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My Journey to Understanding Christ's Freedom When I was first saved in 1995 I was so in love with Jesus that I felt anything that wasn't in the Bible was sin. ?Not only was everything outside of church sin for me, but also for everyone around me. ?My parents, who at that time had been serving the Lord for over 30 years, can remember me rebuking them because they watched sports, Oprah, and movies!
I not only gave up sins, but I laid down every possible?hindrance?I could think of. ?For example, I didn't watch non-Christian movies or tv for over 12 years. ?I stopped celebrating Christmas because I believed it was pagan and still to this day don't drink any caffeine?because it reminded my of the drugs I used to do. ?When I went to Bible college my intense legalism only got worse. ?Some of my closest friends remember me correcting them for watching college football games and even going to the beach.
By the time I was pastoring my first church at 22 years old in 1999, I was requiring all of our church members and leadership to fast once a week (I fasted 3 days each week), pray for three hours a day (5am-8am), not watch any secular tv or listen to any secular music, and believe only the KJV was the Word of God.? Not to mention I wouldn't even preach on Sundays without wearing a suit with my hair slicked back! ? One time I went to a fellow Bible college student's wedding and I left in total disgust because they had dancing. ?I not only felt everyone around me was in sin, but it was my God-given calling to boldly let them know. ?
I'm So Holy Nobody Likes Me During my time of strict legalism I was the angriest and?meanest?person I'd ever been. ?People hated being around me when I got into my "holier than though" rebuke sessions. ?The staff who worked with me were deeply hurt and broken but I couldn't even see it because I was so "self-righteous." ? One day I even stopped my best friend from preaching in the middle of his sermon at my church because I felt his message was too "watered down." ?Afterwards, he spoke to my staff and found out that everyone was walking in fear of me and they were quickly losing their passion for ministry. ?Because of my legalism and lack of compassion I was choking out their love for God and ministry. Sure there were great success stories in the ministry and powerful testimonies that I hid behind and justified myself with. ?However, the underlying feeling of those who were closest to me was, "If being holy is being like Joe- than I don't want it." ?Thus, after many rebukes from great friends and godly leaders God broke through my hard religious heart and brought me to deep?repentance. The?repentance?and heart change wasn't just a one time thing, but an ongoing transformation. ?The highlight was me washing the feet of my staff and leadership with water and the tears from my eyes. ?As God began to change my heart, He also began to prepare me to merge our church plant in New Orleans with another pastor and begin to work in Chicago. ?? By the time I had moved to Chicago and was ready to start our new church, God had set me free from following many of my man-made rules. ?I was able to watch movies and not feel like a sinner, I allowed people in our church to have dancing in their weddings (I even tried to dance with my wife), I stopped forcing everyone to fast all throughout the week, and actually said it was okay to celebrate Christmas! Plus, during the first three years of our new church plant I was able to take online courses and earn a Master's Degree in Religious Education from Liberty Seminary. ?At this time I began to realize that the 16th century reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin had dealt with the very same things in regards to man made rules with the Roman?Catholic Church.
I was amazed to see the Word of God in such a fresh and freeing way. ?Here are just a few of the nuggets I began to pick up in my?in-depth?studies of the Scriptures:
1.?
The Bible is the Only Infallible Rule of Faith and Conduct: ?Meaning, all sins and blessings must come from Holy Scripture- not man's opinions, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 2.?
The Bible Is Clear About Sins: When it comes to the things God hates there is?absolutely?no confusion, specifically the "sin lists" of Paul in his epistles are so clear that everyone is without excuse, Galatians 5:17-21.
3.?What the Bible Doesn't Call a Sin is a Matter of Conscience and?Christian?Liberty:? Such things as makeup, Bible translations, dress codes, music styles, playing cards, celebrating holidays, watching TV, ?playing video games, and the like are to be decided by the believer in fellowship with God's Spirit, confirmed by his conscience in the Word of God, and lived out in fellowship with other saints, Romans 14:1-23. ?
What the Bible Says About Alcohol The last major "religious law" I was confronted with about three years ago, was "Does the Bible Call Alcohol a Sin?" ?And what better place to look for the answer than with Jesus in John 2 concerning the substance of the wine made at the wedding. ?The real question was, "Did Jesus' wine have alcohol in it?" If yes, than it only makes sense that Christians can drink alcohol too. ?However, if Jesus didn't drink alcohol than maybe we shouldn't either. ?As I began to study the commentaries and the Bible dictionaries it became abundantly clear, not only did Jesus' wine have alcohol, but He made 120 barrels of it to give people at a wedding party! Here is just a short list of commentaries and Bible dictionaries that confirm the simple fact that the wine of Jesus' day had alcohol and was enough to bring?intoxication?if not drunk in moderation. ?
- Note:?I not only found commentaries to show that the wine contained alcohol, but I still have haven't been able to find any scholarly commentaries/dictionaries that deny it!?
- Easton's Bible Dictionary, under, "wine."
- Eerdman's Bible Dictionary, "wine."
- Holman's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "wine."
- Expositor's?Bible Commentary, under John 2:6-7.?
