Choosing God's Path: Lessons from Korah's Rebellion

Summary

This morning, we looked at the story of Korah in Numbers 16 and the powerful lesson it holds for us today. Korah, a Levite and cousin to Moses, allowed pride and envy to take root in his heart, leading him to rebel against the authority God had established. He gathered 250 respected leaders to challenge Moses and Aaron, but their rebellion ended in destruction—God caused the earth to swallow them and sent fire to consume the rest. Yet, in the midst of this judgment, Scripture notes something remarkable: “Notwithstanding, the children of Korah died not.” This phrase stands as a testimony that even when those closest to us choose the wrong path, we can make a different choice.

The sons of Korah saw the direction their father and the crowd were heading and decided, “I’m not going there with you.” They chose to step away from rebellion and align themselves with God’s will, even if it meant walking alone. This is a call for each of us to examine the path we’re on. Are we following the crowd, or are we being led by the Holy Spirit? The world will always offer a wide road, filled with the comfort of numbers, but it often leads to destruction. God calls us to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, to choose the narrow path that leads to life, even when it’s unpopular or difficult.

Sin always begins in the mind—a thought, a seed of pride or resentment, left unchecked, grows into action. Korah’s downfall started with a festering thought that he deserved more, that he was entitled to a position God had not given him. This is a warning for us: what we allow to take root in our hearts will eventually shape our actions and our destiny. We must be vigilant, allowing God to cleanse our minds and lead us in humility.

Obedience to God is not just about avoiding obvious sins; it’s about surrendering every area of our lives, including our finances, our relationships, and our ambitions. When we put God first—whether in our giving, our service, or our daily choices—we create space for His blessing and provision. The story of the sons of Korah reminds us that our legacy is not determined by our past or our family, but by the choices we make today. Will we follow the crowd, or will we choose to walk with God, even if it means standing alone?

Key Takeaways

- The Power of Personal Choice: Even when surrounded by rebellion or negative influences, each person has the power to choose their own path. The sons of Korah refused to follow their father’s example, demonstrating that our spiritual destiny is not bound by our family or environment, but by our willingness to obey God’s voice. [42:01]

- Sin Begins in the Mind: Every act of rebellion or disobedience starts as a thought. If we allow pride, envy, or resentment to fester, it will eventually manifest in our actions. Guarding our minds and bringing every thought captive to Christ is essential for walking in obedience and avoiding destructive paths. [47:24]

- The Danger of Following the Crowd: The wide road is often the most comfortable, but it can lead to destruction. God calls us to discern the direction of the crowd and have the courage to step away when it’s leading away from His will. True discipleship sometimes means walking alone, but it always leads to life. [43:25]

- Obedience Invites Blessing: When we honor God with our lives—including our finances, service, and daily decisions—we create room for His blessing. Tithing, for example, is not just a financial transaction but an act of trust and obedience that aligns our hearts with God’s provision and purpose. [01:34:53]

- God Sees and Judges the Heart: Outward actions and words may fool people, but God sees the motives and thoughts of our hearts. He calls us to humility, repentance, and a willingness to be corrected. Our legacy is shaped not by what we say, but by our willingness to surrender and walk in the path God sets before us. [01:02:39]

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:34] - Announcements and Vacation Bible School Planning
[36:30] - Introduction to Numbers 16 and Korah’s Rebellion
[39:16] - The Roots of Korah’s Pride and Envy
[40:41] - God’s Judgment and the Survival of Korah’s Children
[42:01] - Choosing a Different Path: The Sons of Korah
[43:25] - The Parable of the Cliff and the Crowd
[44:40] - Being Led by the Holy Spirit, Not the Crowd
[47:24] - How Sin Begins and Grows in the Mind
[50:28] - The Spirit of Rebellion and Entitlement
[52:01] - Why Live for God? The Call to Surrender
[54:03] - From Thought to Action: The Path of Sin
[56:54] - Resisting God’s Authority and Its Consequences
[01:00:43] - The Deceptions of the Enemy and the Need for Spiritual Cleansing
[01:05:52] - Are You a Rebel or a Servant?
[01:09:52] - The Sons of Korah: Choosing a New Legacy
[01:28:43] - The Power and Purpose of Tithing
[01:34:53] - Tithing as Trust and Obedience
[01:46:05] - Church Survey and Future Plans
[01:48:48] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Choose Your Own Path” (The Story of Korah and His Sons)

