Why Jesus Drank and I Don’t
Alcohol commercials are some of the best commercials on television. They are creative and clever using Clydesdales, fun, and glamour. Alcohol ads link drinking with happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, masculinity, creative and sexual satisfaction. “It just doesn’t get any better than this.” – The irony is that these are the very things that chronic alcohol abuse destroys. Yet millions of Americans believe the commercials. This is why I want to deal with the issue alcohol.
Jesus very first miracle took place while he was at a wedding reception. The celebration had been going on for three days and they had a situation… they ran out of wine. To make a long story short, Jesus turned 120 gallons of water into wine. Now that’s a lot of wine. You can read about his story in John chapter 2 verses 1-10. I’m not about to try and argue that Jesus didn’t drink wine or that it was simply grape juice but what I do want to do is give a few reasons why I don’t drink.
1. I don’t drink because I have bottled water.
¤ In Jesus day, it was a different time. The water supplies that were available were used for bathing, washing clothes and was essentially sewer water. Drinking the water would make you sick or possibly even kill you. 2000 years ago they drank wine because there weren’t many, if any, options. Today there are hundreds of safe options.
2. I don’t drink because I have NyQuil
¤ Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23) to drink a little wine for his health. The wine killed any parasites that were in the water. In that culture the wine was very seldom drank straight up, instead it was mixed with water, usually 2 to 3 parts water and 1 part wine. The wine that Jesus drank 2000 years ago wasn’t a whole lot different than the wine that is around today. Somewhere between 3 and 11% alcohol content, but that was the strongest drink they had; they had no hard liquor.
3. I don’t drink because I don’t know where the line is
¤ In the scriptures there is no clear prohibition from drinking, but there is against drunkenness and it’s considered a big deal. Check out Galatians 5:19-21 and you’ll learn that, drunkenness will keep you out of heaven.
¤ Keith Drury a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University wrote: “…drunkenness is a foggy thing. When does a social drinker get drunk? After one drink? Three? Six? A dozen? See? I can’t say for sure. Most Bible students agree that drunkenness is sin, but when does the drinker get drunk?”
4. I don’t drink because it destroys lives
¤ 18,000 killed every year in alcohol related crashes. One person dead every thirty minutes. One person injured every minute. Alcohol is closely linked with violence. About 40 percent of all crimes (violent and non-violent) and 75% of reported incidents of spousal violence are committed under the influence of alcohol
5. I don’t drink because I don’t want to influence others
¤ Romans 14:21 says, it is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. And that’s an example that I never wanted to set for my children or anyone else’s.
So what does the Bible say about drinking?
Proverbs 20:1 “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.”
Ephesians 5:18-19 “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
I had a pastor once tell me “You can’t park two cars in the same parking space. It’s hard to be filled with the Holy Spirit and Alcohol at the same time. So my question is… Which will be more beneficial to you?
Now I know that Jesus drank wine, and some people say they are just following His example. If you are going to follow His example, then you should follow His example in all things. He had a great prayer life, He studied the word of God, He fasted, He tithed, He loved, and He sacrificed His life so that you and I could have life.
If you drink, I’d like to challenge you to ask yourself why you drink and what would be missing in your life if you gave it up.
I love my church – The benefits – Message 9/18/2011
I love my church, I love the church, and I love Jesus Church.
Last week we talked about the excuses that people use for not coming to church and the results of not coming to church. Today I want to talk about the benefits of coming to church.
What is the Church?
The foundation of the church – The foundation of the church is not about me, or some gifted leader or praise team. The foundation is to be built on Jesus Christ – His death, burial and resurrection. We identify ourselves a lot with the leaders of the church rather than Jesus Christ. When people ask me what religion I am, I say “I’m a Christian.” I don’t say “I’m a Wesleyan or a PFWCian,” I say “I’m a CHRISTian, a follower of Jesus Christ!”
Matthew 16:15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’)(petros – a stone),and upon this rock (petra – a massive rock) I will build my church, (future tense) and all the powers of hell[ will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus Christ is the foundation and we are the building.
I Cor. 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.”
The launch of the church – Acts 2
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
Peter Preaches to the Crowd
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel
- They spilled out of the building –
- They proclaimed Christ
- The healed the Sick
- They helped the poor
- They loved the sinner
- They ministered to the brokenhearted.
- They baptized the new believers.
- They discipled them.
- They had communion together.
- They fellowshipped together. And…
- They worshiped the risen savior
Who is the church?
Who does that include when I say “I love my church” -
I Corinthians 3:9 “For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.”
Acts 2 – Around 3000… were baptized. 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
Baptism is a natural progression of a person that has given their life to Christ.