- ESV Study Bible, John 2:3.
But it didn't stop there- once I realized that Jesus was making and drinking wine, I began to search the Scriptures and study church history and what I found literally blew me away. ?Please consider the following verses that speak?positive?of alcohol in the Bible:
Deuteronomy 14:26,
"Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice."?
Psalm 104:15,
"... wine that gladdens the heart of man,?oil to make his face shine,?and bread that sustains his heart."?
Proverbs 3:10,
"... then your barns will be filled to overflowing,?and your vats will brim over with new wine."
As I studied the Bible further concerning alcohol I began to realize that drinking alcohol had already been an issue resolved by Paul in Romans 14 where he treated it the same as keeping Jewish holidays and abstaining from meat. ?In Romans 14 Paul says things like, "don't pass judgment on disputable matters (referring to food and drink)," "who are you to judge another man's servant (in regards to non-sin issues)," "stop passing judgment on one another (regarding whether or not Christians should keep Jewish holidays)," and lastly, "the Kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (to answer all the "grey areas" at once)." Lastly, while doing a series on the book of Colossians in September 2012 I felt the Spirit of God strongly convict me by these powerful words, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day," Colossians 2:16. ?Therefore, it couldn't be more clear- we as Christians are not judge people what people eat or drink!
Church History and Alcohol Surprisingly, alcohol is not even a major issue in church history for the first 1800's and especially not in?Judaism. ?The passover had wine thus so did the communion and still does today in most churches. ?One can easily see in the Corinthian church the use of alcoholic wine with communion because they were over?indulging?and getting drunk with it, 1?Corinthians?11:20-22! ?
John Wesley, the famous preacher of holiness, brewed his own beer. ?Plus, he even recommended his preachers to drink a good ale' after their long days of circuit preaching to relax and refresh. ?John Calvin received over 200 gallons of wine for his preaching duties each year. ?And even the pious Puritans loved to drink in moderation. ?The early Christian reformers brought more beer than water with them to the new world and established breweries everywhere they went. ?
Therefore, whether it was Jesus, the preachers in the early church, or the first American revivalists- drinking in moderation wasn't an issue. ?Alcohol only became an issue when some misguided Christians in the 1800's tried to fix the problem of drunkenness by starting the temperance movement in the US. ?However, the temperance movement was both totally unknown to the Bible and church history. ?Plus, it made for a terrible policy and rightfully was done away with.
As a result, good Christians in many denominations have always both affirmed and practiced moderation- the Reformed churches, Presbyterian churches, and the Anglican church are just to name a few. ?Thus, the practice of alcohol consumption may not be the practice for everyone, however, it should a given freedom for all to choose. ?
For more info on the history of alcohol in the church and the US temperance movement, click here.
Metro Praise International's Policy Concerning Alcohol The following policy was accepted on Oct. 9, 2012 by?unanimous?vote by those present in the board meeting, Nancy, myself, and Pastor Ron Allen. ?
Our Basic Belief Regarding Alcohol: MPI church holds the traditional and most widely accepted scholastic view that the ?wine? mentioned in both the Old Testament (Hebrew, ?yayin?) and the New Testament (Greek, ?oinos?) was a fermented drink consumed in moderation. Also, other terms for alcoholic beverages such as ?strong drink? and ?new wine? found mostly in the OT we?re acceptable for God?s holy people and thus, shouldn?t be forbidden in the church age, Deuteronomy 14:26, Psalm 104:15, & Proverbs 3:10. Therefore, MPI church believes the position of ?moderation? regarding alcohol is the most consistent position from both the Old and New Covenants. Also, we believe the practice of moderation is the best way to explain the consumption of alcohol concerning God?s people in the totality of Holy Scripture, specifically concerning Jesus and the New Testament disciples, John 2:1-11 & Colossians 2:16. MPI church defines ?moderation? as, ?being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme.? And, we define the sin of ?drunkenness? mentioned in the Bible as being, ?intoxicated with alcoholic liquor to the point of impairment of physical and mental faculties.?
Our Recommend Practice Concerning Alcohol: Paul states to the people of Colossae in Colossians 2:16, ?do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink,? therefore, MPI church believes Scripturally as both leaders and fellow disciples we shouldn?t judge another Christian based on whether they drink alcohol or abstain. 2 DRINK, BUT DON?T GET DRUNK //? Jesus, being God in the flesh, drank alcohol and was even slandered as being a ?drunkard,? however, this didn?t stop Him from consuming alcohol in moderation or force Him to preach abstinence, Matthew 11:19. Therefore, MPI church, like Jesus, doesn?t teach abstinence, but rather condemns all forms of drunkenness (a) public and private drunkenness, (b) drunken parties, (c) underage drinking, and (d) wicked actions that are associated with the sin of drunkenness- such as vulgarity, violence, perversion, and the like, 1 Peter 4:3 & Galatians 5:21. 3 ALWAYS CONSIDER THE WEAKER BROTHER // MPI church believes along with the Apostle Paul in Romans 14 that though it is both acceptable and holy to eat non-kosher food and drink wine, the one practicing their freedom shouldn?t cause the ?weaker brother to stumble.? Therefore, MPI believes alcohol shouldn?t be treated any different than eating non-Jewish food, thus, the one with freedom must consider the weaker brothers/sisters that may be present. And as a result, not allow their freedom to make the weaker stumble. MPI believes for there to be both ?freedom to drink? and ?absence not to drink? both the weak and strong in faith must (a) communicate their feelings in regards to alcohol being drank in their presence, and (b) act in love, without passing judgment or forcing their freedom on another; ?For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,? Romans 14:17.
