The World is So Mixed Up
& Christians are mixed up in it.
Why?

1. Introduction
   1. When I was a young boy growing up, we had some small ups and downs but things were a lot simpler. We didn’t have cell phones.
   2. Our communication was visiting people, having people over to our homes, inviting them to a sit-down dinner, with a whole lot of laughter and conversation.
   3. During the holidays, it was enjoying the holiday festivities. People came together. People greeted each other with “How are you? How are things going?” with a response like “Everything’s great!”
   4. As time progressed on, little by little, technology began to creep in like the devil creeps in through a crack in the foundation on those who are serving God and let down their guard for just a minute.
   5. I remember when the very first cell phone came out, it was a car phone. It was very big. It was 54 cents a minute. Those that had the capacity to undertake the bill were able to have one.
   6. Those of us who were struggling at the time to make ends meet could never afford a phone in the car.
   7. Our lives were a lot simpler when I was a kid growing up. Now that I’m an adult, and now that I’m a Christian and have been one since 1981, I have begun to see the destruction and the blessing that technology has become in our lives.
   8. The devil has used this tool in many ways to seduce the family’s communication and with AI coming on board, destroying lives. All of these things must be regulated and put into perspective.
   9. This is a tool of the enemy to destroy the natural principle and foundation that God established from Adam and Eve to the present day, the family.
   10. We live in a time where there are more nervous breakdowns, psychological and mental incapacities, people very unsure of themselves,
   11. so many living in fear and consumed by the everyday pressures of this world.
   12. As I personally grew in the grace and knowledge and study of the Lord’s Word, I could see very plainly how the world is changing each and every day.
   13. But as I continue to study God’s Word & draw close to Him, my love, my heart, & my knowledge of who God is has protected my laughter, my enjoyment, & the everyday fulfillment that God has always intended for me and many others who serve Him.
   14. Folks, the world is very mixed up. God’s word says in James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. That couldn’t be any clearer in the world that we live in today.
   15. As we draw closer to the close and the coming of our Lord and Savior’s triumphant return, we must remember that it is in God we trust,
   16. and whom we serve that will bring the peace that passes all understanding, as the bible says in Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
   17. Studying God’s Word will preserve you and keep you and it will always keep you hungering and thirsting for what is good for all of us until God takes us home. Now let us look into our message

The World is So Mixed Up
& Christians are mixed up in it.
Why?