What we should expect from the church?
Acts 2:42
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
What we should expect from the church?
1. Love of God not self - Radically committed --Worship: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart." – Matthew 22:37 – What is Worship – It’s an action verb and it’s expressing our love for God to Him.
It’s hard to live life disconnected from God. Coming weekly to church for worship helps you to re-center your life, get your priorities straight and opens your heart and soul to worship.
2. Ministry – Loving Others - Discover -- "Love your neighbor as yourself." – Ministry to others. Too many people think that this is the responsibility of the Pastor only but all followers of Jesus Christ are to be ministers!
Ephesians 4:12 2His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),
3. Evangelism – Reach - “Go and make disciples.” – Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Acts 2: 47 “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
4. Fellowship – Unite – “Baptizing them.” – baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
As we fellowship together we develop relationships with one another and God has created us to be relational beings. That’s why the men’s ministry is important, the women’s ministry is important, even hanging out after church and visiting or getting together with others is important… because that’s where relationships take place. If we just come in and sit through the service and walk back out not associating with others with the exception of a hello, were mission out on an important part of church. WE NEED EACH OTHER.
According to the National Survey of children’s Health, children and youth who attend religious services weekly exhibit the fewest behavior problems, are more likely to have high quality relationships with parents, and are more likely to exhibit positive social behavior, including showing respect for teachers and neighbors, getting along with other children, understanding other people’s feelings and trying to resolve conflicts with classmates, family or friends.
5. Discipleship – Grow - : “Teach them to obey.” – and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
The “self” is composed of four elements: physical (body), mental (mind), emotional (soul), and spiritual (spirit). God calls us to love Him with all of these. When we actively take care of ourselves in all four areas, we enjoy a balanced life and a healthier one too. Insurance studies have actually showed that regular church attendance adds 5.7 years to your lie.
These are all elements that should be part of a church.
Love
Ministry
Evangelism
Fellowship
Discipleship
All of these take an investment of our time.
It’s not easy to always love
It’s not easy to make the time for ministry
It’s uncomfortable to share our faith because of fear…
It makes us vulnerable when we open ourselves up to others in fellowship
It stretches us when we grow spiritually and that’s sometimes painful.
But… that’s what we are to be. And when that is the case, I believe that the Lord will add to our numbers those that are being saved. I believe that we are striving to be just such a church and that’s why we are doing The Experiment….
Message- 9/11/2011
I Love My Church – Part 1 The Excuses
Hebrews 10:24-25 (Amplified Bible), “And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,
25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”
Many churches boast hundreds and even thousands on their membership rolls, yet only a small percentage of their “member” are active. As one old honest gentlemen once said, “The FBI couldn’t find most of our members.”
Why are so many Christian’s AWOL in their church attendance? Because they have bought into the lie that “Church is not really that important.”
Every Sunday a majority of American’s that profess to be Christians don’t go to church. They not only don’t go to church on Sunday but also don’t go any other time during the week either. When asked why they usually have a list of excuses.
A. Many Excuses
I don’t believe in organized religion – Many people throw this term out and true Jesus rebuked the Pharisees of His day but religion has to be organized because otherwise it would be an anything goes. If it feels good do it. This is not an attitude that God desires for us. He desires to have a personal relationship with us. (John 3:16 & Revelation 3:20)
Too many hypocrites – Some people don’t go to church because they say that there are too many hypocrites in the church. I often answer this comment with “Good that’s the best place for them!” It is true that there are hypocrites in the church. In fact I would imagine that if we looked in the mirror closely we would all see some areas that we too have been hypocritical.
· Too many politics in church – Other people don’t go to church because they say there are too many politics in the church. This is also true. There should be little politics in church. But… what are politics but people striving to get their own desires and needs met. What we need to do is be striving to fulfill the desires of God.
When we leave the church because of “politics” aren’t we really leaving it because we didn’t have our own selfish desires met. Just a thought! J
· Someone hurt my feeling. – Its true people’s feelings do get hurt in church sometimes. Why? Because were imperfect people living in an imperfect world where far too often we are consumed with self. This in and of itself isn’t a reason to stop coming to church. I’ve had my feelings hurt and been offended at the grocery store, restaurants, and just driving down the road. I still go to grocery stores, I still go to restaurants, and I still go to church.
The Bible says “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8) Instead of leaving and being bitter with people at the church it would be better to love them!
· I don’t need the church, I already know it all – This is a red flag that we have a spiritual problem. We are to continually be growing in our faith.
