Wine! (Mark 14:17-42; Proverbs 31:6)

Wine!

Mark 14:17-42

Proverbs 31:6

God gives His people wine in the midst of their sorrows to comfort us with the assurance of day of rejoicing and celebration to come.

I. The Sweet Wine of Blessing

A. A Picture of Blessing and Provision (Genesis 14; Ruth 3)

B. The Blessings of the Land (Deuteronomy 7:13; 14:22-27)

C. Comfort in Affliction (Proverbs 31:6-7)

D. The New Creation (Isaiah 25:6; 55:1; 65:21; Hosea 2:22; Joel 2:19; Amos 9:13-14)

E. Seeing God

II. The Bitter Gall of Judgment

A. When Wine Turns to Vinegar (Isaiah 5; John 19)

B. The Withdrawal of Blessing (Deuteronomy 28:39, 51)

C. When You Become the Grape (Isaiah 63:2-3; 25:15; Joel 3:13; Revelation 14:10, 19-20; 16:19; 19:15)

D. Seeing God

III. A Complex and Full-Bodied Message

A. Dealing with Two Extremes (Genesis 49:11-12; Mark 14:17-42)

B. What this all Means for Us

C. Strong Drink in the Midst of Sorrows

Discussion Starters

1. Monday—Why do we resonate with those in the Bible that have tragic flaws (Abraham, Moses, Samson, David, Peter, etc)? What does it mean that wine itself is a character in the Bible?

2. Tuesday—How is wine a picture of blessing? Why does God regularly use it to convey both His initial blessings as well as restoration?

3. Wednesday—How can wine also serve as a sobering picture of judgment? Why is it important to remember that God’s blessings can be taken for granted and lost?

4. Thursday—How do the dual images of blessing and judgment that wine possesses meet in the cross of Jesus Christ? What does it mean that you can wash your sins away in the blood of Jesus (the wine of grapes; Genesis 49:11-12; Revelation 7:14)?

5. Friday—How is the Lord’s Supper a gift to you in the midst of sorrows (Proverbs 31:6)? Is it meant to intoxicate and numb you or draw your eyes to the blessings of Christ’s kingdom? How is this a blessing and gift to you?