Like the First Day of School
Pastor Luke Walker preaches sermon exploring Solomon's wisdom about clothing, fragrance, and how we present ourselves as celebrations of God's goodness—staying fresh for Jesus every day.
Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 9:8
"Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head."
Sermon Outline
Fits - Let your garments be always white. Solomon addresses how we dress and present ourselves as a way to celebrate God's goodness. White Garments Signify Cleanness - Wearing clean clothes helps us feel confident and ready to face the day. There's joy in fresh threads and presenting ourselves well before God and others. White Garments Signify Celebration - Bright, festive clothing communicates the celebratory nature of life in Christ. Even Solomon and Puritan John Owen knew about "the drip"—dressing well within our means to honor God. Always White - Continually - We should celebrate life this way consistently, as long as we have life today. "Stay dipped like the first day of school"—every day is an opportunity to celebrate.
Fragrance - Let not oil be lacking on your head. Solomon encourages us not to spare precious ointment. Oil as Comfort - In the dry climate, anointing oil brought comfort and refreshment. We shouldn't needlessly deny ourselves creature comforts that help us in life (lotion, cocoa butter, etc.). Oil as Fragrance - Cologne, perfume, beard oil, even deodorant—these are ways to celebrate life and take care of ourselves. Don't be stingy with these blessings. Taking Care of Ourselves - There's wisdom in treating ourselves in small ways that help sustain us. We can't pour out for others if we're constantly crashing from self-denial.
Function - Why does this matter? What do clothing and fragrance do for us?
Wins Favor and Opens Doors - Dressing well is one of the easiest ways to make good impressions and show hospitality to the world. It helps us represent Christ well.
Affects How We Feel - Our clothing impacts our confidence, mood, and ability to engage with life. Feeling good in what we wear helps us seize the day.
Pictures Holiness and Christ - The entire reason clothing exists is to picture Christ! We needed covering after sin. Now we're clothed in Christ's righteousness—far greater than any earthly wardrobe.
Oil Represents the Holy Spirit - Fragrant oil points to the Holy Spirit who lives in us. These tangible blessings remind us of gospel realities.
Expresses Celebration - How we dress is a way to praise God and celebrate that we're alive, redeemed, and His children.
Three Applications
Stay drippy for Jesus - Be comfortable in your skin, dress confidently, be presentable. Live freely in divine blessings within the bounds of wisdom and decency.
Don't Be Stingy with Ourselves - We don't serve a stingy Lord. While we must be ready to give up everything for Christ, He may not be calling us to deny every creature comfort. Enjoy the present blessings God gives—get new clothes, pick up a nice fragrance. It helps us serve others.
Enjoy the Fit and Fragrance of Christ - All of this points to Jesus. We were naked, ashamed, and exposed before God. Now we're clothed in Christ's righteousness, covered and safe. The Holy Spirit is our anointing. When we dress well and wear fragrance, let it remind us of these greater gospel realities.
Every time we present ourselves well, it points to a greater reality: we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. The oil and fragrance, the Holy Spirit, was poured out after Christ ascended and now lives within us. When we stay fresh, celebrate life, and enjoy these creature blessings, we're embodying the celebration of heaven itself. Christ has redeemed us. Our sins—not in part but the whole—have been nailed to the cross, and we bear them no more. Praise the Lord! Every fresh outfit, every pleasant fragrance, every clean garment can remind us: we're God's children, clothed in Christ, anointed by the Spirit, celebrating the gospel.
Key Themes
🕰️ Life is short—celebrate God's goodness intentionally
🎯 God cares about creature-level blessings
👟 Dressing well within our means honors God
🧴 We should be comfortable in our skin, not our sin
🤑 Don't be stingy with yourself—God isn't stingy with us
✝️ Everything points to Christ and gospel realities
Like the First Day of School | Ecclesiastes 9:8 - Stay fresh for Jesus! Solomon's wisdom on how dressing well celebrates God's goodness & points to Christ.