Recently i was asked by our exe. pastor to make a list of values that we as a staff team should live by when dealing with each other. It sent me on a journey, so i thought i would share my thoughts with you.
Tell me what you think of these 10 Values to live by as a teammate.
There are some things that should be the desire from all staff members.
Here are ten values, I as a staff should live, love & lead by.
1. Love God. I want to be a person who authentically loves God every day. There is not a need for an extremely gifted person who seems to only live a life of religious routine. I want to truly know and love God and love working with the team, God has synced me with.
2. Live a life of faith. I want to model walking with the Lord in true faith, by stepping out in ways that don’t always make sense to our human minds. Peter walking on the water was witnessed by the others. I do not want to witness the miraculous, i want to experience it!
3. Be a true spiritual leader. In the church, we call ourselves “spiritual leaders,” so I want to actually lead in spiritual things. I need to be spiritually-focused and spirit-led in interacting with the team.
4. Know and love Scripture. I want to be in Scripture regularly, interacting with it, and seeking to know it better. My entire Christian faith stems from the truths of Scripture, therefore, i seek to know it for myself and for the team I am in spiritual leadership with.
5. Avoid behavior management. I desire to be more concerned about the spiritual condition of our team than them having proper or improper behavior. I want them to witness, regularly, my heart and my actions being in tune with the spirit of the team. My most opportune moment for this is when disagreements occur.
6. Hang with the team. Relationships are started at a meeting, but built outside of that time. I desire to spend as much time with the team outside of weekly meetings as possible, without compromising my family or personal time.
7. Know the big picture. I want to, regardless of the age-stage I am working with, to realize that my branch in this ministry, as vital as it may be, is just a part of a life-long discipleship process of the individuals i am leading with the my fellow teammates. My ministry isn’t the end, but simply a means to a much greater end (Philippians 1:6) for every student I lead for a season thate we, as a team, groom for eternity.
8. Integrate into families. Having relationships with the team is great, but getting to know and love their families is far better. We are players on the starting line-up. I want to find ways to positively reinforce what we are endeavoring to do in our meetings by having a greater chemistry between families, not just colleagues.
9. Force thought. I desire to force our team to think, not just be given answers. Far too many meetings have been spoon-fed activities & ideas into my life, never being forced to think through own my own and then share from my perspective. This is detrimental, and a major cause of team detachment. I want to respectfully challenge the process and base the outcome off the truth that is the Word of God and for the betterment of the Whole.
10. Be teachable. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to teach someone who is unteachable. I define a teacher as a constant student who has learned (and is still learning)a lesson worth passing on. I need to understand that this is the means by which the Lord brings me to greater maturity (1 Peter 5:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-16).
hope i helped, gw
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Advice to Young Guys Stepping into Ministry
Recently, I was to give a few suggestions for young ministers who were stepping into ministry to consider as they walk into the zany world that is the Church. It went over so well, i thought i would throw them at you to see if they help!!
here we go:
1. Have an out. Life cannot ALWAYS be about the business of the Lord. Sabbath is commandment #4 in case you forgot. Find your "calgon, take me away" thing and make sure it is a CONSTANT part of your life! Me? I like blowing stuff up with my guns!! scary, i know!
2. Preserve your wife's church. This is a HUGE mistake i see happen. Guys come and blast the church and everything about the staff, etc. Guys feel better, but women (for the most part) internalize everything and hold grudges. I suggest never discussing a problem in the heat of the battle. Wait until you have the issue resolved and then talk to her about it. You won't be stressed and she will not feel the need to defend your honor. Example: If you have ran the minister of music in the dirt all week, it will be nearly impossible for her to be led into God's presence by him/her on Sunday. Be smart for family, not selfish to make yo feel better.
3. Go HOME. You will NEVER make every person happy! you will NEVER send enough emails! You will NEVER visit enough hospitals! You will NEVER do it all! set a time you are going to leave and GO HOME! When you get home, be there! These are the people who deserve to get all of you, as well.
4. Reserve your 1st impression for your 3rd interaction. People are so guarded by nature and they work hard to make themselves look better than they really are. Give people a chance before you throw them in a category they aren't really suited for, good or bad. Bottom line, it takes time to KNOW people.
5. Relational. Relational. Relational. Any long-term ministry team has to be balanced with relationship. Too much focus on the business relationship, and your relationship will exist as long as there isn't a better deal. Too much focus on the personal relationship side, and the person will grow less respectful of you and the office you hold. either way, people have to get to know you. They buy into people before vision and purpose is enticing enough to make a change for.
6. Learn to "Play ALL the Instruments." Everybody's not the same so you can't treat them the same. A saxophone and trombone require two different methods of making music come out. Yet both are vital to a jazz band. Learn what people need and make a melody that is in harmony with others on your team.
7. Have a Creation mindset. Take your God-sized dream and make it into a man-sized stratedgy. At each accomplishment on the way to your overall goal, have an "It is Good" celebration! make sure you involve yourself as an honored guest to that party!
Hope i helped,
pg
here we go:
1. Have an out. Life cannot ALWAYS be about the business of the Lord. Sabbath is commandment #4 in case you forgot. Find your "calgon, take me away" thing and make sure it is a CONSTANT part of your life! Me? I like blowing stuff up with my guns!! scary, i know!
2. Preserve your wife's church. This is a HUGE mistake i see happen. Guys come and blast the church and everything about the staff, etc. Guys feel better, but women (for the most part) internalize everything and hold grudges. I suggest never discussing a problem in the heat of the battle. Wait until you have the issue resolved and then talk to her about it. You won't be stressed and she will not feel the need to defend your honor. Example: If you have ran the minister of music in the dirt all week, it will be nearly impossible for her to be led into God's presence by him/her on Sunday. Be smart for family, not selfish to make yo feel better.
3. Go HOME. You will NEVER make every person happy! you will NEVER send enough emails! You will NEVER visit enough hospitals! You will NEVER do it all! set a time you are going to leave and GO HOME! When you get home, be there! These are the people who deserve to get all of you, as well.
4. Reserve your 1st impression for your 3rd interaction. People are so guarded by nature and they work hard to make themselves look better than they really are. Give people a chance before you throw them in a category they aren't really suited for, good or bad. Bottom line, it takes time to KNOW people.
5. Relational. Relational. Relational. Any long-term ministry team has to be balanced with relationship. Too much focus on the business relationship, and your relationship will exist as long as there isn't a better deal. Too much focus on the personal relationship side, and the person will grow less respectful of you and the office you hold. either way, people have to get to know you. They buy into people before vision and purpose is enticing enough to make a change for.
6. Learn to "Play ALL the Instruments." Everybody's not the same so you can't treat them the same. A saxophone and trombone require two different methods of making music come out. Yet both are vital to a jazz band. Learn what people need and make a melody that is in harmony with others on your team.
7. Have a Creation mindset. Take your God-sized dream and make it into a man-sized stratedgy. At each accomplishment on the way to your overall goal, have an "It is Good" celebration! make sure you involve yourself as an honored guest to that party!
Hope i helped,
pg
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Way to Purity
One of the things i do each day is read from Oswald Chambers' devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. This was the devotion today. It spoke profoundly to me, so i thought i would share it with you, as well.
