Okay, the title of the message tonight is The Myth of Alcohol in Moderation, and our scriptures are in Philippians 4 and 1 Corinthians 9. Philippians 4-5, let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. and 1 Corinthians 9 25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. Let's pray. Dear God, we thank you that we could gather, Lord, and we thank you for your word, Lord, and how clear it is on many topics, Lord God, and gives us everything we need, Lord. And we just pray that our hearts would be open tonight to hear your word. In Jesus' name, amen. So tonight's topic is one that our church has preached on a few times. I think we're all clear on it, but it continues to be something that is discussed both in churches and the world. Should we drink alcohol, even in moderation? This is a question that has been debated for years, with some arguing that moderate drinking is permissible, while others believe it is better to abstain entirely. As Christians, our ultimate goal should be to follow God's word for everything. Let's start by looking at the world's perspective on alcohol. In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the safety of alcohol consumption. The U.S. government is considering updating its dietary guidelines in 2025 to state that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Currently, the guidelines suggest that men can safely consume two drinks per day and women can have one. However, new research is calling this into question. A report from the National Cancer Institute has highlighted the risks associated with alcohol consumption, stating that it increases the likelihood of developing at least seven types of cancer. For those undergoing cancer treatment, alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of their treatment, and even for long-term cancer survivors, regular alcohol consumption may increase the risk of cancer recurrence. Some past studies claim that drinking in moderation was healthy, but most studies didn't include younger people. Almost half of the people who die from alcohol-related causes die before the age of 50. If you're studying people who survived in the middle age, didn't quit drinking because of a problem, and didn't become a heavy drinker, that's a very select group, one of the study's authors said. It creates an appearance of a benefit for moderate drinkers that is actually a statistical illusion. I'd like to pause here to mention that both my wife and I have family members that have passed away at a young age from diseases that were seemingly unrelated to alcohol, at least on the surface, but they were regular drinkers. And based on these recent studies, alcohol likely played a role in their declining health. Another article titled, Why Alcohol Is So Dangerous for Young Adults' Brains, says that alcohol is a toxin. Its dangers span fatal accidents, liver disease, and many kinds of cancer. Even small quantities can be carcinogenic, leading the World Health Organization to declare that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health. The consequences may not be immediately evident in cognitive tests. In a young brain, the regions responsible for problem solving can work a little bit harder to make up for the deficits. It cannot keep this up forever, however. After multiple years of drinking, we see less activation in the brain and poorer performance on these tests. Just these physical consequences alone make drinking alcohol wrong before God. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6, 19-20, What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. We're called to honor God with our bodies. This includes making choices that protect our health and well-being. If alcohol poses a risk to our health, then it is not in line with God's word. But beyond the physical health risks, alcohol also poses significant spiritual and moral dangers. The Bible mentions wine in a good way in a number of passages. For example, when Jesus turned water into wine. We know that in these cases wine is referring to grape juice. The Bible says in Isaiah 65 8, Thus saith the Lord, as the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it. So will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. The wine the Bible is referring to is found inside the grape and is not alcoholic. Alcoholic wine, on the other hand, has a way of impairing judgment, lowering inhibitions, and leading people to make choices they might not otherwise make. The Bible repeatedly warns us about the dangers of drunkenness and the negative effects of alcohol. The Bible explicitly condemns drinking alcoholic wine in Proverbs 23. Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine. They that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick. They have beaten me, and I felt it not. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. We can see the negative effects of alcohol from sorrow and strife to wounds without cause. Alcohol is likened to a serpent that bites and stings, deceiving those who indulge in it. The passage also warns that alcohol can lead to perverse behavior, impaired judgment, and a desire for more. It says to not look at it at all. The Bible says in Isaiah 511, Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, till wine inflame them. This is a warning to those who pursue alcohol from morning to night. Allow it to inflame their passions and lead them away from God. This is a reminder that alcohol can become an idol, something we turn to for comfort, escape, or pleasure, instead of seeking God for these things. The Bible also says in 1 Peter 4.3, For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries. Before Christ, our lives may have been marked by excess, but now that we belong to Christ, we are called to leave those behaviors behind and live in a way that is holy and pleasing to God. What are some of the real-world consequences of alcohol? The dangers of alcohol are not just theoretical or spiritual. They have real-world consequences that can be devastating. Alcohol is often involved in tragic events, even when it is not directly identified as the cause. Here are just a few examples where alcohol played a role in something terrible happening. Keep in mind, these are only stories that were reported by large media companies and are just the tip of the iceberg. First is alcohol-related violence. In 2022, a study found that alcohol