Ice Cold Bottles of Cristy
Pastor Luke Walker preaches a sermon exploring Solomon's command to eat bread with joy and drink wine with a merry heart, because God has already approved what we do.
Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 9:7
"Go, Eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do."
Sermon Outline
Forward - Solomon commands us to go forward, to seize the day. Time is precious and constantly passing. We should face the future with our heads in the game, making the most of every opportunity.
Festivities - Eating and drinking with joy are not just suggestions but commandments. These basic enjoyments become spiritual disciplines as we learn to participate in life's simple pleasures with gratitude before God, just as Jesus did.
Fermentation - An exploration of what Scripture says about wine and alcohol. The Bible celebrates wine as God's gift to cheer the heart, while condemning drunkenness. Christians have freedom before God to navigate these consumable joys with self-control and good conscience. We must do everything in faith and for God's glory.
Foundation - The reason we can enjoy life's blessings: God has already approved what we do. This points to the doctrine of justification by faith—God approves of us in Christ. He delights in our work, our worship, and even our simple enjoyments when done before Him with believing hearts.
Four Applications
Take to the Blessings of Life - Don't try to be super-spiritual. We're made of dust, designed to enjoy God through tangible earthly blessings.
Enjoy the Blessings We Have - A bird in hand is better than two in the bush. Live within your means and enjoy what God has given you, whether fine wine or coffee.
Do All with Believing Hearts - Everything should be done unto God with intentionality. Whatever doesn't proceed from faith is sin. Rejoice even over scantier meals.
Cheer Hearts with the Old Gospel Vintage - Wine symbolizes Christ's blood and the gladness of the gospel. The ultimate thing that cheers us is knowing God approves of us in Christ.
Pastor Luke reminds us in this sermon of the freedom we have in Christ, through justification by faith and being are clothed in his righteousness, that God watches us with delight and pleasure, rejoicing when we enjoy His gifts with grateful hearts. This is the old gospel vintage that truly cheers our souls—God loves us, enjoys us, and delights in us through Christ. Jesus Himself drank wine and experienced this blessing fully, showing us He is right down to earth with us in all things.
Key Themes
🙌 Seizing the day in light of life's brevity
😍 The spiritual discipline of joy and gratitude
🍷 Biblical teaching on wine, alcohol, and Christian freedom
❤️🔥 Doing everything with a good heart before God
🗿 The difference between enjoying God's gifts and making them idols
🚭 How sin ruins even good things and why abstinence is sometimes necessary
🩸 Wine as a picture of the gospel and Christ's blood
🥹 God's delight in His children