I Am Not Ashamed: One Body, Many Members, One Touchy Subject

There’s an old joke in the south: Question: When a Methodist takes a Baptist fishing, why will he always take two Baptists with him? Answer: Because if he only bring one, he'll drink all your beer. The moral of the story is that Baptists will drink ... just not in front of each other.

Last Sunday we arrived at Romans, chapter 14. The theme of the chapter is found in the very first verse — the Apostle begins a segment on disputable matters. Paul is dealing with the believer’s personal conduct.

There is some conduct that, for the confessing Christian, is always wrong. That is, it is sin.

• There is som e conduct that, for the confessing Christian, is always right.

There is some conduct that, for the confessing Christian, is always right.

• There is some conduct that, for one confessing Christian, is wrong because it goes against their conscience, but for another confessing Christian is permissible because their conscience does not condemn them.

There is some conduct that, for one confessing Christian, is wrong because it goes against their conscience, but for another confessing Christian is permissible because their conscience does not condemn them.

It’s this third area of conduct that the Apostle refers to as a disputable matter.

A disputable matter is an issue, or a disagreement over an issue, that the Bible does not specifically forbid, but which some Christians are nevertheless uncomfortable with. In other words, this refers to conduct some confessing Christians think is wrong, even though it's not condemned in the Scriptures, but which their conscience or personal preference or cultural context or denominational tradition finds questionable while other confessing Christians see nothing wrong with the conduct.

One of those issues is the use of alcoholic beverages. Can I be honest with you? The entire Christian world believes that the use of alcoholic beverages is a disputable matter. Except Baptists. For many Baptists the prohibition against alcohol is a firmly established doctrine of the church as thoroughly orthodox as justification by faith alone. There are Baptists who have gone to great lengths to prove that the wine at the marriage in Cana, and the wine at the Last Supper were actually unfermented grape juice.

I am persuaded that the use of beverage alcoholic drinks is a disputable matter, and we need to offer grace to those Christians who don’t see it the way we do.

I. THE ARGUMENT

1. when it comes to the Christian position on beverage alcohol, we need to isolate, and reject the really bad arguments

reject the really bad arguments

a. there are two really bad arguments we need to isolate, and reject this morning

2. now, I’ve got to warn you — I’m about to say some things some of you will not like, but hear me out before you call for a deacon’s meeting to discuss your pastor

hear me out before you call for a deacon’s meeting to discuss your pastor

A. THE 1ST REALLY, REALLY BAD ARGUMENT is that the Scriptures absolutely forbid Christians to use alcoholic beverages whatsoever

A. THE 1ST REALLY, REALLY BAD ARGUMENT is that the Scriptures absolutely forbid

Christians to use alcoholic beverages whatsoever

1. it’s a bad argument

a. it’s a bad argument because the Scriptures do not absolutely forbid believers to consume beverage alcohol

consume beverage alcohol

2. there are those fellow Baptists — and a few other groups — who would maintain that total abstinence is the biblical mandate that all Christians must observe in all generations, in all places all the time

total abstinence is the biblical mandate that all Christians must observe in all generations, in all places all the time

ILLUS. In 2006 Southern Baptists were vehemently arguing over the issue. Dr. John Sullivan, Florida Baptist Convention's Executive Director wrote a scathing editorial saying, “Being a “tee-totaler” has been my conviction—not convenience—since August 1955 when I was saved. After salvation, it never entered my mind that “social” or “moderate” drinking was acceptable to the Heavenly Father. I never considered discussing it as a possibility. Now some would say that is closed-mindedness. They would be right — there is no debate for me. ... My conviction is there is no place in the Christian growth and walk that includes the use of wine or any other alcoholic beverage.”

Sullivan, Florida Baptist Convention's Executive Director wrote a scathing editorial saying, “Being a “tee-totaler” has been my conviction—not convenience—since August 1955 when I was saved. After salvation, it never entered my mind that “social” or “moderate” drinking was acceptable to the Heavenly Father. I never considered discussing it as a possibility. Now some would say that is closed-mindedness. They would be right — there is no debate for me. ... My conviction is there is no place in the Christian growth and walk that includes the use of wine or any other alcoholic beverage.”