262011
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
262011
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Be Useful to your Pastor...
2Timothy 4:11- Bring Mark with you , for he is useful to me in the ministry.
I came across this verse in my devotions this morning. Let me give you some food for thought regarding this verse.
1. Mark had been cast aside from Paul for forsaking him at a critical moment in his missionary tour with Barnabas ( Ac 15:37 - 40; 13:5 , 13 ). Bottom line: he blew it in a critical moment when his senior pastor needed him to produce. Mark let him down. Nothing is worse then counting on someone you can't count on. Mark was not useful to Paul. The truth is, if you are not useful to your leader, you are useless to him/her.
2. Paul is writing to Timothy, who occupied the same post in relation to Paul as Mark once held. Your position can be done by someone else. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking you are not expendable. Not arrogance, but ignorance is the cause of a people thinking God's work cannot be done without them. Just because He called you, doesn't means He needs you. You must walk humbly in your bold calling.
3. Paul wipes out the past by giving high praise of Mark to Timothy. Great leaders never let bridges on fire burn to the ground. Paul never completely walked away from Mark. I believe this is the essence of great leadership. When a leader can stay connected when they have been left or hurt, that leader is something special. Very rarely do you ever see this in practice today. The church leadership has adopted the philosophy, "if you aren't on staff with me, then you are against me." Lord, help us to get back to secure leadership.
4. Timothy and Mark must have had some sort of relationship. Can you imagine having a strong relationship with the person who took your place? Can you imagine being truly connected to a ministry you walked away from to the point when the leader asks for you to walk with him, you do? Look how foreign this is in our church world today. We check the attendance and the tithe and run our mouths off about the person we let down, as if it was their fault we screwed up! Paul sent Timothy to get the guy he replaced. How could egos be removed so the work of the ministry could get accomplished? Answer. It was about the work of the ministry and not the ego of the ministers. That's how it has to be done.
Bottom line, our job is to simply be useful to our senior pastor today. Whether it's carrying boxes to his car or being in the meeting mentally that your body is in physically, be useful. Whether you are working on the grad service or just trying to keep the student ministry out of his way, be useful. Whether you are cleaning up after the senior adults who left their mess in your area or you are shooting him/her a text to let him know you are praying for him, be useful. People are paid by the problems they solve, not produce, for their leaders. If you are a problem-solver, and not a problem-producer, there will always be a position for you to fill. Why? YOU ARE USEFUL!
Hope I helped,
pg
I came across this verse in my devotions this morning. Let me give you some food for thought regarding this verse.
1. Mark had been cast aside from Paul for forsaking him at a critical moment in his missionary tour with Barnabas ( Ac 15:37 - 40; 13:5 , 13 ). Bottom line: he blew it in a critical moment when his senior pastor needed him to produce. Mark let him down. Nothing is worse then counting on someone you can't count on. Mark was not useful to Paul. The truth is, if you are not useful to your leader, you are useless to him/her.
2. Paul is writing to Timothy, who occupied the same post in relation to Paul as Mark once held. Your position can be done by someone else. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking you are not expendable. Not arrogance, but ignorance is the cause of a people thinking God's work cannot be done without them. Just because He called you, doesn't means He needs you. You must walk humbly in your bold calling.
3. Paul wipes out the past by giving high praise of Mark to Timothy. Great leaders never let bridges on fire burn to the ground. Paul never completely walked away from Mark. I believe this is the essence of great leadership. When a leader can stay connected when they have been left or hurt, that leader is something special. Very rarely do you ever see this in practice today. The church leadership has adopted the philosophy, "if you aren't on staff with me, then you are against me." Lord, help us to get back to secure leadership.
4. Timothy and Mark must have had some sort of relationship. Can you imagine having a strong relationship with the person who took your place? Can you imagine being truly connected to a ministry you walked away from to the point when the leader asks for you to walk with him, you do? Look how foreign this is in our church world today. We check the attendance and the tithe and run our mouths off about the person we let down, as if it was their fault we screwed up! Paul sent Timothy to get the guy he replaced. How could egos be removed so the work of the ministry could get accomplished? Answer. It was about the work of the ministry and not the ego of the ministers. That's how it has to be done.
Bottom line, our job is to simply be useful to our senior pastor today. Whether it's carrying boxes to his car or being in the meeting mentally that your body is in physically, be useful. Whether you are working on the grad service or just trying to keep the student ministry out of his way, be useful. Whether you are cleaning up after the senior adults who left their mess in your area or you are shooting him/her a text to let him know you are praying for him, be useful. People are paid by the problems they solve, not produce, for their leaders. If you are a problem-solver, and not a problem-producer, there will always be a position for you to fill. Why? YOU ARE USEFUL!
Hope I helped,
pg
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Christian Potheads???
If you have been in this youth culture for a while, WEED always seems to come into question. I just received an email from one of my former high school students who is in the middle of a faith crisis and wanted me to help him "land" on this issue of being saved and still being able to "smoke it up." Instead of just inboxing him, i thought i would use his question as an opportunity to BLOG. Maybe i can help you, as i try and lead him along his path from a biblical perspective.
Scriptures about weed - Okay, so there are no verses that talk directly about marijuana. Is that surprising? Although the Bible mentions weed, it was the kind that interferes with agriculture (Genesis 3:18). Pot was something you cooked in (Numbers 11:18). The only smoking that was going on at the time the Bible was written was caused by burning wood, houses, sacrifices, and ultimately, people (at the judgment). So, smoking of cigarettes and marijuana are not mentioned in the Bible.
What a Christian is - At this point, we need to back up a little to examine the question from a more fundamental perspective. We originally asked if it was okay for a Christian to use marijuana and other drugs. The question we need to ask first is "Who is a Christian?"
Aren't you a Christian if you go to church and at some point went up front in response to an altar call? Jesus said that people are Christians if they believe in Him. Jesus also indicated that those who believed would hear His voice and follow Him. Part of the process of following Jesus is to repent. Repentance is a fancy Christian word that means to turn from one's sins and go in the opposite direction (righteousness). Jesus said that those who do not repent will perish. Jesus also indicated what kind of commitment one should make to be considered His disciple:
Then He [Jesus] said to them all: "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
So, Jesus made it quite clear that a casual confession of "faith" isn't going to cut it. One who really believes in Jesus will follow Him as their ultimate purpose in life. Now that we have a clear understanding of who is a Christian, we can go back to the original question.
Mind-altering Drugs - Although the Bible does not address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mind-altering drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use of drugs in the book of Galatians:
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
So, where are the drugs mentioned in this verse? Actually, the word translated "sorcery" is the Greek word pharmakeia, from which we get the English word "pharmacy." The primary meaning is "the use or the administering of drugs" (usually associated with sorcery or idolatry). Since this verse comes from a list of things that if practiced would preclude one from heaven, this should be a reasonably strong suggestion that the Christian should not practice drug use. In addition, the book of Revelation lists drug use as one of the things for which the unrepentant will suffer the wrath of God.
