Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Alcohol: God’s Dangerous Gift, taken from Psalm 104:14-15 and Proverbs 20:1. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Alcohol is one of God’s good gifts that he gives us to enjoy
   A. Alcohol is presented as a blessing from God
      – Psalm 104:14-15; Ecclesiastes 9:7
   B. Alcohol is used positively in celebrations
      – Gen 14:18-20; Dt 14:26; Is 25:6; Mk 14:23-25; Jn 2:1-11
   C. Alcohol is also used for medicinal purposes
      – Proverbs 31:6-7; Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:23

II. Alcohol poses special dangers (Proverbs 20:1)
   A. The danger of intoxication
      – Lev 10:9; Eph 5:18; vice lists (Rom 13:13; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Pet 4:3-4)
   B. The danger of potential addiction
      – Proverbs 23:29-33; Isaiah 5:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Titus 2:3
   C. The danger of negatively impacting others
      – Proverbs 31:4-5; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 3:2-3,8

III. Alcohol use is a matter of Christian freedom
   A. We should not judge those with different convictions
      – Romans 14:1-3
   B. We need to be sensitive to those who struggle with alcohol
      – Romans 14:13-16
   C. We need to maintain a clear conscience before God
      – Romans 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.