Worldliness

I am ALCOHOL I am the greatest criminal in history. I have killed more men than have fallen in all the wars of all the world. I have turned men into brutes. I have made millions of homes unhappy. I have changed many promising young men into hopeless parasites. I destroy the weak and weaken the strong. I make the wise man a fool and I ensnare the innocent. I have ruined millions and shall try to ruin millions more. I am ALCOHOL

Worldliness Drinking

We should be concerned! The church has been deeply affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Many come from families with these problems. There are many within churches who hide these problems in their lives. Anyone who has worked with people know this.

We should be concerned! Alcoholism is responsible for: 50 percent of all auto fatalities 80 percent of all home violence 30 percent of all suicides 60 percent of all child abuse 65 percent of all drownings

We should be concerned! Violent behavior attributed to alcohol: 65 percent of murders 40 percent of assaults 35 percent of rapes 30 percent of other sex crimes Over 70% of the people in this country drink. Over 40 million are known alcoholics.

Drinking & Drunkenness Is a Problem Nearly As Old As Man Noah got drunk (Gen. 9:20-ff) Lot got drunk (Gen. 19:30-38) Bible Condemns Drunkenness Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-30 Galatians 5:19-21; I Corinthians 6:9-11 I Peter 4:2-5

”Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1) ”Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine.” (Proverbs 23:29-30)

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

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

“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. 3 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. 4 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 4:2-4)

Deception of the High 29 “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long at the wine,  Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,  When it sparkles in the cup,  When it swirls around smoothly; (Proverbs 23:29-35)

Deception of the High 32 At the last it bites like a serpent,  And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,  Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” (Proverbs 23:29-35)

Deception of the High Many want a brief escape. But it can become a permanent one. Note those who in spite of terrible consequences, go back to it. (Prov.23:35) “There is no situation so bad that a few alcoholic drinks won't make it worse.” “Alcohol does not drown care, but waters it and makes it grow faster.” Depression and addiction are common partners.

Deception of the High Dishonesty is a way of life for the addict. They deny it’s danger. They then deny the seriousness of their own situation. (Example: “I do not have a problem!” Lying becomes a way of life. The biggest lie they tell to themselves! In short they trust no one who will tell them the truth and help.

We all know that drunkenness is a sin. But, what about social drinking – in moderation? “Responsible drinking”? Occasional beer or wine?

Social Drinking I. It Is Deceptive While the issue of social drinking and addiction are different but related issues, it is important to note that addiction has a start. One out of seven who take their first drink becomes an alcoholic. If takes 5 beers to make you drunk, 1= 1/5

Social Drinking I. It Is Deceptive Leads to a greater state “A man who once drinks a single dram of liquor may die a drunkard. He who tastes it never, never can!” “The man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, and then the drink takes the man.” -- Chinese Proverb

Social Drinking I. It Is Deceptive II. It Is Strong Drink

It Is Strong Drink Strong Drink Is Condemned Proverbs 20:1; 31:6 Drinks Today Are Strong – By Comparison Palestine wines: 5% - 8% Distilled – 45% - 50% Malt – 4% - 6%, 10% Wines – 10% - 14%

Social Drinking I. It Is Deceptive II. It Is Strong Drink III. It Is Harmful

It Is Harmful Harms The Body Sinful To Harm The Body Alcohol is poison Narcotic – Drug Damage to the Brain Sinful To Harm The Body 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Steward to take care of the Body belongs to God.

Social Drinking I. It Is Deceptive II. It Is Strong Drink III. It Is Harmful IV. Drinking Is Condemned

Drinking Is Condemned 1 Peter 4:3 “Banqueting” – Drinking “The drinking bout, the banquet,… not of necessity excessive.” (Trench, 225) Is drunkenness the only thing condemned? No! There is also “revelries, drinking parties.” This denotes both the action of social intercourse and the kind of drinking itself!

Drinking Is Condemned I Peter 4:3 - Three Levels of Consumption: 1) drunkenness or excess of wine - defined as: “drunkenness, implying the consumption of a large quantity of wine.” 2) carousing or reveling - refers to “drinking parties involving unrestrained indulgence in alcoholic beverages and accompanying immoral behavior”. “the drinking bout, the banquet, the symposium, not of necessity excessive, but giving opportunity for excess” (Trench).

Drinking Is Condemned I Peter 4:3 - Three Levels of Consumption: 1) drunkenness or excess of wine - defined as: “drunkenness…consumption of a large quantity of wine.” 2) carousing or reveling - refers to “drinking parties”, not of nec. excessive, but giving opportunity for excess” 3) banqueting or carousing - “not necessarily excessive…but giving the opportunity for excess.” (Trench) “the word…in this verse; chiefly applied to social drinking at the banquet” (Meyer) “The context suggests that “a drinking” is the definition of the word.”

Social Drinking I. It Is Drunkenness II. It Is Strong Drink III. It Is Harmful IV. Drinking Is Condemned V. Influences Others

Influences Others What does this do for your influence for Christ? I have never known of a Christian who seriously wanted to reach the lost who was a social drinker. How much is a soul worth? (Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor 9:18-23)

Influences Others What are the fruits of drinking in this country? How many have you known who have been affected by drinking? What if you saw an elder drinking at a bar? (1 Peter 2:12) What are the consequences of causing another to sin? (Mark 9:42)

What About Wine In The Bible? There is no parallel with the common Bible wines and the modern social drink, except that of strong drink. This is everywhere condemned in the scripture.

What About Wine In The Bible? THREE MAJOR DIFFERENCES Sometimes the word “Wine” in the Bible is referring to the fresh grape juice. Isaiah 16:10; 65:8 (John 2 - Jesus changed the water into wine by miracle)

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

What About Wine In The Bible? THREE MAJOR DIFFERENCES The typical use of wine both in the Old and New Testaments, involves a diluting of the grape juice with 3 to 5 parts water. Proverbs 9:2,5; 23:30 (This process acted as a purifying agent for water – 1 Timothy 5:23)

What About Wine In The Bible? THREE MAJOR DIFFERENCES “Wine” in Bible days had a much lower alcoholic content than our “wines” or alcohol beverages today. “Ancient wines might have had alcoholic content from 5-6%; its dilution ratio with water was based on its strength; the stronger the drink, the more it was diluted. The result would be a beverage with low alcoholic content (1-4%). Modern wines have an alcoholic content far greater and produce intoxication much quicker.”

Arguments Make To Justify John 2:1-11 – Water into Wine No evidence fermented If justifies social drinking – justifies excessive 1 Timothy 5:23 – Drink A Little Wine Wine - does not have to be fermented For Medical purposes. 1 Timothy 3:8 – Not Given To Much Wine Assumes can have a little Forbidding excess does not justify less

Overcoming Alcohol and Drugs Do not be intimidated by the consequences. (Mt 19:20-22) Build a faith in God that will stand. (1 John 5:3-5; Rev 21:7-8) Seek the help of spiritual men. (Gal 6:1-2) Will you submit to God and put away the life of the world? (Titus 2:11-14)