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2. Acts 23

3. Welcome!
Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones
Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM

4. Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Hymns
Invitation
Red Songbook -
Supplemental

5. Christians & Health: Medicine
Adding years to your life – study says that regular exercise will add 3 to 5 years, and regular religious attendance adds 2-3 years to your life. (Robert Roy Britt, April 4, 2006 – Live Science – Study: Churchgoing can add years to your life)

6. The New Epidemic
Opioids are synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs that are similar to opiates and include such drugs as Percocet, Vicodin, OxyContin and fentanyl. According to the DEA, "overdose deaths, particularly from prescription drugs and heroin, have reached epidemic levels.“ Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among Americans under 50
Fentanyl, a newer synthetic opioid painkiller, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin

7. Being Spiritually Discerning
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived ….drunkards…will (not) inherit the kingdom of God Corinthians 6:9
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

8. Being Spiritually Discerning
Alcohol of itself is not “evil” - I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; Romans 14:14a - It was NOT unclean under the Mosaic Law
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

9. Being Spiritually Discerning
Alcohol of itself is not “evil” As an intoxicant it even serves a purpose Proverbs 31:6 1 Timothy 5:23
Proverbs 31:6 - Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter.
1 Timothy 5:23 - No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

10. Being Spiritually Discerning
Alcohol of itself is not “evil” As an intoxicant it even serves a purpose Proverbs 31:6 1 Timothy 5:23
In cultures with limited medical knowledge, alcohol was (and is) used for medicinal needs
Proverbs 31:6 - Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter.
1 Timothy 5:23 - No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

11. Being Spiritually Discerning
The condemnation of alcohol is dissipation - The “high” of getting drunk (Isaiah 5:11) - Intoxicated for the sake of dissipation
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

12. Being Spiritually Discerning
The condemnation of alcohol is dissipation Drugs effect the same end - Both drugs & alcohol remove inhibitions - Both drugs & alcohol remove self-control From a biblical conduct standpoint: - Alcohol and drugs are effectively the same
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

13. Being Spiritually Discerning
POINT: Just as drunkenness by alcohol can prevent one from entering the kingdom of heaven, dissipation by drugs can prevent our entry too
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

14. Christians & Medication
Drugs used to dull pain or aches – Opioids, muscle relaxants, etc Drugs use to render senseless or unconscious - Anesthesia Drugs used to alter moods or behaviors - Stimulants - Depressants
it is not appropriate to say “I believe in taking morphine after surgery, but look down on the man who uses an anti-depressant”. Both have an effect on the mind that is useful as well as debatable for the same reasons.
We MUST be discerning in using medicines that have the potential for addiction

15. Christians & Medication
We live in a time where pain is no longer considered something we must bear Many pain pills are readily available Almost all are susceptible to abuse
it is not appropriate to say “I believe in taking morphine after surgery, but look down on the man who uses an anti-depressant”. Both have an effect on the mind that is useful as well as debatable for the same reasons.
We MUST be discerning in using medicines that have the potential for addiction

16. Four Principles of Medication
1. It is not a sin or even a weakness to use medication to reduce pain or mental anguish - Untreated issues can lead to sin - Ecclesiastes 11:10 - We must not judge unrighteously - Romans 14:13
it is not appropriate to say “I believe in taking morphine after surgery, but look down on the man who uses an anti-depressant”. Both have an effect on the mind that is useful as well as debatable for the same reasons.
So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting – Ecclesiastes 11:10
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

17. Four Principles of Medication
2. Just because the doctor gave it to you does not mean you are not using it in a sinful way
- Man’s law does not equal God’s law
- Man can be unwise in using lawful things
- Proverbs 3:5
Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

18. Four Principles of Medication
3. We must accept the truth that anyone can become sinfully dependent on medications
- ANYONE can fall prey to a work of the flesh
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 10:12
1Co 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

19. Four Principles of Medication
4. We must accept the need for others to be able to see our weaknesses
- Galatians 6:1-2
- James 5:16
Ga 6:1 ¶ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Jas 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

20. Conclusions
Medications can cause us to lose salvation - When used for dissipation Most do not begin using them as such - We must be mindful in using them - We must be willing to confess to brethren - We must be careful in judging confession
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

22. The Great Physician The prescription: Believe – Mark 16:16
Confess – Romans 10:9
Repent – Acts 2:38
Baptism – I Peter 3:21
Faithful – Revelation 2:10
AND YOU WILL BE SAVED