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   THE BELIEVER AND ALCOHOL

   by Pastor David L. Brown

   FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

   10550 SOUTH HOWELL AVE. OAK CREEK, WI. 53154

   INTRODUCTION

   My heart skipped a beat as I was watching the news one
evening in late February of this year (89). A large section
in the side of an airplane had torn loose and 10 or 11 people
had been sucked out. A thought raced through my mind... my
song leader and his wife were headed for Hawaii and that's
where this plane was going. Then I realized they were not
leaving for several weeks yet.

   Now just suppose you went to the ticket counter to book a
flight. You buy the ticket and the attendant hands it to you
with these words. "You should know, sir, that on this plane,
seating one hundred passengers, ten seats, sometime during
the flight, will suddenly give way and drop their occupants
out of the plane." You reply, "Don't put me in one of those
seats." The attendant replies, "But that is impossible; we
don't know the seats that will give way. Have a good flight,
sir."

   You'd say, "Forget it!" No way am I going to ride on that
plane! I'm not going to take the chance."

   I adapted the ticket illustration from an article that
appeared in the April 24, 1965 issue of Christianity Today.
The article, on page 25, continues, "People must be informed
that the use of alcohol is not unlike Russian roulette: every
tenth person becomes automatically hooked.  The only solution
is total abstinence."

   Alcohol spells TROUBLE for us all. It is the most dangerous
drug in general use today. In this study we are going to take
a look at what the Bible has to say about alcohol use.

I.   A LOOK AT THE WORDS

     There are 637 references to drink and drinking in the
     KJV of the Bible. In those references thirteen different
     words are translated "wine." To understand what the
     Bible has to say about drinking, we need to look at
     some of these words.

     OLD TESTAMENT

     "yayin" (3196) [pronounced yah-yin] -- This word occurs
     140 times. It is a general term for grape beverages and
     includes all classes of wine, non-alcoholic or
     alcoholic; unfermented, in the process of fermentation
     and fermented. It was always diluted with water.

     "shekar" (7941) [shay-kawr] -- This Hebrew word occurs
     23 times. It is the word for strong drink, unmixed wine.
     The 1901 edition of THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA says "Yayin,
     wine, is to be distinguished from shekar, or strong
     drink. The former is diluted with water; the later is
     undiluted."

     "tirosh" (8492) [tee-roshe'] -- This word is used about
     38 times. It refers to fresh grape juice. It is referred
     to often as new wine or sweet wine.

     NEW TESTAMENT

     There are some New Testament counterparts to these
     words.

     "oinos" (3631) [oy'-nos] is the counterpart of the Old
     Testament word yayin.  It is used 33 times.  It is a
     general term for grape beverages and includes all
     classes of wine, non-alcoholic or alcoholic -
     unfermented, in the process of fermentation and
     fermented. It was always diluted with water. Often the
     context has to be used to determine whether the drink
     was intoxicating or not.

     "sikera" (4608) [sik'-er-ah] is the counterpart to the
     Old Testament word shekar. It is the word for strong
     drink, unmixed wine.

     "gleukos" (1098) [glue-kos] is the counterpart to the
     Old Testament word tirosh. "It refers to a fresh wine, a
     new wine" Dr. Paul Dixon says.

II.  THE POSITION OF THE BIBLE ON DRUNKENNESS

     DRUNKENNESS IS COMDEMNED IN THE BIBLE

     Isa. 5:11 - "Woe unto them that rise up early in the
     morning, that they may follow strong drink (7941); that
     continue until night, till wine (3196) inflame them."

     Prov. 23:20 - "Be not among winebibbers (5433);
          The word means to drink so much that you become
          tipsy or drunk.

     Rom. 13:13 - "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not
     in rioting (2970 - drunken partying) and drunkenness
     (3178 - general drunkenness)..."

     Gal. 5:19a & 21 "Now the works of the flesh are
     manifest, which are these...drunkenness (3178)..."

     Eph. 5:18 - "And be not drunk (3182 form of 3178) with
     wine (3631) wherein is excess; but be filled with the
     Spirit.

