 🔹That attraction finally led him to compromise and abandon his friend. He will be forever remembered as the quintessential compromiser – and fool! 🔹There is probably no greater attraction than the things of this world. They must be kept in perspective and seen for what they are – temporal and temporary.
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
QUOTE: Missionary Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” BEWARE THE WORLD – TRUST THE LORD!
CONCL:
CLAIM THIS PROMISE WHEN TEMPTED TO COMPROMISE – Prov. 3:5-6!
🔅There is nothing else worth trusting. 🔅Everything will pass away, but God and His Word. 🔅They are the only absolutes worth living for and worth dying for. 🔅Anything less is a compromise. 🔅Anything less will disappoint, degrade and destroy and possibly even damn your soul. 🔅Fame, lust, wealth, and the world will all fade into obscurity. 🔅🔅Jesus not only saves, but also satisfies. Nothing else can or will!