2. When I say the world is mixed up what do I mean?
   1. Let’s take a look at a passage that really shows a picture of the time in which we live.
   2. As we open to the book of Isaiah chapter 5, starting in verse 20 we see how mixed up the world is. Verse 20: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Now that’s a mixed up world and we see a lot of this today!
   3. There are a lot of people in the world that are wise in their own eyes. Isaiah 5:21: Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Where we as Christians look on the things of others and esteem others more than ourselves, the world is wise in its own eyes and esteems itself above others.
   4. Alcohol and drugs add to the mixed-up nature of the world today. Isaiah 5: 22-23: Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Are you getting a picture of the world in which we live? All of these things are happening now.
   5. Isaiah had a strong warning for the nation of Israel during his time, which should be heeded in our day as we approach the return of the Lord. Isaiah 5: 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, & the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, & their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Are you adhering to the word of the Lord, or going your own mixed-up way with the rest of the world? Something to think about.
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3. How does God’s Word relate to this time we live in?
   1. God’s Word indicates that we are in the Laodicean Church Age, which means the civil rights of common people. Revelation 3: 14-15 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Have you ever drank out of a water fountain expecting a cool drink of water, only to find it lukewarm. You get away from that fountain as quickly as you can.
   2. Jesus wants to get away from the lukewarm, watered-down church also. Revelation 3: 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Now please note! Jesus is not going to spue individual, born-again Christians out of his mouth! He’s talking to a Church! Bear this in mind if you are one that believes in loss of salvation!
   3. Those that are of this world think that worldly riches, houses, land, and the latest technology are all that they need. Revelation 3: 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: All of these worldly possessions and obsessions will pass away one day and when the unsaved person stands before God, they will be found wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
   4. Now for the antidote to this mixed-up world. Revelation 3: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. It’s time to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you find yourself in this number. Do it today, at the end of this service. Don’t stay in a mixed-up condition.
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4. What have you seen as a Christian as the world has turned and gotten darker?
   1. Here is another section of God’s Word that I have seen fulfilled in my day. 2^nd Timothy 3: 1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. The world is getting more and more perilous.
   2. I have seen people become more self-centered, boastful, and blasphemous. 2^nd Timothy 3: 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, All of these things are more and more prevalent in our day.
   3. As a Christian who knows God’s Word, I see people more and more that are without natural affection, trucebreakers, traitors, and so forth. 2^nd Timothy 3: 3-5: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Many people today seem to have a form of godliness, but not all are walking in the power they claim to have.
   4. Paul says “from such, turn away.” That seems kind of harsh! Why does he say this? We can answer this by reading 2^nd Timothy 3: 6-7: For of this sort are they which creep into houses, & lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, & never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. We want people to come to the knowledge of the truth, which is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are to turn away from those who detract from that message.
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5. What are some of the dramatic changes that you’ve seen since you were first a Christian?
   1. The world and even the Christian world have become increasingly divided. 1st Corinthians 1:10-11: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Though we are all different, we should all unite around principles that matter. For us as Christians, let’s unite around adhering to scripture and winning the lost to Christ.
   2. I’ve also seen that violence has been on the rise. Psalm 73:6: Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. We hear on the news more and more about violence in our country and around the world.
   3. I’ve also noticed that natural disasters have increased. Matthew 24:7-8: For nation shall rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom: & there shall be famines, & pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. We see more and more earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, and other disasters on the rise.
   4. I’ve also seen that attacks on Christians have been on the rise since I was saved. Matthew 24:9-10: hen shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. We hear on the news about Christians being persecuted in Nigeria and around the world. These are just a few of the changes I’ve seen.Now let’s look at what we should be doing.
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6. Do you study God’s Word?
   1. If we know and love our Lord, we should study His Word and hide it in our hearts. Psalm 119:10-11: With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. We should be studying and even memorizing scripture, and this will help us not only to be free of the traps, trials and snares of this world, but it will help us adequately minister to those we come in contact with.
7. Do you try to make a difference?
   1. Has the salt in your life lost its saltiness, or are you making a difference? Matthew 5:13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. If you are not living every day to serve God and reach the lost, you have no saltiness and need a rededication.
   2. Jesus also relates to us as being the light of the world, and encourages us to let our light shine. Matthew 5: 14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. As you and I live for the Lord, study His Word and live by it, there is a light that will emanate from our lives that an increasingly dark world will take notice of. Be the light God calls you to be and make a difference in this mixed-up world.
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8. Are you sharing your testimony?
   1. Have you ever come across someone who has just been on a trip & is so excited that he or she has to tell you all about where they’ve been? That’s what you and I should be doing with our journey of faith! Revelation 12:11: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. There are experiences you’ve had with God, and victories he’s helped you win that can benefit someone else. Most important is your salvation experience. Share it! Let your journey help to light someone else’s path.
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9. Are you looking on the things of others more than yourself?
   1. This is something we preach and live out here at the Little House. Philippians 2:4: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Are you doing this, or do you let yourself get caught up in only what you are doing? This is easy to do. I can confidently say that by the grace of God, I do look on the things of others more than myself. What about you?
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10. What changes from Adam to Malachi occurred?
    1. When Adam was placed on this earth, everything was perfect! Genesis 1:31: And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Adam and Eve walked and talked with God and had perfect fellowship with Him in the beginning.
