“HEY PASTOR”
“WE ARE DROWNING OUT HERE!”
Subtitle:
“Let’s Make The Main Things The Plain Things”
The church seems to have a semi-captive audience, which is quite the opportunity for teaching useful, helpful and productive things into people’s lives. Right? So, I am wondering what useful things are being taught in our churches, and can we do better? I can tell you that, in many churches, they are teaching mostly good things.
BIBLE STORIES?
But even with all the good things, I still have to wonder, why we hear so much about “Bible Stories’? Are we really needing to hear stories about the Bible, or told there are stories in the Bible? (Or am I just nitpicking?)
Still, aren’t the scripture’s “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness?” (see 2nd Timothy 3, verse 16). That’s not just a ‘story’ is it?
It seems strange to hear when pastors, preachers, evangelists, theologians and Bible teachers start their message, Bible lesson or sermon with the words, “This story is found in the book of (fill in the blank).“
Honestly, that just makes me cringe.
I think I know what they probably mean when they call a Bible passage, ‘a story’, but that word conjures up mental images of fables, novels, and fictional books. The online Dictionary defines the word ‘story’ as, “an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.”
But a review of the Bible shows that the word ‘story’ is used sparsely, just seven times (in the New American Standard version of the Bible). And, it is only used twice in the King James version – and is used there to report legends, rumors or reports about a King; and it is used only eight times in the English Standard – reporting the same things as the New American Standard version – but it adds the word ‘story’ to the book of Acts chapter 20, verse 9, to describe a multistory building.
You will find that on four instances in the New American Standard version, the Bible uses the word ‘story’ to describe a multilevel house or building. (see Ezekiel 41, verse 6 and 7. Again in 1st Kings 6, verses 6 and 8. And finally in Ezekiel 47 verse 7.)
Twice the word ‘story’ is used to report on the reputation, rumors or legends about King Solomon, his greatness and what he had built. (2nd Chronicles 9 verse 5, and in 1st Kings 10 verse 6.)
The seventh time the word ‘story’ used, it is used to describe A LIE. (See Matthew 27 verse 62, through 66).
So, the word ‘story’ as it is used in the Bible, is NEVER about a ‘story’, an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment, a tale, a yarn or a spiel.
The Bible just is not about ‘stories’. Still, You could say (and probably already have said) that I AM just nitpicking words. But I don’t think so.
I believe we, Christians, have been taught and have allowed ourselves to view the Bible in ways other than what it is intended.
Some of these ways in which we view the Bible can be useful and helpful for our understanding; other ways, when we use the Bible as a book of stories, are simply useful to muse about, entertain ourselves, stir our imagination and to revise what we read in the Bible, turning it into something we consider as a ‘better translation’, that which is more palatable to our tastes, that better fits our preconceived earthly and human notions.
The Bible, is the holiest of books, and describes Itself as the very Breath of God. The Bible contains 82,815 words, composing 31,103 verses, 1,189 chapters and 66 books written by 40 authors over a span of 1,500 years, and despite that complexity, it is a book that has been verified as authentic, proven itself by the hundreds of millions of changed live and has literally changed the course of world history in its fight against the evils of this world.
The Bible is God’s Prophetic Narrative of instruction and inspiration, useful to prepare His people with every good work, perfecting and conforming those who believe, into the image of Christ.
The Bible discusses issues and topics such as geography, sociology, anthropology, science, philosophy, ethics, the church, God and man, community, family, the state, law, arts and media, labor, politics, history, and race relations, instructing on these matters, but the Main Theme of the Bible is NOT about these things. Nor is the Bible a disconnected chronicle of stories, one after another, for us to read and muse about.
The Bible is about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is about God’s plan and purpose for His creation.
The Bible is causative, creative, prophetic and instructional, telling us to be holy as He is holy; to have the same mind in us as the mind of Christ; to complete the good works He has prepared for us ahead of time; to be made into the very image of Christ in preparation for an eternity with Him, in His Perfect Presence and with one another.
The Word of God is CREATIVE, CAUSATIVE, PROPHETIC and INSTRUCTIONAL. The entire Bible is PROPHETIC, INFORMATIONAL, INSTRUCTIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL, “profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”
I say, let’s consider and treat the Bible for what it really is: The Words of God.
