Drinking, Drugs, & Smoking
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:15-18
· The problems associated with drinking, drugs, and smoking don’t have to be sold.
· The issue is that some of you are into that lifestyle so deeply that you can’t see a way out.
· You want to take control of a life that’s gotten away from you, but every time you summon the courage to face the giant of addiction, all you see in front of you is an insurmountable challenge.
1 Samuel 17 – David v. Goliath
· The approach that David took in defeating Goliath can be used by you and me to conquer the giants in our lives.
· Your giant seems to never stop its taunting, and Goliath was the same way.
· Like Goliath to the Israelites, it feels like the same giant has been stalking your family for years and years and years.
· Every one of us has a giant in our lives that we are battling. Some of us, however, compound our problems by turning to things other than God in order to cope with the challenges in our lives.
· In facing our giants, we need to be more like David and be willing to embrace what works – reliance on God – even if that means being scoffed at by others.
Five Stones that Represent the Tools We Must Use if We Want to Conquer the Giants in our Lives
- The stone of power
· When battling giants, it’s important to do a power assessment: (1) How powerful is this giant?; (2) What power does this giant have over me?; (3) What is more powerful than this giant?; (4) Do I have access to that power?
· When David did a quick power assessment of Goliath, it was obvious to him that God was more powerful than Goliath, and that the power of God is what would achieve this victory for him (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
· Every recovering alcoholic and former drug addict will tell you that their path to victory over the giant of addiction began by recognizing the limitations of their own power and trusting in the limitless power of God.
Come back next Sunday for the other four “stones”
For more resources on this topic go to www.alamedacofc.org/big12