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### Bible Reading

- Numbers 16:1-35 (Korah’s Rebellion)
- Numbers 26:9-11 (“Notwithstanding, the children of Korah died not.”)
- Psalm 84:10 (“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God…” – a psalm of the sons of Korah)

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### Observation Questions

1. What motivated Korah and the 250 leaders to rise up against Moses and Aaron? ([39:16])
2. According to Numbers 26:11, what was different about the children of Korah compared to their father? ([42:01])
3. What happened to those who followed Korah in his rebellion? ([40:41])
4. In Psalm 84:10, what attitude do the sons of Korah express about serving in God’s house?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the children of Korah chose a different path than their father, even though it meant standing apart from family and friends? ([42:01])
2. The sermon says, “Sin starts in the mind.” How did this play out in Korah’s story, and why is it important for us to recognize where sin begins? ([47:24])
3. What does the story of Korah teach us about the dangers of following the crowd, especially when the crowd is going the wrong way? ([43:25])
4. The sons of Korah later became worship leaders and wrote psalms. What does this say about how God can use people who make the right choice, regardless of their family background? ([01:09:52])

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### Application Questions

1. The sons of Korah had to say, “I’m not going there with you,” even to their own family. Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel pressure to go along with others, but you know God is calling you to a different path? What would it look like to step away? ([42:01])
2. The sermon talked about how sin starts as a thought and grows if left unchecked. Are there any thoughts or attitudes (like pride, envy, or resentment) that you’ve noticed taking root in your mind lately? What practical step can you take this week to bring those thoughts to God? ([47:24])
3. The wide road is often the most comfortable, but it can lead to destruction. Can you think of a time when you followed the crowd and regretted it? What helped you realize you needed to change direction? ([43:25])
4. Obedience to God includes every area of our lives—finances, relationships, ambitions. Is there an area where you’ve been holding back from God? What’s one step you can take to surrender that area to Him this week? ([01:34:53])
5. The sermon said, “God sees and judges the heart.” Are there ways you’ve been more concerned with outward appearances than with your heart before God? How can you invite God to search and cleanse your heart this week? ([01:02:39])
6. The sons of Korah created a new legacy by choosing God’s way. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for those who come after you? What choices can you make today to move toward that legacy? ([01:09:52])
7. The pastor shared about tithing as an act of trust and obedience. How do you view giving—whether time, money, or service? Is there a way you can honor God more intentionally in this area? ([01:34:53])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for courage to choose His path, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Pray for a clean heart and a willing spirit to obey Him in every area of life.

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing Your Own Path Over Following the Crowd
God calls each of us to make our own decisions, even when the majority is going a different direction. The story of Korah’s rebellion shows that following the crowd can lead to destruction, but those who choose to walk with God, even if it means standing alone, will find life and blessing. The sons of Korah saw the signs, recognized the danger, and decided not to go the way of rebellion, choosing instead to honor God and His appointed leaders. In every generation, God asks us to look at the path before us and decide: will we follow the multitude, or will we follow Him? [43:49]

Numbers 16:1-7, 26:11 (ESV)
Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, two hundred fifty chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi.”
Numbers 26:11: “But the sons of Korah did not die.”

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel pressure to go along with the crowd, even though you sense God calling you to a different path? What would it look like to step out and follow God’s direction today, even if it means standing alone?


Day 2: The Danger of Pride and the Importance of Humility
Pride can blind us to God’s will and lead us to resist His authority, just as Korah and his followers did. When we allow prideful thoughts to fester, we begin to think more highly of ourselves and less of others, eventually leading to actions that oppose God’s order. True humility recognizes that every blessing and position comes from God, not from our own merit, and keeps us open to correction and guidance. [50:57]

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed prideful thoughts to take root in your heart? Ask God to reveal any area where you need to humble yourself and submit to His will or the guidance of spiritual authority.


Day 3: The Power of the Mind—Sin Begins in Our Thoughts
Sin often starts as a small thought or seed in the mind, but if left unchecked, it grows and leads to destructive actions. The enemy seeks to plant distractions, doubts, and temptations in our minds, but God calls us to renew our thinking and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. By bringing every thought captive to Christ, we can break free from patterns that lead us away from God and walk in victory. [47:24]

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Reflection: What recurring thought or temptation do you need to surrender to God today? How can you intentionally replace it with God’s truth and allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind?


