What in the World Can The Church Do
About the Drug Problem?
(Click Here for a fill in the blank outline)
Let me begin by saying, there is plenty and I won't even begin to touch the helm of the garment in 30 minutes tonight and that there are experts on this issue who could address it much better than I can. But somethings need to be said.
We live in an amazing world and in an amazing time, when research and technology has provided us with medicines that have increased our life span and health. In nothing I say tonight do I want to take away from these medical technologies or the proper use of medications. We have come to believe that no man or woman should ever have to face pain. That every doctor should be able to alleviate pain. Got a headache take Tylenol, want to reduce the risk of a heart attack take aspirin, is your child hyper get them on ridilin, are you depressed take uppers, are you in pain take some morphine, have a hard time sleeping, not as productive as you think you should be take Prozac. In drugs we trust could be a better slogan for our nation.
I’m not talking about anti-depressants-talking about illiegal drugs and drugs that are obtained illiegally. Going to doctor with pain that is not real just for the drugs and the feel. Narchotics. Not people with nervious disorder.
I can't give you a personal story of how drugs have destroyed my life and how God helped me rebuild it. I can't tell you medically why not to mess with drugs. But some things need to be said, our community is at a crossroads.
What can the social system do? It can address the problem socially.
What can we not do? We cannot alleviate the drug problem-there will be one. Those who love darkness more than light will assure of that. Those who enjoy the pleasure of sin will partake.
We often ask that question too late. More specifically, what in Hamilton can the church do about the drug problem.
1. Don’t be ignorant: Like the ostrich with it’s head in the sand.
Drugs are becoming a bigger problem. Ronnie and Drew-they are messed up on drugs.
What drug problem?
(2 Timothy 3:12-13 NKJV) "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. {13} But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."
Notice: "Evil men will wax worse and worse..." The problems are bigger than when you were a child. There are more temptations, there is less activity-that demands work. There is more money and transportation available.
It can happen in my family. I’ll tell you here and now: If you ever hear about my children being involved in alcohol or drugs, let me know. I won’t get mad at you. Now, if you hear it and go talk to everyone but me, then I’ll get mad. If you hear it and don’t tell me, then I’ll get mad.
Don't be ignorant enough to think that we will overcome the drug problem in our world.
2. Be an example:
Drugs…coke, marijuana, crack, alcohol, tobacco. Let's talk about telling our kids that they shouldn't be messing with drugs and then us drinking alcohol and being addicted to tobacco or prescription drugs. I know the struggle some of you have had with those things-be honest and don't check out of the struggle. If you take uppers and are dependant on them-don't be surprised! We have become a drug based society. There are some people who need those medications...We had better teach them why we take them if we do and why those same drugs are not for them.
And kids, you can be the best example of all. God knew some young people would be Christians, so he wrote. "Be thou an example…" (Ck. NCV) Nothing makes us prouder than when you are the example. Than when I hear that you are what you know you should be. And few things hurt like the news that you are messing with something that can destroy your spiritual life.
Now, don't do it just to be a show! Do it because it is right! Steve Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, just gave half of his NBA multi-million dollar salary to his schools in memory of his mom-"I try to be an example by the way I lead my life..." He is a man of character. (Dr. J-an unusual man!)
Be light and salt…You remember Jesus' words: (Matthew 5:13-15 NKJV) ""You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. {14} "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."
When we are no different than the world, don't be surprised that our children are not either. (in our talk, how we gossip, how we don't love, etc.)
When we are no different than the world, don't expect the world to come to us for help in handing their problems. BE THERE WHEN THEY NEED US! WHEN THEY HIT BOTTOM AND NEED SOMEONE TO TURN TO.
Is it possible we are not showing our children JOY of Christianity-because if we aren't we are wrong! They will see the joy of TRIPS.
(Romans 12:1 NKJV) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
3. Don’t minimize the problem:
It has the potential to destroy our country. It will take leadership from this church. It can destroy potential. It’s not just kids acting like kids. You may have thought that when you were younger - but not now. Worse of all it can condemn a soul to hell.
