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Msg #583 Wed, November 18, 2009
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And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” ” (Luke 5:37–39)
"Christians should be ready for a change because Jesus was the greatest changer in history." – Author unknown
Change.
Some like it…some hate it…life has it…many resist it….we need it.
Jesus gives us a powerful picture of the need for change in that of wineskins. As He was doing a new work in people and drawing them to a new life He shows us two problems.
Problem #1 – New wine cannot be put into old wineskins.
no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined
This is a physical reality that they understood…but also a spiritual principle. Wineskins picture ways that we do things, practices, structures, organization, habits and more. As God wants to pour new life into us…it cannot fit into our old structures. Freshness is necessary, fresh approaches – openness.
Problem #2 – People who have old wine will think “the old is better”
no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better
Yet the reality that Jesus is describing here is that the old is not better, the new wine, the new wine He wants to work in us is so much better. Yet, by clinging to the known and comfortable, many are resistant to the change and new life that God wants to bring into their lives.
The answer…the best is having New Wine in New wineskins.
new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved
Today…I know God is seeking to work new things in you.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ” (Romans 12:2)
So…I have a couple simple questions for you:
One – today are you clinging to some old wineskin that is keeping God from pouring into your life the new wine that He desires?
Two – today are you clinging to some old wine – thinking that what you have is good enough, resisting the change that God wants to bring in you?
Today…I call you not to resist the fresh life God is seeking to work in you.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. ” (2 Corinthians 3:17–18)
Jim
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