social drinking, the kingdom of god and the current culture

Social Drinking, the Kingdom Social Drinking, the Kingdom of God and the Current Cultureof God and the Current Culture

We serve a God who provides We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvationabundantly for our salvation

• These provisions involve instructions that These provisions involve instructions that must be understood and obeyed. must be understood and obeyed. (Jude 17-20, 24)(Jude 17-20, 24)


• Jude 17-24Jude 17-24 - But you, beloved, - But you, beloved, remember remember the wordsthe words which were which were spoken before by spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christthe apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 : 18 how they told you that there would be how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk mockers in the last time who would walk according to according to their own ungodly luststheir own ungodly lusts. ….. ….


• 20 But you, beloved, 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves building yourselves up on your most holy faithup on your most holy faith, praying in the , praying in the Holy Spirit, …. 22 And on some have Holy Spirit, …. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, others save with fear, pulling pulling them them out of out of the firethe fire, hating even the garment , hating even the garment defiled by defiled by the fleshthe flesh. .


• 24 Now to Him who 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you is able to keep you from stumblingfrom stumbling, And to , And to present present you you faultlessfaultless Before the presence of His glory Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,with exceeding joy,


• God has made man with a free will. We God has made man with a free will. We must learn to yield to God.must learn to yield to God.

• Every great man of faith in the bible had to Every great man of faith in the bible had to learn these lessons. God is not partial and learn these lessons. God is not partial and men who yield to sin will face men who yield to sin will face consequences.consequences.

• Much of the battle is won when we have a Much of the battle is won when we have a fear of God and a deep respect for His fear of God and a deep respect for His warnings and wisdom. warnings and wisdom. (Prov 1:7)(Prov 1:7)


• Proverbs 1:7Proverbs 1:7 - - The fear of the LORDThe fear of the LORD is is the beginning of knowledge, the beginning of knowledge, But But fools fools despise wisdom and instruction.despise wisdom and instruction.


• There are few problems that have There are few problems that have impacted the church as much as social impacted the church as much as social drinking. drinking.

• A large number of Christians have had A large number of Christians have had their families impacted by alcohol. their families impacted by alcohol.


• God has repeatedly warned on the God has repeatedly warned on the dangers. dangers. (Gal 5:19-21)(Gal 5:19-21)


• Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the - Now the works of the flesh flesh are evidentare evident, which are: adultery, , which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the likedrunkenness, revelries, and the like; ; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told told you you in time past, that those who practice in time past, that those who practice such things such things will not inherit the kingdom of Godwill not inherit the kingdom of God..


• It is my prayer and intent to let you see It is my prayer and intent to let you see what God has plainly taught us.what God has plainly taught us.

Is social drinking a sin?Is social drinking a sin?

• One of the difficulties we face in applying One of the difficulties we face in applying the Bible to our culture is in our the Bible to our culture is in our understanding of the wine of Bible times.understanding of the wine of Bible times.

• When we read of wine in the Bible the When we read of wine in the Bible the context must tell us the meaning.context must tell us the meaning.

• In the scriptures there is “strong drink” that In the scriptures there is “strong drink” that is always condemned. Wine can be is always condemned. Wine can be unfermented. Wine can also be strongly unfermented. Wine can also be strongly diluted fermented wine.diluted fermented wine.


• In Bible times the more common wine was In Bible times the more common wine was cut by a ratio of cut by a ratio of 3 to 5 parts water3 to 5 parts water to to one one part winepart wine. This is safer than water alone. . This is safer than water alone. (1 Tim 5:23)(1 Tim 5:23)


• 1 Timothy 5:231 Timothy 5:23 - No longer drink - No longer drink only only waterwater, but use , but use a little winea little wine for for your your stomach'sstomach's sake sake and your frequent and your frequent infirmities.infirmities.


• The issue that most fail to understand is The issue that most fail to understand is that our alcoholic beverages are often that our alcoholic beverages are often much stronger than anything possible in much stronger than anything possible in Bible times. There is a huge difference Bible times. There is a huge difference between between distillation and fermentationdistillation and fermentation..