     DRUNKARDS ARE AMONG THE LIST OF THOSE WHO WILL NOT
     INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

     I Cor. 6:9-11 (key 10)

Summary

   You can't get around it and in fact all godly men agree that
the Bible condemns drunkenness. Drunkenness is a serious
matter.

III. THE BIBLE CONDEMNS STRONG DRINK ALSO

     Prov. 20:1 "Wine (3196) is a mocker (3887 - causes one
     to act crazy), strong drink (7941) is raging (1993 -
     causes one to rage): and whosoever is deceived thereby
     is not wise."

     NOTE again, Isa. 5:11 - "Woe unto them that rise up
     early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink
     (7941); that continue until night, till wine (3196)
     inflame them."

      Prov. 23:29-31 -- "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who
     hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds
     without a cause? who hath redness of eyes? (30) They
     that tarry long at the wine (3196); they that go to seek
     mixed wine (4469 - a mixture of wine and spices). (31)
     Look not thou upon the wine (3196) when it is red, when
     it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself
     aright."-- Reference is to drinking fermented wine &
     strong drink. The strong drink was the "mixed wine"
     which was a potent mixture of wine and spices.

     WHAT WAS "STRONG DRINK" IN BIBLE TIMES?

     Distillation was not discovered until about 1500 A.D.
     Strong drink and unmixed wine in Bible times was from 3%
     to 11% alcohol. Dr. John MacArthur says "...since
     anybody in biblical times who drank unmixed wine (9-11%
     alcohol) was definitely considered a barbarian, then we
     don't even need to discuss whether a Christian should
     drink hard liquor -- that is apparent!

          CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT DRINK STRONG DRINK!

     Since wine has 9 to 11% alcohol and one brand 20%
     alcohol, you should not drink that. Brandy contains 15-
     20% alcohol, so that's out!  Hard liquor has 40 to 50%
     alcohol (80 to 100 proof), and that is obviously
     excluded!

     Someone will say, "since beer is only 4% alcohol, IT'S
     OK FOR A BELIEVER TO DRINK BEER, RIGHT?" The answer is
     NO! Here's why...

IV.  IN BIBLE TIMES, WHAT CHRISTIANS DRANK WAS SUB-ALCOHOLIC,
     BASICALLY PURIFIED WATER

     Remember the Hebrew word "yayin" and the Greek word
     "oinos" that we looked at earlier? These were the
     companion words for wine whether fermented for
     unfermented.  Remember, the key emphasis was on the fact
     that whether fermented or not, it was MIXED WITH WATER.

     Let's look at what John MacArthur has to say about
     this... (see article titled - How do the alcoholic
     drinks of today compare to those of biblical times)

          Norman Geisler, Dean of the Liberty Center for
          Christian Scholarship, Liberty University,has
          written: "Many wine-drinking Christians today
          mistakenly assume that what the New Testament meant
          by wine is identical to wine used today.  This,
          however, is false. In fact, today's wine is by
          Biblical definition strong drink, and hence is
          forbidden by the Bible. What the Bible frequently
          meant by wine was basically purified water.
          Therefore, Christians ought not to drink wine, beer
          or other alcoholic beverages for they are actually
          strong drink and forbidden in Scripture.  Even
          ancient pagans did not drink what some Christians
          drink today."

     All alcoholic beverages used in our culture fall under
     the biblical classification of STRONG DRINK and
     therefore forbidden. The least ratio of water to wine
     mixture in the was 3 parts water to 1 wine. That
     produced a sub-alcoholic drink that was 2.5% to 2.75%
     alcohol.  Normally, the ratio was even higher, up to 20
     to 1.  Their is NO BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIANS
     DRINKING THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF OUR DAY! What
     believers drank was sub-alcoholic by todays standards.
     Pastor's and deacons were cautioned to steer around even
     the sub-alcoholic stuff (I Tim.  3:3 & 8).

     The right choice is to abstain! What is your choice?

     Does the Bible give any instances were alcohol can be
     used? Let's move in to our next study and see.




