Embracing Change: Flexibility in Faith and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Flexibility—New Wine in New Wineskins

Jesus teaches that new wine must be put into new wineskins, emphasizing the need for flexibility and openness to change in our spiritual lives and communities. Just as old wineskins become brittle and cannot handle the fermenting new wine, our old habits, traditions, and rigid routines can prevent us from experiencing the fresh movement of God. When we allow ourselves to be supple and adaptable, we make room for God to do something new in and through us, both personally and as a church. Are we willing to let go of our rigidity and make space for the new things God wants to do? [07:40]

Luke 5:36-39 (ESV)
He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or faith where you have become rigid or resistant to change? How might you invite God to help you become more flexible and open to something new this week?

Day 2: Sabbath—A Gift for Restoration, Not a Burden

The Sabbath was given as a gift from God for rest and restoration, not as a rigid rule to judge or burden people. Jesus reminds us that the heart of Sabbath is to renew our bodies, minds, and souls, not to enforce inflexible traditions that miss the point of God’s love and care. When we prioritize rest and time with God, we are better equipped to serve, love, and live out our faith. Sabbath is not about legalism, but about receiving God’s invitation to wholeness and balance in a busy world. [10:30]

Mark 2:23-28 (ESV)
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to rest and be restored by God, rather than simply following routines or rules?

Day 3: The Early Church—Flexible, Simple, and Focused on Community

The early church thrived not because of buildings or rigid traditions, but through flexible, simple practices centered on community, prayer, generosity, and shared meals. Their adaptability allowed them to meet the needs of their time and place, welcoming new people and ideas while staying rooted in the way of Jesus. Today, we are invited to rediscover these rhythms—gathering, praying, giving, and celebrating together—so that our faith remains vibrant and relevant in a changing world. [15:52]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflection: What is one simple, flexible practice you can adopt this week to build deeper community or generosity with others?

Day 4: Knowing and Meeting the Needs of Our Community

True ministry requires knowing the real needs of the people around us and responding with creativity, compassion, and innovation. Just as Jesus paid attention to those who were hungry, lonely, or in need of healing, we are called to look beyond our church walls and ask how we can serve our neighbors in practical ways. Whether it’s creating space for connection, supporting families, or addressing financial barriers, God invites us to be attentive and responsive to the unique challenges of our time and place. [18:09]

Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.

Reflection: Who in your community or neighborhood has a need you could help meet this week, even in a small way? What step can you take to reach out?

Day 5: Rest and Renewal Prepare Us for Action

Jesus modeled a life of balance—taking time for rest, prayer, and worship so that he was ready to act with compassion and courage when needed. Regular rhythms of renewal are not a luxury, but a necessity for sustaining faithful action and creativity in a demanding world. When we neglect rest, we risk burnout and miss opportunities to be present for others. By following Jesus’ example, we can find the strength and inspiration to change, serve, and transform lives as God leads us. [19:45]

Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can build rest and renewal into your routine this week, so you are prepared to respond to God’s call to action?

Sermon Summary

Change is a constant in life, and sometimes what is old can be made new again with a fresh perspective and a willingness to adapt. Just as a woman moving into an old house rearranged her familiar belongings to create a new, welcoming space, we are called to reimagine our lives and our faith communities with creativity and openness. Jesus’ teaching about new wine in old wineskins is a powerful reminder that flexibility is essential—not just in our personal routines, but in our spiritual practices and church life as well. When we become rigid, clinging to traditions or rules for their own sake, we risk missing the true purpose behind them: restoration, renewal, and connection with God and one another.

Jesus modeled a life of balance, taking time for rest and prayer, yet always ready to respond to the needs around him with compassion and innovation. He challenged the inflexibility of religious leaders who prioritized rules over people, reminding us that the Sabbath was made for our benefit, not as a burden. In our fast-paced, always-connected world, we too can become rigid—overwhelmed by busyness, losing sight of the need for regular rest and spiritual renewal. Medical research now affirms what God has always known: we need rhythms of rest to be healthy in body, mind, and soul.

