Navigating Life's Challenges: When the Wine Runs Out

Devotional

Day 1: Sacrificial Hospitality

When Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, He demonstrated sacrificial hospitality. Despite it not being His time, He chose to help, teaching us that true hospitality involves making sacrifices. It's not just about serving others but making them feel valued and cared for. This sacrificial love is a reflection of God's love for us. Jesus' willingness to act, even when it was inconvenient, shows us the importance of putting others' needs before our own. This act of turning water into wine was not just a miracle but a profound lesson in selflessness and love. [15:40]

1 Peter 4:9-10 (ESV): "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Think of a time when you had the opportunity to help someone but chose not to because it was inconvenient. How can you make a different choice next time, reflecting Jesus' sacrificial hospitality?

Day 2: Striving for Excellence

Jesus provided the best wine, even when it was least expected. This teaches us to strive for excellence in all we do, avoiding mediocrity. Our actions should reflect the best of our abilities, as we are called to emulate Jesus' commitment to doing everything well. Excellence is not about perfection but about giving our best effort in every situation, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. By striving for excellence, we honor God and reflect His glory in our lives. [20:32]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have been settling for mediocrity. What specific steps can you take today to strive for excellence in that area?

Day 3: Clarity and Transparency

Jesus' miracle provided clarity, revealing His divine nature and strengthening the faith of His disciples. Similarly, we are called to be clear and transparent, showing others who we are and reflecting God's glory. This clarity helps others see God's work in us and strengthens their faith. Being transparent means being honest about our struggles and victories, allowing others to see the reality of God's presence in our lives. [28:57]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you were not transparent about your faith or struggles. How can you be more open and honest in your interactions with others to reflect God's glory?

Day 4: The Necessity of Challenges

The wine, which is 85% water, symbolizes that challenges (the water) are necessary for growth and transformation (the wine). Our struggles and bland moments are essential components of our journey, shaping us into who we are meant to be. Embracing challenges with faith allows us to experience God's transformative power in our lives. These difficult times are not to be avoided but seen as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. [25:42]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for growth and transformation, trusting in God's plan for your life?

Day 5: Modeling Jesus' Actions

When the wine runs out, we should model Jesus' actions by making sacrifices, striving for excellence, and providing clarity. These actions not only help us navigate difficult times but also reveal God's presence and power in our lives, encouraging others to believe. By following Jesus' example, we become living testimonies of His love and power, inspiring others to seek Him. [27:18]

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV): "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can model Jesus' actions in your daily life this week. How can this action reveal God's presence and power to those around you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, New Life. Today, we revisit a sermon from January 2023, focusing on the theme "What Happens When the Wine Runs Out?" drawn from John 2:1-11. This passage recounts Jesus' first miracle at a wedding in Cana, where He turned water into wine. The wine running out symbolizes the end of good times and the onset of challenges. This sermon explores how we can navigate such moments in our lives.

The story begins with Jesus, His mother Mary, and His disciples attending a wedding. When the wine runs out, Mary informs Jesus, who initially responds that His time has not yet come. However, He proceeds to instruct the servants to fill jars with water, which He then turns into wine. This act not only saves the host from embarrassment but also reveals Jesus' glory, leading His disciples to believe in Him.

In our lives, the "wine" represents the good times—joy, happiness, and fulfillment. However, these moments are not permanent, and we often face periods of stress, insecurity, and regret. The sermon emphasizes three key actions to take when the wine runs out: sacrifice, excellence, and clarity.

First, Jesus' act of turning water into wine was a sacrifice. Despite it not being His time, He chose to help, teaching us the importance of sacrificial hospitality. Second, Jesus did everything well, providing the best wine even when it was least expected. This calls us to strive for excellence in all we do, avoiding mediocrity. Lastly, Jesus' miracle provided clarity, revealing His divine nature and strengthening the faith of His disciples. Similarly, we are called to be clear and transparent, showing others who we are and reflecting God's glory.