• Consider the blanket condemnation of Consider the blanket condemnation of strong drink. strong drink. (Prov 20:1; 31:6)(Prov 20:1; 31:6)


• Proverbs 20:1Proverbs 20:1 - Wine - Wine is is a mocker, a mocker, Strong Strong drink drink is is a brawlera brawler, And whoever is led , And whoever is led astray by it astray by it is not wiseis not wise..


• Proverbs 31:6Proverbs 31:6 - Give - Give strong drinkstrong drink to him to him who is perishingwho is perishing, And wine to those who , And wine to those who are bitter of heart.are bitter of heart.


• The strong drink of Bible times is undiluted The strong drink of Bible times is undiluted fermented wine. This would be the fermented wine. This would be the equivalent of our modern day beer. equivalent of our modern day beer.

• In this wisdom literature God warns In this wisdom literature God warns against playing with fire. If you want to get against playing with fire. If you want to get drunk then go ahead and drink strong drunk then go ahead and drink strong drink!drink!

Social Drinking has greater influence Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and eventsthrough social relationships and events

• Social drinking is a requirement for many Social drinking is a requirement for many kinds of relationships. kinds of relationships. (1 Pt 4:3-5)(1 Pt 4:3-5)


• 1 Peter 4:3-51 Peter 4:3-5 - For we - For we have spent have spent enough of enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, lusts, drunkennessdrunkenness, , revelriesrevelries, , drinking drinking partiesparties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In , and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they regard to these, they think it strange that you think it strange that you do not run with do not run with them them inin the same flood of the same flood of dissipation, dissipation, speaking evil of speaking evil of youyou.. 5 They will 5 They will give an account to Himgive an account to Him who is ready to judge who is ready to judge the living and the dead.the living and the dead.


• In High School you could not be close In High School you could not be close friends with some unless you approved of friends with some unless you approved of and partook of their drugs.and partook of their drugs.

• It was celebrated when one “grew-up” and It was celebrated when one “grew-up” and joined the ranks of those who lived for the joined the ranks of those who lived for the “high.”“high.”

• There was open distain for even those There was open distain for even those who simply refused to participate.who simply refused to participate.


• We know there is a God and there is a day We know there is a God and there is a day of judgement. Who are your friends? of judgement. Who are your friends?

• Social drinking is commonly expected in Social drinking is commonly expected in many professions. many professions.

• Daniel could have lost his life by refusing Daniel could have lost his life by refusing to compromise. to compromise. (Dan 1:8)(Dan 1:8)


• Daniel 1:8Daniel 1:8 - But Daniel purposed in his - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he heart that he would not defile himselfwould not defile himself with with the portion of the portion of the king's delicaciesthe king's delicacies, nor , nor with the wine which he drankwith the wine which he drank; therefore he ; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himselfhe might not defile himself..


• I have sadly watched Christians I have sadly watched Christians compromise for the sake of a job.compromise for the sake of a job.

• It is very difficult to be a part of college life It is very difficult to be a part of college life without conflict concerning drinking. One without conflict concerning drinking. One college student described the effect on her college student described the effect on her roommate.roommate.

Social Drinking and the kingdom of GodSocial Drinking and the kingdom of God

• What is the most important thing to the What is the most important thing to the child of God? child of God? (Mt 6:33)(Mt 6:33)


• Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33 - " - "But seek first the But seek first the kingdom of Godkingdom of God and His righteousness, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.and all these things shall be added to you.


• If someone falsely reasoned that some If someone falsely reasoned that some form of social drinking was lawful, I can form of social drinking was lawful, I can easily show you that it is not expedient. easily show you that it is not expedient. (1 Cor 6:9-12)(1 Cor 6:9-12)


• 1 Corinthians 6:9-121 Corinthians 6:9-12 - Do you not know - Do you not know that the unrighteous that the unrighteous will not inherit the will not inherit the kingdom of Godkingdom of God? ? Do not be deceivedDo not be deceived. . Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkardsnor drunkards, nor revilers, nor , nor revilers, nor extortioners extortioners will inherit the kingdom of will inherit the kingdom of GodGod. .


