Christians and Alcohol

Proverbs 20:1

I. Introduction

A. What should the Christian’s attitude toward alcohol be?

1. We do not want to “spy out the liberty” of other Christians (Gal. 2:4)

2. However, if it is unscriptural, we must stand and speak out against it, as well.

B. Let’s look at scripture, and see what it really says about alcohol

1. Misconceptions people have about alcohol in the Bible

2. Arguments often used to show the Bible supports alcohol consumption

3. Positive arguments against drinking of alcoholic beverages

II. Common Misconceptions About the Bible and Alcohol

A. When wine is mentioned in the Bible, it is always intoxicating

1. If all wine were the same, it would make the Bible sound nonsensical

(Psalm 104:15 vs. Hab. 2:15; Judges 9:13 vs. Prov. 20:1; Is. 55:1 vs. Psa 60:3)

2. oinoV, translated wine, is unspecific of alcohol content (new wine, Matt. 9:17)

3. Thus it is incorrect to assume the word “wine” always means what it means today

B. The people of ancient times had no way to prevent fermentation

1. This too is an unfounded assumption

2. People in ancient times did indeed know, and use, methods to prevent fermentation

3. The contention that people in ancient times had to have drunk intoxicating wine is false.

III. Passages Which Supposedly Support the Drinking of Alcohol

A. The wedding feast of Cana (John 2:1-10)

1. This is often cited as proof that Jesus approves of alcoholic beverages

2. Would Jesus work against righteousness, against the kingdom? (Hab. 2:15; 1 Cor. 6:10)

3. “Good wine” in antiquity was regarded as that in an unfermented state

B. Jesus called a “glutton and a drunkard” (Luke 7:31-35)

1. Jesus’ enemies make this charge: are we to believe the others also?

2. John was a Nazirite: was forbidden to drink any form of grape juice (Num 6:1-4)

3. By contrast, Jesus was not under such a vow, and could drink the “fruit of the vine”

C. No one is to pass judgment on what you drink (Col. 2:16)

1. Context of asceticism and man-made systems of clean and unclean

2. It is irresponsible to take this out of its context (as would Rom. 14:13)

D. Degrees of wine-drinking prescribed (1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3)

1. Deacons and older women are not to be given to “much wine”

2. Does God have two standards? (1 Peter 1:16)

3. Does this truly imply a distinction? No more than Eccl. 7:17, James 1:21

E. Paul’s instruction to Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23)

1. Clearly a reference to medicinal property, not recreational

2. Ancient writers stated that wines which were destitute of strength were useful to the body.

3. There is an implied abstinence on Timothy’s part from any kind of wine (water only)

IV. Positive Prohibitions Against the Consumption of Alcohol as a Beverage

A. The Bible condemns drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:21)

B. The Bible condemns the glamour of alcohol (Isaiah 5:11, 22)

C. The Bible condemns the allure of, and affection for, alcohol (Proverbs 23:29-35)

V. Conclusion

A. Alcohol is a deadly deceiver (Prov. 20:1)

B. Even to those in such deception, God offers reason, forgiveness (Isa. 1:18)

November 15, 2009 (Taken From PreachingHelp.org)

Sermon from May 10, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

I.     Introduction
       A.  ”An excellent wife who can find?”
            1.  Finding excellence depends on what your standard of excellence is.
            2.  God’s word places a set of standards that define a great woman, wife, and mother.
       B.  What makes up an excellent wife, mother judging by God’s standard of excellence?
            1.  What does she look like? What will her life be like?
            2.  What should our young ladies seek to emulate? Our young men look for?
       C.  Let us look at the description of an excellent wife in Proverbs 31.
            1.  We can see qualities described in so many places in the Bible typified, put in action
            2.  While the setting may be ancient, the attitudes, qualities we see are timeless.
II.    ”Willing hands”
       A.  Hands, preparation figure prominently in this description (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
       B.  She works with her hands (13, 16b, 19)
       C.  She is willing to do the work to provide for the needs of family (15, 18, 21, 25b)
       D.  She sees to those in need (20; Matthew 25:35,36)
III.   ”She dresses herself with strength” (17)
       A.  Strength that comes from doing (17, 25)
       B.  Strength that comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)
IV.    ”She opens her mouth with wisdom”
       A.  She has wisdom, discernment in the value and use of material things (16, 18; I Corinthians 2:14-15)
       B.  She has edifying, not destructive, things to say.
       C.  She teaches, passes on knowledge to children (Proverbs 31:1; Titus 2:3,4)
V.     ”The heart of her husband trusts in her” (11)
            1.  He has come to know he can count on her. (12; Matthew 7:12)
            2.  ”He will have no lack of gain” (I Timothy 5:8)
       B.  With her support, he can grow, lead. (23; Ephesians 5:22, 33)
VI.    Conclusion
       A.  ”Her children rise up and call her blessed” (28)
            1.  Her impact is noticed and appreciated over the years.
            2.  Her husband is able to reflect on her life with sincere praise (29)
       B.  ”Give her the fruit of her hands”
            1.  She is indeed “more precious than jewels.” (10)
            2.  Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (31)
            3.  Let us give glory to God for those priceless women in our lives, those who fear Him.
       C.  Is your life reflecting the godly qualities that come through fearing the Lord?

May 10, 2009
Glenn Record

Sermon from February 22, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

I.    Introduction
      A.  Doing something someone else hates is bad for a relationship.
      B.  We have a relationship with God that we don’t want to damage. (James 4:8; Isaiah 59:1-2)
      C.  When the Bible states explicit things that God hates, I better take notice.
           1.  These things are abhorrent, disgusting to God.
           2.  I don’t want to do them, ever!
      D.  What are these things God hates?
II.   Things which are an abomination to God.
      A.  Haughty eyes (Daniel 4:30)
      B.  Lying tongue (John 8:44)
      C.  Hands that shed innocent blood
      D.  Heart that devices wicked plans (Matthew 15:18-19; Genesis 6:5; Acts 5:3)
      E.  Feet that make haste to run to evil
      F.  False witness who breathes out lies (I Kings 21:13; Acts 6:11)
      G.  One who sows discord among brothers
III.  Why does God hate these things so?
      A.  Notice how many of these things God made, gives
           1.  Five are parts of the body that God has made (Genesis 1:31)
           2.  Two are useful roles of service if done according to His purposes
      B.  God hates the use of His creation to do evil.
           1.  Satan would have us use these against God’s purposes
           2.  The golden calf built by Israel is an example of this turning a gift around (Exodus 32)
           3.  This same turn of blessings into cursings continues to our own day.
IV.   ”Men and brethern, what shall we do?”
      A.  There was a point in history where all of these hated things came together.
      B.  For those who had committed these hateful sins, there was forgiveness.
           1.  Though self-serving all along, God used them to serve His purpose.
           2.  Those who had done these abominations were told what to do (Acts 2:38)
      C.  Repentance demands that we turn these God-given tools to His purposes
           1.  Eyes – to see how we can humbly serve.
           2.  Tongues – to praise His name, to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)
           3.  Hands – to serve, give (Ephesians 4:28)
           4.  Hearts – to keep pure, sanctified for God’s purposes (Hebrews 10:22)
           5.  Feet – to spread the message of the Gospel (Romans 10:15)
           6.  True witness – about the life that is in Christ.
           7.  Peacemaking – to bring about peace, work towards unity in His body (Epesians 4:3)
V.   Conclusion
      A.  How are you using what God has given you?
      B.  How is your relationship with God?

Glenn Record
February 22, 2009

Sermon from January 04, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon Outline available here.

Offering Firstfruits
Proverbs 3:9-10

Sermon audio available here.