Introduction
Why do the disciples of Jesus not fast like the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees? 1) Their circumstances are different (their bridegroom is with them). 2) The message Christ brings does not just amend the old way; it is radically different and brings complete change.
- THE PARABLE
- New Piece Not Put on Old Garment (Luke 5:36)
- New Wine Not Put in Old Bottles (Luke 5:37)
- New Wine is Put in New Bottles (Luke 5:38)
- Men Tend to Prefer the Old Wine (Luke 5:39)
- THE INTERPRETATION
- Reformation Fails (Matthew 12:43-45)
- Rejuvenation Fails (1 Samuel 4:1-10)
- Only Full Regeneration Succeeds (Revelation 21:1-5)
- Still, Men Reject the New Way of God (Matthew 15:1-3)
- THE DISPENSATIONAL APPLICATION
- Not an Addition to the Law (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 7:19)
- Not the Blood of Christ in Addition to Animal Sacrifices
- New wine as a type of blood (Isaiah 65:8, Genesis 49:11; Deuteronomy 32:14)
- Fruit of the vine a type of the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:26-29)
- The blood of Christ alone is now needed (Hebrews 9:11-14)
- But An Entirely New Way to Come to God
- The Jews Not Ready for the New Way
- THE SALVATION APPLICATION
- Not by Reformation (Romans 10:1-4)
- Not by Rejuvenation (Romans 10:2)
- But by Regeneration (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:1-7)
- Despite Rejection (John 1:10-12)
- THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION
- Personal
- Church
Conclusion
Revival Requires Animal Retraining – “The Welsh revival of 1902-1904 so radically altered the entire Rhondda Valley of Wales that the animals employed to bring up coal from the mines had to be taken out of the collieries and retrained. Before the awakening, they responded only to the commands of their drivers punctuated with cursing. However, so many miners were converted, and with their language cleaned up, the colliery animals did not know how to work; hence, the necessity of re-training. The whole Church of Wales came alive as never before. For months many churches stayed open twenty-four hours a day. Tens of thousands were converted.” –from Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers by Lewis Drummond (p.264).