The Bible has a lot to say about alcohol. At the time, there was no hard (distilled) liquor, just wine and beer (which was more diluted at that time then it is now). Even so, the Bible has much to say about people who used wine to get drunk. One was Lot, who got drunk and slept with his daughters. Others sold girls to get wine to get drunk. The Bible warns about the bad effects of getting drunk - seeing strange sights and being confused, saying stupid things, making poor decisions, vomiting, getting involved in fights, and losing one's wealth. We are warned not to join with those people. The consequences of such behavior is judgment. Jesus Himself used two examples of those who will be drunk when God comes to judge the world. God's judgment of such behavior does not paint a pretty picture. The New Testament condemns drunkenness and warns that those who engage in that behavior will not inherit the kingdom of God (i.e., heaven).
The Old Testament warns the priests not to go into God's house drunk, or they will die. In the New Testament, those who serve in the body of Christ are not to be addicted to wine or any other sordid thing. Even those who do not directly serve in the church are warned not to be addicted to wine. Finally, the New Testament commands us to not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit of God:
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
Does marijuana get one intoxicated? Even proponents of marijuana usage encourage users never to drive a motor vehicle while using marijuana. Why is this? Because when one use marijuana, one is legally intoxicated and incapable of clear thinking and reasonable reactions. Being intoxicated is clearly condemned in scripture. So, if one uses drugs or anything else to escape and get high, or is addicted to these substances, it is against the commands of scripture and inappropriate for Christian participation.
Illegal - Besides the moral question, there is the legal question. Christians are commanded by the scriptures to be in subjection to governing authorities and submit to every human institution.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
The only exception to this command would be if those in authority directly contradicted the commands of God. Since smoking marijuana was never a command of God, Christians should not smoke marijuana where doing so is illegal.
The point of freedom - We do have freedom in Christ, but that freedom is not to be used to sin:
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. (1 Peter 2:16)
The freedom of Christ is freedom to follow Him in service to others. We are not to use the law as an excuse for immorality (e.g., "I can't help that person because it is the Sabbath"). Likewise, we are not to allow things (e.g., drugs) to bring us under their control:
"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:18-19)
We are not to be slaves of sin, engaging in fleshly desires and lusts, but we are to serve the living God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:11-13)
There are many who call themselves Christian, but basically serve their own desires. God will not be deceived by those who play the Christianity game. Jesus said that you will know them by their love for one another, and not love of self.
Kingdom Allegiance - Ultimately, the most important principle in the Christian life is to do what Jesus told us to do. When Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment, he answered:
And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
Obviously, smoking marijuana does nothing to fulfill this most important commandment. Along the same lines, Jesus said that people should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. However, these days, it seems that many "Christians" seek first the kingdom of self and its attendant pleasures. The scriptures predicted as much when the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Jesus indicated that people would respond in several ways to the gospel message. In one of His parables, He indicated that there were different kinds of soils. One of the soils was filled with thorns and weeds, which choked out the ability of the crop to produce fruit. The reason why these people produced no spiritual fruit is because they were more concerned with the "worries and riches and pleasures of this life" than with the kingdom of God. There are many other verses in the Bible that condemn those who seek pleasure first instead of God's kingdom.
HERBS - Many Christian Potheads make the argument that God created the herbs (including marijuana) for us:
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:29, KJV)
Marijuana smokers are especially fond of the King James version, since it uses the word "herb". However, the Hebrew word is much less specific, having the general meaning "plant," with the root word having the meaning "green." Further, the verse talks about fruit trees, indicating that the real meaning of the verse is about edible plants. So, the verse makes it clear that God created the plants for us for eating. It doesn't say anything about smoking them! Here is the more contemporary NASB translation:
Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; (Genesis 1:29, NASB)
BOTTOM LINE - The argument has been made that everything God created is good, and that this includes hemp. Everything God created is good, but all these good things can be turned into evil. Sexual relations are good within marriage, but adultery is evil. It's all sex, which was created by God for good, but not all that men do with it is good. Poisonous mushrooms are good for breaking down dead wood, but bad for eating. Hemp is good for making rope, but bad for smoking. So, now you know. Do what's right!
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking [and smoking pot], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
at the end of the day, you must "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2:12)But i would encourage you to stay focused on the "fear & trembling" part of working out your salvation.
hope i helped,
pg
Scriptures about weed - Okay, so there are no verses that talk directly about marijuana. Is that surprising? Although the Bible mentions weed, it was the kind that interferes with agriculture (Genesis 3:18). Pot was something you cooked in (Numbers 11:18). The only smoking that was going on at the time the Bible was written was caused by burning wood, houses, sacrifices, and ultimately, people (at the judgment). So, smoking of cigarettes and marijuana are not mentioned in the Bible.
What a Christian is - At this point, we need to back up a little to examine the question from a more fundamental perspective. We originally asked if it was okay for a Christian to use marijuana and other drugs. The question we need to ask first is "Who is a Christian?"
Aren't you a Christian if you go to church and at some point went up front in response to an altar call? Jesus said that people are Christians if they believe in Him. Jesus also indicated that those who believed would hear His voice and follow Him. Part of the process of following Jesus is to repent. Repentance is a fancy Christian word that means to turn from one's sins and go in the opposite direction (righteousness). Jesus said that those who do not repent will perish. Jesus also indicated what kind of commitment one should make to be considered His disciple:
Then He [Jesus] said to them all: "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
So, Jesus made it quite clear that a casual confession of "faith" isn't going to cut it. One who really believes in Jesus will follow Him as their ultimate purpose in life. Now that we have a clear understanding of who is a Christian, we can go back to the original question.
Mind-altering Drugs - Although the Bible does not address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mind-altering drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use of drugs in the book of Galatians:
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
So, where are the drugs mentioned in this verse? Actually, the word translated "sorcery" is the Greek word pharmakeia, from which we get the English word "pharmacy." The primary meaning is "the use or the administering of drugs" (usually associated with sorcery or idolatry). Since this verse comes from a list of things that if practiced would preclude one from heaven, this should be a reasonably strong suggestion that the Christian should not practice drug use. In addition, the book of Revelation lists drug use as one of the things for which the unrepentant will suffer the wrath of God.
The Bible has a lot to say about alcohol. At the time, there was no hard (distilled) liquor, just wine and beer (which was more diluted at that time then it is now). Even so, the Bible has much to say about people who used wine to get drunk. One was Lot, who got drunk and slept with his daughters. Others sold girls to get wine to get drunk. The Bible warns about the bad effects of getting drunk - seeing strange sights and being confused, saying stupid things, making poor decisions, vomiting, getting involved in fights, and losing one's wealth. We are warned not to join with those people. The consequences of such behavior is judgment. Jesus Himself used two examples of those who will be drunk when God comes to judge the world. God's judgment of such behavior does not paint a pretty picture. The New Testament condemns drunkenness and warns that those who engage in that behavior will not inherit the kingdom of God (i.e., heaven).
The Old Testament warns the priests not to go into God's house drunk, or they will die. In the New Testament, those who serve in the body of Christ are not to be addicted to wine or any other sordid thing. Even those who do not directly serve in the church are warned not to be addicted to wine. Finally, the New Testament commands us to not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit of God:
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
Does marijuana get one intoxicated? Even proponents of marijuana usage encourage users never to drive a motor vehicle while using marijuana. Why is this? Because when one use marijuana, one is legally intoxicated and incapable of clear thinking and reasonable reactions. Being intoxicated is clearly condemned in scripture. So, if one uses drugs or anything else to escape and get high, or is addicted to these substances, it is against the commands of scripture and inappropriate for Christian participation.
