Welcome, beloved friends and family of faith, as we gather in this sacred space, a sanctuary of solace and strength, to seek the wisdom of the Word of God. We are here, united in our hunger for understanding, our thirst for truth, and our shared desire to draw closer to our Creator.
In the words of esteemed theologian and pastor, Tim Keller, "The Bible is not primarily a series of stories about individuals that tell us what we are to do, but a single story of God's grace and redemption, a story that culminates in Christ and defines everything before and after Him, including us."
What does our subject for today mean? Living in the New Testament. Well, it has two meanings: one, that we all, believers and unbelievers are living in the grace of the New Testament ushered in by Christ Jesus; two, for the believer, we are brought into a state of living, living for life eternal and living it in abundance.
Today, we will immerse ourselves in this grand narrative of grace, as we meditate on the profound words of Matthew 9:16-17.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
In these verses, Jesus presents a emotional parable, a vivid illustration of the transformative power of His message, the radical shift from Old to New Testament, the transition from the rigidity of the Law to the liberating love of Grace. He challenges us to ponder the profound implications of His teachings for our lives today, for us to live in the New Testament. Are we holding onto old wineskins, such as church traditions of the past, or as some would have it, falling so far back into the Old Testament that Jesus no longer exists, and in so doing, resisting God's renewing grace? Or are we willing to be transformed allowing for the reception of to the new wine, the transformative teachings of Christ, ready to be filled with His love, His wisdom, His peace?
Transition from Old to New Testament
In the grand narrative of the Bible, we find a profound shift, a transformative transition that takes place between the Old and New Testaments. This shift is not merely a change in time or context, but a radical redefinition of our relationship with God, a new understanding of His grace and love. Because we sometimes fail to understand that the Old Testament is presented to us as an example, and the people in that example failed miserably.
The Old Testament, with its laws and rituals, was a covenant between God and His people. It was a system of rules and regulations, a code of conduct that defined what it meant to be God's chosen people. It was a system that demanded perfection, a standard that no human could fully meet. Yet, it was a system that pointed forward, a signpost to a future promise, a promise of a new covenant, a new relationship with God. He, in His love now gives us the opportunity, by example, to determine if you want to live in the Old Testament or Live in the New Testament. Let me tell you this, there is no in-between, you’re either living for Christ or you’re not. Unbelievers, know that by not accepting Jesus you are living in the Old Testament, where God will judge you by its laws.
The New Testament, with its message of grace and redemption, is the fulfillment of that promise of the new covenant. It is the story of God's love in action, His grace poured out in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a story that transcends the limitations of the law, a story that offers hope and freedom to all who believe. It is a story that invites us, not to a life of rigid adherence to rules, but to a life of loving relationship with our Creator.
In the parable of the wineskins, Jesus uses a simple, everyday image to illustrate this profound shift. The old wineskin, rigid and inflexible, unable to expand anymore, cannot contain the new wine. The new wine, with its fermenting power, will burst the old wineskin, causing the wine to spill out and the wineskin to be ruined. The new wine needs a new wineskin, a container that can expand and adapt to its transformative power.
This image speaks to us today, challenging us to examine our own hearts and minds. Are we just like the old wineskin, clinging to old ways of thinking, old patterns of behavior, old understandings of God? Are we resisting the new wine, the radical message of grace and love that Jesus brings? Or are we just like the new wineskin, open and ready to receive the new wine, willing to be transformed by its power? For that to happen, we must first believe in Jesus, that He came to save us, that His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection are real, because that was the transition from the Old to the New.
The new wine is the message of the New Testament, the good news of God's grace and love brought to us in Jesus Christ. It is a message that challenges our old ways of thinking, that calls us to a new understanding of God and our relationship with Him. It is a message that invites us to let go of our old selves, our old ways of living, and to embrace a new life in Christ. Living in the New Testament.
