Unlocking God’s Power: Transitioning to New Wineskins

In today’s spiritual landscape, many believers are seeking a deeper connection with God and a more profound understanding of His power. This journey often involves a transition from old patterns of thinking and operating into new, life-giving ways. The concept of “new wineskins” is a powerful metaphor for this transformation. It signifies a readiness to embrace change and allow God’s Spirit to flow freely in our lives.

Developing New Wineskins

The idea of developing new wineskins is crucial for experiencing God’s power in our lives. As we move from old traditions and mindsets, we open ourselves up to the new things that God wants to do. Many prophetic voices have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit. This is not merely about changing practices; it’s about a heart transformation that allows God’s grace to flourish.

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The Role of the Holy Spirit

When discussing rivers of living water, we immediately think of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is transformative and life-giving, changing our lives in profound ways. The Holy Spirit takes our faith from a lifeless form to an active, vibrant relationship with God. Many believers experience a disconnect when they focus on legalism and judgment instead of embracing grace and the life that comes through the Holy Spirit.

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Understanding Zoe: The Life of God

The term “Zoe” refers to the very life of God. It is not just about eternal life after death; it encompasses the abundant life He desires for us now. This life transforms our existence, allowing us to experience freedom and joy in our daily lives. The rivers of Zoe symbolize the overflowing abundance of God’s presence, which we can access through faith.

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Exercising Our Senses

As believers, we are called to exercise our senses to discern good from evil, life from death. This discernment is crucial in understanding the ministry of grace versus the ministry of condemnation. We must be aware of how our perceptions can be clouded by old traditions and legalistic mindsets, preventing us from seeing God’s work in our lives and communities.

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Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which represents hypocrisy and false expectations. This leaven can infiltrate our understanding of God and His Word, causing us to miss the life-giving truth He offers. Legalism can create a barrier between us and the true heart of God, leading to a distorted view of His character and intentions.

Hypocrisy and Deception

Hypocrisy often arises from a desire to appear righteous while missing the heart of God. Many Pharisees were sincere in their intentions, but they operated from a place of misunderstanding and blindness. When we focus on external appearances rather than internal transformation, we fall into the same trap. The call to authenticity is essential for experiencing God’s power in our lives.

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The Traditions of Men

Traditions can be a double-edged sword. While they can provide structure and community, they can also bind us to outdated ways of thinking and operating. Jesus challenged the traditions of men that hindered the flow of God’s grace and truth. We must be willing to examine our practices and beliefs to ensure they align with the life-giving message of the Gospel.

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Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees represents a mindset that prioritizes rules and regulations over relationship and grace. Jesus consistently pointed out this hypocrisy, urging His followers to seek the genuine heart of God rather than clinging to human-made traditions. This shift in perspective is necessary for the new wine of the Spirit to flow.

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Pharisees Demand a Sign

When the Pharisees demanded a sign from Jesus, they missed the evidence of His work right in front of them. Their inability to see the miraculous was a direct result of their hardened hearts and expectations. We must guard against the same mindset, ensuring that we remain open to recognizing God’s work in our lives and the world around us.

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Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee

The Jesus Revolution serves as a poignant example of transitioning from old wineskins to new. Chuck Smith, initially resistant to the hippie movement, eventually embraced it when he recognized their genuine search for truth. This shift not only transformed his ministry but also sparked a revival that reached countless lives. It demonstrates the power of grace to break down barriers and bring about authentic change.

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A Revisited Antioch Church

In envisioning a Revisited Antioch Church, we see a community open to all people, regardless of background or lifestyle. This church would welcome those seeking truth and healing, embodying the love and grace of Christ. The goal is not to categorize or exclude but to embrace the diversity of God’s creation and witness His transformative power at work.

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The Ministry of Grace

The ministry of grace is essential for unlocking God’s power in our lives. It opens the door to authentic relationships, healing, and transformation. When we operate in grace, we become conduits of God’s love, allowing rivers of living water to flow through us and impact the world around us.