Day 4: God Sees and Judges the Heart
No matter what we say or how we appear to others, God sees the true condition of our hearts and the motives behind our actions. We may be able to convince others or even ourselves, but nothing is hidden from God’s sight. He calls us to live with integrity, to repent when we’ve done wrong, and to seek His approval above all else, knowing that He alone is the righteous Judge. [01:03:27]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Reflection: Is there something you’ve been hiding from others or even from yourself that you need to bring before God? Take time to pray honestly, asking God to search your heart and lead you in the way everlasting.


Day 5: Obedience Opens the Door to God’s Blessing
There is power in obedience to God—when we put Him first in every area, including our finances, we make room for His blessing and provision. Tithing and giving are not just acts of generosity but acts of trust and obedience, declaring that God is our provider and that we honor Him above all else. As we align our hearts and actions with God’s commands, we experience His faithfulness and see Him multiply what we surrender to Him. [01:34:53]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Reflection: Are you trusting God with your resources and putting Him first in your finances? What step of obedience can you take today to honor God and invite His blessing into your life?

Quotes

Sometimes, you have to walk your own path. Sometimes, your path is not going to be the same way as your friends. Sometimes, your path that you choose, it's not going to be the same path chosen by your family. But what matters is not what family has to say. What matters is not what friends have to say. What matters is what thus saith the Word of God. [00:44:46] (00:00:23 seconds)  #FaithOverFriends Edit Clip

Sin starts in the mind. And it continues to grow in your heart. It starts with a thought. It starts with something, a seed planted by the enemy. You see, he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. [00:47:28] (00:00:18 seconds)  #GuardYourMind Edit Clip

If you leave something in your heart long enough, it began to fester. It began to build up, and it began to problem. It may not have been a problem at first, but the more he thought about it, the more God told Moses, put this in place, put that in place, and he just began to bother him. [00:49:48] (00:00:18 seconds)  #FesteredThoughts Edit Clip

There's a whole lot of people that don't want to come to church. Not because we have an old building. Not because we have to drive the church. They just don't want anyone telling them what to do. Come on now. They want to live the way they want to live. [00:53:44] (00:00:18 seconds)  #ResistAuthority Edit Clip

It's so important when you come to church, that you walk through those doors, with your cup lifted up empty, and say, God, fill it up this morning. It's so important that you come and be refreshed and renewed in your vision. All week long, you've been dealing with battles and problems and situations. And when you come to church, you ought to divest yourself of everything within you and say, God, lead me and guide me. Touch me, Jesus. [00:55:00] (00:00:21 seconds)  #EmptyCupFaith Edit Clip

When you begin to walk throughout life, any way you want to act, you cause yourself to lose out on the blessings of God. He's the one that can heal. You're healed by his stripes. He said, is anything too hard for the Lord? No, nothing's too hard for God. But you've got to have God say, God, I need you. I need you. [01:05:06] (00:00:22 seconds)  #DependOnGod Edit Clip

You may be good at a lot of things, but you're nothing before God. Somebody say amen right there. I am nothing before God. I thank God for his goodness. I thank God for keeping me and guiding me every single day. Without God, I couldn't make it. [01:07:34] (00:00:15 seconds)  #NothingWithoutGod Edit Clip

You've got to choose your own path. You can't walk down the path blind yet and said I did not know I wasn't ready for that I didn't understand and this said you can say whatever you want to say and say I was busy I was this I was that but the bottom line is the path you walk down is of your own making your own choice. [01:12:13] (00:00:19 seconds)  #OwnYourChoices Edit Clip

Tithing also breaks greed and self -reliance you feel like you're together because you're in control of your money the truth is you're not in control of your money you have to pay taxes you have to buy other things now he says here thou shalt have no other God before me you start making that money you're God you need to give it to God and say God your will be done if God says give this amount 10 % then you ought to pay that amount tithing declares that God is first he says honor thy Lord with thy substance and the first fruits of all thine increase in proverbs 3 and 9 so it's not about what's left over it's about putting God first. [01:37:57] (00:00:46 seconds)  #GodFirstFinance Edit Clip