Becoming New Wineskins: Embracing Spiritual Transformation
Summary
### Summary
In this sermon, the focus is on the metaphor of becoming a new wineskin to receive new wine, symbolizing the fresh anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit. The process of transforming into a new wineskin involves several steps, each representing a spiritual principle. The initial step is curing, which involves cleansing and softening the hard areas of our hearts. This is followed by soaking in the Word of God, which purifies and prepares us for deeper transformation. The fleshing step involves a more intense cutting away of the flesh, symbolizing sanctification and the removal of sinful habits and attitudes. The unerring process, which involves soaking in lime, checks for any remaining hard spots, representing the fiery trials that refine our faith. The scutting step uses a sharp knife to remove even the smallest bits of flesh, symbolizing the precise and sometimes painful work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Finally, the drying process tests the integrity of the wineskin, representing the wilderness experiences where our faith is tested and strengthened.
Throughout the sermon, there is an emphasis on the importance of being flexible and open to change, as well as the necessity of enduring trials and challenges to grow spiritually. The pastor shares personal anecdotes and stories to illustrate these points, emphasizing that the process of becoming a new wineskin is ongoing and requires continual submission to God's refining work. The ultimate goal is to be a vessel fit for the Master's use, filled with the new wine of the Holy Spirit, and ready to impact the world for Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Cleansing and Softening: The first step in becoming a new wineskin is allowing God to cleanse and soften the hard areas of our hearts. This involves repentance and a willingness to let go of past hurts and resentments. Just as saltwater cleanses and softens a wineskin, the Holy Spirit works in us to remove impurities and make us more receptive to His presence. [30:01]
2. Soaking in the Word: Regularly immersing ourselves in the Word of God is crucial for spiritual growth. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, the Word is washing and renewing us. This soaking process helps us internalize God's truths and prepares us for the deeper work of the Holy Spirit. [39:49]
3. Sanctification: The fleshing step represents the ongoing process of sanctification, where God cuts away sinful habits and attitudes. This is not a one-time event but a continual process of becoming more like Jesus. It requires daily submission and a willingness to let God work in the deepest parts of our lives. [49:00]
4. Enduring Trials: The unerring process, which involves soaking in lime, symbolizes the fiery trials that refine our faith. These trials are not meant to harm us but to purify and strengthen us. They reveal any remaining hard spots in our hearts and help us grow in our dependence on God. [54:50]
5. Wilderness Experiences: The drying process tests the integrity of the wineskin, representing the wilderness experiences where our faith is tested. These times of feeling spiritually dry or distant from God are crucial for developing a deeper, more resilient faith. They teach us to trust God's character and promises, even when we don't understand our circumstances. [01:20:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:36] - Passing Out Notes
[06:09] - Fun and Laughter
[09:10] - Traumatic Experience
[10:21] - Bathing Suit Story
[19:11] - Making of a New Wineskin
[20:17] - Prophetic Word
[21:06] - New Wine, New Wineskins
[23:05] - Luke 5:36-38
[23:59] - Isaiah 43:19
[24:44] - Characteristics of Old Wineskins
[30:01] - Curing Step
[39:49] - Soaking in the Word
[49:00] - Fleshing Step
[54:50] - Unerring Process
[01:02:43] - Fiery Trials
[01:06:42] - Scutting Step
[01:18:56] - Bathing in Oil
[01:19:52] - Drying Process
[01:25:28] - Final Encouragement
[01:33:11] - Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 5:36-38: "He told them this parable: 'No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.'"
2. Isaiah 43:19: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
### Observation Questions
1. What does the metaphor of new wine and new wineskins represent in Luke 5:36-38?
2. According to the sermon, what is the first step in becoming a new wineskin, and what does it symbolize? [30:01]
3. How does the process of soaking in the Word of God contribute to our spiritual transformation? [39:49]
4. What is the significance of the unerring process involving lime, and what does it symbolize in our spiritual journey? [54:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. In Luke 5:36-38, why is it important that new wine is put into new wineskins? What does this imply about our readiness to receive the Holy Spirit?
