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Title: The Alternative Fill Up
Intro:
So two weeks ago we were in Ephesians and had a very frank discussion on alcohol; the warnings scripture gives about it’s abuses, the acknowledgments of it’s benefits, and our responsibility to make sure that whatever our convictional positions are on alcohol, we must place our love of our brothers and sisters above our personal liberties.
Introduction:
Over the course of most of 2021 our adult Sunday School class was studying 1 Cor. 12-14 to try to better understand the gifts of the spirit, and we came across 1 Corinthians 12:31 which states
But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.
Today we finish the passage that we began two weeks ago and we look closely and carefully at what Paul again prescribes as “the better way” than what the world does with abusing alcohol.
Why does the world abuse alcohol?
- To escape pain
- To relax
- To feel good
- Addictions (They can’t help it)
- Others?
Listen as Paul prescribes the better way:
18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to 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 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
(Pray)
An overview of Paul’s Encouragement:
To be filled with the spirit means:
- To Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
What might this look like in practical application?
- Always have a word from scripture for encouragement and edification
- Worship and sing to God together in fellowship
- Others?
To be filled with the spirit means:
2. Singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord
Practical application:
- In addition to worship and encouraging others, we need to remember worship privately
- Get the “ear worm” of scripture
- Others?
To be filled with the spirit means:
3. always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father
Practical Application:
- The benefits of “always giving thanks for all things” are immense; it can change our attitude from one of selfishness to one of appreciation (examples)
- Giving thanks to ultimate giver of blessings centers us and reminds us that we are not our own; bought at a price; with a mission to fulfill.
- Others?
To be filled with the spirit means:
4. subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ
Practical Application:
- A Christian without real accountability is destined to fail (examples of NOT placing real accountability in our lives?)
- We submit to one another NOT because we fear one another, but because we fear God together. (examples of how we can get this wrong, and fear others instead of God?)
- Others?
Close:
This is the great alternative. Instead of getting lost in the abuse of alcohol, we are to “lean in” to God, but more specifically, to praise, thanks, and accountability in fear of our God.
Let’s return to our original statements on alcohol abuse:
Why does the world abuse alcohol?
To escape pain
To relax
To feel good
Addictions (They can’t help it)
Why does the believer take Paul’s prescription of this better way?
Not to escape pain, but to know that pain is temporary, (and often necessary), and we will be healed in glory.
Not to relax, but to have real, lasting peace.
Not just to feel good, but to feel worth, purpose, and meaning in our lives.
Not because we are addictied, but because we are transformed and returned to the purpose for which we were created: to bring glory to God, and enjoy him forever.
One final thought:
Often times the mark of a believer’s maturity (or lack of maturity) can be marked by this simple question
“When things get hard, do they medicate with Christ, or something else?
Q/A