Introduction We have a great drug problem in America today. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroine cause many problems but the most deadly drug is alcohol. ½ of all traffic fatalities are related to the abuse of alcohol. (NHTSA) 64% of adults drink in (Gallup Poll) There are about 14 million alcoholics.

Introduction Should a Christian drink alcohol today? Many would argue yes, “Jesus turned the water into wine.” “The apostle Paul told Timothy to drink wine” “Doctors say that it’s good for your health.” “It makes me feel good.”

Introduction We must study the Bible so that we might be approved to God and handle it accurately. (2 Timothy 2:15) We are commanded to “examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) The Bible does not contradict itself since God is not the author of confusion. (1 Cor. 14:33)

Christians Must Be Sober “So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:6-8) Sober is from ‘nepho” which means “be free from the influence of intoxicants” (Vine’s)… “to abstain from wine” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible)

Christians Must Be Sober This word is also associated with being watchful. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.“ (1 Peter 5:8) Could you imagine a soldier being watchful for the enemy while having intoxicants? How can we claim to be watchful as Christians for our enemy, the devil, when we are not free from intoxicating drink?

The First Drink Impairs Your Judgment Solomon warns, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly” (Proverbs 23:31) He is warning those who are contemplating quenching their thirst with “a cold one” while they still have their reasoning intact. Don’t even look at how enticing it is. This is why the Annheiser Busch campaign of “Know When to Say When” is so foolish. Their judgment is already impaired.

The First Drink Impairs Your Judgment “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine.” (Pr. 23:29-30) “The AMA acknowledges that all alcohol consumption, even at low levels, has a negative impact on driver skills, perceptions, abilities, and performance and poses significant health and safety risks.” assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/388/underage_drnkndrive.pdf

The First Drink Impairs Your Judgment PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL “Alcohol affects the brain similar to the way any narcotic does. Reactions include removal of inhibitions, loss of self control, weakness of willpower, development of euphoria, increased confidence, generosity, altered judgment, slurred speech, tremors, cessation of automatic movements, sweating, dilation of surface capillaries, stupor, coma, and death.” (Patrick K. O’neil, Will County Coroner, Joliet, IL) onerReport.pdf

Drinking Alcohol is Pernicious It causes great harm and is destructive. Concerning the wine Solomon says, “At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper.” (Proverbs 23:32) There is vomiting, hangovers, and the DT’s. (hallucinations, delusions, tremors, etc.) You are tempted to commit sexual immorality and use profanity. (Proverbs 23:33)

Drinking Alcohol is Pernicious They become addicted so that they don’t remember what they did, don’t have feeling in their body, and that they must have another drink when they get up. (Proverbs 23:34-35) How many drunk drivers live & the innocent die? How many women have been raped? How many wives have been beaten and their marriage and family been destroyed? How many have murdered?

Drinking Alcohol is Pernicious But in the beer commercials you won’t see the vomit, bloodied wives, or the agonizing cries of the innocent who lost their loved one. The advertisements will make you laugh and think everybody is having a good time while Satan enslaves more people to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:26) Don’t be deceived by the devil! Those who practice these things will not go to heaven. (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8)

Don’t Drink Because of Your Influence We are to hold fast to that which is good and abstain from evil. (1 Thess. 5:21-22) Does drinking alcohol bear good or bad fruit? (Matthew 7:17-20; Galatians 5:19-23) If you drink alcohol or are ashamed of the truth, you will likely defend drinking, and hurt, harm, and destroy other souls. (Luke 17:1-2) Abraham Lincoln said, “Alcohol has many defenders but no defense.”

Don’t Drink Because of Your Influence “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1) “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Eph. 5:11) We are no longer to live for the lusts of men but for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-4) You are to be the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Conclusion If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God then you know that he didn’t turn water into an intoxicant or else he would not and could not be our Savior. (1 Peter 2:22) Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 5:23) not for recreational reasons. But some will argue vehemently, “What’s the harm in just one drink?”

Conclusion The Bible commands Christians to be sober. If you never take the first drink, your judgment won’t be impaired and you will never be an alcoholic. As a faithful Christian, you won’t have to suffer the evil consequences of this drug that has destroyed so many souls if you abstain. You can be sober and watch, pray, and be prepared for the Lord’s coming.

Conclusion But how many will still be drinking alcohol when the Lord returns and have to suffer an eternal torment in hell because they refused the Lord’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Don’t let it be you! But how many will still be drinking alcohol when the Lord returns and have to suffer an eternal torment in hell because they refused the Lord’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Don’t let it be you! If you are not a Christian, you can decide to change by being baptized as a penitent believer and have all your sins washed away and start a new life in Christ. (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 6:3-4)