OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (56)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    As I was thinking about questions and answers, this thought came to my mind:  “Are there any questions that have no answer to them?”

1.      I found out that there are such questions.

2.      Examples:

a.      Do stairs go up or down?

b.      How do you handcuff a one-armed man?

c.       If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

d.      What’s another word for “thesaurus”?

e.       What is a question without an answer called?

 

B.      I was also thinking:  “Wouldn’t it be great if I could just say to some of your questions:  “This is one of those questions with no answer.”

 

C.     Hopefully, we will not ever take that position. There are times, however, when I wish questions had no answer.

 

D.    In this lesson, we will be looking at three questions you have submitted.

 

I.                    QUESTION #1: Legalization of Marijuana

 

A.    Stated:  Since marijuana is legalized in some places, is it okay for a Christian to use it?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      There are two kinds of laws that exist.

a.      One is the law of God. 

1)      This law is found in the pages of the Bible.

2)      Psalm 19:7

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul…

 

b.      The other type of law is man-made law.

1)      God authorized for these laws to be made and obeyed (I Pet. 2:13).

 

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…

 

2)      These laws, however, do not trump the law of God.

2.      Just because something has been legalized by man does not mean that Christians are allowed to be involved in it.

a.      Prostitution is legal in eight of Nevada’s sixteen counties.  Can a Christian go there and engage in prostitution?

b.      Drinking alcoholic beverages is legal in Jacksonville, FL.  Can a Christian start drinking because it is legal here?

c.       It is legal to have an abortion in our nation.  Should Christians elect to have abortions?

3.      Why Christians should not use marijuana:

a.      Marijuana negatively impacts the brain.

1.      Effects:

a.      The mind is relaxed instead of being sharp.

b.      The reaction time of the brain is slowed down.

c.       A person’s inhibitions are lessened while on marijuana.

2.      In other words the brain is intoxicated instead of being sober.  The Bible exhorts us to be sober-minded (Tit. 2:2, 4, 6)

 

That the aged men be sober…that they may teach the young women to be sober…Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

 

b.      Marijuana can have immediate negative effects on individuals.

1)      Anxiety, fear, distrust, and panic happen to some users. 

2)      People who have taken large doses of marijuana may experience an acute psychosis, which includes hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of personal identity” (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuana-effects).

3)      I Thessalonians 5:212-22

 

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

c.       Using marijuana can be dangerous from other perspectives.

1)      It can tempt one to move to more powerful drugs in order to experience their “high.”

2)      It can cause problems in school and in one’s relationships.

3)      Many who are involved in criminal behavior were also smoking marijuana.

4)      Some individuals become addicted to marijuana.

5)      NOTE:  Most people who regularly use marijuana are not individuals that one can point to as an example to others (See I Timothy 4:12).

 

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

II.                 QUESTION #2: Medical Marijuana

 

A.    Stated:  Can Christians use medical marijuana and substances such as CBD?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      Doctors and medicine are mentioned in the Bible.

a.      Doctors

1)      Jesus’ words showed the importance of doctors (Matt. 9:12).

 

…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

 

2)      Luke was a faithful follower of Christ and was a physician (Col. 4:14).

 

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

 

b.      Medicine

1)      Jeremiah 8:22

 

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?...

 

 

2)      I Timothy 5:22

 

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

 

3)      Revelation 3:18b

 

…and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

2.      God uses the knowledge of doctors and the healing properties of medicine to heal our bodies.

3.      What about marijuana being used as medicine?

a.      Many medicines that we use come from plants.

1)      Opiates come from poppy and help to reduce pain.

2)      Taxol comes from the bark of the Pacific Yew and fights cancer.

3)      Penicillin comes from a mold and is an antibiotic.

4)      Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant.

b.      Had marijuana never been an illegal drug, we would not question its use today as a medication.

c.       Medical marijuana

1.      Cannabis has been used as a medicine for years in such cultures as Egypt, India, China, and Greece.

2.      Must be prescribed by a physician.

3.      The prescription regulates the amount of marijuana intake.

4.      Most do not contain the normal ingredients that give the high.

5.      It is usually taken by mouth and not smoked.

6.      Must be 18 years of age to purchase it from a dispensary.

7.      It is prescribed for such things as:  appetite loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, cancer, eating disorders, mental health conditions, glaucoma, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, pain, and nausea.

4.      What is CBD oil?

a.      CBD oil is made from one of the 100 elements found in a marijuana plant.  The element is cannabinol.

b.      This element does not produce a high like the THC in marijuana. 

c.       It has been found to have some medicinal purposes also:  

1)      An anti-inflammatory

2)      Pain reducer

3)      Helps alleviate stress and anxiety

4)      Helps heal eczema and acne

 

III.              QUESTION #3: Christian Music and Instruments Outside of Worship

 

A.     Stated:  Is it in conflict with the Bible to listen to “Christian music” like Toby Mac and Jars of Clay outside the auspices of worship?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       In the churches of Christ, we have been very dogmatic about having only a capella music in the worship of the church.

a.       It is a matter of having authority for all we do in our service to God (Col. 3:17).

b.      The New Testament authorizes us to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), but it does not authorize the use of instrumental music.

c.       To use them, therefore, would be to add to the Word of God which is forbidden (Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18).

d.      Too, church history bears out the fact that the church did not use instruments of music until around 600 A.D.

2.       As far as using instruments of music outside the worship services, most have believed that this practice is acceptable to God.

a.       Many Christians play Christian hymns on pianos and guitars at home.

b.      Others like to listen to so-called “Christian music” that contains instrumental music at home or in their cars.

3.       For this speaker, there is one verse that bears heavy on this discussion (Jms. 5:13).

 

Is any among you afflicted?  let him pray.  Is any merry?  let him sing psalms.

 

a.       This verse is not speaking about a worship setting.

b.      The authorization is to “sing” psalms.

1)      Why don’t we apply the same reasoning to this verse that we do the verses that apply to worship?

2)      The New Testament authorizes “singing” psalms outside the worship assembly.  NOTE:  There is no authorization for instrumental music outside the worship assembly.

3)      The argument is:  “The Bible does not say that we cannot use instruments of music outside of worship.”  However, we do not operate on this principle.  We operate on the principle of what the Bible tells us we are to do.

4)      If we abide by this principle, we cannot go wrong.  If we go beyond this, we will have to give an account unto God.

5)      NOTE:  I am just trying to be consistent in the application of the Word of God.

 

CONCLUSION

  1. In this lesson, we have looked at some things that involve issues 2000 years removed from the first century:  marijuana and Christian music.  Neither existed in the time of Jesus.
  1. However, the principles of the Bible are enduring.  They address every facet of our lives if we will let them.
  1. This writer is reminded of II Peter 1:3.

According as his divine power hath given unto all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.