GREAT EXPECTATIONS

1Kings 16:8-10; 1Corinthians 6:9-11; Luke 21:34-36

Introduction

Proverbs 20:1 describe alcohol as, "... a mocker" and "...brawler..." whose victims are "...not wise." In this case alcohol deemed to be a trickster and deceiver of people. It is obvious in how spackling it looks during their advertisement on television and its insatiable demand it places on their victims. For this reason and more, the writer of Proverbs counsels all people not to look at it's colour, it's spackle and it's smoothness so as not to be enticed by it, for in "the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper." (Prov. 23:31-35). Alcohol also places perpetual poverty on their victims as explained in Proverbs 21:17b. To this, Lemuel's mother advised him as a king not to take in wine because justice is their hands.

Some People and Alcohol

Noah, the man who was found to be faithful and righteous, and therefore escaped the great floods, got so drunk that he exposed his nakedness. This led to the cursing of Canaan his grand son. (Gen. 9:20-25).

Lot, Abraham's nephew was enticed to drink wine, which resulted in his abominable act of incest. (Gen. 19:30-38).

Amnon, son of David, a half brother of Absalom was killed when he was made to drink alcohol. (Gen. 13:28-29)

In Isaiah 28:7, we are told of priests and prophets who drink wine and therefore stagger. The result is that they come out with confused decisions.

Our 1st text, King Elah of Israel was gruesomely murdered when he had taken in alcohol. This was in a form of coup d'état.

In years gone by, in traditional African homes, before a woman's hand was given in marriage or a man takes a woman as wife, the families would conduct investigations as to the types of people who had lived in the woman/man's family. Some of the things they looked out for were people with criminal records, drunkards, those who had died of infectious diseases and the like. Alcohol was a major concern to family's consent. This could terminate the process of marriage entirely. 

Again, as Africans, children are named after people who had lived worthy lives. But no one will name his child after a drunkard or drug addict's, no matter how successful that person may be. We can therefore conclude that African cultural values look down upon alcoholics as well as other substance abusers.

Ministering to Them

Countless stories could be told of people, families, institutions as well as nations whose future were ruined or devastated as a result of alcohol and other substance abuses. The thousands of people who fall into this group are also souls Christ's Salvation is opened to. In 1 Corinthians 6:10, Paul list them as part of those who would miss the Heavenly Kingdom. This raises so much passion for their salvation as we know, 'all souls counts'.

Equipping ourselves to minister to the needs of such people, demands that we follow the great Teacher, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' ministry, we see Him embracing all kinds of people who needed deliverance. Christ's main yardstick of dealing with people who needed help was compassion.

Equipping Ourselves

1. Build Compassion for them.

2. Embrace them as we draw closer them.

3. Support the work of Blue Cross Society.

Jesus taught that we should “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 (NIV)

As discussed from the introduction, substance abusers and alcoholics lose control and awareness of themselves. Many people were taken unawares after drinking to their high spirit. So shall the kingdom of God be on us therefore, we must 1. we must "be always on the watch" and 2. minister to their victims to escape the dreadful day.  

As stewards of God's creation, we are to care for all people. Uncountable numbers of our youth are being enslaved into alcohol and drug abuse. As good stewards, we are to snatch them from the clutches of these devastating drugs.

Conclusion

We should see this as a real battle with the powers of darkness. These are people who are no longer in control of themselves. At certain points, they can't function properly without a dose of the substance they have been abusing - addiction. It is a daunting task, but the grace of God is on our side.

With compassionate love in our hearts, victory could be ours. Let's go out to them, assuring them of the infinite love of God which is as deep as the deepest ocean and does not condemn anyone. It is the love that liberates all who would come.

Shalom aleichem...