    2. Then when sin entered into the world, that close fellowship between God and man was broken and the slow decay of this present world began. Genesis 3:16-18: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Since then the world has gotten progressively worse in many ways.
    3. As time progressed on, the world got more and more violent. Genesis 6:6-8: & it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, & the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was faithful to God and God used Him to create an ark that would be used to preserve a remnant for God.
    4. Over time, God chose a man from whom the nation of Israel would be formed. Genesis 12:1-3: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham was obedient to the call of God, and the nation of Israel was formed, and is still in the world today.
    5. As you study through the first 5 books of the bible, you see the nation of Israel growing. Then a famine comes into the land and they all go to Egypt where they are enslaved by Pharaoh.
    6. Then Moses is raised up to free them from Egypt & begin leading them to the Promised Land. Exodus 3:9-10: Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: & I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, & I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses had more excuses than Carter has liver pills, but he did finally obey the call and free the children of Israel.
    7. It is on this journey from Egypt that the Law of Moses was given on Mount Sinai, which the nation would live by. This includes the Ten Commandments.Paul tells us this about the Old Testament Law. Galatians 3:24: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. No one could fully obey the law, which shows us our need for a savior. Here enters Jesus and the New Covenant.
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11. What changes from Matthew to Revelation have occurred?
    1. When we open the New Testament, the saints are still living under the law, but Jesus is about to introduce a new covenant. Matthew 26:28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Since all have sinned and no one can fully keep the law, and the wages of sin is death, Jesus paid that penalty for you and me and gave us life.
    2. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, the separation between the old and new testament was completed. Matthew 27:51: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; As we learned in our Revelation study, Matthew is a transitional book, transitioning between Law and Grace. You and I are under grace.
    3. Do you remember what the other transitional books are? The book of Acts is also a transition as it marks the beginning of the Church Age. Acts 2:40-41: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. As you go through acts, as we have been doing on Thursday night, you’ll note a continual shifting from faith and works, to grace through faith.
    4. From Hebrews to Revelation you see a shift back to faith and works, and then in the millennium, it is all works.
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12. How will you sustain yourself?
    1. You have everything you need for life and godliness as you study God’s Word. 2nd Peter 1:2-3: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Did you see that? Grace and peace, and everything you need come from the knowledge of God and of our Lord. The more you spend time in prayer, worship and studying God’s Word, the more you are able to sustain yourself in an increasingly dark world.
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13. How will you resist the devil and all of his devices?
    1. As you study God’s Word, take note of how the devil has tripped people up in the past, and you will not be ignorant of his devices. 2nd Corinthians 2:11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Satan uses the same playbook today as he did in the garden. He is predictable if you know God’s Word.
    2. To resist the devil, you need to use God’s Word. Matthew 4:4: ut he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit, and you can use it to resist the devil’s attacks.
    3. When thinking about resisting the devil & him fleeing from you, it’s important to know the WHOLE verse. James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. If you are not submitting yourself to the Lord, you will be unable to resist the devil and he will NOT flee. You must make sure you are living a life submitted to God’s Will.
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14. How will you console the lost and bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ?
    1. First, be quick to listen and slow to speak. James 1:19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Let them share what’s on their hearts and where they are coming from before you speak.
    2. Then, begin to share your testimony of where you have been and how God has helped you. 2nd Thessalonians 1:10-11: When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: Your testimony of the goodness of God can be the difference between someone being saved or lost, victorious or defeated. Share your testimony freely.
15. Without Jesus, we’re not living.
    1. We have a dead spirit and are wishing for a lively hope. Romans 6:11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Where are you today and who are you?
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16. Story: How to Share God’s Love
    1. So how can we share God’s love and salvation with a mixed-up world? Here’s an article I found that I think will help us especially during this holiday season.
    2. Practice kindness: Be intentional about showing kindness to others, even in simple ways. Lysle doesn’t have the corner on this subject. 😊
    3. Listen to others: Take the time to truly hear what someone is saying without judgment or interruption.
    4. Serve others: Serving others is a tangible way to show God’s love. Look for ways to serve in your community or church, and be open to opportunities to serve those around you.
    5. Pray for others: Prayer is a powerful way to show love and care for others. Take the time to pray for the needs of others and ask God to bless them.
    6. Share your resources: Whether it’s your time, money, or possessions, sharing what you have with others is a way to show love and generosity.
    7. Be patient and forgiving: We all make mistakes and fall short. When someone wrongs you, choose to extend forgiveness and patience. This can be a powerful way to show God’s love and grace.
    8. Speak words of encouragement: Words have the power to build up or tear down. Choose to speak words of encouragement and affirmation to those around you.
    9. Show hospitality: Inviting someone into your home or offering them a meal is a way to show hospitality and make them feel valued and loved.
    10. Be a peacemaker: In a world full of conflict and division, be a peacemaker. Seek to reconcile relationships and promote peace and unity.
    11. Conclusion: God’s love is not meant to be hoarded or kept to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared with others. As we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, we are filled with His love, and it overflows to those around us.
    12. By being intentional about showing kindness, serving others, praying for others, sharing our resources, being patient and forgiving, speaking words of encouragement,
    13. showing hospitality, and being a peacemaker, we can live out the command to love one another and make a positive impact in the world around us.
    14. So let’s go out and share God’s love with those around us, knowing that as we do, we are reflecting the very heart of God.
17. Conclusion
    1. How has this message resonated in your heart, mind and soul?
    2. Where do you see the world mixed up and what are you doing to try to bring people to the narrow gate?
    3. Are you living for Christ and serving Christ?
    4. Is your conversation the conversation of Christ or has the world saturated your mind and intertwined your thinking mixed with the world and God?
    5. You can’t serve 2 masters. You must serve only one.

