NO PROVISION TEXT: ROMANS 13:11-14
Remember the story of the scorpion that asked a frog to carry him across the river because he couldn’t swim? "How do I know you won’t sting me?" the frog asked. "If I do, we’ll both drown," he replied. So the scorpion hopped on. Half way across the river the scorpion stung him. As they were drowning the frog said, "You promised you wouldn’t. Why did you sting me?" The scorpion replied, "I can’t help it, it’s my nature to sting."
I. 1 of every 10 drivers on America’s highway is legally drunk. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 23:29-33 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.
A. Wine is described as dangerous as a snake Vs.32 says, it produces hallucinations. Vs. 33 Bad language. Vs. 33 Insensitivity.
B. Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
C. No provision means: no premeditated plan, or forethought!
D. Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
E. Romans 13: 11-12 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
F. What is the armor of light? It’s the brilliance of God’s glory; His anointing in you; its God’s word shining through!
G. Paul emphasizes a high standard of moral conduct, It’s time to submit to His lordship, and depend upon His strength!
H. Vs. 14 make no provisions for the flesh! [When a person feeds the flesh-they foster sensual desires and appetites]!
I. I hear people say, “Well Jesus turned water into wine!” Remember, Jesus was a man who followed and fulfilled the law. According to history, the true God-fearing Jew would not touch anything fermented. It is considered an abomination unto the true Jew! (Acts 2)
J. No provision means no provision! I Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Going to the house or funeral home of a teenager that has just been killed in a car wreck brings a reality check for all to flee from all appearances of evil. Just because so many people feel as though they have to debate this serious problem should wake us up!