                      SAY NO TO ALCOHOL
                   by Pastor David L. Brown

OUTLINE

I.   WHO IS ALCOHOL FOR?

     A.   Someone who is near death and in great pain.
     B.   Someone who is experiencing great anguish was given
          alcohol as a sedative.

II.  WHY SHOULDN'T BELIEVERS DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

     A.   DRINKING LEADS TO DRUNKENNESS
     B.   THE BIBLE CONDEMNS THE DRINKING OF STRONG DRINK
     C.   DRINKING CAUSES OTHERS TO STUMBLE
     D.   DRINKING HARMS OUR BODIES WHICH ARE THE LORD'S
     E.   BELIEVERS ARE KINGS & PRIESTS, SEPARATED UNTO GOD
     F.   ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE


INTRODUCTION

   Richard Quebedeaux, neo-evangelical author wrote in his book
The Worldly Evangelicals, "In the course of establishing
their respectability in the eyes of the wider society, the
evangelicals have become harder and harder to distinguish
from other people. Upward mobility has made the old
revivalistic taboos dysfunctional." He goes on to say that
evangelical business people have "changed their minds" about
such things as drinking and smoking and found it necessary
and pleasant to do those things.

   That's a sad commentary on the state of Bible believing
Christians in light of the fact that we are neither to be
conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2) nor love the world(I John
I John 2:15). We ARE to be SEPARATE FROM world (2 Cor. 6:17)
and LIGHT TO the world (Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15).

   Perhaps social drinking has enhanced the acceptability of
Christians in society but it has not advanced the cause of
Christ and it does not glorify God! Social drinking is simply
a means which the devil uses to blunt our testimony for
Christ and squeeze us into his mold. There are at least SIX
GOOD REASONS A BELIEVER SHOULD NOT DRINK. We will take a
close look at each of those reasons as soon as we answer the
question -- Does the Bible say there are any legitimate
reasons to drink alcoholic beverages in the Bible?

I.   WHO IS ALCOHOL FOR?

     "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and
     to those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and
     forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."
     Prov. 31:6-7

     This verse lists two categories where strong drink could
     be used...

     A.   SOMEONE WHO IS NEAR DEATH

          "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to
          perish..."

          The phrase "ready to perish" is but one Hebrew word
          that is generally used of a person who is near
          death. In reality alcohol was used as a anesthetic
          to ease the pain.

          Our Lord Jesus Christ is an illustration of the
          medicinal use of wine in this way. In Matthew
          27:33-34 we see Christ was offered vinegar mixed
          with gall to drink just prior to his crucifixion.
          The word vinegar is the Greek word for "sour or
          bitter wine." It was mixed with gall to become a
          powerful medicine that would take the edge off
          pain. After just a taste, Christ refused it.
          Again, we see "sour wine" being used as a pain
          killer in John 19:28-30. Just before Christ dies,
          he requests a drink. Even this request was to
          fulfill prophecy. They give him a sponge soaked in
          "sour wine."

     The believer does not need to drink alcohol as a pain
     reliever today. We have much more sophisticated and
     power pain killers available.

     There is a second category where it was allowable to use
     strong drink in the Bible.

     B.  SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING GREAT ANGUISH

          "Give strong drink to those that be of heavy
          hearts..."

          Emotionally speaking, the term "heavy heart"(4751)
          is used to describe a heart crushing experience.
          Strong drink was used in these cases as a sedative
          to calm the person. Today, we have much more
          effective sedatives.

          Prov.31:7 describes the results that are hoped for.
          First, that they forget their "poverty" (7389),
          that is their desperate circumstance. Second that
          they forget their "misery" (5999) or pain.

II.  WHY SHOULDN'T BELIEVERS DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

     A.   DRINKING LEADS TO DRUNKENNESS

          1 out of every ten drinkers becomes an alcoholic
          according to American Medical Association.  Rather
          than play Russian roulette with the bottle, it is
          better not to drink at all.

          The Bible is clearly against drunkenness. It says
          "Let us walk honestly...not in...drunkenness"
          Romans 13:13

          It says, "And be not drunk with wine..." Ephesians
          5:18. That means wine or any other alcoholic
          beverage.

