Being Moderate In All Things: Not Addicted to Wine

Prov. 23: 20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

Prov. 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will utter perverse things.

Eph. 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

1Cor. 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Rom. 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

Rom. 14:5b Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

What say ye? …to drink or not to drink? That is one question?

What is your thinking?

What is your personal experience?

How do you avoid judging?

How do you experience liberty?

Challenge: Consider the “Points of Action” and “Thinking and Growing Together” on pages “105-108.”

Communicating Sensitively: Able to teach

“But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth…” ^[1]

“A man who [can communicate sensitively] is a person who is not in bondage to himself. Rather, his true identity in Jesus Christ has enabled him to be in control of his mind and emotions.”

“A man who [can communicate sensitively] is self-controlled and convinced that the Word of God is true, but also understands the Scriptures sufficiently to be ‘able to both exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict’ (Titus 1:9)”

Do you think the reluctance of most Christian men in our culture to communicate sensitively the truth of Christ is the reason that it all seems to be falling apart?

Would you agree that we have relegated teaching to an act of the prepared, polished, and positioned in our culture?

Challenge: Consider the “Points of Action” and “Thinking and Growing Together” on pages “93-97.”

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^[1] 2 Ti 2:23

Sharing our Resources: Hospitable

Romans 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)

Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to ashow hospitality to strangers… (NAS95)

“The word ‘hospitable’ means being generous and caring toward others. This is why we call our medical centers ‘hospitals.’”

What is the key motivation that results in the action of hospitality?

What are some of the reasons to show hospitality?

What are some of the needs that are addressed by being hospitable?

How does hospitality have an impact for the kingdom of God?

Ponder…

Challenge: Consider the “Points of Action” and “Thinking and Growing Together” on pages “83-85.”

Making God’s Truth Attractive

Respectable. Getz presents that “a respectable man is a man who lives in such a way so that his total life adorns the teachings of the Bible.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about behavior:
Eph. 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

Eph. 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

Eph. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Eph. 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Eph. 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Challenge: Take time to answer the “probing questions” and “listen to yourself” on pages 70-74.

Demonstrating Wisdom

Proverbs 16:21 “The wise in heart shall be called prudent.”

Prov. 1:3 “A wise man will hear and increase in learning.”

Prudent, sound judgment, sensible, etc.

Getz describes this reality from Paul’s encouragement to the Romans in 12:3. We must have the proper view of ourselves and God to be prudent.

Humility, Gratitude, and prayer are key indicators for Getz. Understanding what God has done for us brings a reality that results in a life of sound judgement.

Challenge: Work through the checklist on pages 62-63 and understand your imbalance when it comes to how you see yourself and God.

Living a Balanced Life

Interesting, a temperate man “has a clear focus on life and…doesn’t live in a constant state of anxiety because of world conditions.

In other words, the temperate man is one who trust and relies on Christ so that nothing depends on anything else. His life is measured by that relationship. His family, work, recreation, investment, future, etc. is fully dependent on His walk with Christ and not economy, health-care, achievement, etc.

It is interesting as well how Getz brings faith, hope, and love to be the hallmark attributes of the temperate man.

Take some extra time and review the “probing questions” and the “practical suggestions” that Getz makes on pages 52-53.

Maintaining Moral Purity

Something that we know but may not have applied to the conversation of moral purity is that in Christ the value system is completely opposite of that of the world and the flesh.

Of course from an Old Testament perspective there is a standard of purity and commitment to marriage to one spouse since the garden.

In the New Testament we see that Jesus raises the bar by challenging the worlds standard and going strait to the heart of the matter.

Have you ever considered that your relationship with your wife impacts your approach to temptation & lust and vice versa?

Have you ever made the commitment to stop viewing stimulating images in order to overcome the temptation of lust?

Have you ever developed any relationships with other men who through accountability could help you overcome the temptation of lust?

Building a Good Reputation

“I asked her directly if something in my life troubled her.” How do you think your kids, wife, or close friends would answer that question?

“Beyond reproach” or “good reputation” are interesting things to consider. How do people talk about you when someone brings up your name?

Have you ever done the type of research that Getz proposes in this chapter?

Are these questions even possible for you? Are they to difficult to face?

CHALLENGE: Take a look at the questions on page 28-29.