· I can worship God anywhere – This is true but we are commanded to worship God together in church. Corporate Worship provides us with an opportunity to worship God collectively. When we worship and pray collectively God is there! Matthew 19″Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
· I don’t need the Church – There are others that don’t go to church because they feel that they don’t need the “Church” to be a Christian. In fact they sometimes go as far as to say that: “they love God but hate the Church.” Is it just me or is there something wrong with this statement? Keith Drury writes in his book There is no I in Church, “Some will say, ‘I love Christ, but I despise the church.’ Sorry. You can’t behead Christ by taking the head without the body. A religion based on that approach will eventually doom your soul. You will lack needed correction, which is offered only through the church. Christ corrects His individual followers through His body.”
All of these excuses are the result of one reason!
B. One Lie – “Church isn’t really that important”
Satan wants us to think we can do it on our own! He knew Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version) “12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” When we strive to be a Lone Ranger Christian we will be weaker.
II. Results from staying away from church:
1. We rob God by not participating in the place of ministry that He has for us and thus handicap the church. (I Corinthians 12) We often also rob God by not paying our tithe that He has commanded us to do. (Malachi 3:10) When we start to forsaking the church we start drawing away from God – Heb 10:22
2. We rob other of the blessing that they can receive by ministering to us. (Prov 27:17) 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. When we start to forsake the church we start to lose concern for others and only have time for ourselves.
3. We rob ourselves of the blessing that we can receive through ministering to others, through the preaching of the word, through the corporate worship, through testimonies and through fellowship together. Too many people go to church only to receive, however this is only a small part of why we go. We should also go to give! (Eph 2:10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Just because there are hypocrites in the church, just because there are politics in the church and just because churches aren’t perfect isn’t a reason to stay away or church hop… People are so governed by selfish motives and fulfilling of their own needs, that they will change churches like they change their clothes. They are looking for the perfect church. (If you find the perfect church, once you walk through the doors it will no longer be perfect.)
I believe it is time for Christians across America to begin having a positive and Christian view of the church. The church should not be treated like a secular institution, but like the holy body of Christ!
¤ Keith Drury writes concerning the church, “It may be flawed, but the body of Christ is the best thing God has going on earth. In fact, it’s the only thing. This bride may be imperfect, but the Groom picked her – and His choice is always right. It is impossible to choose Christ but reject His bride and body, so we join with others and participate in carrying out Christ work on earth until He comes again.”
¤ St. Cyprian: “No one can have God for his Father who has not the Church for his Mother.
¤ Martin Luther to say, “Apart from the church, salvation is impossible.” Not that the church provides salvation; God does. But because the “saved” one can’t fulfill what it means to be a Christian apart from the church, membership becomes the indispensable mark of salvation.
¤ Calvin wrote, “So highly does the Lord esteem the communion of His church that He considers everyone a traitor and apostate from religion who perversely withdraws himself from any Christian society which preserves the true ministry of the word and sacraments.”
The Groom is coming soon for His Bride. Will he find a Bride that is anticipating His arrival or a Bride that is consumed with self? Matthew 25:13 (Amplified Bible) “Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.”
Next week – I love my church – Part 2 The Benefits.
What do you smell like
- Pastor Myron Atkinson
I love the smell of food being grilled out. I also love driving by restaurants that use smokers for smoking their BBQ or the wood ovens. They smell great and they get my saliva juices going. Sunday I was eating lunch at one of my favorite places to go. Their food is as good as the smell. It’s a restaurant that I have gone to many times and have gotten to know the manager. Towards the end of the meal he came to say hello and ask how everything was. I joked around a bit as I normally do and then he asked me if I could help him.
He proceeded to share that those coming in on Sunday after church were
the ones that complained the most and were the least friendly. He asked me if I could do something about it. As I sat there I witnessed first hand what the manager was talking about. A man at the next table over sat there complaining about his steak. When they offered numerous times to get him a different one, he continued to complain but said no to the offer of a new steak. After the manager left his table he continued to grumble to those with him and then the subject of criticism turned to his pastor. (I was thankful they weren’t from our church because our people would never do anything like that! )
I began to ponder the manager’s statements and was reminded of II Corinthians 4:14-15 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” As believers we are to be the aroma of Christ! His aroma is
an enticing aroma. Too often our attitudes, actions, and words do not smell much like Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” This verse is an indication that people are to see something different in believers. They are to see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) They are to hear words that do not tear down but instead edify. (Ephesians 4:29) It is my prayer and desire that the manager will see something different in me and will be attracted to Christ. It’s my prayer that people will see something different in you as well.
Challenge Question: What do you smell like to others? Are they attracted to your aroma or repulsed by it?
