“BOOZE, BOOZE, AND MORE BOOZE” (GAL. 5:21)

INTRODUCTION:

1. This time of year we find people sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.

2. It is not uncommon to hear someone say, “Stay away from me. I don’t want you to make me sick”

I. THE DISEASES THAT EXIST ARE MANY. THEY ARE SO NUMEROUS THAT IN A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH A DOCTOR NOT TOO LONG AGO, A PHYSICIAN SAID TO ME, “WE DOCTORS ARE SO BUSY WITH DRUGS AND BUGS, WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO MAKE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.”

A. Out of all the things that are referred to as a disease, the one that strikes me as the most interesting

is alcohol.

B. An addiction to alcohol has been called a disease.

C. Some refer to the abuse of alcohol as an “illness”.

D. These descriptions are a bit odd.

E. If an addiction to alcohol is rightly called a disease, how does it spread?

F. Is it spread by germs? Is it caused by a virus?

G. One author, unknown to me, made these observations:

(1) If the addiction to alcohol is a disease …

(2) It is the only disease contracted by an act of the will;

(3) It is the only disease that requires a license to propagate;

(4) It is the only disease that is bottled and sold;

(5) It is the only disease that requires stores to spread it;

(6) It is the only disease that produces a revenue for the government;

(7) It is the only disease that provokes crime;

(8) It is the only disease that is habit forming;

(9) And it is the only disease that is spread by advertising.

H. Thoughtful people will recognize that an addiction to alcohol is not a disease.

I. The Bible says that an addiction to alcohol is a work of the flesh.

J. It has taken some time but we have made a careful study of Gal. 5.

K. We have not only looked at each fruit of the Spirit individually, but we have looked at all but two works of the flesh.

L. Tonight we look at the final two things in v. 21.

M. If you followed along when this verse was read, you saw the words “drunkenness and reveling”.

(1) The word “drunkenness” doesn’t need a lot of explaining.

(2) This word describes intoxication – people drink booze and lose control of themselves.

(3) A good illustration comes from the life of Alexander the Great.

(4) Alexander the Great was the ruler of Macedonia by the age of 16.

(5) He was a great General when he reached the age of 18.

(6) By the time he turned 20 he was king.

(7) Yet before Alexander reached 33 he died a drunkard.

(8) History records how this man who conquered the known world died.

(9) On the second night of a time when Alexander was “carousing”, about 20 guests were gathered around a table with him.

(10) Alexander drank to the health of each one of his guests.

(11) He then called for the “Hercules cup”.

(12) This was a large cup that contained alcohol.

(13) Alexander emptied the contents of this great cup.

(14) He commanded the cup be filled again.

(15) After the second cup, Alexander fell to the floor.

(16) He was stricken by a fever and died a few days later.

(17) It is fair to say that drinking destroyed him.

N. For years people have ingested large amounts of alcohol.

O. Drunkenness has been excused with statements like:

(1) “It’s college.”

(2) “We’re blowing off a little steam.”

(3) “It’s party time.”

(4) “This is my form of entertainment.”

(5) “It’s graduation.”

(6) “It’s Friday.” It’s New Year’s/Christmas.”

P. Our society condemns driving under the influence.

Q. Gal. 5:21 condemns being under the influence ... it doesn’t matter if we are driving or not.

R. In NT times, it was common for people to drink and many drank a lot.

S. One man has written the following about the first century world:

(1) “Even the children drank wine.”

(2) A typical breakfast didn’t consist of Wheaties and milk.

(3) Children in Greek culture often had bread dipped in wine though it is recorded that this wine was often diluted.

(4) Alcohol still has an effect on people.

(5) While in the Air Force special beer was served on a training base.

(6) The alcohol content of this brew was reduced.

(7) Even with the reduction and limits, behavior was altered.

II. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE WORDS “DRUNKENNESS” AND “REVELING”, THE IDEAS THAT ARE EXPRESSED MAY BE SUMMED UP BY THE WORD “PARTYING”. BY “PARTYING” I DO NOT MEAN BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 10. THIS IS THE TYPE OF “PARTYING” THAT MANY ADULTS ENGAGE IN.

A. If you have ever been to, or seen on TV, a place where drinks were flowing freely, perhaps drugs

were being used; fornication was taking place; and there was a general lack of control in the name

of fun. You have a definition for reveling.

B. This is fairly common in our world.

C. The following article was pulled off the Internet … it was written in November 1997 and involves

partying at the University of Oregon. (NOTE: Article is at the end of this outline.)

(1) READ.

(2) Not all so-called parties get this far out of control.

(3) Some do … some of these parties lead to some lifelong problems.

(4) Second quote from article – READ.

D. I was in high school with a lot of people who liked to party.

E. A few years ago a classmate called and invited me to a class reunion.

F. Since I couldn’t attend, I asked some questions about those in my class.

G. One of my questions was, “Has anyone from our class died?”

H. Only one person had died.

(1) The death wasn’t due to a car accident.

