Subtopic: " It's Time to Sober Up"
Text Titus:11-14: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (vs12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (vs13) Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (vs14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works".
St. Luke 21: 33-36 : "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (vs34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,( grossly excessively amount of something) and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.(vs35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.(vs36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man".
Eph.5:15-21 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,(vs16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (vs17)Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (vs18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (vs19)Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (vs20)Giving thanks alway for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (vs21)Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary; Vol.22, Page 229, a comment on Eph.5:18-19 "1. THE NEED OF SOME STIMULUS FROM BEYOND OURSELVES. (vs17-18.) This is apparent from the fact that everyone needs excitement, as it is called, to keep him moving--- something to "interrupt our quiet and ordinary state of mind with some more lively feeling, which makes us live more consciously and in a manner quicker than we do in common." We all feel this. Now, this goes to show that we are not self-contained, no matter how much we desire to be so, but we need a helping hand from outside our own personalities. Withhold food, and we perish. Withhold all stimulus from us, and we go of necessity to pieces. The whole question comes to be, therefore, where we shall get our required stimulus.
2. THE STIMULUS OF WINE IS ATTENDED WITH DANGER.(vs18) This is an inspiration which come through sense. Now, all of us need a stimulus through our senses. Food is a stimulus. A well-digested meal makes life move faster and quicker than fasting would. But this effect caused by drinking wine inspires a "riot"(Revised Version) which is inconsistent with that unity of the Church for which the gospel calls. We should abstain from such a dangerous stimulus as this, for its effect has been hostile to the unity of spirit. But we might extend the precaution here to all those excitements of a sensual nature which exhaust and retard the spirit. As A.T Roberson says "Wine is but a specimen of a class of stimulants. All that begins from without belongs to the same class. The stimulus may be afforded by almost any enjoyment of the senses. Drunkenness may come from anything wherein is excess--- from over-indulgence in society, in pleasure, in music, and in the delight of listening to someone who has skill in public speaking, nay, even from the excitement of sermons and religious meetings. The prophet tells us of those who are drunken , and not with wine, (Isa.29:9-10, Jer.23:9-10)." Commentator Arnold, in the same way, bases upon this passage warnings against excess of bodily exercise, excess of intellectual exercise, excess even in our hours of work, excess, in a word, so far as it operates against Christian sober-mindedness.
Text Titus:11-14: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (vs12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (vs13) Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (vs14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works".
St. Luke 21: 33-36 : "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (vs34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,( grossly excessively amount of something) and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.(vs35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.(vs36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man".
Eph.5:15-21 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,(vs16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (vs17)Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (vs18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (vs19)Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (vs20)Giving thanks alway for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (vs21)Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary; Vol.22, Page 229, a comment on Eph.5:18-19 "1. THE NEED OF SOME STIMULUS FROM BEYOND OURSELVES. (vs17-18.) This is apparent from the fact that everyone needs excitement, as it is called, to keep him moving--- something to "interrupt our quiet and ordinary state of mind with some more lively feeling, which makes us live more consciously and in a manner quicker than we do in common." We all feel this. Now, this goes to show that we are not self-contained, no matter how much we desire to be so, but we need a helping hand from outside our own personalities. Withhold food, and we perish. Withhold all stimulus from us, and we go of necessity to pieces. The whole question comes to be, therefore, where we shall get our required stimulus.
2. THE STIMULUS OF WINE IS ATTENDED WITH DANGER.(vs18) This is an inspiration which come through sense. Now, all of us need a stimulus through our senses. Food is a stimulus. A well-digested meal makes life move faster and quicker than fasting would. But this effect caused by drinking wine inspires a "riot"(Revised Version) which is inconsistent with that unity of the Church for which the gospel calls. We should abstain from such a dangerous stimulus as this, for its effect has been hostile to the unity of spirit. But we might extend the precaution here to all those excitements of a sensual nature which exhaust and retard the spirit. As A.T Roberson says "Wine is but a specimen of a class of stimulants. All that begins from without belongs to the same class. The stimulus may be afforded by almost any enjoyment of the senses. Drunkenness may come from anything wherein is excess--- from over-indulgence in society, in pleasure, in music, and in the delight of listening to someone who has skill in public speaking, nay, even from the excitement of sermons and religious meetings. The prophet tells us of those who are drunken , and not with wine, (Isa.29:9-10, Jer.23:9-10)." Commentator Arnold, in the same way, bases upon this passage warnings against excess of bodily exercise, excess of intellectual exercise, excess even in our hours of work, excess, in a word, so far as it operates against Christian sober-mindedness.
Be sober in thought.
3.THE INSPIRATION FROM ABOVE CAN HAVE NO ATTENDANT EXCESS.(Verses18-19) We may be filled with the Spirit, and no riot result, nothing which will do anything but foster a glorious unity. For the gospel and the inspirations from God "at once excite and sooth," so that the soul is kept in an holy balance, and the inspiration has its natural manifestation.1. There will be harmony in social song. The Holy Ghost will permeate by His harmonizing presence in social praise. 2. The praise offered to the Lord will be heartfelt. It will not be a form of praise, but the very heart going up to heaven. 3.Thanksgiving will be mightily promoted. In the midst of manifold mercies our God in heaven looks for constant thankfulness from us. And indeed, if we understand his love we shall be prompted to give thanks "always for all things," in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4. Inspiration will promote mutual subjection in the fear of Christ. Thus it comes to pass that an inspired people proves a praising and united people. What harmony the society filled with the Spirit realizes! It is heaven begun below. What we need, therefore, is a Pentecost. If the Holy Spirit is pleased to fill us, then shall our discords vanish and our hearts beat in unison. It is by inspiration that the unity of the Church shall be secured."
DEFINITIONS
Intoxicate means to make drunk or to excite beyond self-control.
Sober means to be not drunk; temperate; moderate; quiet; serious; solemn; dignified; sensible; free from exaggeration.
EXPOSITION
BE SOBER:
1. In Thought--- Romans 12:3-5 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.(vs4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:(vs5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
Phi.4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,(moral excellence or goodness) and if there be any praise, think on these things."
2. In Wakefulness--- 1 Thess.5:6-8 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (vs7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.(vs8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation."
3. In Vigilance--- 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (vs9) Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
4. And watch unto prayer--- 1 Peter 4:7-8 "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.(vs8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins."
5. And hope to the end--- 1 Peter 1: 13-16 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (vs14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:(vs15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (vs16) Because it is written,(Lev.11:44)Be ye holy; for I am holy."
6. Persevering to the end--- Gal.6:9-10 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (vs10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
7. Straightforwardness--- Phi.3:13-15 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
DEFINITIONS
Intoxicate means to make drunk or to excite beyond self-control.
Sober means to be not drunk; temperate; moderate; quiet; serious; solemn; dignified; sensible; free from exaggeration.
EXPOSITION
BE SOBER:
1. In Thought--- Romans 12:3-5 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.(vs4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:(vs5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
Phi.4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,(moral excellence or goodness) and if there be any praise, think on these things."
2. In Wakefulness--- 1 Thess.5:6-8 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (vs7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.(vs8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation."
3. In Vigilance--- 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (vs9) Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
4. And watch unto prayer--- 1 Peter 4:7-8 "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.(vs8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins."
5. And hope to the end--- 1 Peter 1: 13-16 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (vs14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:(vs15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (vs16) Because it is written,(Lev.11:44)Be ye holy; for I am holy."
6. Persevering to the end--- Gal.6:9-10 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (vs10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
7. Straightforwardness--- Phi.3:13-15 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
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