(Audio/Video and Text Available)
Title: A Frank Discussion on Alcohol
Intro:
My Grandfathers after WWII
Papa and Chocolate Covered Cherries (find story)
My Father’s Struggles after Nam
My Decision at 10 years old
My First Drink Ever, in Japan
The Modern Era (occasional drink, with extreme caution)
Austin Dropping off the Beer at the Christmas Party
Read/Pray
(I want to read this verse in full context, but today we will only be focusing on verse 18)
18 And do not get drunk with wine, [m]in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to [n]one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; 21 [o]and subject yourselves to one another in the [p]fear of Christ.
Do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery
The warnings of not drinking to excess is all over Scripture. In fact, I’d argue that Ephesians 5:18 is one of the “Big Three”. It’s one of the three most often quoted Scriptures concerning the warnings of alcohol, here are the other two:
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!
But, you will also see passages that do not forbid the responsible use of alcohol, and even encourage it and it’s benefits:
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
Psalm 104:14-15
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
We can agree then that the issue is not DRINK, the issue is DRUNKENNESS.
(Before we go any further, can we come up with a few examples of things that are fine, if used responsibly, but become sin, and are dangerous to one’s self and others if abused?)
- Drugs
- Food
- Internet/Social Media
- Hobbies
In an effort to remain faithful to the text, I want to look at todays passage to see WHY Paul is offering this strong warning against drunkenness.
But first, let me ask you what may seem like a basic question, but is truly important to think about when thinking about alcohol.
What’s the problem with being drunk?
(And, before you think this is a silly or basic question, know this: I’ve had people, both professing believers and non-believers, ask this question. It’s usually framed this way: “I feel good when I get a buzz, it’s natural, from the earth, it’s God’s gift to us, so what’s the big deal?”)
(Take Answers)
My Best Answer: Drunkenness impairs judgment and sober-mindedness.
Proverbs Chapter 23: Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things
Today Paul gives us a single reason that is incredibly powerful if we understand the original greek language he uses.
Paul says, “Do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery”
debauchery
Greek: asōtia (as-o-tee’-ah)
The etymology (construction) of this word is utterly fascinating. The word is only used 3x in the NT, all by Paul. But the other two times it is used, look at how it is translated:
Titus 1:6
6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion.
1 Peter 4:4
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you;
Most greek scholars believer this word is a compound of “Alpha” (as a negative participle) and “Sozo” which means to “save or keep safe a suffering person”
In other words “one who is not safe, one who suffers”
Most likely the best English translation for this word is the old english word “Profligacy” which means “reckless extravagance or wastefulness in the use of resources.”
Conclusion:
Paul’s warning here against drunkenness is this: It is a sin because it is a misuse of God’s given resources; it leads to state of not being safe; and continues on a path of suffering.
Now, let’s just zoom out a little bit, forget for a moment that we are talking about the abuse of alcohol; lets just assume we are talking about ANY sin…does the definition still hold:
Sin is a misuse of God’s given resources; it leads to state of not being safe; and continues on a path of suffering.
One Final Pastoral Encouragement Regarding Alcohol (or any issue where Christians may have disagreeing convictions)
Romans 14:21
It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Whatever you decide, act out of love and respect for your brothers and sisters. Why don’t I take a beer to the pulpit?
Pray/QA