Illegal - Besides the moral question, there is the legal question. Christians are commanded by the scriptures to be in subjection to governing authorities and submit to every human institution.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
The only exception to this command would be if those in authority directly contradicted the commands of God. Since smoking marijuana was never a command of God, Christians should not smoke marijuana where doing so is illegal.
The point of freedom - We do have freedom in Christ, but that freedom is not to be used to sin:
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. (1 Peter 2:16)
The freedom of Christ is freedom to follow Him in service to others. We are not to use the law as an excuse for immorality (e.g., "I can't help that person because it is the Sabbath"). Likewise, we are not to allow things (e.g., drugs) to bring us under their control:
"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:18-19)
We are not to be slaves of sin, engaging in fleshly desires and lusts, but we are to serve the living God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:11-13)
There are many who call themselves Christian, but basically serve their own desires. God will not be deceived by those who play the Christianity game. Jesus said that you will know them by their love for one another, and not love of self.
Kingdom Allegiance - Ultimately, the most important principle in the Christian life is to do what Jesus told us to do. When Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment, he answered:
And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
Obviously, smoking marijuana does nothing to fulfill this most important commandment. Along the same lines, Jesus said that people should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. However, these days, it seems that many "Christians" seek first the kingdom of self and its attendant pleasures. The scriptures predicted as much when the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Jesus indicated that people would respond in several ways to the gospel message. In one of His parables, He indicated that there were different kinds of soils. One of the soils was filled with thorns and weeds, which choked out the ability of the crop to produce fruit. The reason why these people produced no spiritual fruit is because they were more concerned with the "worries and riches and pleasures of this life" than with the kingdom of God. There are many other verses in the Bible that condemn those who seek pleasure first instead of God's kingdom.
HERBS - Many Christian Potheads make the argument that God created the herbs (including marijuana) for us:
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:29, KJV)
Marijuana smokers are especially fond of the King James version, since it uses the word "herb". However, the Hebrew word is much less specific, having the general meaning "plant," with the root word having the meaning "green." Further, the verse talks about fruit trees, indicating that the real meaning of the verse is about edible plants. So, the verse makes it clear that God created the plants for us for eating. It doesn't say anything about smoking them! Here is the more contemporary NASB translation:
Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; (Genesis 1:29, NASB)
BOTTOM LINE - The argument has been made that everything God created is good, and that this includes hemp. Everything God created is good, but all these good things can be turned into evil. Sexual relations are good within marriage, but adultery is evil. It's all sex, which was created by God for good, but not all that men do with it is good. Poisonous mushrooms are good for breaking down dead wood, but bad for eating. Hemp is good for making rope, but bad for smoking. So, now you know. Do what's right!
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking [and smoking pot], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
at the end of the day, you must "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2:12)But i would encourage you to stay focused on the "fear & trembling" part of working out your salvation.
hope i helped,
pg
Monday, April 25, 2011
When NOT Being Easily Accessible is a GREAT Thing!!
Let's face it. Being THE MAN is not as fun as it sounds. Like Clark Kent, i would rip my dress shirt, show my BIG "S" and fly to "every kitty stuck in a tree or damsal in distress singing, "hear i come to save the day!" The issue is when you are the answer man, EVERYBODY COMES RUNNING TO YOU WITH ALL OF THEIR QUESTIONS!!!
I have found a secret in a "delegating" style of leadership that no professor or mentor in my life has shared with me, to this point. I merely stumbled upon it, but have found it to be incredibly effective at developing leadership beneath me. Now i have to warn you up front. This secret REQUIRES balance in your own life. You can "over-use" this method and become a self-serving jerk that soon finds his leadership obselete because noone thinks you care. If you are a good leader you are constantly looking for the guys/gals you are developing to take initiative and just make a decision. We can fix wrong decisions. What urks me, in leadership, is when he/she makes NO DECISION!Why would ANY leader call you a, or need you as a, leader if you don't have the ----- to make a call.
This secret will be a paradigm shift for alot my readers, who love the "superhero" status because it will force you back into plain clothes more than tights and capes. It will also be a shift for my guys how live to make sure EVERY "i" is dotted and EVERY "t" is crossed. Why? There is a powerful transformation that takes place when you let those you lead freakout, instigate a decision, or even fail by lying crippled like the lame man at the pool for someone to help him in his handicapped state, unable to make a decision, thus compromising the issue all together.
okay, okay. Enough introducing the concept, let me give it to you.
I have found that most leaders under someone elses leadership go through 3 phases in dealing with an issue/decision/conflict directly in front of them.
Phase 1 - FREAKOUT! - Most developing leaders are so drawn "to the butt" that nothing you do seems to have any flaws or discripancies. In their eyes, everything you do is "magically delicious!" (- Lucky Charms, i love them!!)So they do not take the time to watch and learn how you navaigate through unforseen issues. They have not taken the time to watch you pause and put this issue through all of your integrity filters before you react. Just by the sheer fact you placed them in charge, FREAKOUT is a part, everytime. BTW, FREAKOUT is a good thing because it shows you they genuinely care about the success of what they are leading. If they are apathetic, then you have bigger issues. This FREAKOUT sends them immediately to Phase 2.
Phase 2 - Call Me(you) - If you pick up the 1st time they call , you are in charge! If you are in charge, then why do you need to develop the person who is calling. All they are is a "worker bee" for you. You, my friend, delegate duties, not leadership. The problem with that is everything dies when you die. When it is their time to lead and they are in the heat of battle, don't pick up. Otherwise, you are the mom with the 9 year old still breastfeeding him! It's weird and nobody wants to be around that! If you will hang on, your silence will take them to Phase 3.
Phase 3 - They work to resolve the issue or make the decision. - THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT IF YOU ARE DELEGATING LEADERSHIP, and not just a delegator of duties!! Then they will come back to you for approval or a beating for the decision they made. Be careful if they made the wrong decision. How you handle this will determine, if they will ever do it again. This is your moment to teach them YOUR filters for good decision-making. Also, you MUST cover for their bad decision!! A good coach gives his kids ALL the credit when they win, and he takes ALL the heat when they lose! In contrast, if they make the RIGHT decision, celebrate them and let them have all the credit. The better they look, the better your leadership looks!!
Now let me finish this "don't abuse this leadership secret" thing. When it comes to leadership, don't answer in the heat. If they are going through something personally, or they are operating in delegated duties, that's when you have to be close by. Be sure after the delegated leadership issue is completely over, you communicate to him/her why you did not answer when they called. Don't make excuses or lie, just simply let them know you TRUSTED him/her to make a call, even if it was the wrong one.
Trust me. After years of developing leaders though delegated leadership, they thank you for it later!!
hope i helped,
pg
I have found a secret in a "delegating" style of leadership that no professor or mentor in my life has shared with me, to this point. I merely stumbled upon it, but have found it to be incredibly effective at developing leadership beneath me. Now i have to warn you up front. This secret REQUIRES balance in your own life. You can "over-use" this method and become a self-serving jerk that soon finds his leadership obselete because noone thinks you care. If you are a good leader you are constantly looking for the guys/gals you are developing to take initiative and just make a decision. We can fix wrong decisions. What urks me, in leadership, is when he/she makes NO DECISION!Why would ANY leader call you a, or need you as a, leader if you don't have the ----- to make a call.