The challenges facing the church today are real. With declining attendance and cultural shifts, it can feel as though faith is becoming obsolete. Yet, looking back to the early church and the roots of our own tradition, we see that growth and vitality came not from buildings or rigid structures, but from flexible, responsive communities that gathered for worship, shared meals, cared for the needy, and adapted to the needs of their time. The call is not to abandon what is sacred, but to hold it with open hands—ready to rearrange, refresh, and innovate so that the ancient message of Jesus can be heard anew.

As we approach a new season, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to be flexible, to rest and renew, to listen to the needs of our community, and to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to do something new? Jesus invites us to transform our lives and our ministries, not by clinging to the past, but by embracing the creative, renewing work of God in our midst.

Key Takeaways

1. Flexibility is Essential for Spiritual Growth Just as new wine requires new wineskins, our spiritual lives and communities must remain supple and open to change. When we become rigid—whether in our routines, traditions, or expectations—we risk missing the movement of God’s Spirit and the opportunity for renewal. Flexibility allows us to adapt to new circumstances and to rediscover the heart of our faith. [07:12]
2. Sabbath is a Gift, Not a Burden The Sabbath was given for our restoration, not as a test of religious performance. Jesus demonstrated that the true purpose of rest is to renew our bodies, minds, and spirits, so we can respond with compassion and creativity to the needs around us. When we make rest a regular, intentional part of our lives, we are better equipped to serve and love others. [10:01]
3. Tradition Should Serve Mission, Not the Other Way Around The early church and the early Methodists grew not because of rigid adherence to tradition, but because they were willing to adapt their practices to meet the needs of their communities. Buildings, budgets, and rules are tools—not ends in themselves. Our challenge is to discern what needs to be refreshed or rearranged so that our ministries remain relevant and life-giving. [15:52]
4. Knowing and Serving Our Community is Central Jesus knew the needs of the people around him and responded with innovative ministry. We are called to do the same: to listen deeply to our neighbors, to identify where there is loneliness, injustice, or need, and to create ministries that bring hope and transformation. This requires openness to new ideas and a willingness to collaborate with others. [18:09]
5. Rest and Renewal Prepare Us for Action Jesus balanced times of rest with times of decisive action. By making space for Sabbath and spiritual renewal, we prepare ourselves to be responsive and courageous when opportunities for ministry arise. The rhythm of rest and action is essential for sustaining passion, creativity, and faithfulness in following Jesus.

** [19:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - A Story of New Beginnings
[02:10] - The Power of Rearranging the Old
[03:30] - Kickstarter and Innovation
[05:10] - Jesus’ Teaching on New Wine and Wineskins
[07:12] - The Flexibility of Faith
[08:45] - Sabbath: Law or Gift?
[10:01] - Jesus and the True Purpose of Rest
[11:08] - Sacred Cows and Rigid Traditions
[13:02] - The Health Benefits of Sabbath
[14:31] - The Challenge Facing Today’s Church
[15:52] - Lessons from the Early Church and Methodists
[17:31] - Barriers to Newcomers and the Need for Openness
[18:09] - Knowing and Serving Our Community
[19:45] - Rest, Renewal, and Readiness for Action
[21:05] - Embracing Change in a New Season

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 2:18-28 (ESV) — > 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
> 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
> 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
> 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
> 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
> 23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.
> 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
> 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:
> 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”
> 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
> 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Observation Questions

What is the main point Jesus is making with the illustration of new wine and old wineskins?
According to Jesus, what is the true purpose of the Sabbath?
In the sermon, what examples were given of how traditions or routines can become rigid and lose their original purpose? [08:45]
How did the early church and early Methodists practice their faith in ways that were flexible and responsive to their communities? [15:52]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus challenge the religious leaders’ focus on rules, especially regarding the Sabbath? What does this reveal about God’s priorities? [10:01]
In what ways can church traditions become “old wineskins” today? How might this impact the church’s ability to reach new people or meet new needs? [13:02]
The sermon mentions that Jesus balanced rest and action. Why is this balance important for spiritual health and effective ministry? [19:45]
What does it mean for tradition to serve the mission, rather than the mission serving tradition? How can this principle guide decisions in church life? [15:52]

