Sermon Tone Analysis

The literal teaching....a warning against drunkenness.

Differing views on alcohol use....

Shouldn’t drink at all....teetotaler!

Bible doesn’t expressly forbid it, so.....

Scripture sometimes commends the use of wine....

Drink offerings accompanied many of the O.T. sacrifices ()

For use as a sedative ()

For medicinal purposes (; )

Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast ()

Wine was obviously consumed during Bible times....

Jesus and other Bible characters drank wine...

In light of the fact that the Bible at times seems to condone the use of alcoholic beverages, but at other times gives many warnings concerning such…how should a believer view this issue?

Do not make the issue of alcohol consumption a measuring stick of spirituality

First, do not make the issue of alcohol consumption a measuring stick of spirituality

John the Baptist abstained and was called a devil.

Jesus consumed and was called “a partier”

Drunkenness is a right-wrong issue.

Consumption is an issue of wisdom.

John the Baptist abstained and was called a devil.

Jesus consumed and was called “a partier”

Context of - He’s talking about walking wisely

Considerations for wise decision-making concerning alcohol consumption.

Consider that any form of drunkenness is sin.

“drunkenness” - state of intoxication in which the person’s faculties (mentally or physically) are impaired or altered.

We’re not talking about the “legal definition” of driving drunk.

1 drink (12 oz.

beer, 5 oz.

wine, 1.5 oz of whiskey)= beginning of impairment.

(relaxed mood; altered mood; may make poor judgments)

2 drinks =behavior is exaggerated (speak louder, gesture more); inhibitions lowered.

3 drinks= reasoning; self-control; memory all impaired

Consider the alcohol content of wine in Biblical times vs. alcoholic drinks today.

Jesus turned water into “

Consider the alcohol content of wine in Biblical times vs. alcoholic drinks today.

Wine (“oinos/yahin’”) - can refer to that which is fermented or that which has just begun to ferment.

(Also the Greeks/Jews would always mix 3 parts water to 1 part wine) - this would render even the strongest of fermented wines to a 2-3% alcohol range (modern wine is 12-15%)

New Wine - What Jesus created at the Wedding (fresh pressed grape juice which is just beginning to ferment) -It’s difficult to say what percent alcohol would be but would have a very low percentage of alcohol content.

Biblical wine was the same as modern wine (Jesus drank it, created it, didn’t condone drinking it - why shouldn’t I?)

Strong Drink (“shekar”) - Unmixed wine; intoxicating beverage made with grain (beer) 4-5% (consumption of this is always warned against in the Bible)

Modern Day Beer: 4-5%

Modern Wine: 12-15%

Strong Drink - “shekar” - intoxicating drink made from grain/dates (beer) - always forbidden and warned against.

Modern Hard Liquor: 40% and up

They would know nothing of distillation (vodka, tequila, whiskey) - these would be completely out of the question.

There is no question that most of the wine referenced in the Bible was alcoholic.

However, the content in most cases was much lower than that of modern beverages.

Consider the availability of other drink options in Bible times vs. today.

Why was wine referenced so much in the Bible as a beverage?

(wouldn’t it make it alot easier if Bible characters never drank it?)

Reason: Not many alternatives in that day

Water - dependant upon location as to drinkability/disease (Timothy)

Milk - goats and cows

Soda - no

Coffee -no

Tea -no

Grapes were plentiful in the middle east so wine was readily available.

It’s antiseptic nature made it a much healthier drink than much of the water or other alternatives at the time.

In other words, wine drinking was often of necessity -Certainly not a necessity today.

Consider the motives behind alcohol consumption.

Stress/Avoidance

-take the edge off

Positive-effect motives: Drinking to be sociable; have a good time; loosen up.

Peer Pressure/Sociable

Fun/Have a good time

Lose inhibitions

Preference

Reasons 1, 3,4 have “getting drunk” as the goal.

Reason 2 is to fit it which means instead of being a light in the darkness, we are trying to fit in with the darkness.

Reason 1 - Substitutes alcohol for praying ()

Reason 2 - We are told to be separate, lights in a dark world, but we drink so that we might be accepted and fit in with the dark world.

Reason 3 - Substitutes alcohol for the joy of the Lord.

Reason 4 - The fruit of the Spirit is temperance (self control), but drinking for the purpose of losing a little self -control.

“Preference” is the only legitimate reason for drinking (You like the taste better than alternatives)

Consider the Biblical warnings

Remember this....these warnings were given based upon the alcoholic drinks of Bible times (lower alcohol content).

We would assume the warnings to be even stronger today...

Pr. 23:

Warnings for church leadership - not given to wine, not given to much wine.

Consider the potential consequences

Health Issues

Reported on Liberal News Channel CNN

There's no amount of liquor, wine or beer that is safe for your overall health, according to a new analysis of 2016 global alcohol consumption and disease risk.

"The most surprising finding was that even small amounts of alcohol use contribute to health loss globally," said senior study author Emmanuela Gakidou, a professor at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

"We're used to hearing that a drink or two a day is fine.

But the evidence is the evidence."

Liver Damage

Cardiovascular Disease

Cancers

Alcohol use related deaths is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.

Financial Issues

In the U.S. - alcohol misuse cost the country $249B

Addiction

“Moderation is not the cure for the liquor problem it is the cause.

Becoming an alcoholic does not begin with the last drink, it always begins with the first.”

No one taking that first drink thinks - I think I’ll probably become an alcoholic and destroy my life doing this...

The deception - I can handle this; I won’t let this...

Anything that has an incredibly high tendency towards compulsive or addictive behaviour should be avoided if at all possible.

Eating can become addictive - but you have to eat (you cannot obstain)

With alcohol, there are many other drinks which are available that are far less likely to cause addiction.

Consider your responsibility to others