This secret will be a paradigm shift for alot my readers, who love the "superhero" status because it will force you back into plain clothes more than tights and capes. It will also be a shift for my guys how live to make sure EVERY "i" is dotted and EVERY "t" is crossed. Why? There is a powerful transformation that takes place when you let those you lead freakout, instigate a decision, or even fail by lying crippled like the lame man at the pool for someone to help him in his handicapped state, unable to make a decision, thus compromising the issue all together.
okay, okay. Enough introducing the concept, let me give it to you.
I have found that most leaders under someone elses leadership go through 3 phases in dealing with an issue/decision/conflict directly in front of them.
Phase 1 - FREAKOUT! - Most developing leaders are so drawn "to the butt" that nothing you do seems to have any flaws or discripancies. In their eyes, everything you do is "magically delicious!" (- Lucky Charms, i love them!!)So they do not take the time to watch and learn how you navaigate through unforseen issues. They have not taken the time to watch you pause and put this issue through all of your integrity filters before you react. Just by the sheer fact you placed them in charge, FREAKOUT is a part, everytime. BTW, FREAKOUT is a good thing because it shows you they genuinely care about the success of what they are leading. If they are apathetic, then you have bigger issues. This FREAKOUT sends them immediately to Phase 2.
Phase 2 - Call Me(you) - If you pick up the 1st time they call , you are in charge! If you are in charge, then why do you need to develop the person who is calling. All they are is a "worker bee" for you. You, my friend, delegate duties, not leadership. The problem with that is everything dies when you die. When it is their time to lead and they are in the heat of battle, don't pick up. Otherwise, you are the mom with the 9 year old still breastfeeding him! It's weird and nobody wants to be around that! If you will hang on, your silence will take them to Phase 3.
Phase 3 - They work to resolve the issue or make the decision. - THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT IF YOU ARE DELEGATING LEADERSHIP, and not just a delegator of duties!! Then they will come back to you for approval or a beating for the decision they made. Be careful if they made the wrong decision. How you handle this will determine, if they will ever do it again. This is your moment to teach them YOUR filters for good decision-making. Also, you MUST cover for their bad decision!! A good coach gives his kids ALL the credit when they win, and he takes ALL the heat when they lose! In contrast, if they make the RIGHT decision, celebrate them and let them have all the credit. The better they look, the better your leadership looks!!
Now let me finish this "don't abuse this leadership secret" thing. When it comes to leadership, don't answer in the heat. If they are going through something personally, or they are operating in delegated duties, that's when you have to be close by. Be sure after the delegated leadership issue is completely over, you communicate to him/her why you did not answer when they called. Don't make excuses or lie, just simply let them know you TRUSTED him/her to make a call, even if it was the wrong one.
Trust me. After years of developing leaders though delegated leadership, they thank you for it later!!
hope i helped,
pg
Friday, January 21, 2011
Church Ministry's "Collapse of Distinction"
I just finished another "must read" (in my opinion) secular/business book by Scott McKain entitled, "the collapse of distinction." Needless to say, This book "rocked" my thought process.
Romans 12:2 "be Transformed by the renewing of your mind"
I find myself sleepless at night trying to "unpack" his business concerns and advise and push it into this church world i live in. Merging his content from the secular to the sacred is simple. Not sure if this "cat" knows Jesus, but he is being used by Him, whether he knows it or not!! haha
What i would love to do is give you all the stuff i highlghted or made notes on to review, but you may need to see something more than what i say. here's the basic summary (from a church perspective):
There are 75 million other churches all around your church. All look the same. All act the same. Every time some church tries something new and succeeds, the other churches jump on it as well. I do not believe it is a sin to "Steal Ideas." However, McKain's concern is that in our efforts to stay relevant with what the area is asking for, we lose ourselves, and our identity. Iow's, we do not have the "stones" to standout!! So like restaurants, all churches look the same, act the same, provide the same programs, and everything is just a better or worse version of what is down the street. So to determine where you attend, you find out how "cheap" can a potential new member attend. What will it cost them with their wallets and what kind of commitment are you asking of their time.
I took a portion of his introduction and adapted it to move it from secular to sacred.
"If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the complacent (and dying) churches whom judge their commitment to the Great Commission by their membership solely on the basis of legacy families. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of Christendom. If you aren't willing to create distinction for yourself, your parishioners, and for your church body in your community, city, and region--then prepare to take your seat in the back, with the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium and religious duty reign supreme."
Does this sound like a book that would "rock" the church world? What about your local church?
funny: "the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium and fake religion reign supreme."
I could never qoute this to the students i pastor, but that's intellectual, smart-butt putdowns right there!!
Anway, let me help you out with this book:
There are a couple things you have to do to "see" the church world in McKain's Book:
1. When you see customers, say members.
2. When he hits you with a stat, think recent George Barna Stats about church
3. Play "Where's Jesus?" (for those of you who are slow, it's a play on "Where's Waldo?") For those of you who are slower, or have no children, Look for Biblically based principles.!!
4. When you see results in terms of Customer acquisition or retention (or the lack thereof), think kingdom souls being won to Christ and the back doors being closed that people leave out of without you knowing.
5. When you see results in terms of $ growth think, Tithes & Offerings to further the Kingdom.
Frankly, McKain could get some church research, say Jesus 100 times, call costumers, "members," and talk less about $ gain (church ppl hate hearing about $. We NEED it, but we don't want to read about it! haha), and he has a top 10 church growth book!!
Get the book ppl!!
Hope I helped, PG
Romans 12:2 "be Transformed by the renewing of your mind"
I find myself sleepless at night trying to "unpack" his business concerns and advise and push it into this church world i live in. Merging his content from the secular to the sacred is simple. Not sure if this "cat" knows Jesus, but he is being used by Him, whether he knows it or not!! haha
What i would love to do is give you all the stuff i highlghted or made notes on to review, but you may need to see something more than what i say. here's the basic summary (from a church perspective):
There are 75 million other churches all around your church. All look the same. All act the same. Every time some church tries something new and succeeds, the other churches jump on it as well. I do not believe it is a sin to "Steal Ideas." However, McKain's concern is that in our efforts to stay relevant with what the area is asking for, we lose ourselves, and our identity. Iow's, we do not have the "stones" to standout!! So like restaurants, all churches look the same, act the same, provide the same programs, and everything is just a better or worse version of what is down the street. So to determine where you attend, you find out how "cheap" can a potential new member attend. What will it cost them with their wallets and what kind of commitment are you asking of their time.
I took a portion of his introduction and adapted it to move it from secular to sacred.
"If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the complacent (and dying) churches whom judge their commitment to the Great Commission by their membership solely on the basis of legacy families. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of Christendom. If you aren't willing to create distinction for yourself, your parishioners, and for your church body in your community, city, and region--then prepare to take your seat in the back, with the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium and religious duty reign supreme."
Does this sound like a book that would "rock" the church world? What about your local church?
funny: "the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium and fake religion reign supreme."
I could never qoute this to the students i pastor, but that's intellectual, smart-butt putdowns right there!!
