Sermons on Wagers:

What's Wrong With Gambling?

Contributed by Michael Stover on Jun 18, 2002

How should a Christian respond to the gambling craze of our day? The Scripture provides insight into how we should stand.

Definition of Gambling: Desiring the possession of another (the prize) the gambler creates a risk (losing his own) in an attempt, through, chance, to gain the other person’s possession with nothing to give in exchange. To justify gambling, many people say things like “Life is a gamble… A farmer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Making Something Good Out Of Something Bad

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 10, 2016

God is never responsible for evil acts, but he is so wise that he uses evil acts to accomplish his good purposes. God oversees our wicked actions. No sin happens that God does not deliberately allow.

God can take something evil and use it for his glory. Does that seem strange to you? Well, it is strange, but we must remember that God works in ways that may seem to be strange to us. In the reading we heard from the Book of Judges a few minutes ago, we heard an example of how God takes ...read more

Scripture: Judges 14:1-19

Denomination: Anglican

The Voice Of Love Is Still Calling, Part Iiii, "a Two-Spirited 'be The Church, Be The Church!" Series

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on May 30, 2021

Trinity Sunday, Shepherds becoming 'One' with the Triune God. The Light is Shown in dark places! An ecumenical CALL is made to ALL CHURCHES, "That they may ALL BE ONE."

The Voice of Love is Calling! Part IIII A Two-Spirited “Be the Church! Be the Church!” The Shepherds were now becoming ‘One’ with the Triune God, quite the Two-Spirited, ‘New Wave’- ‘Rock Star’ flock. Their movement introduced new and unconventional ideas yet was rooted in ancestral tradition. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, John 3:1-17, Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Denomination: Other

Beware False Prophets

Contributed by William Mouser on Jun 6, 2005

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns his hearers against false prophets, giving them criteria by which they may recognize them when they come.

Beware False Prophets Deuteronomy 11:18 – 32, Psalm 31:1-5,19-24, Romans 3:21-25a,28, Matthew 7:21-27 I do not know many words spoken by Jesus which are more OBVIOUSLY compelling for Christians today that those read in the gospel appointed for today. These words appear at the very end of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Goliath Felled Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Aug 18, 2008

David can teach much about defeating our personal Goliaths

1 Samuel 17 Goliath Felled Show clip from “The Bear” during break Read 1 Samuel 17:1-54 Describe Goliath 9.5 ft tall 126 lbs of armor alone spear like a fence post – the head alone weighed 15 lbs modern terms – Tiananmen Square standoff Who is your Goliath? What is it in your life that looks ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-54

Denomination: *other

Living With Children: The Persistent Liar Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Aug 27, 2017

Lying is one of the most difficult problems to deal with and a major parent-child power struggle - How to deal with Lying Children:

Q: We’re very concerned about our eight-year-old grandson’s lying. He always pleads innocence and wonders plaintively why no one ever believes him. When someone confronts him with some misdeed they saw him do (for example, poking holes in the back door screen), he merely shrugs his shoulders and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Will We Run With The Ball In 2008?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 3, 2008

What are those things that the Owner of all things has entrusted to you, and how are you going to respond to that trust?

Matthew 25:14-30 “Will We Run With the Ball in 2008?” The front page of a Texas newspaper a few years ago carried the picture of a young and beautiful African American mother born without arms and legs! The State Department of Public Welfare had charged in court that she was incapable of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: United Methodist

When Humans Don’t Make Sense To God

Contributed by Timothy Cooley, Sr. on Sep 9, 2010

"When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" We talk about our disappointment with God, but is God ever puzzled by our lack of faith?

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge relates to our disappointment with God. Like the mistreated widow, we often wonder why God allows so much pain and injustice to go on. We pray and pray and yet no answer comes. The righteous perish and the wicked flourish. Sometimes we even wonder, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Holiness

The Dangers Of Gambling And Lotto Addiction Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 29, 2025

Gambling, lotto, and betting may look harmless at first, but they carry hidden dangers that destroy lives and destinies.

THE DANGERS OF GAMBLING AND LOTTO ADDICTION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Proverbs 13:11, 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 28:20, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Isaiah 55:2, Matthew 6:24, Hebrews 13:5 INTRODUCTION: Gambling and lottery addiction have silently crept into many homes, affecting ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:11, 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

4 - A New Life In Christ Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 6, 2025

Paul gives us a clear look at NEW LIFE - He exposes it, explains it, and emphasizes it.

This week, I read about a man who was selling an old warehouse. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Gangs had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash everywhere. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, he took pains to say that he would replace the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles Of Jesus (Pt 7) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 15, 2025

Today, we are looking at 4 more of the Miracles of Jesus. As we look at these miracles chronologically, it is interesting that 3 of these 4 are found only in one gospel, while one is found in Matthew and Luke.

Our first miracle is found only in Matthew. One pericope or heading is: Miracle Temple Tax in a fishes mouth. There was an occasion years ago, while fishing with my grandfather, Daddy Mac, on Lake Livingston, that he and my stepfather, wagered a small beat on who could catch the total weight of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Victory On Mount Carmel

Contributed by Maurice Brown on Jun 18, 2001

How one godly man stood against the forces of evil, and triumphed!

INTRODUCTION A. Elijah was one of the greatest of all the OT prophets 1. During the dark and difficult days of King Ahab and Jezebel he was a voice in the wilderness and light in the sp. darkness that existed 2. He was willing to stand in the gap for God when it was needed most. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving Lady Poverty To Pull Society From Chaos To Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 30, 2020

Francis, the poor friar in his garment of third-rate cloth who smiles through his poverty is enormously attractive, because he is totally exceptional.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi 2020 October 4, 2020 G.K. Chesterton said about St. Francis that “he plunged after poverty as men have dug madly for gold.” He was in love with what or who he called “Lady Poverty” for a crazy but practical reason and it has to do with spreading the Gospel of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:21

Denomination: Catholic

The Gift Of New Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 29, 2003

New Year’s Resolutions are based on the idea that if I can only change this part or that part of my life, I can be a new person. Jesus says, that only He can bring about the new creation... find out why

OPEN: With Jan. 1st just around the corner, many people are thinking aboutNew Year’s resolutions. An article a couple of years ago listed the top 5 New Year’s Resolutions: #5: stop smoking #4: make more money, #3: improve relationships #2: exercise more #1 most popular New Years resolution… ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus On Investing Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 9, 2002

Where are you investing your life?

INTRODUCTION • Today we are going to look at a subject that most people start considering at some point in our lives. The subject is investing. • At some point most of us will consider taking some of the money that we have today and investing it so that it will grow for tomorrow. • There are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