The new wineskin is our response to this message. It is our willingness to be transformed, to be made new. It is our openness to the work of the Holy Spirit, our readiness to receive the new wine. It is our commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
In the transition from Old to New Testament, we see a shift from law to grace, from rules to relationship, from old wineskin to new. It is a transition that invites us to let go of our old ways, to embrace the new wine of God's grace and love. It is a transition that calls us to be new wineskins, open and ready to receive the transformative power of the gospel.
Theological Shift from Law to Grace
As we delve deeper into the heart of Matthew 9:16-17, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of a significant theological shift. This shift is not merely a change in religious practices or rituals, but a fundamental transformation in our understanding of God's relationship with humanity. It's a shift from a focus on law to an emphasis on grace.
In the Old Testament, we see a covenant of laws and rituals. The Israelites were given the Ten Commandments and numerous other laws to guide their lives and their worship. These laws were not arbitrary rules; they were a reflection of God's character and His desire for a holy people. However, the law also revealed the inherent sinfulness of humanity. No matter how hard they tried, the Israelites could not perfectly keep God's law. The law, then, served as a mirror, reflecting the reality of our sin and our need for a Savior.
But with the coming of Christ, a new covenant was established. This new covenant was not based on laws and rituals, but on grace and redemption. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He lived a perfect life, obeyed the law perfectly, and then offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. His death and resurrection ushered in a new era of grace. Now, we are not saved by our ability to keep the law, but by God's grace through faith in Christ.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Let that me our mantra, a belief and reliance upon Christ Jesus that propels us into eternal life with the Father, Jesus, and all other believers around the world.
The parable of the wineskins beautifully illustrates this shift. The old wineskin represents the old covenant of law, while the new wineskin represents the new covenant of grace. The new wine, which represents the message of the New Testament, cannot be contained in the old wineskin. If we try to pour the new wine into the old wineskin, the wineskin will burst, and the wine will be lost. In the same way, the message of grace cannot be contained within the framework of the law. It requires a new wineskin, a new understanding of God's relationship with humanity.
This transition invites us to let go of our old ways of thinking and behaving and to embrace God's grace and love. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and to ask ourselves if we are clinging to the old wineskin of law or if we are open to the new wineskin of grace. It calls us to live not by rules, but by a relationship with Jesus; not by rituals, but by redemption, and by the understanding that He came to bring us life.
As we continue to reflect on this theological shift, let's turn our attention to a key term in the main Scripture passage. The Greek word for "new" used in Matthew 9:16-17." This word carries the connotation of something that is not only new in time, but also new in nature or quality. It's used in other passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Here, the word “new” is used to describe the transformative power of Christ's grace, which makes us new creations. Which is what Jesus is telling us in Matthew 9:16-17, that we need to be new creatures to fully encompass and take on this life in Christ.
In the same way, the new wineskin in the parable is not just a replacement for the old one; it represents a completely new way of understanding and experiencing God's grace. It's not a patch for old clothing, but a whole new wardrobe. This is the essence of the theological shift from law to grace. It's not about modifying our behavior to conform to a set of rules but about allowing God's grace to transform us from the inside out.
As we ponder this, we are drawn to two further reflections. Firstly, the new wineskin is not just about individual transformation, but also about communal transformation. The new covenant of grace is not just for individuals, but for the whole community of believers. The new wineskin, then, represents a new kind of community, a community marked by grace and love rather than by rules and rituals.
Secondly, the new wineskin is not a static entity, but a dynamic one. Just as wine changes and matures over time, so too does our understanding and experience of God's grace. The new wineskin, then, represents a journey, a process of growth and transformation. It's not a destination, but a journey, a journey marked by grace and love. The bible even tells us that salvation is a journey, a road that is chosen and walked. It too is not a onetime thing, but something that is worked on and nurtured.
The theological shift from law to grace, as illustrated by the parable of the wineskins, is a profound and transformative shift. It's a shift that invites us to let go of our old ways and to embrace God's grace and love. It's a shift that challenges us to live not by rules, but by a relationship with Jesus; not by rituals, but by redemption. And it's a shift that calls us to be a new wineskin, open and ready to receive the new wine of God's grace.