Anway, let me help you out with this book:
There are a couple things you have to do to "see" the church world in McKain's Book:
1. When you see customers, say members.
2. When he hits you with a stat, think recent George Barna Stats about church
3. Play "Where's Jesus?" (for those of you who are slow, it's a play on "Where's Waldo?") For those of you who are slower, or have no children, Look for Biblically based principles.!!
4. When you see results in terms of Customer acquisition or retention (or the lack thereof), think kingdom souls being won to Christ and the back doors being closed that people leave out of without you knowing.
5. When you see results in terms of $ growth think, Tithes & Offerings to further the Kingdom.
Frankly, McKain could get some church research, say Jesus 100 times, call costumers, "members," and talk less about $ gain (church ppl hate hearing about $. We NEED it, but we don't want to read about it! haha), and he has a top 10 church growth book!!
Get the book ppl!!
Hope I helped, PG
Should Christians Drink??
This is a question i get asked often. As a Youth Pastor and communicator for almost 15 years, this questions comes up very often. As a matter of fact, what has prompted this BLOG entry is a college student in my local ministry, who inquired about this very subject. I figured that if i am hit often with this then there is a strong chance, others of you have to biblically tackle this issue as well.
Below are my notes on the research I did a few years ago.
here u go: :P
WINE AND STRONG DRINK The word "wine" was defined your several types of beverages in the original languages of the Bible. Here is a list of those beverages in its original text form.
1. Hebrew Words for Wine: a. YAYIN Fermented, intoxicating wine b. TIYROSH Grape juice c. SHEKAR Intensely strong alcoholic liquor. d. CHAMAR To boil up — thus to burn away fermented (alcohol) Best wine - with 4 stages to make ready (boil/filter/cool/preserve) e. MAMCAK Mixed wine water or spice f. AWSEES Just trodden grape juice
2. Greek Words for Wine: a. OYNOS Same as CHAMAR in Hebrew. b. GLEUKKOS Most common wine - FERMENTED wine c. OINOPHLUGIA (pro. oy—nor—loog-ee) An overflow of wine—excess drunkenness; on oynos. d. SHAKER Extremely strong wine. (also called: strong drink) OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES (WITH ORIGINAL HEBREW WORD) 1. Genesis 9:21 YAYIN 2. Genesis 14:18 MAMCAK 3. Genesis 19:33 YAYIN 4. Exodus 29:40 AWSEES 5. Leviticus 10:9 YAYIN 6. Leviticus 23:13 YAYIN 7. Numbers 18:12 TIYROSH 8. Numbers 28:7 SHEKAR 9. Deuteronomy 12:17 TIYROSH 10. Judges 13:4,7,14 YAYIN 11. I Samuel 1:14,15 YAYIN 12. II Samuel 13:28 YAYIN 13. Ezra 7:22 CHAMAR 14. Nehemiah 10:37, 39 TIYROSH 15. Psalms 104:15 YAYIN 16. Proverbs 20:1 YAYIN 17. Proverbs 23:30, 31 YAYIN 18. Proverbs 31: 4, 6 YAYIN 19. Isaiah 65:8 TIYROSH 20. Jeremiah 23:9 YAYIN 21. Daniel 5:4 CHAMAR 22. Joel 1: 5, 10 YAYIN, TIYROSH NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES (WITH ORIGINAL GREEK WORD) 1. Matthew 9:17 GLEUKKOS 2. Mark 2:22 GLEUKKOS 3. Mark 15:23 SHAKER 4. Luke 1:15 OYNOS 5. Luke 7:33 OYNOS 6. Luke 10:34 OYNOS 7. John 2:3,9,10 GLEUKKOS - JESUS GAVE THEM OYNOS - the miracle of that day was not that Jesus turned water into alcoholic wine, according to the original text. The miracle was that at His command, the water went through 4 stages that took months to acheive (boiled, filtered, cooled, preserved) just by His words. 8. John 4:46 OYNOS 9. Acts 2:13 OINOPHLUGIA 10. Romans 14:21 GLEUKKOS 11. Ephesians 5:18 SHAKER 12. I Timothy 3:3 GLEUKKOS 13. I Timothy 5:23 OYNOS **referes to purified grape juice - no alcohol in it. 14. Titus 1:7 GLEUKKOS 15. Titus 2:3 OYNOS 16. Peter 4:3 OINOPHLUGIA
75 WARNINGS OF DRINKING
1) Genesis 9:20-26 - Noah became drunk; the result was immorality and family trouble.
2) Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot was so drunk he did not know what he was doing; this led to immorality
3) Leviticus 10:9-11 - God commanded priests not to drink so that they could tell the difference between the holy and the unholy.
4) Numbers 6:3 - The Nazarites were told to eat or drink nothing from the grape vine.
5) Deuteronomy 21:20 - A drunken son was stubborn and rebellious.
6) Deuteronomy 29:5-6 - God gave no grape juice to Israel nor did they have intoxicating drink in the wilderness.
7) Deuteronomy 32:33 - Intoxicating wine is like the poison of serpents, the cruel venom of asps.
8) Judges 13:4, 7, 14 - Samson was to be a Nazarite for life. His mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink.
9) 1 Samuel 1:14-15 - Accused, Hannah said she drank no wine.
10) 1 Samuel 25:32-38 - Nabal died after a drunken spree.
11) 2 Samuel 11:13 - By getting Uriah drunk, David hoped to cover his sin. 12) 2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Amnon was drunk when he was killed.
13) 1 Kings 16:8-10 - The king was drinking himself into drunkenness when he was assassinated
14) 1 Kings 20:12-21 - Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by the Israelites.
15) Esther 1:5-12 - The king gave each one all the drink he wanted. The king was intoxicated when he commanded the queen to come.
16) Psalm 75:8 - The Lord's anger is pictured as mixed wine poured out and drunk by the wicked.
17) Proverbs 4:17 - Alcoholic drink is called the wine of violence.
18) Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging. WHOEVER IS LED ASTRAY IS NOT WISE
19) Proverbs 23:19-20 - A wise person will not be among the drinkers of alcoholic beverages.
20) Proverbs 23:21 - Drunkenness causes poverty.
21) Proverbs 23:29-30 - Drinking causes woe, sorrow, fighting, babbling, wounds without cause and red eyes.
22) Proverbs 23:31 - God instructs not to look at intoxicating drinks.
23) Proverbs 23:32 - Alcoholic drinks bite like a serpent, sting like an adder.
24) Proverbs 23:33 - Alcohol causes the drinker to have strange and adulterous thoughts, produces willfulness, and prevents reformation.
25) Proverbs 23:34 - Alcohol makes the drinker unstable
26) Proverbs 23:35 - Alcohol makes the drinker insensitive to pain so he does not perceive it as a warning. Alcohol is habit forming.
27) Proverb 31:4-5 - Kings, Princes, and others who rule and judge must not drink alcohol. Alcohol perverts good judgment.
28) Proverbs 31:6-7 - Strong drink could be given to those about to perish or those in pain. Better anesthetics are available today.
29) Ecclesiastes 2:3 - The king tried everything, including intoxicating drink, to see if it satisfied. It did not. (Ecclesiastes 12:8)
30) Ecclesiastes 10:17 - A land is blessed when its leaders do not drink.