          An individual who is habitually drunk will not be
          in Heaven according to I Corinthians 6:9-10. We see
          from verse 11 that drunkenness, along with the
          other sins is spoken of as being in the past..."and
          such WERE some of you."
          There is another reason believers should not
          drink...

     B.   THE BIBLE CONDEMNS THE DRINKING OF STRONG DRINK

          Prov. 20:1 says "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is
          a raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
          wise."

          Wine and strong drink are used as synonymous in
          this verse. Anyone who drinks them are deceived.

          Prov. 23:31 says "Look not upon the wine when it is
          red, when it giveth colour in the cup, when it
          moveth itself aright."

          The reference is to fermented wine or alcoholic
          wine (remember, in the Bible, the word wine covered
          anything from freshly squeezed grape juice to
          alcoholic wine).  The phrase "look not" means don't
          give any thought to or refuse to pay any attention
          to. The focus it alcoholic wine. So you come out
          with the idea -- DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DRINKING
          ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. DON'T EVEN CONSIDER DRINKING!

          All the alcoholic beverages that are produced today
          would fall into the category of strong drink and
          are subject to the Biblical injunction against
          strong drink.

          Another reason believers should not drink...

     C.   IT WILL CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE

          Romans 14:21 says " It is good neither to eat
          flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy
          brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made
          weak."

          Innumerable Christians claim their "Christian
          Liberty" when it comes to social drinking. In order
          to do that they must turn their backs on this
          passage of scripture. "Sipping Saints" have given
          multitudes of people an excuse to drink. More than
          once I have heard a believer say "there is nothing
          wrong with drinking in moderation. Pastor so and so
          even says it is OK." I had one of my members say
          something like that to be in justification of his
          drinking. I discovered his drinking problem one
          Saturday when a frantic teenager called me saying
          one of the church members was pounding on the
          church door and carrying on like a mad man. It
          scared her witless. As it turned out "sipping
          saints" had given this man a justification to
          drink. He had both stumbled and was made weak.

          The problem is, drinking often sets off a chain of
          influences like tipping over the first domino.  He
          had a wife and kids at home and his actions set off
          a chain of events that caused some to stumble,
          others to be offended and some were weakened, using
          dads rationalization to do the same.

          According to a survey done by the Daily Journal
          newspaper, October 26 of 1988 one of the top five
          reasons teenagers drink is because their parents
          drink. This has proven true time and time again.

          Let me take it one step further. Parents, you must
          remember that whatever you do in moderation your
          children will likely do in excess.

          The Bible clearly defines drinking as an activity
          that is to be foregone because it causes others to
          stumble and makes them weak (fall into sin).

          There is yet another reason that believers should
          not drink...


     D.   IT HARMS OUR BODIES WHICH ARE THE LORD'S

          I Cor. 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is
          the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which
          ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
          bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
          body, and in your spirit which are God's."

          I Cor. 3:16-17 "Know ye not that ye are the temple
          of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
          If any man defile the temple, him shall God
          destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which
          temple ye are."

          How many of you had high school or college biology?
          I did and it was great. I especially enjoyed the
          fit the girls had when we had to dissect first the
          large grass hoppers and then the frogs. But what
          was really rank was the day we had to walk up to
          the big barrel fill with formaldehyde and reach in
          and get a cat. That day some of the babes lost it
          and I think even one of  the guys. I will never
          forget the aroma of the formaldehyde.

          That brings me to what Dr. Robert Haas has to say.
          He is the president of the American College of
          Sports Nutrition. He said, " Beer, wine and hard
          liquor form toxic substances called aldehydes that
          can destroy the liver, kidney, and brain cells.
          (Most of us who took high school biology probably
          dissected a frog that was preserved in
          formaldehyde). Aldehydes serve a useful function in
          preserving or "pickling" dead animal tissue, but
          they serve no beneficial purpose in people.
          "Alcohol dehydrates (robs) your body of its
          precious water supply, and along with the water go
          vital nutrients such as B Vitamins, calcium,
          magnesium, and potassium."

          According to the September 81 issue of Good
          Housekeeping "Even in moderate amounts alcohol has
          noticeable effects on the body. Because it enters
          the blood stream it t