Don't Bet On It!

1. If you keep up with the news, in the last few weeks you saw that our Governor has had a disagreement with the Indian Nations over their Gambling Compact. As a result there are now lawsuits flying.

2. Gambling is not a new issue – long-term practice: horse racing; car racing; sports

3. Interesting observation by all 4 gospel writers – Soldiers gambled for the clothes of Jesus at the cross

Mark 15:24 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.

4. We see the love of God both as Father and as Son at the cross

a. Giving his body and life for our redemption

b. Even willing to give his clothes to those crucifying him

c. Part of His shame – Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

5. Question for the day: Do we gamble for the clothing/covering of Jesus?

I. Gambling is Dangerous

[“If” by R. Kipling

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss;

A. Gambling is Reality

1. Casinos

2. Virtually all Roman soldiers gambled – had dice; King’s Game

3. Not uncommon in modern military – [My Dad gambling to pay taxes after my parents were married

4. In some ways, every day feels risky and like a gamble of sorts

B. Gambling is Risky

1. Winning IS a possibility – losing is more likely

2. The reason the gambling institutions are in business

3. Feeding on “get-rich-quick” or “something for nothing” mentality

II. Gambling Regarding Jesus Can Be Disastrous

A. Roman Soldiers Gambled for His Literal Clothes

B. We Can Gamble for His Glorious Clothes – Revelation 1:13

13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

Galatians 3:26-27 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

C. We Can Gamble by:

1. Delaying what we know is right

a. Pharaoh and Frogs – Tomorrow

b. Felix – Acts 24:25 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

[Man in Abilene who preferred facing God “like a man” than by grace.

2. Treating the tings of God lightly

*Superstition [sitting in a chicken coop. . . .

*Legalistically

*God has purpose for us – Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

3. Overlooking what God has spoken (He doesn’t mean what He says – serpent to Eve)

4. Thinking God will make an exception for me

5. Making Grace abound – Romans 6:1-4

1. Superman’s Unique Clothing

a. Identification

b. Purpose – bullet-proof, etc.

c. More than style and appearance

2. Jesus’ Clothing

a. Identification – a Jewish man

b. Purpose – reminders of who and whose he is – tzitzit

3. Our Clothing – by the Love of Jesus – Galatians 3:27

a. Identification with him

b. Purpose to be set apart people