The Gambler?

1. Introduction
   1. In 1983, I met a lady, and we got married. I just started to become a Christian.
   2. In the midst of us journeying on with our marriage, she always wanted to go to the gambling casino in Atlantic City.
   3. Though I wasn’t a gambler and was taught that this was unbiblical and I needed to stay away from it. To please her, I ended up taking her to Atlantic City.
   4. I was taken by all of the lights and believe you me, these lights were bright. It was something I’d never experienced and knew nothing about.
   5. I remember as we pulled into the hotel, my wife wanted to go to the casino right away. She had $600.00 and within an hour’s time, the $600.00 was long gone.
   6. As she came back to the hotel room I was lying on the bed watching TV. She said, “Come on with me. I want you to try out the slot machine.
   7. I said I’m really not that interested in it. She said “Would you please come anyway and let’s have a good time.” Well, I went. When I went down there they had these slot machines.
   8. You would order a roll of either quarters, half dollars, or dollars at that time. She said come on. Put a dollar into the machine.
   9. I told her that I’m not interested in gambling and I’m not interested in these machines.
   10. With her feeling discontented, and me being a dud, not wanting to get all revved up with theses slot machines, I decided that we’d only be there one more day.
   11. She took the roll of coins, and it seemed like within minutes they were gone. Much like the $600.00. She had one left.
   12. She said, “I want you to put it in one of these machines and pull the hammer.
   13. I didn’t want to tell her again that I didn’t want to do it because I wanted to have a good time eating and enjoying the hotel and scene
   14. She kept badgering So, I walked up and down the aisle with all of the machines. I remember her saying to me are you going to put the coin in the machine.
   15. I said, “I am, but I am praying.” Praying for what? Praying that God leads me to the right one, so I don’t ever have to come back again.
   16. As I walked up and down the aisle, all of a sudden I felt inspired and put the coin into this one machine. When I put the hammer down, the lights went on, and $100 poured out onto the floor.
   17. She said “See, you’re a winner. Now you can keep on going.”
   18. I remember saying to her, “Yes I’m a winner, and I’m walking away as a winner from this table, knowing that I’m not going to be foolish enough to put one more dollar into that slot machine.”
   19. “I’m not a gambler” I said “nor do I ever want to be one. I want to know the sure thing not lose everything I have.”
   20. I told her that I work hard for the money that I have. I’m thankful that I know how to save so that I was able to take you on this trip and make sure that we have enough to get back home.
   21. There were so many people. A lot of elderly ladies sitting in seats by these slot machines, just pulling the hammer, one coin after another.
   22. I remember asking this lady if she had ever been a real winner. She indicated to me that she had won over $100,000.00.

1. She decided to go to a more advanced card table and lost it all within 1-2 hours of time. She said “Don’t ever get mixed up in gambling!
2. It’s one of the biggest addictions you could ever have.” She explained that she had lost her home, cars and her family due to being very addicted to gambling.
3. She said, “Please, please stay away. Go back home.” I said to her that I intended to. I told her I was a bible believing Christian.
4. I wanted to serve the Lord with all of my heart. She said “Well you do that young man because the only heart here gets stolen away by the make-believe
5. that if I just keep putting more coins in the slot machines, or playing my hand at the cards, I’ll eventually be a winner. But you usually lose everything before you win anything.
6. Gambling is a sin. 1st Timothy 6:10: for the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
7. Now let us look into our message.

The Gambler?

2. What is a gambler to you and what does it mean?
   1. While the Bible does not use the word “gambler” it defines the underlying behaviors—covetousness, greed, and the love of money—as sin.
   2. A biblical perspective views a gambler as one who seeks gain without honest labor, risks resources entrusted by God, and trusts in chance rather than divine provision.
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3. Where did gambling originate from?
   1. Gambling is said to originate before there were written words, about 3000 BC. However, the first biblical example of gambling is in this passage.
   2. Look at Judges 14:12-13: And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. The people could not figure out the riddle that Samson gave until they got his wife to tell her, and then she told them.