Application Questions

Think about your own routines—spiritual or otherwise. Where have you become rigid or resistant to change? What is one area where you could try a new approach this week? [08:45]
The sermon described Sabbath as a gift, not a burden. How do you currently practice rest? Is there a way you could make your Sabbath more restorative and less about following rules? [10:01]
Are there “sacred cows” or traditions in your church or faith life that might need to be refreshed or rearranged? What is one tradition you think could be adapted to better serve your community? [13:02]
The early church grew by knowing and serving the needs of their community. What is one need you see in your neighborhood or city that your small group or church could respond to creatively? [18:09]
Jesus took time for rest and renewal so he could respond with compassion and action. What is one practical step you can take this week to build a rhythm of rest into your life? [19:45]
The sermon asked if we are willing to be flexible and open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. What is one area of your life or ministry where you sense God might be inviting you to try something new? [21:05]
When was a time you experienced renewal—either personally or in a group—by rearranging something old in a new way? What did you learn from that experience? [02:10]

Sermon Clips

Sometimes by shifting elements of those old ministry standbys we can help people rediscover what they loved about them in the first place and we can help new people connect with them by seeing them in a new light. Things need a kickstart on occasion. [00:02:11] (19 seconds) #RediscoverWithFreshEyes

The real thing is restoration, renewing people, restoring people. Jesus showed us a way to be flexible. Jesus knew the law of moses, Jesus knew god's plan, but Jesus was flexible. He was creative, he was innovative. [00:08:24] (21 seconds) #RestoreWithFlexibility

Churches have also become inflexible. Jesus in his time was dealing with religious leaders who thought there was one way of doing it, and they were bound and determined to stick to that way. Now maybe our rules don't look like the rules that Jesus was facing enforcement with, but we have our own sacred cows. [00:11:08] (23 seconds) #ChallengeSacredCows

These days we know from medical research just how important taking a day off, taking rest is for our bodies and our minds and our souls. Research has shown that the people who do that, whether they go hiking or biking or motorcycling, cooking great food with friends, worshiping, meditating, connecting the sacred and divine in their earthly lives, those people are healthier. God maybe knew what he was talking about when he told us to take time every week. [00:12:38] (34 seconds) #RestHealsBodyAndSoul

Whether it was the early Methodists or the early church, it wasn't about buildings and budgets. It wasn't about mortgages and utility bills. It wasn't about church rules. It was a flexible way for each group of believers in each community to live in the way of Jesus. [00:16:05] (19 seconds) #FlexibleFaithInCommunity

Another thing that is a big part of today's culture is that there's a lot of people who are suspicious of organized religion. There have been so many scandals in the church. Abuse, embezzlement. There's a lot of respect and admiration for Jesus. But then people come to church and find rigid old wineskins. [00:17:17] (25 seconds) #RespectJesusRejectRigidity

First and foremost, we and our ministries need to be flexible. Jesus was flexible. Jesus was changing. Jesus was adapting. Jesus was innovating based on the needs of the people around him. It is possible to put new ministry in an old building, but it requires flexibility and innovation and creativity and openness to new people and new ideas. [00:18:09] (27 seconds) #MinistryNeedsFlexibility

Can we reach for the stars? Can we reach for that God-sized dream just as Jesus was doing? Jesus wasn't waiting for something to happen down the road. Jesus changed the world every day. [00:19:55] (19 seconds) #ReachForGodSizedDreams

Jesus also took time to change the world, to change ministries, to change our understanding of what God's expectations were for us, to change our understanding of what God's kingdom on earth might look like. Jesus transformed lives instead of putting up with communities that had become rigid. [00:20:37] (26 seconds) #TransformWithJesus

As we change seasons, are we willing to change ourselves as well? How are we going to celebrate Sabbath this week, this month, next month? How are we going to live into the flexibility that Jesus showed by creating flexible ministries so more people feel welcomed by Jesus and the faith family called the church? [00:21:12] (31 seconds) #EmbraceSeasonalChange

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