Sermons on Playing Games With God:

The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019

God is love. He disciplines His children. Many believe that means He ‘punishes,’ or ‘scolds’ or ‘spanks’ with severe means in the best eternal interests of the Born-Again Christian.

How do you reconcile the merciful goodness and love of God with pain, sorrow, sickness, and suffering? The Blame God Game first started in the Garden of Eden when God commanded Adam to “work it and take care of it.” He then told Adam that he was “free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalm 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, Romans 8:28, Acts 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24, John 14:26, Luke 12:12, Hebrews 12:7-11, 2 Samuel 12:13-14, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:6, Genesis 2:20-25, Psalm 84:11, Matthew 5:45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Down: Focus On The Goal Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Feb 4, 2008

Marriages, like football games, are won by many small plays by the team, instead of one grand play.

Four Play: Four Keys to a Winning Marriage Series First Down: Focus on the Goal Feb. 3, 2008 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Introduction A Some marriages start out with a big play. 1 What are "big plays"? a $40,000 wedding, new home, new cars, the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Denomination: Baptist

Playing Smart Part 3 Series

Contributed by Terry Jones on May 10, 2008

Surviving today requires that believers develop a godly mentality, a strategic plan and an understanding of the spiritual tools given to us by the Holy Spirit. Survival requires dedication to press in to God and in following His lead. In part 3 of this

Playing Smart Soul Survivor Part 3 Text: Job 1:6-8 This may come as a big surprise to most of you, but I’m not a real sports buff. I mean I can sort of follow the plays of several sports but am not a real enthusiast of any in particular – with, of course, the exception of - - football. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You’re Out! Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 24, 2011

One strike and you are out! Is that the game you want to play.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • I love baseball, I love everything about the game, I LOVED playing it, I love watching it, and I loved coaching it. • Baseball is fun for both athlete and nerd alike. It takes a lot of skill to hit a round ball with a round bat when the ball is doing all kinds of crazy ...read more

Scripture: James 2:10-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Love The Easy. The Path Of Least Resistance?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 30, 2025

Have we developed an attitude of looking for games, entertainment and the easy? The path of least resistance can hide many dangers. Life is not who has the biggest, best toys. Life is not a game.

WE LOVE EASY? THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Is it easier to lose your temper than stay calm? Is it easier to communicate with people on the computer than it is to communicate with your family? Is it easier to watch ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-4, Galatians 6:4-7, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Playing Second Fiddle

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 7, 2008

The first of a three part series, ‘Growing As We Go.’

Slide 1 A few weeks ago, I shared some questions that Gordon MacDonald believes are being asked by people at different stages of life. Now not only did those questions really interest me and cause me to think about the questions that I am asking at this point in my life, the story that MacDonald ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

The Play That Goes Wrong

Contributed by David Western on Nov 19, 2025

Just like the Off-Broadway play, life is not always going to go right. But if you trust the Director, He is going to direct your path.

There is actually a play named, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” I was hesitant at first to go see it, but Allen wanted to see in while we were in NY, and so I obliged. It was hysterical. The play is supposed to be a murder mystery, but the whole point of the production is well…everything goes wrong. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Religious Play-Acting

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 10, 2025

Jesus frees us from religion’s stage—calling us from performance to presence, from spotlight to sunlight, to live unmasked before the Father.

Religious Play-Acting The Sermon on the Mount opens with blessing and ends with a choice: sand or rock, appearance or obedience. Between those two poles, Matthew 6 sits like a quiet heart—Jesus’ exposition of motive. Here the Lord shifts from what disciples do to why they do it. He moves from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Learning To Play The Harmonica Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 8, 2001

Just how do we "disciple" people?

OPEN: A young American engineer was sent to Ireland for a year. When he left, his fiancé gave him a harmonica. She said, "I want you to learn to play this: it will help to keep your mind off those Irish girls." He wrote to her often and told he her that he was practicing his harmonica every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All The Characters In This Play.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Apr 2, 2001

Year C. Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday April 8th, 2001

Year C. Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday April 8th, 2001 Luke 23:1-49 Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church The Rev. Jerry Morrissey, Esq., Pastor e-mail: pastor@southshore.com web page: http://lordofthelake.org/ Heavenly Father empower each of us here at Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church to develop the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Lutheran

Playing For Whose Applause Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Nov 2, 2007

Whose applause do you seek? Don’t tell me you don’t need any! You would only be kidding yourself.

Playing for Whose Applause? Text- Matthew 6: 1-8, 16-18 Everybody loves applause! Recognition is a good thing. Last Sunday, you encouraged Pastor Steve and me tremendously by expressing your appreciation for our work in ministry. I guess I am hopelessly sentimental, but as I read your comments at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Playing By New Rules

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Feb 12, 2001

JESUS’ PEOPLE ARE IDENTIFIED BY JESUS’ LOVE

Playing by New Rules Introduction – How do you tell a Christian? Before I went into full-time ministry, I was an electronics technician at a major corporation for several years. One of the guys I worked with was one of the kindest people I had ever met. In a place where people were usually ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Play With The Ribbons

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 20, 2020

Admiring the box more so than the gift is cute if you are two. At some point, it will be a dishonor to the gift giver because you do not truly value the gift.

The sad thing is that pagan astrologers went to great lengths to find the Messiah while among His own people neither king nor priest would travel six miles to see Him. The priest knew the place by his theological study, but could not be bothered to investigate the fulfillment of prophecy. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Relentless: Playing To Win

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 25, 2006

Michael Jordan said: “I play to win. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.” How does this philosophy apply to our Christian lives?

RELENTLESS - PLAYING TO WIN (Consumed Youth Conference in Courtenay, BC) INTRO TO SPEAKER: Director of the Revolution Master’s Commission, youth pastor for the past 14 years, married with 4 children. ILLUSTRATION: How many of you have heard of Michael Jordan? · He led his team to 6 NBA ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: *other

The Danger Of Playing With Sin The Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 29, 2025

Sin is dangerous and destructive. To play with it is to endanger one’s destiny, peace, and eternity.

THE DANGER OF PLAYING WITH SIN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 16:18-21 Supporting Texts: Romans 6:23, James 1:14-15, Proverbs 6:27-28, Galatians 6:7-8, 1 Peter 5:8 INTRODUCTION: Sin is a deadly poison that often presents itself as harmless pleasure. The story of Samson reminds us that ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God