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Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
Noah Planted a Vineyard
Introduction
1. Noah planted a vineyard [Genesis 9:20 (NKJV) And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard.] So far, so good. There's nothing wrong with planting a vineyard. Vineyards can be good things. We couldn't enjoy our raisin bran cereal if no one had ever planted a vineyard. We couldn't have grape juice for the Lord's Supper if no one planted a vineyard. Noah's trouble came from what he did with the grapes from his vineyard.
2. Genesis 9:21 (NKJV) Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.
a. Grapes produce grape juice.
b. Left alone, grape juice will ferment and become alcoholic.
c. Drinking alcoholic wine in sufficient quantity causes one to become drunk.
d. Consumption of alcoholic beverages causes one to lose his inhibitions and behave improperly. In Noah's case, it caused him to uncover himself shamelessly in his tent.
e. Drinking alcoholic beverages also causes unpleasant consequences for other people.
(1) There is no reason to doubt Noah's love for his sons. We have no inclination that he wanted a curse to be placed upon his son or grandson.
(2) Yet when Noah's son Ham saw the nakedness of his father and told his brothers, he ended up with a curse being placed upon his son Canaan [Genesis 9:24-25 (NKJV) So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. 25 Then he said: "Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren."]
(3) From family members abused by drunks to victims of car accidents caused by drunk drivers, many innocents have suffered bad consequences because of the power of alcohol.
3. Let us consider reasons why Christians should not follow Noah's example in drinking alcoholic beverages.
I. ALCOHOL IN THE BIBLE
A. No reasonable person denies that the Bible condemns the sin of drunkenness.
1. Romans 13:13 (NKJV) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
2. 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NKJV) But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person.
3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV) 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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
4. Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
B. Many, however, try to defend "social drinking" as long as the drinker does not become totally inebriated.
1. It is pointed out the word commonly translated "wine" in the New Testament -- oinos -- means "an intoxicating beverage" [O'Brien, Solving Bible Difficulties, 366]. However, the word can also be used for unfermented juice of the grape -- so it means "fruit of the vine" whether fermented or unfermented.
2. The occasion when Jesus turned water into wine is used as an example of godly people drinking wine [John 2:1-10]
a. Jesus, His mother, and some of His disciples, attended a wedding feast in Cana.
b. The wine gave out. His mother hinted that He should act to provide a supply of additional wine.
c. The servants filled six waterpots containing a total of 120-150 gallons of water. Jesus caused the water to become wine. This was after the guests at the feast had drunk freely [John 2:10]. A considerable quantity of wine had already been drunken. Jesus replenished the supply of wine liberally. If we assume the six pots contained 135 gallons and that there were 500 guests at the feast, Jesus made enough additional wine for each guest to have over a quart to drink!
d. This creates quite a dilemma for those who insist that Jesus created alcoholic wine.
(1) Giving a quart of alcoholic wine to people who had already "drunk freely" would certainly be encouraging and supporting them getting intoxicated.
(2) Drunkenness is a soul-condemning sins. We've already read several scriptures which say drunkards will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
(3) Consider what the prophet Habakkuk said in Habakkuk 2:15-16 (NKJV) "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness! 16 You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also; drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory.
C. Various ancient sources give us considerable insight into the nature of the wine commonly drunk in Bible times.
1. Fermentation was a natural process which could not be prevented. Without refrigeration, grape juice will ferment. Naturally fermented wine has an alcohol content of 8-14%. Other wines available today have been fortified with brandy or other spirits to raise the alcohol content to 18% or higher.
2. Instead of fortifying wine to make it stronger, ancients diluted it with water to weaken it. Ancient writers speak of wine being diluted as much as 20 parts water to one part wine. This common wine had around 1% or less alcohol content making it very difficult to drink enough to get intoxicated. Ancient people could not have understood about bacteria and viruses, but they had observed that adding a little wine to their water made it safer to drink. Paul recognized this when he wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 (NKJV) No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. Following popular custom, Timothy would have mixed the wine in the water he drank.
D. Few people who have studied the subject of wine in Bible times would argue that Bible wine was totally non-alcoholic. However, it is clear that the alcohol content was very low so that one would not ever become drunk from drinking it without consuming enormous quantities.