4. Where did this word come from?
   1. The word gamble originated in the early 18th century (circa 1700s) as a derivative of the Middle English word gamen (or gamenen),
   2. meaning “to play, jest, or be merry,” which itself comes from Old English gamen (game/fun). It evolved from earlier forms like gamel.
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5. Why have so many people been so addicted?
   1. Gambling is addictive because it triggers the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine—the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and euphoria—similar to drugs or alcohol.
   2. The rush comes not just from winning, but also from the anticipation of winning and the thrill of taking risks, creating a cycle of compulsion, particularly with easy access to online, 24/7 platforms.
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6. What’s the solution and remedy?
   1. If you are trapped in this addiction, God can set you free, but first you must be born again. John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Before you receive Jesus as your Lord and savior, you are dead in trespasses and sins, and once you are born again, you are a lively hope!
   2. When you are born again, you are set free from the power and penalty of sin. John 8:36: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Freedom is an important theme in the gospel message, so if you are not free, God wants to set you free.
   3. Remember that every day we battle with the temptation to sin. Those battling a gambling addiction can relate to the apostle Paul. Romans 7:23-24: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The one who can deliver you from any addiction, whether gambling, overeating, you name it…is Jesus Christ.
   4. If you need to be set free, pray in faith and stand on scriptures like this one. PSalm 91:3: Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. Gambling is a snare set by Satan but God can break that snare and spring the trap.
   5. Part of your journey to freedom may involve a re-dedication of your heart to Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 3:22: Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. It is easy to drift and do your own thing and not put God first as you should. Why not come back to Father’s House like the prodigal, and start new.
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7. Why does the bible warn us to stay away from this?
   1. One reason is because the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. 1st Timothy 6:10: FOr the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. If you were to talk to anyone caught in gambling addiction, their life is full of sorrows and they don’t have any faith.

8. Who in the bible gambled their life away? (OT)
   1. Esau gambled away his birthright and his future over a bowl of stew in Genesis 25:29-34: And Jacob sod pottage: & Esau came from the field, & he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. Esau enjoyed the food but he had gambled his life away from that day on. That one choice affected him forever.
   2. King Saul ggambled his kingship and eventually his life away through disobedience. 1st Samuel 15:20-23: And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep & oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. & Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings & sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, & to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Saul thought he had done good. He was feeling great when he first met Samuel. However, he neglected one small detail in the Word of God, which was to destroy all of the inhabitants of the land. He did not do this and it was an expensive gamble.
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9. Who in the bible lost their way (NT)
   1. Ananaias and Sapphira gambled that their holding back on God would not be found out. Here’s what happened. Acts 5:1-5: But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, & to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? & after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. & Ananias hearing these words fell down, & gave up the ghost: & great fear came on all them that heard these things. Gambling against God is a losing bet right from the start, as this dynamic duo found out.
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10. What advice would you give to someone else who’s trying to entice you to look at gambling as more fun than sin?
    1. Gambling IS a sin and there may be pleasure in it, but only for a season, as Moses learned. Hebrews 11:24-25: By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; I would advise the person that the temporary pleasure of gambling is quickly swallowed up by the resulting hardships.
    2. I would tell that person that there’s a hole in their heart that gambling & other worldly practices will never fill. Only the love of God can fill it. Jeremiah 31:3: The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. I would share my testimony & tell them how they can have the only love that satisfies their needs.
11. What did Jesus have to say about money?
    1. Someone who is caught up in gambling is serving the god of this world and the material possessions that are quickly passing away, rather than God. Jesus said this in Matthew 6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. We use the money and material things we have to glorify God and bless others, not just for our own personal gain. This is why I, Pastor Wayne, and everyone that is involved with The Greatest Gift is blessed. We use everything we have to glorify God.

