DRUNKENNESS

 

I.    Drunkenness is forbidden by God.

           Proverbs 23:20; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13-14; Ephesians 5:18

       A.   The Levitical priesthood was not allowed to drink wine.

                   Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21

       B.    In Paul's list of qualifications for eldership are included the words "sober"
               and "not given to wine."

                      1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7

 

II.   Drunkenness has been a problem (in many cases even among the people of God)
       since the days of Noah.

        A.   In the Old Testament.

                      Isaiah 56:13; Joel 3:3; Micah 2:11; Nahum 1:10

                1.    Noah.  Genesis 9:21, 24
                2.    Lot.   Genesis 19:31-36
                3.    Nabal.   1 Samuel 25:36-38
                4.    Uriah.   2 Samuel 11:1-17
                5.    Amnon.   2 Samuel 13:28
                6.    Elah.   1 Kings 16:9
                7.    Ben-hadad.   1 Kings 20:16, 12
                8.    Belshazzar and his princes, wives, and concubines.   Daniel 5:1-6

      B.   In the early church.

                  1 Corinthians 5:11, 13
                  1 Thessalonians 5:7-8

 

III.    Is excessive drinking a sin? Why?

         A.   It harms the body.

                      Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35; Isaiah 28:7
                      Hosea 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

          B.   It produces bondage in the life of the one it has ensnared.

                       Isaiah 5:11 ("till wine inflame (pursue, Lit.) them")
                       Isaiah 28:1 ("overcome" = Lit., "smitten")
                       Luke 21:34 ("overcharged" = "weighed down" or "overpowered")

                 1.   It is addicting.

                              Proverbs 23:35

                 2.   It deceives (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-34) and "destroys the heart (or, under
                       standing)" (Hosea 4:11).

     C.   It springs from a heart of rebellion

                   Deuteronomy 21:20

     D.   It influences and affects others.

            1.   It is a stumblingblock and bad example to those around us.

                         Habakkuk 2:15-16; Romans 14:21

            2.   It stirs up strife and causes trouble.

                         Proverbs 23:29-30

     E.   The effects of strong drink upon those who use it are extremely harmful.

                    2 Samuel 11:1-17
                    Proverbs 23:32

            1.   Spiritually and morally.

                         Genesis 19:31-36; Proverbs 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8
                         Habakkuk 2:15-16, 5

            2.   Physically.

                         Genesis 49:12; 1 Samuel 25:36-38; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35
                         Isaiah 19:14; 28:7; Hosea 7:5

            3.   Emotionally.

                         Proverbs 23:29-30, 35 (it dulls the senses)

            4.   Financially.

                        Proverbs 21:17; 23:21

     F.   Scripture says that drunkenness is just cause for excommunication from the church.

                       1 Corinthians 5:11, 13

     G.   God speaks a clear sound of warning against drunkards.

                    Isaiah 5:11, 22; 28;1   ("Woe unto them ... ")
                    Luke 21:34   ("Take heed ... " Beware!)

     H.   Scripture refers to drinking as one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21)
            and "lusts of the flesh" (Romans 13:13-14).

      I.   Jesus, Hannah, and the apostles were falsely accused of being "drunkards" (Matthew
           11:19; 1 Samuel 1:12-16; Acts 2:13-15) as if it were an evil thing – which proves that it is.

      J.   The punishment for "partying" will be severe.

                 Isaiah 22:13-14

            1.   In the Old Testament, drunkenness was considered worthy of death.

                         Deuteronomy 21:20-21

            2.   The New Testament says that those who indulge in strong drink will not inherit
                  the kingdom.

                        Luke 12:45-46 (Matthew 24:48-51); 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19, 21

     K.   Newly saved individuals are expected to put aside the drunkenness of their past life.

                  1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:3-4

 

IV. Wine in itself is not evil; but it is the drinking of it in excess (1 Peter 4:3) that displeases God.

     A.   The Bible speaks of temperance in such matters.

                  1 Corinthians 9:25

     B.    The Greek word for "wine" in 1 Peter 4:3 comes from the root oinos; it is also
             used in Luke 1:15; 1 Timothy 5:23; John 2:3, 9, 10, etc.

     C.   Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach problem.

                 1 Timothy 5:23

     D.   John the Baptist, who had taken the vows of a Nazarite (see Numbers 6:2-3;
            Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Luke 1:15), never drank wine or strong drink (liquor). But Jesus
            was accused falsely of drunkenness simply for associating with those who did.

                    Matthew 11:19

     E.   Jesus Himself attended a marriage feast in which wine was being served. And it
           was there that He performed His first miracle: that of changing water into wine.

                    John chapter 2

 

V.   This sin is not unforgivable.

             1 Corinthians 6:9-11

 

 

 

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