Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

This is a great question and the subject of much debate, especially in American christianity and amongst Baptist in particular.

For many years most western Christians have considered the consumption of alcoholic beverages (in any amount) to be sinful.

However, there seems to be a much broader acceptance regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages among western Christians today.

Some see that a a point of compromise but what does the Bible say?

Old Testament

In the Old Testament and under the law anyone set apart for service to God was to abstain from any fruit of the vine (even eating grapes).

Those who had taken a Nazarite vow or who were serving in priestly duties were forbidden to consume when serving in the tabernacle or temple.

New Testament

Even in the New Testament, wine is sometimes symbolically used for sinful contamination.

All of this has led many christians to forgo the consumption of alcohol all together, deeming it to be unwise and some go as far to even say that it is sinful.

We must understand however, that scripture does not expressly forbid Christians from consuming beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverages.

In fact there are many verses of scripture that seem to encourage the consumption of alcohol.

Even the Lord Jesus, in his first miracle turned water into wine at the wedding in Canna of Galilee, served it at the last supper and said he would drink it in his Fathers kingdom.

Culturally

In the time period in which the New Testament takes place, the water wasn't always clean for drinking in every place.

Without proper sanitation, the water often filled with bacteria, viruses, and contaminates just like it does in many third world countries today.

Because of this, people often drank wine, because it was far less likely to be contaminated.

Even Paul instructed Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach ailments instead of exclusively drinking water.

The water was likely causing his sickness.

It is true, that most wine in these days, while fermented, was not necessarily fermented to the degree it is today and likely had lower alcoholic content than what is available to us today.

It is incorrect to say that all wine was only grape juice in scriptures since the ability to pasteurize grape juice didn't come about until the 1800’s when Thomas Welch figured it out and started selling it to Methodists congregation so that they could observe communion year round and not only when fresh juice was available.

Also, the greek word in the NT translated as “wine” is the word for fermented wine not juice.

So, is drinking alcohol in moderation sinful according to the Bible?

NO! BUT, GETTING DRUNK IS!

The Bible clearly and definitively forbids drunkeness.

Getting drunk leads to a loss of self control and we cannot be controlled by the Spirit of God and substance at the same time (the same is true for any mind altering substance).

When we choose to ingest mind altering substances, we are effectively choosing to give ourselves over to the control of something other than the Holy Spirit.

Anything that takes control of our minds, will and emotions is a false god.

Any master we obey over God is an idol and idolatry is sin.

When we get drunk or high we are serving another master and not the Lord.

Just because consuming alcohol in and of itself isn't sinful does not necessarily mean that you should partake.

If you cant drink and glorify God while doing it, don’t.

If you’re not clearly convinced it’s ok for you to drink, don’t.

If you don’t know if a drink will get you drunk or not, don’t.

Just because you can, doesn't mean that you have too.

Answer:

Drinking alcohol in moderate quantities is not sinful.

Drunkenness and addiction are both sinful and should be avoided.