• 11 And such were some of you. But you 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12 Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All All things are lawful for methings are lawful for me, but , but all things are all things are not helpfulnot helpful. All things are lawful for me, but . All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of I will not be brought under the power of anyany..


• I have never known of a Christian who I have never known of a Christian who seriously wanted to reach the lost who seriously wanted to reach the lost who was a social drinker. was a social drinker. (1 Cor 9:18-23)(1 Cor 9:18-23)


• 1 Corinthians 9:19-231 Corinthians 9:19-23 - For though I am - For though I am free from all free from all men, men, I have made myself a I have made myself a servant to allservant to all, that , that I might win the moreI might win the more; ; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those that I might win Jews; to those who are who are under the law, as under the law, that I under the law, as under the law, that I might win those might win those who are who are under the law; under the law;


• 21 to those 21 to those who are who are without law, as without law, as without law (not being without law toward without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those might win those who are who are without law; 22 without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. win the weak. I have become all things to I have become all things to all all menmen, , that I might by all means that I might by all means save save somesome. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's . 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.you.


• What if you saw an elder drinking at a bar? What if you saw an elder drinking at a bar? (1 Peter 2:12)(1 Peter 2:12)


• 1 Peter 2:121 Peter 2:12 - having your conduct - having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by may, by your your good works which they good works which they observeobserve, glorify God in the day of , glorify God in the day of visitation. visitation.


• Would you drink if you knew Jesus was Would you drink if you knew Jesus was coming today?coming today?

• The same argument can be made for The same argument can be made for modern drug abuse! Would Jesus smoke modern drug abuse! Would Jesus smoke pot? pot? (Rom 13:11-14) (Rom 13:11-14)


• Romans 13:11-14Romans 13:11-14 - And - And do do this, knowing this, knowing the time, that now the time, that now it is it is high time to awake high time to awake out of sleep; for now out of sleep; for now our salvation our salvation is is nearer than when we nearer than when we first first believedbelieved. 12 . 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us Therefore let us cast off the works of cast off the works of darknessdarkness, and let us put on the armor of , and let us put on the armor of light. light.


• 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not not in revelry and drunkennessin revelry and drunkenness, not in , not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its fulfill its lusts.lusts.


• How much is your soul worth?How much is your soul worth?

Social Drinking and the current cultureSocial Drinking and the current culture

• Anyone who will open their eyes can get a Anyone who will open their eyes can get a glimpse of the devastation of alcohol.glimpse of the devastation of alcohol.


• ““America sees alcohol used or advertised on America sees alcohol used or advertised on television television every 6 secondsevery 6 seconds. 40% of all . 40% of all hospital admissions is alcohol related. 50% of hospital admissions is alcohol related. 50% of all traffic fatalitiesall traffic fatalities involve alcohol. 20% of involve alcohol. 20% of all all divorcesdivorces are caused by alcoholism. 33% of are caused by alcoholism. 33% of all suicidesall suicides involve alcohol. 64% of involve alcohol. 64% of all all murdersmurders in America are committed under the in America are committed under the influence of alcohol. 60% of influence of alcohol. 60% of all child abuseall child abuse involves alcohol. Alcoholics involves alcohol. Alcoholics outnumber drug outnumber drug addicts 10 to 1addicts 10 to 1.”.”


