Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Proverbs - God's Wisdom on Alcohol
Worship Gathering
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Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
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https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/478788Two mindsets to avoid…
1. Legalism - avoidance without thoughtful and biblical consideration
2. Reckless justification – participation without thoughtful and biblical consideration
Mindset to have…
Wisdom and discernment – pursue understanding with a sound biblical framework for right belief leading to right behavior and right relationship.
1. Legalism - avoidance without thoughtful and biblical consideration
2. Reckless justification – participation without thoughtful and biblical consideration
Mindset to have…
Wisdom and discernment – pursue understanding with a sound biblical framework for right belief leading to right behavior and right relationship.
Six Pieces of the Framework…
1. Cultural Historical Context
1. Cultural Historical Context
Six Pieces of the Framework…
2. The Bible (God) speaks positively about alcohol.
Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV) - Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 9:1–6 (ESV) - Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5“Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 31:6 (ESV) - Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
Psalm 104:14–15 (ESV) - You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Deuteronomy 7:13 (ESV) - He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
Deuteronomy 14:22–27 (ESV) - “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. 23And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, 25then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses 26and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
2. The Bible (God) speaks positively about alcohol.
Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV) - Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 9:1–6 (ESV) - Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5“Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 31:6 (ESV) - Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
Psalm 104:14–15 (ESV) - You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Deuteronomy 7:13 (ESV) - He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
Deuteronomy 14:22–27 (ESV) - “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. 23And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, 25then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses 26and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
Six Pieces of the Framework…
3. The Bible speaks cautiously about alcohol.
Proverbs 31:4–5 (ESV) - It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Proverbs 20:1 (ESV) - Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Isaiah 5:11 (ESV) - 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! 22Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
Luke 21:34 (ESV) - “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
Proverbs 23:20–21 (ESV) - Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, 21for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
1 Corinthians 5:9–13 (ESV) - 9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
3. The Bible speaks cautiously about alcohol.
Proverbs 31:4–5 (ESV) - It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Proverbs 20:1 (ESV) - Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Isaiah 5:11 (ESV) - 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! 22Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
Luke 21:34 (ESV) - “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
Proverbs 23:20–21 (ESV) - Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, 21for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
1 Corinthians 5:9–13 (ESV) - 9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Six Pieces of the Framework…
4. The Bible speaks prohibitively about drunkenness.
Proverbs 23:29–35 (ESV) - Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. 31Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. 34You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. 35“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
1 Timothy 3:3, 8 (ESV) - …not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
Titus 2:3 (ESV) - Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.
Romans 13:12-13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-25
4. The Bible speaks prohibitively about drunkenness.
Proverbs 23:29–35 (ESV) - Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. 31Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. 34You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. 35“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
1 Timothy 3:3, 8 (ESV) - …not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
Titus 2:3 (ESV) - Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.
Romans 13:12-13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-25
Why not drunkenness? It is voluntarily giving up control of yourself to something other than Christ.
How do we define drunk?
Drunkenness – The excessive drinking of alcohol leading to diminished mental or physical abilities and eventual complete loss of control.
Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Romans 13:14 (ESV) - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
How do we define drunk?
Drunkenness – The excessive drinking of alcohol leading to diminished mental or physical abilities and eventual complete loss of control.
Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Romans 13:14 (ESV) - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Six Pieces of the Framework…
5. The Bible calls us to careful consideration of how our actions influence others
Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
5. The Bible calls us to careful consideration of how our actions influence others
Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Six Pieces of the Framework…
6. The Bible calls us to careful consideration of what we do with our bodies
Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Corinthians 8; Philippians 1:20
6. The Bible calls us to careful consideration of what we do with our bodies
Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Corinthians 8; Philippians 1:20
What do we do with this framework?
1. Carefully consider the consumption of alcohol in your life. How do you answer the question "why" or “why not”?
2. Lovingly consider the impact of your decision on others and yourself (children, spouse, co-workers, etc). Your testimony included.
3. Never consume to the point of drunkenness. Drunkenness is to have absolutely no place in the life of a Christ follower.
4. If this is a problem for you, we want to lovingly and graciously, without shame come alongside and help so you can live to the glory of Christ.
1. Carefully consider the consumption of alcohol in your life. How do you answer the question "why" or “why not”?
2. Lovingly consider the impact of your decision on others and yourself (children, spouse, co-workers, etc). Your testimony included.
3. Never consume to the point of drunkenness. Drunkenness is to have absolutely no place in the life of a Christ follower.
4. If this is a problem for you, we want to lovingly and graciously, without shame come alongside and help so you can live to the glory of Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. What was your perspective of alcohol prior to this message? Share any personal experience you are willing to.
2. What point of this message stood out to you most and why?
3. How do you biblically answer the question why or why not to drink alcohol in your life? Whether or not you decide to drink alcohol be sure your decision is biblically informed, prayerfully considered and humbly carried out.
4. What guardrails will be in your life to make sure you will not commit the sin of drunkenness?
1. What was your perspective of alcohol prior to this message? Share any personal experience you are willing to.
2. What point of this message stood out to you most and why?
3. How do you biblically answer the question why or why not to drink alcohol in your life? Whether or not you decide to drink alcohol be sure your decision is biblically informed, prayerfully considered and humbly carried out.
4. What guardrails will be in your life to make sure you will not commit the sin of drunkenness?