Good Morning, Greetings… Series of lessons based in “The Study On Morals & Ethics.” Last week we began by looking at some “Introductory” material. (SLIDE) We noticed “The Shift” that has taken place between those that claim religion and those that don’t. We also noticed “The Truth” concerning morality and the expectations God has for us in being moral people. This week we are going to study a subject that has been debated for years and years. A subject that has captivated audiences not because of the difficulty of the Bible on the subject but because of the emotions behind it. (SLIDE)

The Old Testament Proverbs 23:31 Today we are going to begin by looking at a three part sermon on “Alcoholic Beverage Consumption & The Bible.” In this first lesson we will examine what was expected of the Jews under the Old Law concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages. With this in mind let us examine our lesson for today.

The Priest & The Temple Old Testament We find that the priest were not to have any alcohol when they entered the tabernacle i.e. the house of God. (SLIDE)

“And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” Leviticus 10:8-11

The Civil Leadership Old Testament When we look at the Old Law we find that Civil leaders were expected to stay away from alcohol consumption. (SLIDE)

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.” Proverbs 31:4-5

The Jews In General Old Testament Though priests and civil leaders were to stay away from alcoholic beverages what about the “everyday Jew?” Yes the their leaders were to stay away but did they really have to be abstinent from it? (SLIDE)

They were not allowed to “look” at it Now this might seem pretty strong language but the reality of it is that God’s children were expected to not even “look” at alcoholic beverages. (SLIDE)

“Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.” Proverbs 23:31

They were not allowed to “look” at it They considered it a “defilement” The truth is Jews that were “faithful to God” considered drinking alcoholic beverages as a defilement. Daniel and his friends are a perfect example of this. (SLIDE)

“The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king…8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” Daniel 1:5-8

They were not allowed to “look” at it They considered it a “defilement” It was a “crime” to give it to someone Considering Jews were not to look at alcoholic beverages because of what drinking them would do to them i.e. defile them, it makes sense that it was actually a crime to even give others such. (SLIDE)

“Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!” Habakkuk 2:15 Notice that this isn’t directed to the Jews specifically but to the Babylonians. However it was written as a reminder to the Jews of the consequences of doing such and being so deceitful.

They were not allowed to “look” at it They considered it a “defilement” It was a “crime” to give it to someone Total abstinence was “admired” by God

Jeremiah 35:2-19 Please turn in your Bible here as we read it together.

They were not allowed to “look” at it They considered it a “defilement” It was a “crime” to give it to someone Total abstinence was “admired” by God It was considered a “lack of wisdom” All this proves drinking alcoholic beverages was considered by God to be a complete lack of wisdom!!! (SLIDE)

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1 This lack in wisdom was why Jews were told to not even be around those that are partaking in drinking these beverages. (SLIDE)

“Do not mix with winebibbers…” Proverbs 23:20 (SLIDE)

The Old Testament Proverbs 23:31 Brothers and sister in light of the evidence presented we can safely say that the righteous child of God under the Law of Moses did not partake of any alcoholic beverages. Next week we will examine what the New Testament has to say on the subject of alcoholic beverage consumption.

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7