29 Jun ‘Let’s Get Healthy’ | Part 5: ‘Think Before You Drink’ – ‘A Biblical Look at Alcohol’
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AMAZIN’ G’RACE EVENT JULY 19!
Join us for AMAZIN’ G’RACE on Friday, July 19—an exciting competition based on the show The Amazing Race. Gather your team of four and take on a series of physical and mental challenges designed to test your teamwork, creativity, and determination. The winning team will take home a $500 cash prize ($125 per person). It’s just $10 per person to enter, and the starting location will be revealed at the event. Sign up now and get ready to race with purpose! REGISTER HERE
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AND
🎉 Support Abundant Hope’s Celebrate Life Gala!
Who: You or your Group
What: Donate 🎁 raffle baskets ($50–$100) or 🎟️ larger auction items (tickets, getaways, services)
When: Drop-off by 🗓️ July 27, 2025
Where: Info Central at your location
Why: To bless Abundant Hope as they celebrate 17 years of saving lives & sharing Christ ❤️
How: Get creative, give generously, and help make their 🎊 Gala on Thursday, Sept. 25 a huge success!
Let’s be a voice for life—together! 💬✨
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Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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Key Verse: Proverbs 23
Ice Breaker Question
How are you celebrating the Fourth of July this year?
Opening Prayer
Father, thank You for the wisdom You give through Your Word. Please help us to listen with open hearts and sober minds. Guide our discussion as we seek to honor You in our choices and grow in spiritual maturity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- WISDOM goes to the WORD regarding ALCOHOL.
Proverbs 23:19 ESV
The Book of Proverbs was written by a father to his son.
The point of wisdom is to direct your heart in the way it should go.
- WINE is part of God’s CREATION.
Psalm 104:14–15 ESV
Deuteronomy 14:26 ESV
Proverbs 3:9-19 (ESV). Wine is a sign of blessing.
Jesus turned water into wine, as recorded in John 2. He drank fermented wine.
Q. How can understanding wine as part of God’s creation affect how we view its use?
Practical Application:
Reflect on whether your choices related to alcohol honor God, and consider how something God created for good can be used wisely—or misused.
B. Ancient World health REQUIRED FERMENTATION.
1 Timothy 5:23 ESV
Water in the ancient world was dangerous. Without the benefits of purification and filtration, it was often filled with hazardous biomes and pathogens, leading to a wide range of illnesses. You needed fermentation to kill the harmful microbe. Fermentation was a gift of God’s common grace in the ancient world.
C. BIBLICAL wine is NOT like MODERN wine.
In the ancient world, wine typically contained 6-10 percent alcohol before dilution and was usually diluted before consumption.
Q. How does understanding the health conditions of the ancient world help us interpret the Bible’s references to wine and its use?
Practical Application:
Research or read more about biblical wine and how its differences from today’s Alcohol should impact your choices.
God commends SELECT people to ABSTAIN:
1. The Priests serving in the Temple – Leviticus 10:8-9
2. Kings are told not to drink in Proverbs – Proverbs 31:4-5
3. Nazarites – Numbers 6:3-4. These were people who were either called to or chose to undergo an exceptional level of consecration to God.
When God calls someone to something BIG, He expects them to stay SOBER.
D. God has ABSOLUTES on Alcohol.
1. Drunkenness is always sin.
Galatians 5:21 ESV
2. We are called to be sober-minded.
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
3. My freedom must not cause others to stumble.
Romans 14:21 ESV
Q. How do these absolute truths shape your understanding of personal responsibility and freedom in Christ?
Practical Application:
Evaluate how your behavior around Alcohol could impact others, especially newer believers or those in recovery.
2. WISDOM sees the DANGER of ALCOHOL.
Proverbs 23:29-30 ESV
This text is the Bible’s description of a hangover.
The Physical Effects of Alcohol:
A. Alcohol SHRINKS the brain.
B. Alcohol HIJACKS your HORMONES.
C. Alcohol TRASHES the GUT and weakens the IMMUNE SYSTEM.
D. Alcohol inhibits WEIGHT LOSS.
Alcohol gives you a smaller brain, a slower gut, a heavier body, and a weaker spirit.
Q. What dangers—both spiritual and physical—does Alcohol present according to Scripture and science, and which of these have you seen impact people the most?
Practical Application:
Identify any areas where Alcohol may be causing harm physically, emotionally, or spiritually in your life or community, and ask God for wisdom and courage to make any needed changes.
3. WISDOM sees the DECEPTION of ALCOHOL.
Proverbs 23:31-32 ESV
This is the same admonition the Bible gives concerning sexual sin.
Proverbs 23:33-34 ESV
Q. What lies or false promises does alcohol offer, according to these verses?
Practical Application:
Write down any ways you’ve seen Alcohol deceive you or others, and pray for God’s truth to replace those lies.
4. WISDOM sees the DEPENDENCY that Alcohol CREATES.
Proverbs 23:35 ESV
Everything alcohol PROMISES, God PROVIDES.
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
God does not want us just to abstain; He wants us to be filled and filled not as in a glass but as in a sail.
Q. How does dependency on Alcohol develop, and what makes it so hard to break?
Practical Application:
Ask God to fill you with His Spirit in any area where Alcohol or another substance has taken hold.
Key Takeaways
What are 2 or 3 takeaways you received from this message?
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for the truth and clarity of Your Word. We confess the ways we’ve looked for satisfaction outside of You. Fill us with Your Spirit and lead us to live wisely and compassionately, influencing others with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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