• Drinking and drugs have Drinking and drugs have deceptiondeception at at their core. their core. (Prov 23:29-35)(Prov 23:29-35)


• Proverbs 23:29-35Proverbs 23:29-35 - Who has - Who has woewoe? Who ? Who has has sorrowsorrow? Who has ? Who has contentionscontentions? Who ? Who has has complaintscomplaints? Who has ? Who has wounds without wounds without causecause? Who has ? Who has redness of eyesredness of eyes? 30 ? 30 Those who Those who linger long at the winelinger long at the wine, Those , Those who who go in search of mixed winego in search of mixed wine. 31 Do . 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, it sparkles in the cup, When When it swirls it swirls around smoothly; around smoothly;


• 32 At the last 32 At the last it bites like a serpentit bites like a serpent, And , And stings like a viperstings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will . 33 Your eyes will see see strange thingsstrange things, And your heart will , And your heart will utter utter perverse thingsperverse things. 34 Yes, you will be like one . 34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:saying: 35 "They have 35 "They have struck mestruck me, , but but I was not hurt; I was not hurt; They have They have beaten mebeaten me, but I did not feel , but I did not feel it. it. When shall I awakeWhen shall I awake, that I may , that I may seek another seek another drinkdrink?"?"


• Many want a brief escape and find Many want a brief escape and find themselves snared.themselves snared.

• ““There is no situation so bad that a few There is no situation so bad that a few alcoholic drinks won't make it worse.”alcoholic drinks won't make it worse.”

• We must choose to keep our eyes open We must choose to keep our eyes open and honestly deal with the issues of life.and honestly deal with the issues of life.

• Depression and addiction are common Depression and addiction are common partners.partners.


• The Christian can go to the Lord to face The Christian can go to the Lord to face the hurts of life. the hurts of life. (Mt 11:28-30)(Mt 11:28-30)


• Matthew 11:28-30Matthew 11:28-30 - " - "Come to MeCome to Me, all , all you you who labor and are heavy laden, and who labor and are heavy laden, and I I will give you restwill give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon . 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For your souls. 30 "For My yoke My yoke is is easyeasy and and My burden is lightMy burden is light." ."


• Dishonesty is a way of life for the addict.Dishonesty is a way of life for the addict.

• There is denial at every step. What There is denial at every step. What Christian would laugh and mock at a Christian would laugh and mock at a lesson like this?lesson like this?

• How often have I heard: “I can handle it!”How often have I heard: “I can handle it!”

• Lying becomes a way of life. The biggest Lying becomes a way of life. The biggest lie they tell to themselves!lie they tell to themselves!


• If alcoholism is a disease,If alcoholism is a disease,• It is the only disease that is bottled and sold;It is the only disease that is bottled and sold;• It is the only disease that is contracted by It is the only disease that is contracted by

the will of man;the will of man;• It is the only disease that requires a license It is the only disease that requires a license

to propagate it;to propagate it;• It is the only disease that requires outlets to It is the only disease that requires outlets to

spread it.spread it.


• If alcoholism is a disease,If alcoholism is a disease,• It is the only disease that produces revenue It is the only disease that produces revenue

for the government;for the government;• It is the only disease that provokes crime;It is the only disease that provokes crime;• It is the only disease that is habit forming;It is the only disease that is habit forming;• It is the only disease that brings violent death It is the only disease that brings violent death

on the highways;on the highways;• It is the only disease that is spread by It is the only disease that is spread by

advertising;advertising;


• It is the only disease without a germ or It is the only disease without a germ or virus cause.virus cause.


• In short they trust no one who will tell them In short they trust no one who will tell them the truth and help. Satan wins when you the truth and help. Satan wins when you associate with non-Christians and fear associate with non-Christians and fear Christians! Christians!

• Our Lord offers a way out of this dog-eat-Our Lord offers a way out of this dog-eat-dog world. dog world. (Titus 2:11-14)(Titus 2:11-14)


• Titus 2:11-14Titus 2:11-14 - For - For the grace of Godthe grace of God that that brings salvation has appeared to all men, brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 12 teaching usteaching us that, that, denying ungodlinessdenying ungodliness and and worldly lustsworldly lusts, we should live , we should live soberlysoberly, , righteouslyrighteously, and , and godlygodly in the present age, in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Savior Jesus Christ,


• 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deedredeem us from every lawless deed and and purify for Himself purify for Himself His His own special peopleown special people, , zealous for good works.zealous for good works.


• You can by God’s grace find a new life!You can by God’s grace find a new life!

social drinking, the kingdom of god and the current culture

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