By:         Sunday Eyanrin (Evangelist)

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INTRODUCTION

Our topic for discussion today is, “CHRISTIAN AND ALCOHOL”.  The purpose for this discussion is to correct the so many differing opinions on the topic of Alcohol drinking. Some argue that the Bible condemns drinking alcohol of any kind.

Some agree that the Bible condemns drunkenness, but many others teach that drinking in moderation is not a sin. Today, we are set out to search the scriptures to find out a realistic look at what does the Bible really have to say about Christian and alcohol?

DEFINITION OF WORDS

It is absolutely necessary that we define the two key words on our heading

1. Alcohol
2. Christian

Are All Believers Christians? No

WHO THEN IS A CHRISTIAN?

A Christian is a disciple of Christ, properly Baptized, and added into God’s Kingdom “the Church”, Sanctified, and separated from the world. Called to be saint .

Apostle Peter, by the Inspiration of Holy Spirit, in 1 Peter 2:9-10, defines a Christian, as he declared, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

WHAT IS ALCOHOL?

ALCOHOL: Can be simply defined as a colorless liquid, produced by the fermentation of sugar or starch, that is the intoxicating agent in fermented drinks. e.g. Campari, Black Label, Johnnie Walker, Remy Martin, Heineken, Goldberg, Stout,  Star, Harp, Gulder, Ogogoro Palm Wine. etc.

THE SOCIETY AND  ALCOHOLIC DRINKING

Brethren, in discussing this topic on the “CHRISTIAN AND ALCOHOL”, we are going to consider several areas of importance on this subject, such as:

WHAT  DOES THE SOCIETY SAYS ABOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINKS?

1. The society you live in wants you to drink alcohol.
2. They tell you, there is nothing wrong in drinking   Alcohol.

3. Drink and forget your sorrow.

1. Drink it when you’re sad.
2. Drink it when you’re sociable.
3. Drink it when you’re eating.
4. Drink it when you go to bed.
5. Drink it early in the day.
6. Drink it when you’re happy.

That is what the society have on Alcohol.

SOCIETAL WARNING ON DRINKING

They warn you to “drink responsibly” but drink. They want you to drink even though:

1. There is a trail of wreckage caused by drinking.
2. Families destroyed. Marriages and children left in the wreckage.
3. Friendships shattered.
4. There is family violence.
5. It has caused accident and death on the road.

Yet there is nothing wrong in drinking alcohol they say.

WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT  ALCOHOL?

In Gen. 9:18 – 23, after the flood of Noah, the scriptures told us about Noah’s Drunkenness. “The very first mention of wine and the   tragedy it brought”.

 Prov.23:29–31, affirms that,  strong drink brings “woe, sorrow, contentions, babbling, wounds without cause, redness of eyes.”

In vv. 32-33, Strong drink causes men to lie, seek bad women…

Brethren,  If it is wrong to look at intoxicating drink, surely it is wrong to drink it!

In Lev. 10:9 -10, STRONG DRINK ARE FORBIDDEN TO THE PRIESTS 

 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

In LIKE MANNER , ALL CHRISTIANS ARE PRIESTS – 1 Pet. 2:9-10

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Hos. 4:11, WINE TAKES AWAY THE HEART, THE SENSES, MAKES MEN ACT AS FOOLS.

Hab. 2:15,“WOE to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness!

WHY CHRISTIANS MUST ABSTAIN FROM ALCOHOL

Some Christians do not see anything wrong in drinking alcohol, while others believe it is Sinful for a Christian to drink alcohol. What ever is your stand on this matter, What does the bible say? The Bible advocates that Christians must abstain from alcoholic Beverages for the following reasons:

1. Drunkards cannot inherit the Kingdom of heaven.  Eph. 5:19 – 21, 1 Cor. 6:10.
2. The Christian Body is the Temple of the holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6. 19 – 20.
3. Christians must abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thes. 5:21.
4. Alcoholic wine is a mocker. Prov. 20:1

WHY MOCK  YOURSELVES BRETHREN?

Is there anyone who drinks alcohol, socially,  moderately,  or otherwise,   and never gets drunk at any time? -“Remember –  Gal. 6:7 – 8”

Gal. 6:7 – 8

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

LET US TAKE A REALISTIC LOOK AT SOME MISAPPLIED BIBLE PASSAGES ON ALCOHOL.

Brethren, I urge you to please free your minds, as we take a realistic scriptural look on some Bible passages on the subject: “CHRISTIAN AND ALCOHOL” to correct some misapplied Scriptures on whether Christians can drink alcoholic beverages or not.

WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF Ephesians 5:18?

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, NKJV

NIV: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,“ 

KJV: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;“

Brethren, does this passage encourage or support Christians to drink Alcohol?

THE TRUE MEANING OF EPHESIANS 5:18

Apostle Paul, in his address to the Ephesians, did not fail to Warn them against being controlled by Alcohol. The use of the word “debauchery” is not limited to Alcoholism, rather, a broad term associated with waste, or unproductive lifestyle.

Paul’s positive alternative to being drunk is to be filled with the Spirit. When you are filled with the Spirit, there is no place for drunkenness, conclusively, apostle Paul is saying that CHRISTIAN’s must be filled with the spirit, and not drunk with wine.

WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF 1 Tim. 5:23?

Brethren, many Christian advocates of drinking alcoholic wine point to 1 Timothy.5:23 . Paul says, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities“. What did Paul mean when he instructed Timothy to take “a little wine” for thy stomach’s sake?

It is obvious that Paul was not advocating social drinking in this passage. He clearly states, “Drink no longer water,” but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. Whatever kind of wine Paul was talking about (fermented or unfermented), it is exceedingly plain that the purpose of his counsel to Timothy was due to his stomach ailments.

Paul’s counsel to Timothy is purely  medicinal , and not a social enjoyment. What kind of wine was Paul recommending? Would the apostle encourage the moderate use of a drink which says, “Look not upon the wine when it is red Proverbs 23:31”, a drink which brings “woe sorrow, babbling, and wounds” (Proverbs 23:29). A drink which is deceptive (Proverbs 20:1), a drink which perverts judgment, causing thine eyes to behold strange women and thine heart to utter strange things (Proverbs 23:32-33).

Beloved, have you any stomach infirmities that warrants medical attention?  Why Wine related treatment? See a qualified doctor.

“Please, avoid Wine”,

“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise”. Prov. 20:1.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

1. It leads to damage of the central nervous system of the human body.
2. It leads to cancer.

3. It destroys the lungs.
4. It promotes sexual stimulation that leads to lust.
5. It leads to drunkenness.
6. It causes improper communication or Judgment.
7. It influences crime.
8. It can lead to untimely death.

WHY MUST CHRISTIANS NOT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

The primary reason why Christians should not sell alcoholic beverages is because, it will lead sellers to hell by encouraging drunkenness. (1 John 3: 4)

Mark 9:42

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea”.

SOLUTION TO  DRUNKENNESS

Brethren,  the greatest solution to this alluring evil of self- destruction is voluntary and total obstinance from all manner of intoxicating wine & drugs. Matt. 16:24. Absolute repentance required. Acts 17:30 – 31.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, what have you learnt from this message?

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Heb 10:26-27 NKJV

BRETHREN, THE MESSAGE IS CHRISTIANS SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM ALL MANNER OF ALCOHOL.

MAY  GOD BLESS HIS WORD  IN JESUS NAME AMEN

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