“Drinking”
Introduction:
In the Bible there is much ambiguity involved with the topic of drinking. In fact it is so ambiguous that it falls under realm of a matter of opinion. However, I think it is important for us to determine whether a Christian should drink. Before I begin it is important to further clarify that the Bible never straight out condemns drinking, and there is no “thus saith the Lord”, therefore it is a matter of opinion.
I have been asked many times whether or not a Christian should drink. This is one of the toughest questions I have had to deal with in responding. Of course I want to tell the truth and nothing more and nothing less. I do not want to allow something that God wouldn’t and I don’t want to condemn something that God didn’t.
It is agreed among all Christians that drunkenness is wrong, but the idea of social drinking is a hot topic.
Many say that drinking is in fact promoted in the Bible; I want to say tonight, that while drinking is not condemned, it is not promoted either.
In the Restoration Movement there came an idea which stated that we must obey the direct commands recorded in the Bible and we should also follow the principles that are found in the Bible. While drinking is never condemned, I would tonight like to look at some principles that speak to us on this issue.
First, I would like to clear up some misconceptions that are common regarding this topic.
1) Jesus made intoxicating wine in the miracle at Cana
a. Jesus would have been guilty of sin had he made intoxicating wine – Habakkuk 2:15
b. Jesus made what was described as “good wine”. Unfermented wine was regarded as better by all who lived during that time; this is evident from many of the Roman historians.
2) Jesus drank since he was called in Luke 7:31-35 a winebibber
a. In the same passage they accused Jesus of gluttony and charged John the Baptist as having a demon, real credible!
3) Since Paul instructed Timothy to drink wine, it is alright
a. It was clearly for medicinal reasons
I would like to share tonight my reasons for not drinking. Again, this is my opinion. I am simply trying to learn the truth and teach the truth, and I hope that we all can come to a conclusion on this matter so that we can be closer to the Lord.
Text: Proverbs 23:20-21; 29-35
I. For the Lord’s sake
One reason I will not drink alcohol is for the Lord. We all want to grow and be as close to the Lord as we can, and sometimes that means giving up certain things. We can debate all day whether we can drink alcohol or not, but we want to make sure that we are not doing something just to take advantage of a liberty we may have in Christ.
Many people seem to like to walk very closely on the line of right and wrong. I have heard and seen many people doing anything they can, coming as close to wrong as they can. The truth is we need to run from that line, because when we are close to the line we are closer to Satan’s targets.
In the Old Testament the priests were forbidden to consume alcohol when they were on their priestly duty. We as Christians are all priests 24/7, we are always on duty. I think this is symbolic of how we ought to live. We are priests and need to make sure that our minds are always alert so that we can focus on the Lord.
Psalm 139:24
We as Christians need to strive to do right; we all should desire to be right with the Lord. Let us make sure that we examine ourselves to make sure there is no offensive way.
I like to play things safely. The scripture is vague on the matter of social drinking, but I sure do not want to test the Lord. I don’t want to be doing something and in reality it is wrong. So as for me I choose to run from the line and make sure that I am not doing wrong.
I Timothy 3:3 and 8
Leaders in the church are called not to drink, is that because they are called to a higher moral standard?
Shouldn’t we all strive for that standard?
Let us strive to come closer to the Lord, and make sure there is no offensive way in us. There is nothing wrong with making high standards!
II. For others sake
a. Brothers
Romans 14:19-21
It is very important that we be mindful of how our actions will affect others. Everything that we do has some affect on other people. We especially need to pay attention to the things we do in regard to how it affects our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul makes very clear in Romans that it is not worth doing anything if it will cause our brothers to stumble. We must face the reality that others cans tumble simply by watching us participate in certain actions. Much about drinking is not clear in scripture, but I believe that this principle makes it clear that it is not worth consuming alcohol for our brother’s sake. The truth is if we are strong enough to handle drinking spiritually we should be strong enough and caring enough to give that freedom up for the sake of those who are not as strong.
b. Lost
II Corinthians 2:15-16
It is clear that people are watching us. It is clear that we are to be the light of the world. This is the number one reason why I do not or will not drink alcohol. We need to be very mindful of how we act, so that the world may see our good deeds and actions. It is not worth drinking anything if it would cause someone not to come to Christ. Evangelism is the most important thing that we can be a part of and we need to make sure that our witness to the world is not tainted because of our actions in the world. This forces us to determine how much do we really care about the lost? Do you care about the lost enough to not participate in certain things for no reason other than it may hurt the advancement of the kingdom of God? Whether we like it our not even the world sees alcohol as a negative thing. Non-Christians can not discern or understand or debate whether a Christian should drink.
I think that we need to stop spending so much time trying to determine what we as Christians can and cannot do and instead worry about what we can do for the Lord and what we can do to grow closer to the Lord.
III. For my sake
Nearly 75% of all Americans drink at least occasionally
13 million people in America have alcohol problems
7 million people in this country are in some form of alcoholism
50% of fatal car crashes involve drunkenness
64% or murders are associated with alcohol
1 out of every 10 “social drinkers” become alcoholic
Alcohol is the # 2 killer behind heart disease, even more than cancer
500,000 Americans die each year from alcoholism
a. Bad steward of my spirit
By drinking I believe we hurt ourselves spiritually. We are told several time sin scripture to practice self-control, and to be alert so that we can focus on the Lord. If we drink, even a little our minds are altered and we cannot completely focus on the Lord. Drinking does not good, it only causes bad. We can argue day and night about this, but we must strive to so what is right and what will lift us up spiritually.
b. Bad steward of my body
I believe that drinking is being a bad steward of your body. It is a proven fact that alcohol kills brain cells. It is a proven fact that alcohol tears apart your liver. Alcohol damages the body more than smoking. More people are killed because of alcohol than smoking and drugs combined. We are commanded in scripture to be good stewards of our body. The body is the temple of the Lord’s we should not defile it. Alcohol impairs your senses; it makes you very susceptible to sin.
c. Bad steward of my money
The Bible talks a lot about money and being a good steward of it. It does not seem to me that spending money on alcohol is a wise investment. Why would you want to put your money to support what those alcohol companies stand for. They stand for immorality. Simply watch the alcohol commercials, they seem to portray that if you drink that you will win friends, and also promote sexual immorality. Don’t waste money on alcohol, but invest in the Lord.
d. Bad Steward of my family
I believe one of the worst things about alcohol is the effects it has on families. I have seen first hand. I come from a family that has five generations prior to me that are alcoholic. I have seen families torn apart because of the effect of alcohol. No body has the right to come to me and say it is not bad. I have seen how alcohol impairs your reasoning. I have seen how alcohol makes you short tempered; I have seen how alcohol destroys families, because it has destroyed mine. I hope that you would choose to not drink for your family’s sake.
Conclusion:
As we grow in our faith we need to make stances and hold to them. It is clear in several places in scripture that we need to make commitments personally and stick to those whole heartedly.
I didn’t preach this sermon to get up on my soap box. I didn’t preach this because I wanted to push my opinions on you. Within this subject there is a lot of opinion, but there are several things that are not opinion that I believe should help us to make the decision to not drink.
1.) The Lost matter to God and our example impacts the lost whether good or bad
2) We need to make sure that we are not doing something just to do it
3) We need to make sure we are not like the world; it seems many people drink simply to fit into the world.
4) We need to strive to grow closer to the Lord, if alcohol hinders us we need to stay away from it.
We all need to make a decision whether we are going to drink, but before you do ask yourself these questions:
1.) Would Jesus do this?
2.) Would I do this with Jesus?
3.) Would I want my children doing this?
4.) Would it matter if Jesus came back while I was doing this?