12. Why were the money changers sinful?
    1. Let’s look at one of the passages where Jesus goes into the temple and chases them out, and we’ll see why they were so wrong. Matthew 21:12-14: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. The moneychangers were wrong because they took a place that had been set apart for worship and used it for merchandise and profit. They were not selling doves as a way of raising support to further their ministries! They were not running a store as a means to further the gospel. They were doing it for their own gain. There are those who have questioned us about our merchandise and bookstore, thinking that we were like the moneychangers that Jesus drove out. I assure you, there is a huge difference. Everything we do is to further the spread of the gospel. Not for personal gain.
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13. The bible tells us this:
    1. John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
    2. Those that are involved in gambling or other addictions are under the thief’s rule. They are being stolen from, and their life is destroyed.
    3. If they turn their lives over to Jesus, they can have the abundant, purpose-filled life that He intends for them to have, not the destructive life they are in.
14. The bible also says
    1. Proverbs 16:25: There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
    2. The temptation o9f gambling might seem like a fun, exciting thing to do, and hey, it could make you rich! But, following that path brings you down a dead end road. Turn back to Jesus and let Him set you free.
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15. Story: A Gambler’s Transformation
    1. A gambler, drowning in debt and despair, found freedom through divine intervention after hitting rock bottom.
    2. By surrendering to God through prayer, reading Scripture, and embracing a new identity, the desperate desire for the casino vanished,
    3. replaced by a renewed purpose, peace, and the strength to rebuild his life. Here is a short story of that transformation:
    4. Mark had lost everything—his savings, his family’s trust, and his self-respect—to a 20-year gambling addiction.
    5. Every time he promised to stop, the urge drew him back to the bright lights of the casino, leaving him feeling hopeless and chained.
    6. One night, sitting in his car after losing his last, Mark hit rock bottom and cried out to God, admitting he couldn’t break free on his own.
    7. “I am done, Lord. I need You” he whispered. That surrender was the turning point. Instead of fighting the urges alone, Mark began to fill his mind with Scripture and his days with prayer.
    8. When temptation arose, he prayed for strength, which he described as a “spiritual intervention” that took away the addiction’s power.
    9. Gradually, God replaced Mark’s craving for money with a desire for a meaningful life. He found freedom not through luck, but through grace.
    10. Months later, Mark was not only debt-free but also helping others find hope, finally understanding that his worth was in God’s love, not in a winning streak.
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16. Conclusion
    1. Are you a gambler? As a Christian, do you realize the consequences?
    2. This message will keep you safe. As it says in Proverbs 16:25: There is a way that seems right unto a man but (Jeremiah 17:9) the heart of man is wicked and deceitful above all things.

1. Introduction
   1. ` I’d like to start off by saying that I’ve been a man of many visions. God has given me many in my lifetime.
   2. As a young boy, I had a vision of being a rock star because I was musically inclined.
   3. As years progressed on, a lot of challenges in life came my way; loss of a mother, loss of a brother, loss of a second mother and friends etc.
   4. But I held onto the vision that one day the music God gave me would go around the world.
   5. As I became a Christian, I’d always wanted to be an evangelistic pastor that would travel around the world
   6. spreading the gospel and Good News of Jesus Christ to a world that so desperately needed to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
   7. It took 40 years of trusting and believing and staying firm in my faith and standing on the foundational principles of God’s Word that I began to see my vision come to pass.
   8. In 2013, I developed a singing group entitled “The Greatest Gift” winning 4 #1 songs, 2 #1 albums, being inducted into the Akademia Music hall of Fame.
   9. We’ve had cartoons made from people who worked for Nickelodion and Walt Disney.
   10. We’ve had some of the best musicians playing for us that Nashville has to offer. Many thanks to Bill Watson of Nashville Trax for all of their great arrangements and musicians.
   11. I recently was nominated for Songwriter of the Year by the Josie Music Awards, the largest independent showcase in America. Our group has won over 200 awards.
   12. This was a vision after I became a Christian that I never gave up on.
   13. I kept holding true to the vision that God had given me. It finally came to pass that I became the evangelistic pastor of The Greatest Gift gospel music Group and Little House of Hope & Prayer. A vision comes true!
   14. Habakkuk 2:2-3: & the Lord answered me, & said, write the vision, & make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, & not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
   15. Now let us look into our message,

Vision

2. Definition of Vision:
   1. In Scripture, a revelation from God; an appearance or exhibition of something supernaturally presented to the minds of the prophets, by which they were informed of future events. Such were the visions of Isaiah, of Amos, of Ezekiel, etc. God still reveals His Vision for you and me, as we spend time in His Word and prayer.

3. Why do we need a vision
   1. because God has hopes and dreams for each one of us: Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
   2. When we have no vision, we have no purpose or direction and will ultimately perish spiritually: Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

4. What was Jesus’ Vision?
   1. His main vision, to save souls: Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
   2. He also had a vision to see many healed and set free: Acts 10:30-God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

5. How do we get a Vision from God?
   1. Spend time in Prayer and praise to God.:1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
   2. Spend time in the Word: Joshua 1:8-This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
   3. Assemble with other believers: Hebrews 10:25-Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

6. What do we do with our vision? We learn the answer to this in Habakkuk 2 :2-3 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
   1. Write it down.
   2. Wait for it expectantly.
   3. Run with it as God Leads. God will often put you together with others that have a similar vision and put a team together to bring it about. He has done this with The Greatest Gift and its worldwide vision.