Social Drinking, the Kingdom of God and the Current Culture

1. Social Drinking, the Kingdom of God and the Current Culture

2. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation • These provisions involve instructions that must be understood and obeyed. (Jude 17-20, 24)

3. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation Jude 17-24 - But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. ….

4. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, …. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

5. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

6. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation God has made man with a free will. We must learn to yield to God. Every great man of faith in the bible had to learn these lessons. God is not partial and men who yield to sin will face consequences. Much of the battle is won when we have a fear of God and a deep respect for His warnings and wisdom. (Prov 1:7)

7. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation Proverbs 1:7- The fear of the LORDis the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation There are few problems that have impacted the church as much as social drinking. A large number of Christians have had their families impacted by alcohol.

9. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation God has repeatedly warned on the dangers. (Gal 5:19-21)

10. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation Galatians 5:19-21 - 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.

11. We serve a God who provides abundantly for our salvation It is my prayer and intent to let you see what God has plainly taught us.

12. Is social drinking a sin? One of the difficulties we face in applying the Bible to our culture is in our understanding of the wine of Bible times. When we read of wine in the Bible the context must tell us the meaning. In the scriptures there is “strong drink” that is always condemned. Wine can be unfermented. Wine can also be strongly diluted fermented wine.

13. Is social drinking a sin? In Bible times the more common wine was cut by a ratio of 3 to 5 parts water to one part wine. This is safer than water alone. (1 Tim 5:23)

14. Is social drinking a sin? 1 Timothy 5:23- No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

15. Is social drinking a sin? The issue that most fail to understand is that our alcoholic beverages are often much stronger than anything possible in Bible times. There is a huge difference between distillation and fermentation. Consider the blanket condemnation of strong drink. (Prov 20:1; 31:6)

16. Is social drinking a sin? Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

17. Is social drinking a sin? Proverbs 31:6- Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

18. Is social drinking a sin? The strong drink of Bible times is undiluted fermented wine. This would be the equivalent of our modern day beer. In this wisdom literature God warns against playing with fire. If you want to get drunk then go ahead and drink strong drink!

19. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events Social drinking is a requirement for many kinds of relationships. (1 Pt 4:3-5)

20. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events 1 Peter 4:3-5- 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. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

21. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events In High School you could not be close friends with some unless you approved of and partook of their drugs. It was celebrated when one “grew-up” and joined the ranks of those who lived for the “high.” There was open distain for even those who simply refused to participate.

22. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events We know there is a God and there is a day of judgement. Who are your friends? Social drinking is commonly expected in many professions. Daniel could have lost his life by refusing to compromise. (Dan 1:8)

23. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events Daniel 1:8- But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

24. Social Drinking has greater influence through social relationships and events I have sadly watched Christians compromise for the sake of a job. It is very difficult to be a part of college life without conflict concerning drinking. One college student described the effect on her roommate.

25. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God What is the most important thing to the child of God? (Mt 6:33)

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

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

28. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 6:9-12 - 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

29. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God 11 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. 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

30. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God I have never known of a Christian who seriously wanted to reach the lost who was a social drinker. (1 Cor 9:18-23)

31. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 9:19-23- For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;

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

33. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God What if you saw an elder drinking at a bar? (1 Peter 2:12)

34. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God 1 Peter 2:12- having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

35. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God Would you drink if you knew Jesus was coming today? The same argument can be made for modern drug abuse! Would Jesus smoke pot? (Rom 13:11-14)

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

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

38. Social Drinking and the kingdom of God How much is your soul worth?

39. Social Drinking and the current culture Anyone who will open their eyes can get a glimpse of the devastation of alcohol.

40. Social Drinking and the current culture “America sees alcohol used or advertised on television every 6 seconds. 40% of all hospital admissions is alcohol related. 50% of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol. 20% of all divorces are caused by alcoholism. 33% of all suicides involve alcohol. 64% of all murders in America are committed under the influence of alcohol. 60% of all child abuse involves alcohol. Alcoholics outnumber drug addicts 10 to 1.”

41. Social Drinking and the current culture Drinking and drugs have deception at their core. (Prov 23:29-35)

42. Social Drinking and the current culture Proverbs 23:29-35- 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;

43. Social Drinking and the current culture 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?"

44. Social Drinking and the current culture Many want a brief escape and find themselves snared. “There is no situation so bad that a few alcoholic drinks won't make it worse.” We must choose to keep our eyes open and honestly deal with the issues of life. Depression and addiction are common partners.

45. Social Drinking and the current culture The Christian can go to the Lord to face the hurts of life. (Mt 11:28-30)

46. Social Drinking and the current culture Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

47. Social Drinking and the current culture Dishonesty is a way of life for the addict. There is denial at every step. What Christian would laugh and mock at a lesson like this? How often have I heard: “I can handle it!” Lying becomes a way of life. The biggest lie they tell to themselves!

48. Social Drinking and the current culture If alcoholism is a disease, It is the only disease that is bottled and sold; It is the only disease that is contracted by the will of man; It is the only disease that requires a license to propagate it; It is the only disease that requires outlets to spread it.

49. Social Drinking and the current culture If alcoholism is a disease, It is the only disease that produces revenue for the government; It is the only disease that provokes crime; It is the only disease that is habit forming; It is the only disease that brings violent death on the highways; It is the only disease that is spread by advertising;

50. Social Drinking and the current culture It is the only disease without a germ or virus cause.