Let's Get Drunk!
Pastor Jim Kilby • December 30, 2022
Let's Get Drunk!
It would be hard to imagine the number of times I heard those words spoken starting from when I was a teenager. They continued for about a dozen years. And, not being raised as a Christian, I'm sure I said those words myself a countless number of times. It just seemed like the thing to do. After all, didn't grown-ups drink? It HAD to be fun, 'cause all the older teens did it; everyone on television did it, and my parents did it, too! Why didn't I learn from watching what it did to those around me? I knew my father and grandfather were both alcoholics. Was I that dim? Now sober, saved, and looking back, I guess my desire to be cool... and of course, my need to escape reality and my own inferiority complex outweighed what I knew was right. It was only after my consumption of alcohol nearly destroyed my Air Force career, and DID help destroy my first marriage, that the Lord finally broke the curse and brought me out into the light... It's not only because of what it did to my life (not to mention my brain cells), that I call alcoholism a curse. But also because God Himself calls it's a curse. Imagine that... a curse... and I'd guess about 95% of Americans over the age of 13 have consumed at least some alcohol, many to the point of disaster in their lives.
"But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep." Jeremiah 11:8
"...This is what the LORD says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. I will smash them one against the other, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them. Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to thick darkness and change it to deep gloom." Jeremiah 13:13-16
Imagine what could be done for the kingdom of God with the billions of dollars we spend on booze.
Pastor Jim Kilby
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I'm kind of a hard-nosed guy when it comes to seeing things in black and white. I don't have any tolerance for things I feel are dishonest or against what I believe are God's standards. While that may be fine at times (like lovingly helping people see the truth), judgment is really not my job. Judgment is God's job 100% of the time. I find it ironic and profound God had every reason to judge us harshly, and yet found it in His heart to give us mercy, while we who have no reason to judge, quite often do it anyway, and yet find it difficult to show mercy to others. The truth is we need to always be aware we have been saved by grace and are no longer under the law, but in many ways we need to live like we still will be judged by it. The fact remains we are still sinners. Whenever we are standing in judgment of someone else, we are sinners sitting in God's chair. A good remembrance of the law will help keep us out of HIS chair! “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12-13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Let's say you're standing on the curb near your school (or work, or home, or anywhere for that matter) trying to help a scared and crying young person who's terribly lost. While you are doing your best to get a phone number for a parent out of them, someone runs up and steals your bike (or car, or skateboard, or... well, you get the point). You were just trying to do the right thing and still you were wronged. You ask yourself, "Why didn't God protect me?" Later, you see the very people who ripped you off having dinner at McDonalds, only they don't see you. Do you: A. Scratch up their car with a key (because they seriously deserve it). B. Call the police. C. Thank God for the blessing! D. Both B and C. The answer is found below (just add common sense about the police part!): "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." 1 Peter 3:13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
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In honor of the St. Patrick's Day holiday, I heard a commentator give a neat rundown on exactly who St. Patrick was today. It seems that of all the things he was (Christian, evangelist, etc.) he was never actually canonized as a Saint by the Catholic church. What's more, he wasn't even Irish, but Scottish! Still, I must disagree with the commentator. People do not become saints because any denomination of the church deems them one. Early Christians were all addressed as "saints," because that is exactly what they were called to be! Believers in Jesus Christ are all saints, not because of what they've done, but because of what HE has done! Then they become travelers on the path to become worthy of the title. In the New Testament, believers are addressed as "saints" 45 times! Just imagine how you might think differently if you were continuously addressed with the title, "Saint." "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:27 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
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"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." Psalm 26:1 Those words from Psalm 26 were written by King David. Anyone who knows anything about David knows that he certainly did not lead a blameless life. He's the guy who had a woman's husband killed to cover up the fact that he slept with her and got her pregnant. The reason David can say he is "blameless" is because being without blame is not something we achieve on our own. It is something we achieve through God. We are all "to blame" for our sins, but by trusting in Jesus alone, we too become blameless. "But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord." Psalm 26:11-12 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Churches, youth groups, ministries and the like can be some of the roughest and most unforgiving places on the planet! Not all of them are as well supervised as they should be. As a result, much pride and arrogance can build up among those who've been there for a while. If these people were truly operating by the Holy Spirit, then all the fruits of the Spirit would be theirs (peace, patience, kindness, etc). Instead, the fruit of the sinful nature is often allowed to run amuck. The result is that those truly desiring to come to Christ; those hurting and needing help, are pushed out of the way by those who demand things be their way, or by those who suck the Body of it's strength with their drama! I've seen far too many good people leave churches and ministries because of such sinful activity. Know this for sure... None of that stuff has anything to do with Jesus. Keep looking for a Bible believing church where sin is called what it is and where grace abounds. God has your back on this one and He needs you in a place where you can grow strong and useful for His kingdom! "Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another." Ezekiel 34:21-22 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
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