In summary, when the wine runs out in our lives, we should emulate Jesus by making sacrifices, striving for excellence, and providing clarity. These actions not only help us navigate difficult times but also reveal God's presence and power in our lives.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Sacrificial Hospitality: Jesus' first miracle was an act of sacrificial hospitality. Despite it not being His time, He chose to help, teaching us that true hospitality involves making sacrifices. It's not just about serving others but making them feel valued and cared for. This sacrificial love is a reflection of God's love for us. [15:40]
2. Striving for Excellence: Jesus provided the best wine, even when it was least expected. This teaches us to strive for excellence in all we do, avoiding mediocrity. Our actions should reflect the best of our abilities, as we are called to emulate Jesus' commitment to doing everything well. [20:32]
3. Clarity and Transparency: Jesus' miracle provided clarity, revealing His divine nature and strengthening the faith of His disciples. Similarly, we are called to be clear and transparent, showing others who we are and reflecting God's glory. This clarity helps others see God's work in us and strengthens their faith. [28:57]
4. The Necessity of Challenges: The wine, which is 85% water, symbolizes that challenges (the water) are necessary for growth and transformation (the wine). Our struggles and bland moments are essential components of our journey, shaping us into who we are meant to be. [25:42]
5. Modeling Jesus' Actions: When the wine runs out, we should model Jesus' actions by making sacrifices, striving for excellence, and providing clarity. These actions not only help us navigate difficult times but also reveal God's presence and power in our lives, encouraging others to believe. [27:18]
### [27:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - Introduction to John 2:1-11
[03:26] - Opening Prayer
[05:03] - Jesus' Ministry Begins at a Party
[06:23] - The Significance of Wine in Jewish Weddings
[07:57] - The Commitment of Betrothal
[09:38] - The Problem of Running Out of Wine
[11:09] - Symbolism of Wine as Good Times
[12:40] - The Reality of Wine Running Out
[13:56] - Examples of Wine Running Out in Life
[15:40] - Sacrificial Hospitality
[17:12] - Service vs. Hospitality
[18:43] - Doing Things Well
[20:32] - Avoiding Mediocrity
[22:04] - Personal Reflection on Excellence
[24:01] - The Composition of Wine
[25:42] - The Necessity of Challenges
[27:18] - Providing Clarity
[28:57] - Showing Who You Are
[30:00] - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the setting of Jesus' first miracle, and who were the key people involved? ([01:46])
How did Jesus initially respond to Mary when she informed Him that the wine had run out? ([01:46])
What instructions did Jesus give to the servants, and what was the result of their obedience? ([01:46])
How did the head waiter react to the new wine, and what did he say to the groom? ([01:46])

Interpretation Questions

What does Jesus' initial reluctance to perform the miracle suggest about His understanding of timing and purpose? ([01:46])
How does the act of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana reveal Jesus' divine nature and mission? ([01:46])
In what ways does the miracle at Cana serve as a model for sacrificial hospitality, and how does this concept differ from mere service? ([15:40])
How does the composition of wine (85% water) symbolize the necessity of challenges and struggles in our spiritual growth? ([25:42])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when the "wine" ran out in your life. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to navigate that period with faith and trust in God? ([12:40])
Jesus' miracle at Cana was an act of sacrificial hospitality. How can you practice sacrificial hospitality in your daily life, making others feel valued and cared for? ([15:40])
Jesus provided the best wine even when it was least expected. What areas of your life are you tempted to settle for mediocrity, and how can you strive for excellence instead? ([20:32])
The sermon emphasized the importance of clarity and transparency. How can you be more transparent in your relationships, reflecting God's glory and strengthening others' faith? ([28:57])
Challenges and struggles are necessary for growth, much like water is essential for wine. Identify a current struggle in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and transformation? ([25:42])
When the wine runs out, we are called to model Jesus' actions. What specific steps can you take this week to make sacrifices, strive for excellence, and provide clarity in your interactions with others? ([27:18])
Think about a situation where you felt the "wine" had run out. How can you apply the lessons from Jesus' miracle at Cana to bring hope and renewal to that situation? ([12:40])

Sermon Clips

1. "And so when we see the wine running out, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the wine is acting as a symbolic metaphor of the good times in your life. You see in the text, the wine was a representation of keeping the party going on. Many of us have been through so many things in life, which seem like parties, good times. We, we are running on high, but the reality is that the wine, it was not meant to stay forever. And the wine does run out." [11:09] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What happens when the wine runs out, when the sweetness leaves the room and we're left with nothing but the blandness of water. I know that many of you understand what I'm talking about because many of us have been through situations where the wine has run out. The wine representing the sweet, the sweet flavor and the great party that has now dwindled down when there is no more person in the world." [12:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What do you do when the wine runs out when you're making all straight A's over here at school and then you move on to college and you can't seem to keep a speed what happens when the wine runs out when you have this beautiful bundle of joy and you're laughing and you're so happy because the baby is here but then when they turn 16 and their mouth is more on fire than yours is what do you do when the wine runs out when the resources aren't there anymore." [13:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When the wine runs out, we've got to be reminded that we are people who were called to model and emulate who Jesus is and that means sacrifice. I've got to get over here because I got to get out of here soon but the second thing that I need you to see that Jesus does in the text is that not only was he sacrificial but what he does he does it well." [18:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are so busy creating subpar little things. Humans that become incompetent adults because we have made excuses and we have coddled and we have enabled, but we have got to move past the culture of mediocrity and become a new standard of giving our best." [20:32] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I need you to understand that what you're going through right now is necessary for where you're going to be next. I'm gonna leave that right there because I'm gonna stick a pin in it because we're gonna come back to it at some time later if I preach the text again but I need you to see that in order to get to wherever it is you're trying to get to be the vessel that is full of wine you have to have a level of water and it's a large percent of water that makes up the best." [27:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When the wine runs out, Jesus provides clarity. Somebody put in the chat provides clarity when we look at verse 11 it says this was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee he revealed his glory and therefore his disciples believed to reveal yourself means that you are providing a level of clarity and transparency that is necessary in order for the next person to believe." [28:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When the wine runs out and when the wine runs out and when the wine runs out is the time when most of us back down and shrink back into who it is that we've away from who we've been called to be but the text is reminding us is that when the wine runs out we've got to be people who are even more clear on who it is that we are." [28:57] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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