use is a major contributing factor to violent crimes, including domestic violence and assaults. The study showed that alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior. Second is a college hazing incident. In 2021, a college student died after participating in a hazing ritual that involved excessive drinking. The student was pressured by his peers to drink large amounts of alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning and his untimely death. These examples show how alcohol can lead to devastating consequences, not just for the drinker, but for others as well. The impact of alcohol extends far beyond the individual, affecting families and the population in general. Next I'd like to talk about the slippery slope of moderation. We know that the Bible has zero tolerance for alcohol. We shouldn't drink a single drop or even look at it. But one of the most common arguments in favor of alcohol is that it's okay as long as it's done in moderation. But for those that believe this, what exactly does moderation mean? And is it really as harmless as it sounds? The truth is, the slippery slope of moderation can easily lead to excess, addiction, and destruction. James 1, 14-15 says, But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. The Bible warns us that temptation starts small but can quickly grow into something much more dangerous. The same is true with alcohol. What might begin as a, quote, harmless drink can lead to a habit, which can then turn into an addiction. Before long, a person can find themselves trapped in a cycle of sin that leads to destruction. Brother Sopek recently shared a testimony about how trying something just once can cause a change in your brain, leading to addiction very quickly. This is especially true with alcohol. Even a small amount can impair your judgment, making it easier to justify drinking more the next time. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10-12, This is a reminder to be vigilant. Just because we think we can handle something in moderation doesn't mean we are immune to its dangers. You must be careful not to become overconfident in our ability to resist temptation, lest we fall into sin. The Bible goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 10, 13, there are no temptation taking you, but such as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you're able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it. God is faithful and provides a way of escape from every temptation, including the temptation to drink. This means avoiding situations that could potentially involve alcohol. The next point is that consuming alcohol can impact others. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible says in Mark 12, 30 and 31, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. We should love God by keeping his commandments regarding the things he prohibits. The second commandment about loving our neighbor means being aware of how our choices affect them. Drinking alcohol isn't just a personal decision. It can have far-reaching consequences for those around us. I want to share a personal story to illustrate the impact that alcohol can have on others. I may have told some of you this, but my dad's mother, my grandmother, was tragically killed by a drunk driver when my dad was just a small child. The whole family was out for a drive. My grandfather was at the wheel, and my grandmother was holding my dad in her lap. When the accident happened, they were hit by a drunk driver. My dad bit his tongue so hard that he still has a scar to this day. His sister has a scar on her face as a result of the accident." Right here. This tragic event shows how drinking alcohol can have a life-altering consequence, not just for the drinker, but for innocent people as well. I remember my dad telling me when I was young that he didn't drink alcohol because of this, and he told me I shouldn't drink it either. To this day, I don't drink. I think it would bless families if their children made a commitment to never touch alcohol. The Bible clearly says we shouldn't do it, and that should be enough. But seeing the impact it has on others should give us added motivation to not consider it at all. Next, let's talk about the example we set for others. We are called to be light in a dark world. The choices we make can have a powerful impact on those around us, including other family members. We must consider the example we are setting for others, especially for younger believers or those who are struggling in their faith. The Bible says in Matthew 5, 14 to 16, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. We are called to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify God. When we abstain from alcohol, we are making a statement to the world that our lives are set apart for God's glory. The Bible says in Titus 2, 7-8, In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works. in doctrine shooing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. We should show a pattern of good works in everything we do. Our lives should be marked by holiness, so that those who oppose us have nothing negative to say. By choosing to live above reproach, including in our decisions about alcohol, we demonstrate the power of God in our lives. In conclusion, the Bible is clear on the topic of alcohol. In addition to explicitly forbidding it, it provides numerous warnings about the dangers of drunkenness, the deceitfulness of alcohol, and the potential harm it can cause to ourselves and others. We have seen that alcohol can have devastating consequences, physically, spiritually, and for society as a whole. It is involved in many tragic events and can easily become a stumbling block for us or those around us. The slippery slope of moderation can lead us down a path of addiction and destruction, which is why it's important to obey God and not touch it. We can see the world gaining understanding of the dangers of alcohol. Hopefully this will help some Christians that should know better come around as well. Dear God, we thank you for your word and how clear it is on alcohol, Lord God. And I'd like to just pray, Lord God, that no one in this church would ever touch alcohol, Lord God. It's extremely wicked and dangerous, Lord. And we just pray for any friends and family members we know that might struggle with this, Lord, that you just help them. In Jesus' name, amen.