The Parable's Implication for Modern Believers
As we immerse ourselves in the depths of this parable, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of ancient tradition and transformative truth. The implications of this parable for modern believers are vast and varied, yet they all point to a singular, resounding truth: the New Testament supersedes the Old Testament.
In the grand tapestry of God's Word, the Old Testament serves as the intricate, detailed groundwork, the foundation upon which the New Testament is built. Yet, the New Testament, with its message of love, forgiveness, and grace, is the vibrant, life-giving thread that completes the picture, that brings the image into full, glorious focus. It's like a master artist who first sketches the outline, then fills it in with color and light. The sketch is necessary, but it's the color and light that bring the image to life.
This brings us to our first point of consideration. The New Testament, in its radiant revelation of God's love and grace, supersedes the Old Testament in its ability to guide us in our daily lives. It's like a lighthouse guiding a ship through a stormy sea. The Old Testament, with its laws and rituals, is like the distant shoreline, providing a general direction. But the New Testament, with its message of love and grace, is the lighthouse, cutting through the darkness, guiding us safely home.
In the words of the respected Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, "The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world." This quote, verified by multiple sources, encapsulates the essence of our discussion. The New Testament, in its revelation of God's love and grace, is the guiding light for modern believers.
Moving forward, let's consider the transformative power of the New Testament. The New Testament, with its message of love, forgiveness, and grace, has the power to transform our hearts, our minds, our lives. It's like a seed planted in the soil. The Old Testament, with its laws and rituals, prepares the soil, but it's the New Testament, with its message of love and grace, that allows the seed to grow, to blossom, to bear fruit.
Finally, let's reflect on the role of the New Testament in our personal and communal growth. The New Testament, with its message of love, forgiveness, and grace, serves as the catalyst for our growth, both as individuals and as a community of believers. It's like the sun that nourishes a garden. The Old Testament, with its laws and rituals, is like the soil, providing the necessary nutrients. But it's the New Testament, with its message of love and grace, that provides the light, the warmth, the energy necessary for the garden to flourish.
So, dear friends, let us take these truths to heart. Let us allow the New Testament, with its message of love, forgiveness, and grace, to guide us, to transform us, to nourish us. But let’s not forget the Old Testament, because it is the foundation of the New Testament. Just like the roots of a tree or plant, they hold it in place, bringing the nutrients in, but remain unseen taking care of itself; while the New Testament is the plant or tree above ground where we give attention to, we put work into. We prune it, we shape it, we pick from it and are nourished by it. That is living in the New Testament, being transformed by the fruit from it. Let us be like the ship guided by the lighthouse, the seed nurtured by the sun, the garden flourishing under its warmth. Let us embrace the New Testament, and in doing so, let us embrace the fullness of God's love and grace.
Conclusion
As we close our time together today, let's remember the transformative power of God's grace. We've explored the profound imagery of new wine and new wineskins, a powerful reminder that God is always doing something new within us. He's not patching up the old; He's creating something entirely new. And that's the beauty of His love and grace. It's not about fixing our flaws; it's about transforming us from the inside out. The Old Testament law that death came to the breaker of it. But the New Testament ushered in forgiveness of any trespassing. There are laws and rules in the New Testament but being transformed in Christ those rules become a way of life and are not seen as rules but a fabric of togetherness, when adopted, all men can live in peace.
God's love isn't a patch on an old garment. It's a brand-new garment. His grace isn't a new wine in an old wineskin. It's new wine in a new wineskin. It's a complete transformation, a radical renewal. And that's what He offers us every day when we choose to live in the New Testament. A fresh start. A new beginning. A chance to become more like Him.
So, as we go forth from this place, let's remember to embrace the new wine of God's grace. Let's be open to His transformative power. Let's be willing to let go of the old and embrace the new. Because in His hands, we are made new. We are transformed. We are loved.
Let's pray. Dear God, as we close our time together, we thank You for Your Word and Your love. We thank You for the new wine of Your grace and the new wineskins You provide. Help us to embrace Your transformative power in our lives. Help us to let go of the old and embrace the new. Fill us with Your love, Your peace, Your wisdom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
And now, may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. As we all sing together Amen.