Most Common Objections Found in Proverbs "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." Comment:?The key phrase here is
"led astray," thus it is not speaking about the moderation point of view, but rather those who are
"led astray" in drunkenness.
Application:?Don't be "led astray" from the path of righteous by your use of alcohol.
2 // Proverbs 23:20-21 & 29-35, 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. ?29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. ?31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ?35 ?They hit me,? you will say, ?but I?m not hurt! They beat me, but I don?t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?? Comment:?The keys phrases in these two passages are,
"drink too much wine," and
"those who linger over wine,"?thus, the only way a person can feel the effects of verses 32-35 is if they over drink.
Application:?Don't drink too much and become drunk, poor, see strange things, have blood shot eyes, think people are hitting you, and utter strange things. ?Therefore, if you can't drink in moderation- don't drink at all. ?Also, note verses 32-35 serve as a great standard to what "being drunk is" from a biblical perspective. ?
4 ?It is not for kings, O Lemuel?not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. ?6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Comment:?The key phrase is
"lest they drink and forget what the law decrees," this command is similar to the law given to priests not to drink while they were serving in the temple- thus a King shouldn't drink while he is in the seat of judgment (i.e., "at work"). ?However, both Kings and Priests drank while not on duty, King David- 2 Samuel 16:11 & Priests- Deuteronomy 18:3-4.
Application:?Don't drink at work or while you are making important decisions.
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Summary:1. If these Proverbs were intending to teach total "abstinence" then they stand in direct contradiction to the other clear passages also found in Proverbs and Ecclesiates by the same author Solomon- not to mention all the positive metaphors of wine in the Song of Solomon.
Thus, the only way to harmonize the passages with their "positives and negatives" is to see the "key phrases" and notice that they are all referring to either, (a) "drunkenness" or (b) inappropriate times of drinking.
2. Therefore, if these Proverbs we're teaching absence then no one listened- including Jesus! ?For Jesus and the disciples drank wine and Paul never used these Proverbs to warn against drinking alcohol in his epistles, he simply taught "don't be drunk with wine."
The Jewish Passover was and is still served with alcohol along with all the other feast days ?Thus, Jewish believers viewed alcohol in view of the whole council of the Scriptures,?click here to see the wine used in the Jewish Passover.
Verses in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Noting the Positives?of Alcohol:
(a) New Wine is a Blessing, Not a Curse // Proverbs 3:10, "... then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
(b) Wisdom Calls People To Have a Drink of Wine // Proverbs 9:5-6, 5 ?Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding."
(c) Drink Wine with a Joyful Heart // Ecclesiastes 9:7, "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do."
Great Resources Regarding Alcohol in the Bible and Modern Science 1. Great sermon on moderation and Christian liberty from Reformed Pastor Mark Driscoll in Seattle, click here. 2. A powerful scholarly article from New Testament scholar Daniel Wallace of Dallas Theological Seminary on alcohol and the Bible, click here.? 3.
Medical News Today (MNT) sites many of the studies that prove the benefits of moderate drinking mentioned in the Bible. ?For example, the Bible states in Psalm 104:15, "wine makes the heart glad," and medical studies show a moderate amount of alcohol can prevent heart desease,?click here?to read. 4. The Mayo Clinic outlines the positive effects of moderation as well as giving the much needed warnings to drunkenness, click here to read. 5. Great website with fun facts concerning alcohol, Christianity, and US history, click here to read.? 6. Concise and practical article from Live Strong Magazine about the benefits of moderation, click here to read.?
Safety Measures to Drinking?Responsibly and In Holiness
1. Never drink alcohol in the US if you're under 21. ?
2. If you have a history of alcoholism and?drunkenness, avoid alcohol altogether because the benefits are not worth the risk of?relapse.
3. Don't drink alcohol if your conscience is grieved.
4. Don't drink around others who are grieved in their conscience. ?
5. When drinking, aim to not drink more than one serving of alcohol per hour- 12 oz beer, 5oz wine, or 1.5 of strong drink, click here for moderation chart. ? 6. Both men and women shouldn't drink more than what is healthy for their body per day. ?Moderation is defined as 1 serving or less a day for women and 2 servings or less per day for men, click here for the US Government Report on alcohol.?
7. If you currently have a drinking problem, (a) call out to God for help, (b) repent of the sin of drunkenness, (c) look for a good church to help you, and (d) join a Christian recovery program with accountability. ?
Source: http://metropraise.blogspot.com/2012/10/alcohol-blessing-or-curse.html
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