Does One Drink Make a Difference? Drinking and drunkenness are a big problem today. Drunkenness is a sin Luke 21:34; 1 Peter 4:3; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21 What about social drinking? Moderate drinking? Responsible drinking? Title Slide: Does One Drink Make a Difference? Questions will attempt to answer…overview

This Problem Is Nearly As Old As Mankind Noah got drunk (Genesis 9:20-ff) Lot got drunk (Genesis 19:30-38) We all know that drunkenness is a sin. But what about social drinking – in moderation? Responsible drinking? Occasional beer or wine? This is not a NEW problem. Drinking and Drunkenness is a problem nearly as old as mankind! Noah—Gen.9:20ff Lot—Gen.19:30-38. Let us ask some questions…and examine God’s answers…

Arguments Made to Justify Drinking Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11); therefore, it’s alright to drink alcohol. Wine is not always an intoxicating beverage. Wine means fruit of the grape. Can be fermented, freshly squeezed, or still in the grape on the vine (Isaiah 16:10) Arguments Made to Justify Drinking… Jesus turned the water into wine (Jno.2:1-11) Let’s talk about the amount and the character of Jesus! Wine is not always an intoxicating beverage. True, and we must remember to define words as they were used in Bible times—not as we use them in our day! Wine means the fruit of the grape. This is true whenever it is used in the Scriptures. We must consider the passage’s CONTEXT and SETTING. Also, look at Isa.16:10; 65:8. “Thus says the LORD: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, 'Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,' so will I do for My servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all.” (Isaiah 65:8)

Arguments Made to Justify Drinking Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine; therefore, I can also drink a little wine. Again, there is no Biblical proof that this was “fermented” wine Suggested by Paul because of Timothy’s medical condition. Cannot be used to justify drinking alcohol. “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23) Some want to turn to Paul’s advice to the young evangelist ,Timothy. (1 Tim.5:23) The problem with using this to justify drinking is the question, “Why did Paul have to instruct Timothy to drink a little wine”? Why didn’t Timothy do it on his own? The CONTEXT plainly shows the wine was for medical purposes—not for recreation or social pleasures.

Arguments Made to Justify Drinking Deacons are not to be “given to much wine;” therefore, I can partake of wine – just not very much. Some take this passage to mean that deacons can have “a little wine.” Forbidding excess does not justify drinking less. (Ecclesiastes 7:17; Romans 6:12) “Likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money” (1 Timothy 3:8). Next, they turn to the biblical qualifications for deacons. (1 Tim.3:8) The argument assumes that the word “WINE” means fermented wine. Question—can a thing that is good and honorable be abused? Consider Prov.25:27—”much honey.” Also consider that this person is being considered for the office of deacon in the Lord’s church. Would God be saying, through inspiration, that elders can have none, but deacons can have a little? (some of the bible translations (NKJV and NASV) use the word “addicted” in the case of the elder. Who can believe it!

“Wine” (Greek: Oinos) Unfermented Fermented (No Alcohol Content) Ephesians 5:18 “drunk with wine” Unfermented (No Alcohol Content) Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 “new wine in new bottles” The Greek word for WINE is OINOS. How do we know if it’s fermented or unfermented? In Matthew and Mark’s account, Jesus is in keeping with the practice of the day--placing “new wine” in new bottles. Why? To keep the juice pure and keep it from fermenting. If it was already fermented, why not place it in old bottles?

Drinking Is Drunkenness Most Christians agree that drunkenness is sinful – condemned by the Bible. Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:18 Some argue ,“the Bible does not say that I sin by having just one drink.” Degrees of drunkenness What is drunkenness? Must a person be “stone drunk” to be considered drunk? Some want to hang their hats on the fact that only DRUNKENNESS is condemned in the Scriptures. We all know the passages—Gal.5:19-21; 1 Cor.6:9-11; Eph.5:18. Any individual who seeks to defend social drinking fails to recognize this truth—there are DEGREES of drunkenness. Must one be “stone drunk” to be considered drunk? Why not ask a doctor or police officer?

