Notes from 1/22/12

We continued to explore what God’s word has to say about what many perceive to be “gray area’s”

Again we must:

1. let God’s word be our final authority not history or experience
2. pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth
3. realize that while some of these topics might be unclear there is clarity on what we should be involved with and that is sharing the Gospel, giving Glory to God, being salt and light, etc. Ultimately people divide over some of these issues but we must stand firm on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and let it be our guide, present truth and grace to a dying world who needs Jesus.

We addressed the fact that History happened and is spoken of in the Bible and that we can not take verses out of context to prove a point that we want to make. Not everything recorded in the Bible is honoring to God, He has chosen to preserve the many different accounts of human failure not that he approves of it but that it is evidence of our Depravity and need of a perfect substitute (Jesus Christ) to pay for our sins.

On the subject of Alcohol. there are over 200 references to it in God’s word, some appear positive in nature, some negative….but there are Some questions we must ask first?

Did God create Alcohol?
Did God give guidelines for its use?
Is the wine and strong drink mentioned in the Bible the same as what we know today as wine and strong drink?
God’s word condemns drunkenness but what about those who take the stance of moderation…what is the basis of their stance?
God’s word condemns drunkenness but what about those who take the stance of total abstinence…what is the basis of their stance?

Regardless of your final position on Alcohol we must remember that we all will give an account to God of how we used our time, talents and treasures for His Kingdom…what were our motivations for doing what we do

What does everyone agree on? Drunkenness is a sin and we must submit to governing authorities so if you are under 21 in America you must not drink

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