(2) He didn’t die because of a drive-by shooting.

(3) This man liked to party … he died of a drug overdose.

I. Third quote from the article – READ.

(1) This is a prevailing attitude. Christians are told:

(2) Our young people are going to drink; dance; smoke; do this, that and the other thing …

being young means casting off the restraints.

(3) At the age of 18 and before, let people do what they want.

III. IF PEOPLE HAVE ANY INTEREST IN CHRISTIANITY THEY WILL SAY NO TO CAROUSING, PARTYING, AND ANYTHING THAT IS EVEN REMOTELY RELATED TO THESE ACTIVITIES.

A. The reasons for this are not complicated.

B. First, the Bible says this type of behavior is the work of the flesh.

C. Second, much of the reveling that takes place is illegal.

D. Using non-prescription drugs is against the law.

E. Disorderly conduct is a crime.

F. The fights that erupt at some parties are misdemeanors.

G. Underage consumption of alcohol in some places can result in:

(1) A fine up to $1,000 and, or, six months in jail.

(2) Driving privileges may also be lost.

H. God’s people have been called into a different kind of life.

I. 1 Thess. 5:7-8 says – READ.

J. We have been called to a different kind of life.

K. We have “put off” the old man of sin.

L. The wild drinking parties and carousing of the world are not for us.

M. At various times some have come to me and said:

(1) “I understand that excess is wrong.”

(2) “Having a kind of party where we break the law would be wrong.”

(3) “How much of a party can we have without sinning?”

(4) “Could we drink a little and still be alright?”

N. The Lord sometimes answered questions by asking questions.

O. Let’s use his strategy in this case.

(1) Paul Curless was here for a meeting not too long ago.

(2) Let’s say that he was tired at the end of his week here.

(3) He was tired but he was happy.

(4) Paul felt like it was time to party … really relax before retiring for the night.

(5) He stopped by the liquor store and picked up a six-pack of beer.

(6) As he was carrying the beer out the door you saw him.

(7) What would your reaction be?

(8) Unless you are an exception to everyone I have met thus far, your reaction would not be favorable.

(9) Your thoughts would be something like these:

(a) “Wait … he’s the preacher. He just preached a meeting here.”

(b) “What’s he doing with a six-pack of beer?”

(c) “What kind of example is that?”

P. Bear in mind that in our illustration Paul was not drinking the beer … it was only in his

possession.

Q. The very fact that such an item would be in his possession would be a stumbling block.

R. If we alter our illustration a bit …

(1) Let’s say that Paul invited us over to supper.

(2) Donna has fixed a meal and we are sitting down at the table.

(3) Everyone is ready to eat and in walks Paul.

(4) He pops open a Bud Light and pours it into a glass.

(5) He’s not “partying” – he’s having a brew at dinner with his friends.

(6) What would we think?

CONCLUSION:

1. Some have attempted to tie together alcohol and Christianity.

2. The two are opposed to each other.

3. The excessive drinking and what goes with it are specifically condemned.

4. The type of life we are called to lead tells us that alcohol and what goes with it are to be things we

leave alone.

5. For our young people, you are going to be invited to parties.

6. You will have opportunities to drink; carouse; and revel.

7. You will be the one to decide whether you want a hangover or heaven.

8. We hope and pray that you will make the right choice – the smart choice.

9. If you want to choose the right way – God – and you have not yet made that choice, now is the time.

Channel 6000 News – Police Put Brakes on Partying

11/97

FIRST QUOTE:

Police say they’re enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy for excessive drinking at the University of Oregon, especially with the annual “Civil War” football game with Oregon State coming up next week.

According to The Associated Press, in recent weekends, drunken riots have broken out in a neighborhood near campus. Twice last month, police used tear gas to disperse crowds of revelers.

During the most recent incident, students uprooted signs and pelted police with rocks and beer bottles. Police used so much tear gas they ran out, and had to send for more.

Determined not to let campus-area partying get out of hand, officers – including members of the police department’s Rapid Deployment Unit – were out in force this weekend.

Students say police are overreacting.

SECOND QUOTE:

One young woman broke down in tears when told she would be ticketed. “I’m scared because I want to be a teacher,” she told AP. “If I get anything on my record, I can’t be a teacher. I only had three beers, and I don’t feel like I’ve been irresponsible.”

Patrons at Rennie’s Landing, a bar near campus, questioned why police were making such a big deal over drinking.

THIRD QUOTE:

“It’s a college town, and they need to deal with it,” Jon Hickman, a 22-year old junior, said to AP. “It’s a given: If you’re a college student, you’re going to party.”

Police said the crackdown was needed before next weekend’s game between Oregon and visiting rival Oregon State, a traditionally rowdy game.

“We are hoping the party season has eight days left, police Sgt. David Poppe told AP. “If things are normal, it will drop like a rock after that.”