a. many Christians believe that a prohibition on alcoholic drink is morally binding upon all Christians at all times in all places ... period

all Christians at all times in all places ... period

3. this is a bad argument

a. it’s a bad argument you’ll find articulated in most Baptist Churches

1) however, there simply is no Scriptural mandate for total prohibition from beverage alcohol

beverage alcohol

2) it is an exegetically untenable argument

a) imposing abstinence from alcohol as a non-negotiable behavioral standard for all Christians is a moral requirement unknown to Scripture

all Christians is a moral requirement unknown to Scripture

3) believers — according to — have the liberty to imbibe if they so choose

choose

a) they do not have the liberty to be drunk according to

b. Solomon tells us in that intoxication is not wise, but he does not tell us that imbibing alcoholic beverages is wrong in and of itself

us that imbibing alcoholic beverages is wrong in and of itself

1) yes, wine is a mocker — it never lives up to the manufacturer’s promises for it

2) yes, strong drink can lead to brawling

3) yes intoxication is not a wise behavior — it is sinful behavior

4) but nowhere in this passage or others can we discover a clear mandate for total abstinence

abstinence

4. if we are going to be responsible interpreters of the Scriptures, we cannot make the Bible say what it does not say

Bible say what it does not say

B. THE 2ND REALLY BAD ARGUMENT is that the Christian has absolute liberty to use beverage alcohol without respect to the opinion of the Body of Christ

B. THE 2ND REALLY BAD ARGUMENT is that the Christian has absolute liberty to use

beverage alcohol without respect to the opinion of the Body of Christ

1. it’s a bad argument

a. it’s a bad argument because the Bible does not give us licence to do whatever we want even though we don’t believe it’s a sin

want even though we don’t believe it’s a sin

2. there are those fellow Christians — including many Baptists — whose discipleship is characterized by an individuality that accentuates personal Christian liberty, without respect for their responsibility to fellow believers in the church

characterized by an individuality that accentuates personal Christian liberty, without respect for their responsibility to fellow believers in the church

a. these believers will frequently point to the Apostle Paul’s words in the 14th chapter of his letter to the Christians at Rome as a defense

his letter to the Christians at Rome as a defense

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." (, ESV)

never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." (, ESV)

1) the problem is that they cherry-pick the two verses in that passage that defend their position — verses 14 and 17 — and seem to ignore the rest of the passage that refers to putting a stumbling block in the way of fellow believers through what we eat or drink

their position — verses 14 and 17 — and seem to ignore the rest of the passage that refers to putting a stumbling block in the way of fellow believers through what we eat or drink

b. among some believers there is almost an arrogance, yes, even a rebellion — that pervades their attitude toward beverage alcohol

pervades their attitude toward beverage alcohol

c. it’s an attitude that maintains, “I’m more spiritual than you because I understand my liberty in using beverage alcohol. To drink in moderation is not a sin. I can’t help it if you think it is. That’s your problem.”

liberty in using beverage alcohol. To drink in moderation is not a sin. I can’t help it if you think it is. That’s your problem.”

2. this too, is a really bad argument ... and a stinky attitude

a. it is precisely the kind of bad argument that the Apostle Paul addresses head on in several of his Epistles

several of his Epistles

b. it’s an argument that betrays a fatally flawed view of the church that is inconsistent with true Christian discipleship

with true Christian discipleship

3. the Apostle Paul was willing to do without just about anything for the cause of the Gospel

Gospel

a. he was willing to do without things that were lawful for him for the sake of his Christian witness

Christian witness

"All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything." (, ESV)

me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything." (, ESV)

1) is drinking in moderation lawful for the believer?

a) Yes

2) is drinking in moderation helpful to the believer?

a) Possibly

“(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)” (, ESV)

3) should drinking alcoholic beverages be practiced by all believers?

a) No. because some believers will not be able to keep their drinking moderate, and because alcohol has become the addiction of choice in our nation that enslaves millions

and because alcohol has become the addiction of choice in our nation that enslaves millions

C. THE REALLY GOOD ARGUMENT is that alcohol is a snare that we should avoid and encourage others to avoid because we love the brethren