We are so passive. Afraid to offend, tread on their rights…etc.
We have a biblical responsibility. Look other way till it hits our door.
4. Don't oversell the effects:
As quickly as you say number 3 you need to also emphasis number 4. That is there is forgiveness. If, you make the stupid mistake and listen to Satan's ambassadors instead of God's word then, correct it and move on.
I was tempted to say that if mess with drugs you destroy everything, in fact I even wrote that down-but slow down! In trying to convince young people, especially your own children not to mess with drugs, don't tell them something not true.
Now, if you teach your child that if you do drugs you won't ever get a job, you won't ever be able to go to college, no one will want to marry you...then you are selling them a line. The fact is you might even be able to do drugs, and still be president-have a thriving law practice, be respected in your community. What I want you to know, is that that's not likely! And that it is not worth the risk!
And the truth is, it's wrong because God's word teaches against it!
(commit all to God)
Harming body. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV) "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? {17} If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
If you mess with drugs, or if you have, there is forgiveness and help. Interestingly enough it is people who believe in God and the Bible who have provided most of the help in our world to help people overcome the control of drugs.
5. Let your voice be heard:
I want to know what is being done to address the drug problem in our schools.
"Evil will win, when good does nothing at all."
The voice of the righteous must be heard…not the self-righteous, or the pretentious, but of people who love other genuinely and want something done to rescue those in the grips and to help others avoid the grip.
When we talk politics…not just about me and my wallet. But what is this guy going to do or try to do about drug problems. When we talk to teachers….
God will judge us if we do not try to influence this world.
Kids, let your voice be heard to. We must begin again to stand up for what we believe. Do we really believe ours is the best life?
Use your talent, wiritng, influence, research, position, connections...etc. Are you a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, do you have coffee with officials, are you an attorney, are you a teacher, in the medical profession, does the plant you work in have a policy, is it enforced-could you influence them to have one?
6. Understand and herald the value of the family:
What in my family can I do about the drug problem?
I haven’t said it lately, but War Eagle: A Recent study was conducted at Auburn University. Children not at risk-church, family, extra-cirrcular activities, peer group.
Let's build strong homes, let our children know what our values are by they way we live and the way we talk! Let them know how valuable they are to us. (Turn with me and let's walk through the Proverbs and see what they teach us about responsibilities of parents).
Some kids do it for attention...that they don't get at home..that they can be a part of an in group there. Be involved in their life. Do what you can to meet the needs they have for acceptance. Communicate with your kids. Know where they are, who their friends are, when they'll be in. Kids expect discipline and rules. (We'll I have to be in by 10:00. Andy who said "Dad would kill me if...") Make sure they know the rules-here's what will happen.
And parents, don’t be stupid! God didn’t give you that child to raise until they were in high school. A good general rule of thumb: If they are still under your roof, they are still being raised. More often than not it is not that parents "can’t do anything", it’s that they "won’t do anything". The problems of being a parent, of disciplining your child is that it is hard. You may not like there behavior, but to make the tough call, to do the really hard thing-it breaks the norm, the routine. Children are to obey their parents. We are to instruct them. If it is accepted everywhere in the world-it still won't be in our home!
7. Encourage our young people:
I was thinking a few weeks ago about the people in our congregation who are such an encouragement to our young people…we have so many of them. Those that don’t even have children themselves, those whose children are long grown. But we need to do better.
Talk to them. Let them know you love them. Let them know how much this church values it's young people! How important they are to us. How proud they make us.
As a teacher do you talk about this?
And let's be a support net here in the church. Meekly in love go to another.
8. I would be totally out of place if I did not include this one…Pray.
For our nation, for our leaders, for our community, for our schools, for our teachers, for our church, for our parents, young people.
We are involved in a spiritual war. Let's use our weapons.
(2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV) "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)"
(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. {11} Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. {13} Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {14} Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; {18} praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;"
1 Timothy 1:18 KJV) "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;"