Casual/Social Drinking

1. Casual/Social Drinking • Asignificant issue among Christians over recent times. • Varying factors as to why: • Denominations that would have taken a stance on the issue in past have long since backed off; many openly endorse social drinking now. • In general, our society has turned more and more to drinking as being socially acceptable. • Is social/casual drinking right or wrong? Will it draw us closer to God or drive us further away, or is it a spiritually neutral matter?

2. “We should live soberly, righteously, and Godly” (Titus 2:11)

3. Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible • Isaiah 5:11) A woe is declared on those who drink continually. • Isaiah 5:22) A woe is pronounced on the heroes of drinking. • Luke 12:45-46) The unfaithful steward is described as one who gives himself over to drink. • 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10) Drunkenness is firmly condemned among Christians.

4. Common passages concerning wine… • John 2:1-11) Jesus turned water into “oinos” • The Greek word refers to grape juice, ranging from fresh grape juice to a highly fermented substance. • Bible scholars inform us that the “strong drink” of the Bible had an alcoholic content of about 5% to 8%. (That would be the “strong drink” that is condemned in no uncertain terms by the Lord; Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-35; & would be the equivalent of our modern day beer!)

5. Common passages concerning wine… • John 2:1-11) Jesus turned water into “oinos” • “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yetwithout sin.” (Heb 4:15 NKJV) • "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness!” (Hab2:15 NKJV) • John 2:6) 120 to 180 gallons of alcoholic wine would make a large number of people drunk, especially after already drinking. Jesus would not have given occasion for anyone to stumble (Mt. 18:7).

6. Common passages concerning wine… • Another common passage used to justify social drinking by some in 1Tim. 5:23. • The recommendation was a little “oinos” for medicinal purposes. • Oil and wine (oinos) in Bible times were common medicines (Luke 10:34). • Timothy had known the sacred writings from childhood (2Tim 3:15), and his knowledge &attitude as a Christian was such that he wouldn’t even touch “oinos” as medicine until commanded to do so! • Please do not pervert this passage. The use of medicine is not an approval for casual use. • There also is no evidence to suggest that Paul was recommending Timothy to drink fermented “oinos”.

7. Things that Christians are no longer to do (1Pet 4:1-4) • Verse 3) • “Drunkenness” (NKJV, ESV), “excess of wine” (KJV), “winebibbings” (ASV) -- means “an overflow or surplus of wine”. (Strong’s) • This would equate to a down and out drunk. • “Revelries” (NKJV), “revellings” (KJV, ASV) , or “orgies” (ESV) – means “a carousal, a letting loose”. (Strong’s) • This would equate to a party that leads to one getting drunk, adversely affecting one’s behavior.

8. Things that Christians are no longer to do (1Pet 4:1-4) • Verse 3, Continued) • The word “drinking parties” (NKJV, ESV), “carousings” (ASV), banquetings (KJV) – means literally a drinking bout or carousal: - banqueting. (Strong’s) • The word means “to drink, but it is not necessarily excessive”, according to “Synonyms of the NT”, by R.C. Trench. • Essentially what this would be referring to is Social/Casual drinking.

9. The effects of alcohol… • Drinking weakens inhibitions against sin (Genesis 9:30-31; 19:32-35). • Drinking will lead you astray (Proverbs 20:1) • Drinking removes good judgment (Leviticus 10:9-10; Isaiah 28:1-3, 7-8). • The Lord has spoken on the devastation that it brings (Proverbs 23:29-33). • God also speaks of how it is addictive (Joel 3:3).

10. Practical applications regarding influence… • How do you go about reproving a drunkard when they know you like to “drink a little” yourself? • If your neighbor learns that you drink on an occasional basis, will this enhance your spiritual qualities in his sight? Or, will your spiritual qualities be diminished in his sight? • How many churches would employ an evangelist who drinks on occasion? • How would you feel if you saw one of our elders out in public with a beer in his hand (1Peter 2:12)? • How would you feel if you saw one our deacons drinking?

11. Practical applications regarding influence… • Even if someone falsely reasoned that some sort of drinking was lawful, I can easily show you that it is not expedient (1Corinthians 6:9-12). • Consider the dishonesty that comes along with this way of life for the Christian. There is denial at every step. Lying becomes a way of life. • Satan wins when you are afraid to share your deepest desires, concerns, beliefs, and struggles with your brethren. • What type of Christian would mock a lesson such as this one?

12. Conclusion • Many preachers have quit preaching against social drinking; elders who refuse to exercise discipline have given up the defense of the faith (Jude 3) and no longer teach “all holy conduct and godliness” (2Peter 3:11). • Depression and addiction are very common partners. I encourage any here today who may be struggling with either -- to go to the Lord while facing the hurts of this life (Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 2:11-15)

13. “… denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” (Titus 2:12, NKJV)