Brian Yeager's Outlines
The End Does Not Justify the Means

Introduction:

Many today in the world do things that are bad and then justify their actions with the "good results". The question, as it always should be, does God approve of this explanatory theory?

I. A current example - Gambling the "Powerball" frenzy

- A local denominational preacher justified playing the lottery by arguing that the church would benefit from it. Does the means of gambling justify the end of the church getting money? What is gambling? Gambling is: "to play a game for money or property". Christians must beware, gambling is a drug, that is very addictive. That is known by how many join the Compulsive Gambling Center type programs. 1-800-lostbet

A. The root and source of gambling is covetousness.  1. Covetousness defined: "1 : to wish for enviously 2 : to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpablyintransitive senses : to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another."
      1. Covetousness is a sin I Corinthians 6:9-10 " Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
    1. The Bible teaches us that we are to earn our money. 
      1. II Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat."
3. If a Christian is in need he ought to turn to his brethren not to the lottery, slot machines, poker tables, etc. Acts 11:29 "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:"

4. Is gambling putting our money in the right place? Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

 B. Let’s learn to be content with what we are blessed with Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." 1. Proverbs 13:11 "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase." C. Notice that we are to give back to God, as GOD has prospered us, not the lottery, casino, etc. I Corinthians 16:1-2 "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (Emphasis added B.A.Y.) But that which God gave us the ability and means to HONESTLY obtain!

C. What are the chances of winning the "Powerball" game that just got all the hype? 80,089,128 to 1 [www.lotterynews.com] Is that being a good steward of our money? 

1. To the gambler – Ephesians 4:28 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

2. Realize that gambling is also theft, taking another persons money in exchange for no goods. Luke 16:13 "No servant 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."

 D. Would you really want to be rich with money? I 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." 1. Matthew 19:23-24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." II. Sin is Sin A. Sin is transgression of the Law I John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1. The law is James 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect {complete – B.A.Y.} law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

2. God does not "overlook" sins at any time Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Emphasis added B.A.Y.)

 B. An example to illustrate point I A. clearer is Uzzah II Samuel 6:6-7. 1. Uzzah was not to touch the ark Numbers 4:15

2. Was it good that he did not want the ark to hit the ground? Sure! Did God take that into account? NO!

 III. Sin un-repented of leads to eternal damnation! A. The wages of sin is death Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 1. Repent of perish Luke 13:3;5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." B. Repentance is more than just words Acts 26:20 "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." 1. It is not just being sorry II Corinthians 7:9-10 "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." C. It is part of a conversion from sinful acts to righteousness Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

D. If we change and confess to God those sins he will forgive! I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

 Conclusion:

Do not gamble with your soul, because the odds are stacked against you! Matthew 3:8 "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:"
 

Copyright 2001 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.

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