Background to passage: Continuing in Ephesians. Explain why I preach through books. Paul is being practical related to our lives as a whole, walking in wisdom for a purpose. This is a principle that applies to many issues of choice in our lives, especially as it relates to cultural issues that we are not given clear black and white answers from the scripture. Now, we arrive at this text admonished to understand what the will of the Lord is, understand the times, and be good stewards of our lives living wisely and not foolishly. I realize that the verses following these verses point to the fact that Paul is about to make another point of practical living based on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. He does begin by speaking about the controlling power of alcohol, and I think that in our contemporary American culture, we should consider this topically.
Ephesians 5:15–18 ESV
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Opening illustration: Christians seeking to think faithfully, which is to say, seeking to think Christianly, trying to operate out of the basis of a consistent biblical and Christian worldview, sometimes we come to an understanding that on issue A, there is a right or wrong answer, and we can get to that pretty quickly. On issue B takes us a little more time to get to where we understand what's right and what's wrong, what's true and what's false. On some issues, Christians have to acknowledge there can be genuine disagreement and sometimes we reach an issue that is just extremely vexing. Even a moral issue can operate this way, but still, there has to be a decision made one way or the other. There has to be some policy determined one way or the other, and that's going to come with moral consequences one way or the other. - Al Mohler
Main thought: Let’s discuss the decision that our world puts in front of us, and that all of us over 21, as well as those of you who will be turning 21 must face. We must walk wisely, the days are evil, and time is short.
1) Scripture does not forbid alcohol
Explanation: It gives several affirmations of the use of it properly. However, scripture is replete with warnings regarding, misuse, abuse, and drunkeness. It gives examples of the results of drunkeness, accounts of the devastation of drunkeness, and clear instructions about avoidance of drunkeness.
Argumentation: Noah, Lot, Amnon, Asa, Solomon, servants thinking the master is delayed, 1 Pet 4, Gal 5, 1 Cor 5-6, John the Baptist,
Illustration: Just a cursory search of scripture the other day, out of 102 bible verses/passages, I would estimate that over 90% deal with warnings and associations of drunkeness with other sins of unbelievers and a pagan culture. The lion’s share of biblical references are to use extreme caution because of the potential danger.
Psalm 104:14–15 ESV
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Proverbs 20:1 ESV
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 23:29–35 ESV
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”
Isaiah 5:11 ESV
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!
Romans 13:13 ESV
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
Hosea 4:11 ESV
11 whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
Application: All of this having been said, consumption of alcohol is not forbidden completely. In saying that, it is required of us that we consider it a matter of conscience or personal conviction. It’s a decision that we can disagree on position or action and not break fellowship. There are good reasons given in scripture for its use, but far more warnings in proportion.
?
2) Reasons I Don’t
Mind-altering, clouds thinking, slows reaction times
Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Potential costs: 140,557 people on average for the last five years died from alcohol-related causes (CDC)
Health: cirrosis, gastritis, myopathy, phycosis, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, fetal alcohol syndrome, 10 cancers, heart disease, a fib, hypertension, stroke, hepatitis, SIDs, unprovoked seizures, alcohol poisoning,
Societal: fatal car wrecks-50%, all wrecks-30%, 11K suicides (30/day), murders (23/day)
Familial: domestic abuse and neglect, drownings, falls, divorce, financial bankruptcy
Financial: $5K/yr, businesses $180B/yr, 22% of prescription opioid overdoses, healthcare system, law enforcement, insurance increases, estimated $200B/yr cost in US, 40% paid by taxpayers directly
Plenty of safe options, not necessary. I don’t feel like I sacrifice much in my life not to have it.
Body is the temple of God
1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Cause believers to stumble
Romans 14:15–19 ESV
15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Possibly thwart my testimony - I don’t want to be the reason that you, your kids, my kids, my neighbors, or anyone else finds a reason to reject the faith. Who will see you?
Supports an industry that is responsible for much tragedy and destruction
?
3) Final Thoughts
Explanation: I want to encourage us to refuse to fall into the trap of being judgmental, hyper-critical, self-righteous, Pharisaical toward those that we disagree with.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
?
Illustration: we weathered COVID really well because we faced a bad situation with love for Christ and each other more than for ourselves.
Application: This runs both ways. Those of you who feel the liberty to drink, please do not look down at those of us who are weak as unspiritual. Let those of us who choose not to partake for various reasons not look down upon those to enjoy a drink in moderation. The biblical witness is clear, alcohol is not forbidden. The pendulum can swing to the extreme either way. We must understand the scripture, our culture, and our conscience, and follow the first and the last in order not to sin or to play
?
Closing illustration: Last reason is a personal one: my father was an alcoholic...
Recap