C. THE REALLY GOOD ARGUMENT is that alcohol is a snare that we should avoid and

encourage others to avoid because we love the brethren

1. this was the position of our Baptist forefathers

a. abstinence is a position that should be encouraged, but not mandated

2. abstinence should be encouraged for three reasons

a. the dangers of alcohol

b. our accountability before God

c. the expectations we should have for each other

1) in a moment, I want to use these three reasons to persuade you why Christians should abstain from the use of beverage alcohol

should abstain from the use of beverage alcohol

3. early Baptists argued that we should remove this temptation from our lives because it is a small thing for us to abstain from such an awful snare

it is a small thing for us to abstain from such an awful snare

a. I find that to be the biblical argument

1) prohibition is not biblically mandated

2) prohibition is scripturally wise

II. THE ADMONISHMENT

1. I have personally chosen to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages

2. I want to encourage you to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages because of the dangers associated with alcohol

the dangers associated with alcohol

A. ALCOHOLISM AND DRUNKENNESS ARE A SCOURGE UPON OUR CULTURE

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. 31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. 34 You 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.” (, ESV)

without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. 31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. 34 You 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.” (, ESV)

1. the statistics are simply catastrophic

a. the highway statistics are catastrophic

1) 31% of all people who die in car accidents are attributed to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol

the influence of alcohol

2) drunk driving accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults aged 15-24

3) 500,000 American are injured every year by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol

of alcohol

b. the crime statistics are catastrophic

1) 35% of all crimes involve an offender who had been drinking

2) 40% of all federal prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes were under the influence of alcohol when they committed their crime

influence of alcohol when they committed their crime

3) 55% of all rapes on college campuses involve one or both parties drinking heavily

heavily

4) a staggering 75% of female victims of domestic violence report that their spouse or boyfriend were drunk when they abused them

or boyfriend were drunk when they abused them

c. the home statistics are catastrophic

1) 43% of all American adults have been exposed to alcoholism in the family — they grew up with or married an alcoholic or a problem drinker

they grew up with or married an alcoholic or a problem drinker

2) 15 million American adults — 7.5% of the adult population — are classified as alcoholics, but a whopping 30% of Americans are said to have Alcohol-Use-Disorder which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as “problem drinking that becomes severe”

as alcoholics, but a whopping 30% of Americans are said to have Alcohol-Use-Disorder which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as “problem drinking that becomes severe”

3) 10%-13% of children under the age of 18 live in a household with at least one alcoholic parent

alcoholic parent

4) 3 million teenagers in America are alcoholics

5) 62% of all High School seniors report that they have been drunk at least once within the last year

within the last year

6) 26.9 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month

drinking in the past month

2. every year, an estimated 90,000 Americans die due to alcohol-related accidents, crime or illnesses making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States

crime or illnesses making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States

ILLUS. Imagine if you can, a fully loaded 747 airplane crashing and all 600 passengers dying. The news media would be talking about such a tragedy for days. Investigations would be called for. Now, imagine three fully loaded 747s crashing every week for an entire year. That’s how many people die in American each year because of beverage alcohol. With those kind of statistics do your think anyone would every fly again?

dying. The news media would be talking about such a tragedy for days. Investigations would be called for. Now, imagine three fully loaded 747s crashing every week for an entire year. That’s how many people die in American each year because of beverage alcohol. With those kind of statistics do your think anyone would every fly again?

3. in , Solomon lists some of the problems associated with beverage alcohol consumption

alcohol consumption

a. this passage is a powerful warning against intoxication

b. according to Solomon those who tarry long over wine open themselves to a variety of problems

of problems

1) there will be emotional problems — he refers to woe and sorrow

2) there will be social problems — he refers to strife and complaints

3) there will be physical problems — he refers to bruises from beatings or bumping into things while staggering, and bloodshot eyes that stem from lingering long over wine

into things while staggering, and bloodshot eyes that stem from lingering long over wine

4) there will be mental problems — he refers to hallucinations and delirium

5) there will be moral problems — he refers to a heart that utters perverse things

6) there will be addictive problems — he refers to those who say I must have another drink

another drink

4. the wise Christian will practice abstinence from beverage alcohol because of it’s potential harm to self and potential harm to others when you are under its influence

potential harm to self and potential harm to others when you are under its influence

a. Solomon admonishes us that in the end, alcohol bites like a serpent

ILLUS. James Merritt, Senior Pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Oakwood, GA, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wisely says, “It is impossible to be bitten by a snake that you never play with.”

former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wisely says, “It is impossible to be bitten by a snake that you never play with.”

B. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD

1. I have personally chosen to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages

2. I want to encourage you to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages because it is a worldly substitute for the power of the Spirit in the believer’s life

is a worldly substitute for the power of the Spirit in the believer’s life

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (, ESV)

the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (, ESV)

a. I like the way the Phillips translation interprets this passage

1) it reads: “Don’t get your stimulus from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls.”

excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls.”

b. we are accountable to God for how we live each moment of every day

1) nothing escapes his notice or his concern

2) our God is a God who takes notice when a sparrow falls to the ground, and He knows the number of hairs on your head

knows the number of hairs on your head

3) He wants us to make the best use of the time

4) the best use of our time does not involve tarrying long over wine (or any other form of intoxicating drink)

form of intoxicating drink)

3. the will of the Lord is that we be filled with His Holy Spirit which leads to worship and praise, and not with intoxicating spirits which frequently leads to debauchery

praise, and not with intoxicating spirits which frequently leads to debauchery

a. most people drink because of the promises associated with beverage alcohol

ILLUS. By the time a child reaches the age of 18, they will have been exposed to 100,000 beer commercials on TV. Multi-national beer companies, wineries and distilleries spend a combined one billion dollars a years trying to convince us that alcohol is a magical substance that can transform people into what they would like to be.

100,000 beer commercials on TV. Multi-national beer companies, wineries and distilleries spend a combined one billion dollars a years trying to convince us that alcohol is a magical substance that can transform people into what they would like to be.

1) when you’re depressed, it’s supposed to make you happy

2) when you’re a nobody, it’s supposed to make you a somebody

3) when you’re shy, it’s supposed to give you courage

b. but alcohol never lives up to its promises, and in the end — as Solomon writes — it may bite you

it may bite you

c. God, on the other hand, always lives up to His promises

1) when you’re depressed, the Spirit will give you joy in the morning

2) when you’re a nobody, the Spirit will make you a child of the living God

3) when you’re shy, the Spirit will give you a holy boldness

4. the Christian’s motivation in all instances ought to be the glory of God

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (, ESV)

a. you need to answer these questions ...

1) Does alcohol make me a better person?

2) Does alcohol draw me closer to God?

3) Does alcohol help me run the race faithfully to the end?

5. are there times when the use of beverage alcohol is always a sin?

a. YES!

1) it’s a sin when it’s illegal for you to drink it

2) it’s a sin when it goes against your conscience to do so (if you drink and you feel guilty about it, perhaps you shouldn’t do it)

guilty about it, perhaps you shouldn’t do it)

3) it’s a sin when using it places yourself or others in harm (like drinking and driving, or being pregnant and drinking)

driving)

6. the wise Christian will practice abstinence from beverage alcohol because we are accountable to God in all our behavior which is to glorify Him

accountable to God in all our behavior which is to glorify Him

C. WE ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER

1. I have personally chosen to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages

2. I want to encourage you to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages because we are responsible for edifying each other

are responsible for edifying each other

3. we must never do anything that would cause a brother or sister in Christ to stumble in their faith walk

their faith walk

“It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.” ()

• "Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make mybrother stumble." (, ESV)

"Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." (, ESV)

• "Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." (, ESV)

"Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." (, ESV)

a. many Christians claim their “Christian Liberty” when it comes to social drinking

1) in order to do that, they must ignore these passages of Scripture

b. because I am an example to others, I will make certain no one ever walks the road of sorrow called alcoholism because they saw me take a drink and assumed, “If it’s all right for my pastor, it’s all right for me.”

of sorrow called alcoholism because they saw me take a drink and assumed, “If it’s all right for my pastor, it’s all right for me.”

4. in the end must be out guide ...

“Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (, ESV)

a. though we are not responsible to each other we are responsible for each other

b. we do not have to give an account of ourselves to our brother, but we will give an account of ourselves to God for our relationship to our brother

account of ourselves to God for our relationship to our brother

Can I say it is always a sin to take a drink? Nope. I can’t say that. Insistence on abstinence is a direct contradiction to the individual liberty that Baptists have always claimed. Creating extrabiblical rules violates individual conscience. Can I say it is probably unwise to take a drink? Yes.

These are the three principle reasons why I choose to refrain from alcoholic beverages. The Bible does not command abstinence, but, I believe, it magnifies abstinence as the preferred choice for the confessing Christian. If you imbibe, I pray you will consider them and choose to become a tea-totaler with me!

Christians who drink and those who do not must respect one another's right to choose. Those who do choose to drink cannot sidestep the damage that misuse of alcohol can inflict on themselves and other people.

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