Drinking Is Drunkenness Social drinking is also drunkenness. Drunk, drunken, drunkenness Greek word “methusko” Signifies “to make drunk, or to grow drunk, or to become intoxicated” (W. E. Vine) There are degrees of drunkenness One is as drunk as the amount he drinks makes him. If four beers makes a person “stone drunk,” After one beer, he is ¼ drunk! One drink equals a percentage of drunkenness Drinking is Drunkenness—it’s a process! This includes “social or recreational” drinking. Look at the definition of the Greek word “methusko.” What about the “degrees” of getting wasted? Then look at Prov.20:1; Luke 12:45; 1 Thess.5:6-8. Proverbs 20:1; Luke 12:45; 1Thessalonians 5:6-8

Drinking Is Harmful Alcohol Is a poison. Is a narcotic – a drug. Is proven to cause brain damage. As stewards, we will take care of our bodies because we know they belong to God. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Drinking is Harmful. Do you understand that alcohol is a drug? Does it matter that the drug is legal? In California, it is now legal to purchase marijuana (grass). Does that mean it’s no longer wrong to smoke pot? It’s been medically proven that alcohol kills brains cells—which do not replace themselves. We are to be good stewards of what God has given us--1 Cor.6:19,20.

Drinking Is Condemned “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” (1 Peter 4:1-4) Text of 1 Peter 4:1-4…Let’s discuss…

Drinking Is Condemned “Banqueting” (KJV) “drinking party” One cannot have a drinking party without there being drinking. One cannot become “stone drunk” unless he first takes a drink. 1 Peter 4:1-4 condemns all kinds of drinking. We must be sober (1 Peter 5:8). “Sober” means being free from the influence of intoxicants (W. E. Vine). This passage is a “death knell” to every arguments in favor of social drinking. In 1 Pet.4:1-4, drinking is condemned on every level—all of them. Every kind of drinking fits into one of these three categories. Why were the priests under the Old Law forbidden to partake of “drink or strong drink?” It might cloud their judgment--

Drinking Influences Others So-called “moderate social drinking” is a major cause of recruiting new drinkers. Do not influence the drunk or alcoholic. Jesus warned: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:6-7) Drinking influences others. Warning of Jesus—Matt.18:6,7; Paul instructed God’s people to refrain from placing stumbling blocks in front of others (Rom.14:13).

Scriptural Principles Violated by Those Who Drink A so-called “social drinker” cannot be an influence for good to believers or sinners. Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 The “social drinker” can’t Scripturally convince the “stone drunk” drunkard to cease his drunkenness while he holds to his own drinking! Romans 13:14; 14:21 Those who drink violate Scriptural principles. How can they influence others for “good” (Matt.5:13-16; 1 Thess.5:21,22). How can we convince the drunkard to lay down his bottle and get sober while at the same while, we have a “sip” now and then (Rom.13:14; 14:21).

Scriptural Principles Violated by Those Who Drink The drinker is intentionally and knowingly destroying his mind and body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 One who drinks is not abstaining from fleshly lusts 1 Peter 2:11 Scriptural principles violated by those who drink. How can we say we are innocent when we knowingly and willingly destroy our minds and bodies? (1 Cor.6:19,20) How can you tell another to “abstain” from fleshly lusts when you are failing to do so in your own life? (1 Pet.2:11; Titus 2:12)

Conclusion In light of the TOTAL teaching in Scripture on attitudes and behavior: Christians should show the world, the responsible position is to avoid the use of alcohol altogether. Alcohol leads to unhappiness. Millions of homes stand as living monuments to the unhappy effect that liquor can have Conclusion… Alcohol kills everything that lives and preserves everything that is dead

Conclusion One who NEVER drinks: Will not become an alcoholic. Will NEVER be responsible for the damage drinking causes to oneself and to others. Will NEVER get drunk. Will NEVER become enslaved to alcohol. Will NEVER influence another person to drink. Will NEVER destroy his body by drinking. Will NEVER hurt Jesus and His church. Conclusion…Invitation “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-32)