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Reality of the Kingdom through Grace

Grace brings the reality of God’s Kingdom into our lives. It empowers us to live authentically and pursue the heart of God. As we transition from old wineskins to new, we must remain vigilant against the leaven of hypocrisy and legalism. Our sufficiency comes from God, and His grace is sufficient for every need.

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Our Sufficiency Comes from God

Recognizing that our sufficiency comes from God frees us from the burden of performance and perfectionism. We can rest in His grace, knowing that He is the one who equips and empowers us for every good work. This understanding shifts our focus from striving to surrendering, allowing God’s Spirit to work through us.

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Grace Brings Life and Transformation

Ultimately, grace brings life and transformation. It opens prison doors and sets captives free. As we embrace the ministry of grace, we become agents of change in our communities, reflecting the love and power of Christ. This is the new wineskin that God is calling us to develop—a vessel ready to receive and pour out His living water.

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In conclusion, the journey from old wineskins to new is essential for experiencing the fullness of God’s power in our lives. By embracing grace, discerning the authentic from the inauthentic, and allowing the Holy Spirit to flow freely, we can unlock the transformative power of God and witness His work in and through us.

Developing New Wineskins

(Preaching Outline – Click HERE for Google Doc Version)

1. Last week I mentioned some of the prophetic voices that have prophesied a mighty move of God in this region connected with the vision of rivers of living water flowing.
   1. I have pondered the other prophetic word that God has given very clearly to us as a body about forsaking old wineskins for new wineskins that will hold new wine.
   1. I want to look at these prophetic words as connected ideas to be explored so that we become part of a great move of God.
   1. Rivers of living water:
      1. The Holy Spirit
      1. The woman at the well – what we explored at Life Group on Thursday – when did Jesus give her the living water she asked for?
      1. Rivers of zoe life
      1. The authentic vs. inauthentic – in pursuit of reality and authenticity
      1. Luke 12:1 (NKJV) — 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
         1. There are many aspects to explore about the leaven Christ warns us of, but at least look at “First of all.”
      1. Matthew 15:7–9 (NKJV) — 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
         1. Godly and well-meaning traditions that either miss zoe or quench zoe.
   1. I want to explore some scriptures that will help us develop new wineskins.
2. 2 Samuel 7:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 3 Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
   1. (Paraphrase God’s response)
   1. Did Nathan originally give good advice to David?
   1. Approaching scripture with a lens that robs of life.
   1. An old wineskin approach.
   1. We do not ask questions deep enough to think through what the outcome would be.
   1. It leads to the servant who hides his talent in the ground because he has a false vision of the heart of God.
3. Matthew 16:5–12 (NKJV) — 5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
   1. Does it bother you that this scripture makes the statement about the leaven of Pharisees but does not seem to define it?  It begs the question doesn’t it?
   1. The story itself is the object lesson – the disciples miss it – Jesus was an awesome teacher!!!
   1. Matthew 12:38–40 (NKJV) — 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
      1. DISCERNING ZOE
4. Could the Jesus Revolution movie be a prophetic word to the church to prepare us to embrace the move of God?
   1. Chuck Smith is a model of a man who transitioned from an old wineskin to a new wineskin and experienced the move of God.
      1. As a Pharisee, he was sincere about his commitment to Jesus Christ and the church
      1. He was concerned by the direction of the nation
      1. He saw hippies are part of the problem – MISSING THE HEART OF GOD
      1. THAT IS A RECIPE FOR INEFFECTIVENES
      1. Is this not where we are at in America today?
   1. Janette Smith brings home Lonnie Frisbee
      1. A great move of God begins
   1. There are many principles to help us embrace and steward a move of God from the movie, but I only want to look at one more.
      1. At a certain point it becomes apparent that Lonnie has mixed seed.  The leaven of Pharisees would have shut down the move as soon as that was noticed, but Chuck waited until the time of harvest.
5. Developing New Wineskins
   1. The ministry of grace
   1. John 1:16–18 (NKJV) — 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
   1. 2 Corinthians 3:4–6 (NKJV) — 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.