(And while I am at it, what’s with all the religious philosophical chatter, and the ‘academia’ from the pulpits? It is one thing to define a word from the original language of Greek or Hebrew, for a better understanding. But is it necessary to add intellectual arguments, speculations, or to add a lofty flair to the Word?
This is not meant to be critical of churches nor of preachers – at least not too critical. This, instead, is meant to point out the obvious and, hopefully, to shed some light on some short-comings and oversights in some pastor’s, preacher’s Bible teacher’s and theologian’s sermons, lectures and teachings of the Bible.
The Bible was written and is intended to be read and understood by every man and woman. It is God’s love letter of instruction, encouragement and Hope to all who will believe. But because it was written long ago, in a language most of us are unfamiliar with and about customs, traditions and rituals we don’t understand, we need the trained among us to make it understandable, useful, and beneficial to us for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness so that we, the men or women of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (see 2nd Timothy 3 verses 16 and 17).
Most of us are a simple people, so please, let’s speak in plain and simple terms. Then when and if it is necessary, explain the complicated things as simply as possible.
The Bible says we are to “increase in knowledge” but the Bible intends that we are to be “increasing in the knowledge of God”.
Now to my subject: “HEY PREACHER. HELP! WE ARE DROWNING OUT HERE!”, or, in other words, “please teach us the Bible like Jesus teaches the Bible”. All of us need to know the main things of the Bible which will aid, assist and lead us to thinking and behavior that will please God – and benefit us.
Here is a good example of what I am driving at: The book of Galatians, chapter 5, tells us what we should do with what we are learning:
Galatians 5:16 But I say to you, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Verse 17. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Verse 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, verse 20, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, verse 21, envy, 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.”
Did you get that? We are to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Paul goes on to say that there is something you need to know ABOUT GOD by KNOWING GOD, and that is “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Honestly! That is something worth knowing, wouldn’t you say?
Galatians chapter 5 is a stark and dire warning of the dangers and the disastrous outcomes of sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry of any kind, sorcery, even in its benevolent-seeming forms like horoscopes, etc., hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.
Now, let’s further narrow our focus to just one issue so we can simplify. Let’s talk briefly about this ‘desire of the flesh’, and gain some Knowledge that we can – and must – use.
(Now for the ‘academic’ stuff). Desire, as used in Galatians 5, verse 16, comes from the Greek words, ‘epithumia’, meaning passionate longing, lust, an eagerness for, and an inordinate desire ( for things such as sex, alcohol, drugs, pornography, anger, revenge, etc.)
And, the word flesh, as used here ‘sarx’, which means “carnal”, of human origin or empowerment. referring to making decisions (followed by actions) according to self – in other words, something done apart from and independent from God.
Now, let’s narrow our focus to just one issue found in Galatians chapter 5: drunkenness, and see what God has to say.
This might be where some of you might say, “But I don’t have a problem with (drinking) alcohol. So, you can skip this one.” That would be true if you don’t drink. Or perhaps you might say, “I just drink for the taste or for the social exchange. I never get drunk.”
Okay. But then I have to ask, how does one GET drunk? Someone gets drunk by drinking. Right? And, anyone who does have a problem with overdrinking or with alcoholism, got there by thinking “I don’t have a problem”, and by taking their first drink. No one plans or planned on becoming an alcoholic. But it happens.
Let me flatly state: If you drink alcohol, you either don’t have a problem YET, and hope you never do; or, you don’t see the problem; or, you could be contributing to the problem of someone else. Since that is not the issue here – we will move on. Although I will come back to this, later.
Now, Back On Topic 
What Is Your Church and What is Your Preacher, Preaching?
Let me ask you, when was the last time you heard your pastor preach on the dangers of drunkenness? (Or for that matter, on the dangers of sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, carousing, and things like these? (And now is when I say, “I thought so”?)
As a caveat, let me say that maybe he (your pastor) has an occasional drink – although I sincerely hope not. But if he does, he may not consider drinking a problem, therefore, he never preaches on it!
For example, I live in an ‘over 55 neighborhood’. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that approximately 20 percent of adults aged 60 to 64 and around 10 percent over age 65, (the percentages drop because people are passing away at this age), report current binge drinking. Older adults can experience a variety of problems from drinking alcohol, especially those who take certain medications, have health problems or those who drink heavily. There are special considerations facing older adults who drink, including and increased Sensitivity to Alcohol. This means that 86% of people aged 65 and older who die from excessive alcohol use die from chronic conditions as opposed to acute causes.
