The Christian & Alcohol (1)

2002041

Subject: social drinking; alcohol

Introduction:

A. Consumption of alcohol is accepted in our society.

1. 1970: 85 million American’s drank. Figures then told us that 79% of all men and 69% of all women drink. If those percentages hold true today that would translate to around 150 million drinkers in this country today.

2. 1 in 18 people are alcoholics. 4-5 million probably classified as “heavy” drinkers. Rest usually falls into the class of the “social” drinker.

3. Many “social” drinkers are usually respected, church going pillars of the community who feel nothing wrong w/moderate drinking of alcohol.

B. Should the Christian drink? Socially?

1. If consumption of alcohol is an action that is scriptural – we do not wish to preach against the liberty of others Christians.

2. If on the other hand, consumption of alcohol is sinful – then we want to speak out against it.

C. Gal. 5:19-21

1. Note…these things were evident. Plain/well known. Easy to see

2. Note Paul had discussed these things before. 5:21. seems that this was something people needed to be reminded of over and over again.

3. We are in need of moral reviews from time to time.

a) 2 Pet 1:12-15

b) Today and next week we’ll take a moral review on drinking.

I. 2 main areas that deal w/this issue.

A. First area involves moral applications. This is the application of bible principles!

1. There are bible principles in all kinds of areas…. modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-11) Greed (6:9-11)

2. When it comes to drinking – I believe the following passages speak out against it: Eph. 4:22-24; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 4:3

B. Plain scriptural objections

3. 1 Peter 4:1-3

4. Go over passage in depth next week.

5. Today want to take a look at some of the moral applications.

II. 1 Thess. 5:22 – abstain from all evil appearances.

A. General instructions begin in 5:15.

1. Must strive to place these principles into practice in our lies!

2. Note again v. 22. NASV; NIV; NKJV

B. Someone says, this doesn’t apply to drinking. It’s not really that bad…find one scripture that says having one drink is bad!

1. Many look for specifics – Everything in Bible is not specifically spelled out!

2. If principle in 5:22 doesn’t apply to drinking – would it apply to anything else?

C. In scripture,…not one positive thing mentioned about drinking!

1. In fact, everything about drinking is evil! See Pro. 20:1; 23:29-31

III. It is a harmful drug!

A. Medical use is not condemned! We understand there are medicinal purposes – Nyquil, etc.

1. Involves the motive behind it!

B. But the abuse of alcohol leads to all sorts of health problems: damage to:

1. brain; lungs; heart; liver; pancreas; immunity; bones; sex organs.

2. Abuse of alcohol plays a role in problems in society:

a) 75% of all crimes; 70% of all divorces; & 60% of all child abuse cases can be linked to alcohol!

3. Statistics: Shannon Shaffer

C. It is also an addictive drug. There are withdrawal symptoms associated w/alcohol.

1. anxiety; cramping; nausea; vomiting; perspiration; hallucinations; convulsions; DT’s

2. withdrawal can even cause death! Willard Alls: withdrawal from alcohol can be more sever than withdrawal from narcotics.

D. Contrast this to the following Scriptures:

1. 1 Cor. 6:12 – I will not be mastered by anything.

2. 1 Cor. 9:27 – Discipline…make it my slave…

3. Romans 6:13-17 – can/will enslave us.

IV. It hinders the ability to function.

A. No argument here! Readily seen!

1. But some Christians wish to argue here. Believe as long as they don’t go over the legal limit – they’re OK – w/the law & w/God!

2. We canot use civil authority to judge our own abilities. Civil authorities constantly revising legal limit:

a) .15 revised to .10 .10 revised to .08. We’re still learning how alcohol affects human body. Could be that we revise the legal limit again in the years to come.

B. Science says alcohol absorbed by brain, liver, kidney, skeletal muscles, spleen, and intestines.

1. first effect – usually affects self restraint.

a) sense of discrimination is lost.

b) Memory loss becomes a problem.

c) Sense of right/wrong is totally gone!

2. Contrast such behavior w/1 Thess. 5:5-6; 1 Tim. 4:7, 12

3. Police judge driving ability – God judges reasoning power!

V. It destroys your influence.

A. World sees what drinkers deny.

1. Upton Sinclair quote.

2. Yet, I still know Christians who defend drinking!

B. Is this seeking the kingdom first? Mt. 6:33

C. Can we glorify God and drink? See Mt. 5:16

1. What would you think if walked up & I had a beer in my hand?

2. Elders? Well respected person? Jesus?

VI. It is a stumbling block to others.

A. Even if you can control it – 1 in three cant!

B. Then…we sin when we lead others into questionable behavior!

1. 1 Cor. 8:11-13

2. Mt. 18:6

3. Be aware! Other’s are watching us!

Conclusion:

A. Boils down to a matter of avoidance.

1. Obvious that drunkenness is a sin!

2. But…why should the Christian push the envelope w/just one drink? Remember this is a substance that is:

B. Harmful; addictive

1. Cause one to lose self control

2. Lose good influence

3. Lead others to sin

C. It’s a matter of living for Christ!

1. 2 Cor. 5:15

2. Are you?

3. Would you?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



The Christian & Alcohol (1) 2002041 Subject: social drinking; alcohol Introduction: A. Consumption of alcohol is accepted in our society. 1. 1970: 85 million American’s drank. Figures then told us that 79% of all men and 69% of all women drink. If those percentages hold true today that would translate to around 150 million drinkers in this country today. 2. 1 in 18 people are alcoholics. 4-5 million probably classified as “heavy” drinkers. Rest usually falls into the class of the “social” drinker. 3. Many “social” drinkers are usually respected, church going pillars of the community who feel nothing wrong w/moderate drinking of alcohol. B. Should the Christian drink? Socially? 1. If consumption of alcohol is an action that is scriptural – we do not wish to preach against the liberty of others Christians. 2. If on the other hand, consumption of alcohol is sinful – then we want to speak out against it. C. Gal. 5:19-21 1. Note…these things were evident. Plain/well known. Easy to see 2. Note Paul had discussed these things before. 5:21. seems that this was something people needed to be reminded of over and over again. 3. We are in need of moral reviews from time to time. a) 2 Pet 1:12-15 b) Today and next week we’ll take a moral review on drinking. I. 2 main areas that deal w/this issue. A. First area involves moral applications. This is the application of bible principles! 1. There are bible principles in all kinds of areas…. modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-11) Greed (6:9-11) 2. When it comes to drinking – I believe the following passages speak out against it: Eph. 4:22-24; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 4:3 B. Plain scriptural objections 3. 1 Peter 4:1-3 4. Go over passage in depth next week. 5. Today want to take a look at some of the moral applications. II. 1 Thess. 5:22 – abstain from all evil appearances. A. General instructions begin in 5:15. 1. Must strive to place these principles into practice in our lies! 2. Note again v. 22. NASV; NIV; NKJV B. Someone says, this doesn’t apply to drinking. It’s not really that bad…find one scripture that says having one drink is bad! 1. Many look for specifics – Everything in Bible is not specifically spelled out! 2. If principle in 5:22 doesn’t apply to drinking – would it apply to anything else? C. In scripture,…not one positive thing mentioned about drinking! 1. In fact, everything about drinking is evil! See Pro. 20:1; 23:29-31 III. It is a harmful drug! A. Medical use is not condemned! We understand there are medicinal purposes – Nyquil, etc. 1. Involves the motive behind it! B. But the abuse of alcohol leads to all sorts of health problems: damage to: 1. brain; lungs; heart; liver; pancreas; immunity; bones; sex organs. 2. Abuse of alcohol plays a role in problems in society: a) 75% of all crimes; 70% of all divorces; & 60% of all child abuse cases can be linked to alcohol! 3. Statistics: Shannon Shaffer C. It is also an addictive drug. There are withdrawal symptoms associated w/alcohol. 1. anxiety; cramping; nausea; vomiting; perspiration; hallucinations; convulsions; DT’s 2. withdrawal can even cause death! Willard Alls: withdrawal from alcohol can be more sever than withdrawal from narcotics. D. Contrast this to the following Scriptures: 1. 1 Cor. 6:12 – I will not be mastered by anything. 2. 1 Cor. 9:27 – Discipline…make it my slave… 3. Romans 6:13-17 – can/will enslave us. IV. It hinders the ability to function. A. No argument here! Readily seen! 1. But some Christians wish to argue here. Believe as long as they don’t go over the legal limit – they’re OK – w/the law & w/God! 2. We canot use civil authority to judge our own abilities. Civil authorities constantly revising legal limit: a) .15 revised to .10 .10 revised to .08. We’re still learning how alcohol affects human body. Could be that we revise the legal limit again in the years to come. B. Science says alcohol absorbed by brain, liver, kidney, skeletal muscles, spleen, and intestines. 1. first effect – usually affects self restraint. a) sense of discrimination is lost. b) Memory loss becomes a problem. c) Sense of right/wrong is totally gone! 2. Contrast such behavior w/1 Thess. 5:5-6; 1 Tim. 4:7, 12 3. Police judge driving ability – God judges reasoning power! V. It destroys your influence. A. World sees what drinkers deny. 1. Upton Sinclair quote. 2. Yet, I still know Christians who defend drinking! B. Is this seeking the kingdom first? Mt. 6:33 C. Can we glorify God and drink? See Mt. 5:16 1. What would you think if walked up & I had a beer in my hand? 2. Elders? Well respected person? Jesus? VI. It is a stumbling block to others. A. Even if you can control it – 1 in three cant! B. Then…we sin when we lead others into questionable behavior! 1. 1 Cor. 8:11-13 2. Mt. 18:6 3. Be aware! Other’s are watching us! Conclusion: A. Boils down to a matter of avoidance. 1. Obvious that drunkenness is a sin! 2. But…why should the Christian push the envelope w/just one drink? Remember this is a substance that is: B. Harmful; addictive 1. Cause one to lose self control 2. Lose good influence 3. Lead others to sin C. It’s a matter of living for Christ! 1. 2 Cor. 5:15 2. Are you? 3. Would you? D. I N V I T A T I O N