2. How does Isaiah 43:19 encourage us to be open to God's new work in our lives? What might "a way in the wilderness" symbolize in our personal spiritual journeys?
3. The sermon mentions that the process of becoming a new wineskin involves enduring trials. How do these trials refine our faith and make us more dependent on God? [54:50]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about the importance of soaking in the Word of God even when it feels ineffective. How does this practice prepare us for deeper spiritual work? [39:49]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry or distant from God. How did you navigate that wilderness experience, and what did you learn from it? [01:20:50]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being flexible and open to change. What areas of your life do you find hardest to change, and how can you submit these areas to God's refining work? [21:27]
3. The process of sanctification involves daily submission to God. What specific sinful habits or attitudes do you need to cut away, and how can you start this process today? [49:00]
4. How can you make soaking in the Word of God a regular part of your routine, even when it feels like nothing is happening? What practical steps can you take to ensure consistency? [39:49]
5. Think of a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did it reveal any remaining hard spots in your heart, and how did it help you grow in your dependence on God? [54:50]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of repentance and letting go of past hurts and resentments. Is there someone you need to forgive or a hurt you need to let go of? How can you take steps towards this healing? [30:01]
7. The drying process tests the integrity of the wineskin. How can you ensure that your faith remains strong and resilient during times of testing? What practices or habits can help you stay grounded in your faith? [01:20:50]
Devotional
### Day 1: Cleansing and Softening
The first step in becoming a new wineskin is allowing God to cleanse and soften the hard areas of our hearts. This involves repentance and a willingness to let go of past hurts and resentments. Just as saltwater cleanses and softens a wineskin, the Holy Spirit works in us to remove impurities and make us more receptive to His presence. This process is not always easy, as it requires us to confront and release the things that have hardened our hearts. However, it is a necessary step in preparing ourselves to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit. By allowing God to cleanse and soften our hearts, we become more open to His guidance and more capable of experiencing His love and grace. [30:01]
Ezekiel 36:25-26 (ESV): "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: Think of a specific hurt or resentment you are holding onto. Can you ask God to help you release it and soften your heart today?
### Day 2: Soaking in the Word
Regularly immersing ourselves in the Word of God is crucial for spiritual growth. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, the Word is washing and renewing us. This soaking process helps us internalize God's truths and prepares us for the deeper work of the Holy Spirit. Just as a wineskin must be soaked to become pliable, we must continually immerse ourselves in Scripture to remain receptive to God's voice. This daily practice of reading and meditating on the Word transforms our minds and hearts, aligning us more closely with God's will. It is through this consistent soaking that we are prepared for the new wine of the Holy Spirit. [39:49]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of immersing yourself in God's Word? What specific time and place can you set aside for this practice?
### Day 3: Sanctification
The fleshing step represents the ongoing process of sanctification, where God cuts away sinful habits and attitudes. This is not a one-time event but a continual process of becoming more like Jesus. It requires daily submission and a willingness to let God work in the deepest parts of our lives. Just as a wineskin must be meticulously cleaned of all flesh, we must allow God to remove anything that hinders our spiritual growth. This process can be painful, as it involves confronting and letting go of deeply ingrained sins and behaviors. However, it is through this sanctification that we are made holy and prepared to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. [49:00]
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What is one sinful habit or attitude that you need to surrender to God today? How can you take a practical step towards letting it go?
### Day 4: Enduring Trials
The unerring process, which involves soaking in lime, symbolizes the fiery trials that refine our faith. These trials are not meant to harm us but to purify and strengthen us. They reveal any remaining hard spots in our hearts and help us grow in our dependence on God. Just as a wineskin must be tested for integrity, our faith must be tested through trials to ensure its strength and resilience. These experiences, though difficult, are opportunities for growth and deeper trust in God. By enduring these trials with faith, we are refined and made more capable of carrying the new wine of the Holy Spirit. [54:50]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did it challenge your faith, and how can you see God's refining work in that situation?
