 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? Does One Drink Make a Difference?

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?

 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) “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) 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). Arguments Made to Justify Drinking

“Wine” (Greek: Oinos) Fermented (Alcohol Content) Ephesians 5:18 “drunk with wine” Unfermented ( No Alcohol Content) Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 “new wine in new bottles”

 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? 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 Proverbs 20:1; Luke 12:45; 1Thessalonians 5:6-8 Drinking Is Drunkenness

 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

“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) 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). Drinking Is Condemned

 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

 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 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

 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

 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. “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) Conclusion