E. The Bible does warn against "strong drink."
1. Aaron was warned against drinking wine or strong drink when he went into the tabernacle [Leviticus 10:9]. The NKJV says "intoxicating drink" thus implying that wine was not intoxicating.
2. Proverbs 20:1 (NKJV) Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. The strong drink here is undiluted, fermented wine. Distilled liquors were not known in Bible lands. One who drinks wine with 10%, 12%, or 15% alcohol content will get intoxicated if he drinks enough of it.
II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT DRINK
A. Christians should not drink because of the possibility of intoxication.
1. Some may drink only a small amount and stop without feeling any adverse effects.
2. Many, however, will not stop with a little. A University of Michigan study documents what many already knew -- alcohol is the most commonly used illicit drug in the country . . . especially among teenagers and young adults. Most young drinkers participate in binge drinking -- getting completely stoned.
3. Approximately one in ten drinkers turns into a problem drinker or an alcoholic. It is true that some can drink without becoming drunk. Likewise, it is undeniable that no one ever got drunk without taking a first drink!
B. Christians should not drink because of the damage it does to our bodies.
1. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and should not be abused [1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.]
2. Some say that there are health benefits from drinking wine. There are studies which point in this direction particularly relating to the control of cholesterol and promotion of cardiac fitness. However, studies also indicate that the same benefits are gained from drinking red grape juice so the alcohol does not provide any additional benefit. Even those who promote the health benefits of drinking a little wine acknowledge that for many drinkers, the minuses outweigh the plusses.
3. Alcohol destroys brain cells. It has been shown that even one cocktail, glass of wine, or can of beer destroys some brain cells. These brain cells never reproduce, but the effect of a single drink is not noticeable. However, the cumulative effect of a lifetime does make a difference in one's mental abilities. The immediate effect of alcohol on the brain is seen in a drunk's staggering walk, slurred speech, violent temperament, and bad memory. Much of this failure is recovered when sobriety returns, but some of the brain is damaged irreparably every time alcohol enters the body.
4. Habitual use of alcohol causes serious and lasting damage to the body's tissues and organs. The stomach, liver, and kidney are particularly susceptible to alcohol damage. Cirrhosis causes the liver to no longer be able to filter the waste products from the blood properly. It also keeps the body from producing factors which cause the blood to clot. Once the liver fails, there are only two options -- a liver transplant, or death!
5. Alcohol also slows the electrical conduction of the heart resulting in the pumping action being altered. This makes the heart work harder making a higher blood pressure necessary to force the blood through the body. With higher blood pressure, weakened vessels can burst. This causes hemorrhaging or strokes.
C. Christians should not drink because of the influence we exert on others.
1. Although no one knows this with 100% certainty, let's suppose that you are one of the lucky ones who can drink without losing self-control or ever getting drunk. A can of beer every once in a while or a drink of fine wine on a special occasion. Can such a practice be defended? Many would say so, but they fail to consider the possibility of influencing others by that example of consuming alcoholic beverages.
2. 1 Corinthians 8:13 (NKJV) Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
a. Eating meat which had been offered to idols was not wrong within itself. Paul makes that point clearly in both 1 Corinthians 8 and 1 Corinthians 10.
b. However, since the possibility existed that some could be influenced to eat meat as an act of worship to an idol, Paul said he would "never again eat meat" if doing that caused his brother to stumble.
c. I am not saying that drinking alcoholic drinks is harmless behavior. But if I've been mistaken about everything I've said thus far and it is fine to drink socially as long as one doesn't become drunk, there is still a valid objection. One with less self-control might witness you drinking and follow your example. If he becomes drunk by doing what he saw you do, you share the responsibility for his sin. If there is a possibility of causing your brother to stumble by your actions, don't do it!
(1) If a new convert sees a preacher, elder, deacon, Bible class teacher, or other person whom he views as a strong Christian purchasing a six pack of beer in the grocery store, he may think that such drinking is acceptable behavior. He may then buy a six-pack of his own, take it home, and drink all of it, thereby getting drunk. It's his sin. He's responsible for his drunkenness. But the one who set the example for him must share the blame.
(2) Our aim should be to follow Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
CONCLUSION
1. The question of social drinking has always been settled for me by one simple verse -- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I do not believe that one can drink an intoxicating beverage to the glory of God. Whatever we eat or drink should be to the glory of God. For me, the matter is settled. Christians should not drink.
2. Invitation
Copyright ©2001 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
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LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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