### Day 5: Wilderness Experiences
The drying process tests the integrity of the wineskin, representing the wilderness experiences where our faith is tested. These times of feeling spiritually dry or distant from God are crucial for developing a deeper, more resilient faith. They teach us to trust God's character and promises, even when we don't understand our circumstances. Just as a wineskin must be thoroughly dried to ensure its strength, we must go through periods of spiritual dryness to develop a faith that is steadfast and unshakeable. These wilderness experiences are opportunities to deepen our reliance on God and to grow in our understanding of His faithfulness. [01:20:50]
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry or distant from God. How did that experience strengthen your faith and trust in Him? What did you learn about God's character during that time?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You can't grow if you're not willing to change. Isn't that true? You can't grow if you're not willing to change. Not change the depth of your belief in the Word of God. But gosh, I can't tell you how many things I deeply thought was right or wrong. And now 20 years later, I'm laughing at myself. My convictions are deeper than ever. But certain things that I made a big deal over the Lord was saying. I'm glad that bothers you, didn't bother me." [22:06]
2. "If you haven't found yourself saying to the Lord, I repent for that thought or that attitude or that lack of priority, if you haven't thought any of those things in the last couple of weeks, you're certainly more godly than me. See, when you're really, well, let me just tell you this, I love my two sons, my husbands, in heaven, which is a rip-off. He's watching, probably, from heaven and I. Now you go, I don't know if that scripture, I'm not sure I do either, but don't ruin my fun." [30:01]
3. "When David was talking about his sin and he said in the Psalms, how does a young man cleanse his way? And listen to what it says by taking heed according to his Word. Cleansing comes from the Word of God. And let me challenge you when you read it. Don't let the devil make a fool out of you thinking that unless you're feeling some emotional connection, it's not doing anything. God's Word is much bigger than your feelings." [40:48]
4. "Faith for me is defined by my commitment to believe the Word of God and to trust God's character even when I don't understand my circumstances. If you have to understand everything that happens and this side of heaven, you'll be bitter and cynical. You may make it to heaven, but you're not living on my street. I'm hanging out with fun people." [01:22:33]
5. "The fire of the Holy Spirit is that red hot commitment inside of you. I'm yours, Jesus. I'm yours. I'm all the way in. I'm all the way in." [01:32:33]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Peter Horn, as a believer, understood something that all of us have to be reminded. Sometimes when somebody has deeply wounded us or hurt us, though it kills our flesh, we have to choose to plant some good seed in their life. Even if for a period some of our own heart acreage may still be very painful. Do you hear that? So when it says there that very first step is curing softening of even the hard places. Oh, girls, this process is not a one-time deal." [37:35]
2. "The drying test will check whether or not the wine skin is really usable. Is there any crack? Any holes? Is it shrinking back now? And when I talk about the drying process, you don't have to think hard. What is that for me anyway? And I suggest many of us in our lives, I think this is the wilderness experience. Or what many of the early church fathers called the darkness of God or the desert times. The no-feeling moments. The moments that we say, God, where are you?" [01:19:52]
3. "Sanctification is every day, every moment of your life, where little by little you're becoming, as you keep yourself in the Word, and in prayer, and you try as best you can with all your humanists, to be obedient, you're becoming a little bit more like Jesus. Jesus was skin on, I call it. And so that sanctifying process, boy, such a big deal. Let me just stop for a minute and say to you, the Bible says, present yourselves a living sacrifice, wholly and acceptable, which is only your reasonable service." [49:43]
4. "If you haven't found yourself saying to the Lord, I repent for that thought or that attitude or that lack of priority, if you haven't thought any of those things in the last couple of weeks, you're certainly more godly than me. See, when you're really, well, let me just tell you this, I love my two sons, my husbands, in heaven, which is a rip-off. He's watching, probably, from heaven and I. Now you go, I don't know if that scripture, I'm not sure I do either, but don't ruin my fun." [30:01]
5. "When you go through tough times, girls, and we all know the line, you either come out bitter or better. You do not come out the same. You do not. And many people in the church world have allowed some of their wounds to become their identity. Please hear that." [01:05:56]
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