31) Isaiah 5:11-12 - Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late at night to get drunk.
32) Isaiah 5:22 - Woe to "champion" drinkers and "experts" at mixing drinks.
33) Isaiah 19:14 - Drunken men stagger in their vomit.
34) Isaiah 22:12-13 - The Israelites choose to drink; their future looks hopeless to them.
35) Isaiah 24:9 - Drinkers cannot escape the consequences when God judges.
36) Isaiah 28:1 - God pronounces woe on the drunkards of Ephraim.
37) Isaiah 28:3 - Proud drunkards shall be trodden down.
38) Isaiah 28:7 - Priests and prophets stagger and reel from beer and wine, err in vision, and stumble in judgment.
39) Isaiah 28:8 - Drinkers' tables are covered with vomit and filth.
40) Isaiah 56:9-12 - Drinkers seek their own gain and expect tomorrow to be just like today.
41) Jeremiah 35:2-14 - The Rechabites drank no grape juice or intoxicating wine and were blessed.
42) Ezekiel 44:21 - Again God instructed the priests not to drink wine.
43) Daniel 1:5-17 - Daniel refused the king's intoxicating wine and was blessed for it along with his abstaining friends.
44) Daniel 5:1 - Belshazzar, ruler of Babylon; led his people in drinking.
45) Daniel 5:2-3 - The king, along with his nobles, wives, and concubines, drank from the goblets which had been taken from God's temple.
46) Daniel 5:4 - Drinking wine was combined with praising false gods.
47) Daniel 5:23 - God sent word to Belshazzar that punishment would be swift for the evil he had committed.
48) Hosea 4:11 - Intoxicating wine takes away intelligence. - tell me the truth
49) Hosea 7:5 - God reproves princes for drinking.
50) Joel 1:5 - Drunkards awake to see God's judgment.
51) Joel 3:3 - The enemy is judged for selling girls for wine.
52) Amos 2:8 - Unrighteous acts of Israel included the drinking of wine which had been taken for the payment of fines.
53) Amos 2:12 - Israel is condemned for forcing Nazarites to drink wine.
54) Micah 2:11 - Israelites are eager to follow false teachers who prophesy plenty of intoxicating drinks.
55) Nahum 1:10 - The drunkards of Nineveh will be destroyed by God.
56) Habakkuk 2:5 - A man is betrayed by wine.
57) Habakkuk 2:15 - Woe to him that gives his neighbor drink.
58) Habakkuk 2:16 - Drinking leads to shame.
59) Matthew 24:48-51 - A drinking servant is unprepared for his Lord's return.
60) Luke 1:15 - John the Baptist drank neither grape juice nor wine.
61) Luke 12:45 - Christ warned against drunkenness.
62) Luke 21:34 - Drunkenness will cause a person not to be ready for the Lord's return.
63) Romans 13:13 - Do not walk in drunkenness or immorality.
64) Romans 14:21 - Do not do anything that will hurt your testimony as a believer.
65) 1 Corinthians 5:11 - If a Christian brother is a drinker, do not associate with him.
66) 1 Corinthians 6:10 - Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God
67) Galatians 5:21 - Acts of the sinful nature, such as drunkenness, will prohibit a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
68) Ephesians 5:18 - In contrast to being drunk with wine, the believer is to be filled with the Spirit.
69) 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 - Christians are to be alert and self-controlled, belonging to the day. Drunkards belong to the night and darkness.
70) 1 Timothy 3:2-3 - Bishops (elders) are to be temperate, sober, and not near any wine.
71) 1 Timothy 3:8 - Deacons are to be worthy of respect and not drinkers.
72) 1 Timothy 3:11 - Deacons' wives are to be temperate and sober.
73) Titus 1:7-8 - An overseer is to be disciplined.
74) Titus 2:2-3 - The older men and older women of the church are to be temperate and not addicted to wine.
75) 1 Peter 4:3-4 - The past life of drunkenness and carousing has no place in the Christian's life.
1: POINT: ALL THIS IS SUMMED UP IN 3 SCRIPTURES 1. Eph 5:1-7 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. NIV
2. 1 Peter 4:1-6 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. NIV
3. The majority of the scriptures deal with "priests". so does that mean me?? absolutely. 1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. NIV
Hope I Helped!!
PG
Below are my notes on the research I did a few years ago.
here u go: :P
WINE AND STRONG DRINK The word "wine" was defined your several types of beverages in the original languages of the Bible. Here is a list of those beverages in its original text form.
1. Hebrew Words for Wine: a. YAYIN Fermented, intoxicating wine b. TIYROSH Grape juice c. SHEKAR Intensely strong alcoholic liquor. d. CHAMAR To boil up — thus to burn away fermented (alcohol) Best wine - with 4 stages to make ready (boil/filter/cool/preserve) e. MAMCAK Mixed wine water or spice f. AWSEES Just trodden grape juice
2. Greek Words for Wine: a. OYNOS Same as CHAMAR in Hebrew. b. GLEUKKOS Most common wine - FERMENTED wine c. OINOPHLUGIA (pro. oy—nor—loog-ee) An overflow of wine—excess drunkenness; on oynos. d. SHAKER Extremely strong wine. (also called: strong drink) OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES (WITH ORIGINAL HEBREW WORD) 1. Genesis 9:21 YAYIN 2. Genesis 14:18 MAMCAK 3. Genesis 19:33 YAYIN 4. Exodus 29:40 AWSEES 5. Leviticus 10:9 YAYIN 6. Leviticus 23:13 YAYIN 7. Numbers 18:12 TIYROSH 8. Numbers 28:7 SHEKAR 9. Deuteronomy 12:17 TIYROSH 10. Judges 13:4,7,14 YAYIN 11. I Samuel 1:14,15 YAYIN 12. II Samuel 13:28 YAYIN 13. Ezra 7:22 CHAMAR 14. Nehemiah 10:37, 39 TIYROSH 15. Psalms 104:15 YAYIN 16. Proverbs 20:1 YAYIN 17. Proverbs 23:30, 31 YAYIN 18. Proverbs 31: 4, 6 YAYIN 19. Isaiah 65:8 TIYROSH 20. Jeremiah 23:9 YAYIN 21. Daniel 5:4 CHAMAR 22. Joel 1: 5, 10 YAYIN, TIYROSH NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES (WITH ORIGINAL GREEK WORD) 1. Matthew 9:17 GLEUKKOS 2. Mark 2:22 GLEUKKOS 3. Mark 15:23 SHAKER 4. Luke 1:15 OYNOS 5. Luke 7:33 OYNOS 6. Luke 10:34 OYNOS 7. John 2:3,9,10 GLEUKKOS - JESUS GAVE THEM OYNOS - the miracle of that day was not that Jesus turned water into alcoholic wine, according to the original text. The miracle was that at His command, the water went through 4 stages that took months to acheive (boiled, filtered, cooled, preserved) just by His words. 8. John 4:46 OYNOS 9. Acts 2:13 OINOPHLUGIA 10. Romans 14:21 GLEUKKOS 11. Ephesians 5:18 SHAKER 12. I Timothy 3:3 GLEUKKOS 13. I Timothy 5:23 OYNOS **referes to purified grape juice - no alcohol in it. 14. Titus 1:7 GLEUKKOS 15. Titus 2:3 OYNOS 16. Peter 4:3 OINOPHLUGIA
75 WARNINGS OF DRINKING
1) Genesis 9:20-26 - Noah became drunk; the result was immorality and family trouble.
2) Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot was so drunk he did not know what he was doing; this led to immorality
3) Leviticus 10:9-11 - God commanded priests not to drink so that they could tell the difference between the holy and the unholy.
4) Numbers 6:3 - The Nazarites were told to eat or drink nothing from the grape vine.
5) Deuteronomy 21:20 - A drunken son was stubborn and rebellious.
6) Deuteronomy 29:5-6 - God gave no grape juice to Israel nor did they have intoxicating drink in the wilderness.
7) Deuteronomy 32:33 - Intoxicating wine is like the poison of serpents, the cruel venom of asps.
8) Judges 13:4, 7, 14 - Samson was to be a Nazarite for life. His mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink.
9) 1 Samuel 1:14-15 - Accused, Hannah said she drank no wine.
10) 1 Samuel 25:32-38 - Nabal died after a drunken spree.
11) 2 Samuel 11:13 - By getting Uriah drunk, David hoped to cover his sin. 12) 2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Amnon was drunk when he was killed.
13) 1 Kings 16:8-10 - The king was drinking himself into drunkenness when he was assassinated
14) 1 Kings 20:12-21 - Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by the Israelites.
15) Esther 1:5-12 - The king gave each one all the drink he wanted. The king was intoxicated when he commanded the queen to come.
16) Psalm 75:8 - The Lord's anger is pictured as mixed wine poured out and drunk by the wicked.
17) Proverbs 4:17 - Alcoholic drink is called the wine of violence.
18) Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging. WHOEVER IS LED ASTRAY IS NOT WISE
19) Proverbs 23:19-20 - A wise person will not be among the drinkers of alcoholic beverages.
20) Proverbs 23:21 - Drunkenness causes poverty.
21) Proverbs 23:29-30 - Drinking causes woe, sorrow, fighting, babbling, wounds without cause and red eyes.
22) Proverbs 23:31 - God instructs not to look at intoxicating drinks.
23) Proverbs 23:32 - Alcoholic drinks bite like a serpent, sting like an adder.
24) Proverbs 23:33 - Alcohol causes the drinker to have strange and adulterous thoughts, produces willfulness, and prevents reformation.
25) Proverbs 23:34 - Alcohol makes the drinker unstable
26) Proverbs 23:35 - Alcohol makes the drinker insensitive to pain so he does not perceive it as a warning. Alcohol is habit forming.
27) Proverb 31:4-5 - Kings, Princes, and others who rule and judge must not drink alcohol. Alcohol perverts good judgment.
28) Proverbs 31:6-7 - Strong drink could be given to those about to perish or those in pain. Better anesthetics are available today.
29) Ecclesiastes 2:3 - The king tried everything, including intoxicating drink, to see if it satisfied. It did not. (Ecclesiastes 12:8)
30) Ecclesiastes 10:17 - A land is blessed when its leaders do not drink.
31) Isaiah 5:11-12 - Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late at night to get drunk.
32) Isaiah 5:22 - Woe to "champion" drinkers and "experts" at mixing drinks.
33) Isaiah 19:14 - Drunken men stagger in their vomit.
34) Isaiah 22:12-13 - The Israelites choose to drink; their future looks hopeless to them.
35) Isaiah 24:9 - Drinkers cannot escape the consequences when God judges.
36) Isaiah 28:1 - God pronounces woe on the drunkards of Ephraim.
37) Isaiah 28:3 - Proud drunkards shall be trodden down.
38) Isaiah 28:7 - Priests and prophets stagger and reel from beer and wine, err in vision, and stumble in judgment.
39) Isaiah 28:8 - Drinkers' tables are covered with vomit and filth.
40) Isaiah 56:9-12 - Drinkers seek their own gain and expect tomorrow to be just like today.
41) Jeremiah 35:2-14 - The Rechabites drank no grape juice or intoxicating wine and were blessed.
42) Ezekiel 44:21 - Again God instructed the priests not to drink wine.
43) Daniel 1:5-17 - Daniel refused the king's intoxicating wine and was blessed for it along with his abstaining friends.
44) Daniel 5:1 - Belshazzar, ruler of Babylon; led his people in drinking.
45) Daniel 5:2-3 - The king, along with his nobles, wives, and concubines, drank from the goblets which had been taken from God's temple.
46) Daniel 5:4 - Drinking wine was combined with praising false gods.
47) Daniel 5:23 - God sent word to Belshazzar that punishment would be swift for the evil he had committed.
48) Hosea 4:11 - Intoxicating wine takes away intelligence. - tell me the truth
49) Hosea 7:5 - God reproves princes for drinking.
50) Joel 1:5 - Drunkards awake to see God's judgment.
51) Joel 3:3 - The enemy is judged for selling girls for wine.
52) Amos 2:8 - Unrighteous acts of Israel included the drinking of wine which had been taken for the payment of fines.
53) Amos 2:12 - Israel is condemned for forcing Nazarites to drink wine.
54) Micah 2:11 - Israelites are eager to follow false teachers who prophesy plenty of intoxicating drinks.
55) Nahum 1:10 - The drunkards of Nineveh will be destroyed by God.
56) Habakkuk 2:5 - A man is betrayed by wine.
57) Habakkuk 2:15 - Woe to him that gives his neighbor drink.
58) Habakkuk 2:16 - Drinking leads to shame.
59) Matthew 24:48-51 - A drinking servant is unprepared for his Lord's return.
60) Luke 1:15 - John the Baptist drank neither grape juice nor wine.
61) Luke 12:45 - Christ warned against drunkenness.
62) Luke 21:34 - Drunkenness will cause a person not to be ready for the Lord's return.
63) Romans 13:13 - Do not walk in drunkenness or immorality.
64) Romans 14:21 - Do not do anything that will hurt your testimony as a believer.
65) 1 Corinthians 5:11 - If a Christian brother is a drinker, do not associate with him.
66) 1 Corinthians 6:10 - Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God
67) Galatians 5:21 - Acts of the sinful nature, such as drunkenness, will prohibit a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
68) Ephesians 5:18 - In contrast to being drunk with wine, the believer is to be filled with the Spirit.
69) 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 - Christians are to be alert and self-controlled, belonging to the day. Drunkards belong to the night and darkness.
70) 1 Timothy 3:2-3 - Bishops (elders) are to be temperate, sober, and not near any wine.
71) 1 Timothy 3:8 - Deacons are to be worthy of respect and not drinkers.
72) 1 Timothy 3:11 - Deacons' wives are to be temperate and sober.
73) Titus 1:7-8 - An overseer is to be disciplined.
74) Titus 2:2-3 - The older men and older women of the church are to be temperate and not addicted to wine.
75) 1 Peter 4:3-4 - The past life of drunkenness and carousing has no place in the Christian's life.
1: POINT: ALL THIS IS SUMMED UP IN 3 SCRIPTURES 1. Eph 5:1-7 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. NIV
2. 1 Peter 4:1-6 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. NIV
3. The majority of the scriptures deal with "priests". so does that mean me?? absolutely. 1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. NIV
Hope I Helped!!
PG
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