And from what I can see at our neighborhood functions and what I see in the street on trash pickup day, there is a lot of drinking going on. And it is a problem for so many families.
From a personal standpoint, I have lost my mother, my father and a brother to an alcohol related death. My wife lost her father and a brother to alcohol related deaths. My wife and I stopped drinking in our twenties.
Please read these statistics about alcohol abuse and alcoholism:
Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) kill over 3 million people each year, accounting for up to 6% of global deaths.
140,557 Americans die, on average, from the effects of alcohol in an average year.
Ten percent, that is 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder! (see The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.)
According to the 2022 NSDUH, over 61 million people ages 12 and older (21.7% in this age group) reported binge drinking in the past month (see glossary for definition of binge drinking).
This includes: According to the 2022 N.S.D.U.H, 16 million adults ages 18 and older (6.3% in this age group) reported heavy alcohol use in the past month (see glossary for definition of heavy alcohol use). This includes:
Roughly 29.5 million people in the United States have alcohol use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Heavy drinking costs the country more than $249 million annually American Journal of Preventive Medicine) and causes 232 million missed workdays each year (Parsley, Network Open).
Alcohol also takes a human toll. Between 2015 and 2019, excessive alcohol consumption contributed to about 140,000 deaths among adults ages 20 to 64 each year. Those deaths included acute causes like car crashes and alcohol poisoning, as well as chronic conditions such as liver disease or cancer. Put another way, alcohol was a factor in 1 in 8 deaths among 20- to 64-year-olds. And in people ages 20 to 49, 1 in every 5 deaths was related to excessive drinking. (see Esser, M. B., Network Open).
The study was based on data from the CDC’s Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application, which assesses 58 conditions linked to alcohol consumption that the public health agency has examined for two decades, said Marissa Esser, the study’s lead author.
This is an epidemic taking its toll on people, their families, friends, leaving nothing but carnage in its wake, and we need help. We are drowning out here!
Alcohol consumption is a scourge. Perhaps perceived as a ‘pleasant occasion’ to a lot of folks, and has become socially acceptable, but a scourge on so many families, none-the-less.
Which brings us to the beauty of the scriptures of the Bible. They are black and white. No gray areas. No “shadows or turning”. For example:
What if you say that you want to drink? The Apostle Paul says, if you just want to drink, then go ahead and drink. For “All things are lawful [that is, those things that are morally legitimate and permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. No one should seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.” (see 1st Corinthians 10, verses 23 and 24).
In other words, Paul is asking, why chance losing your advantages over life and over sin? Why risk falling into things that are not constructive for your life? And, above all else, don’t be the reason another person might stumble, (if he or she cannot drink in moderation, for example).
Furthermore, the book of Luke admonishes us to, “But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; (see Luke 21 verse 34).
The Apostle Paul also warns us not to“get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (see Ephesians 5 verse 18).
So, let me, once again ask, “just how is it one gets drunk?” (Answer: They take a drink. Then another, and another.)
Why would any Christian be so foolish, in the 21st century, to make excuses for drinking, such as ‘they drank wine in the Bible’ or ‘they drank to relax’, when other means are available in our century and when the risks are so high?
Couldn’t we, as Christians, be good examples for our families and for others?
Drinking doesn’t add anything profitable or constructive to your life. You don’t need it. So, please, think it through, and don’t drink.
Now to all you dear pastors and preachers out there. So many of you have a captive audience, and they look to you for guidance. Most of your flock trusts you. So, I am pleading with you. Don’t look for the easy way out on this. Don’t look for the exceptions in people’s conduct to excuse risky or dangerous behavior. Simply teach the way the Bible teaches: Black and White. Teach the Truth. (And, to assist, here is a link to 25 Bible verses on drinking, for you to review. Bible verses regarding drinking).
I am appealing to pastor and congregant alike. Let’s get back to the basics – the main things and the plain things of the Bible. Let’s get to the things that glorify God and that benefit us – and do them.
Given enough time, just watch what happens in, to and through your life. You will be amazed. And, watch what happens to those people’s lives who are nearest to you. You will be grateful. And, watch what can happen in the watching world. They will never be the same again!
Glory be to God!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young.
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