The Problem of WineskinsThe Problem of Wineskins

Mark 2Mark 2

Meet 'Levi'Meet 'Levi'

Known as "Matthew"Known as "Matthew"

Dropped Everything! Dropped Everything! (2:14)(2:14)

A Tax Collector:A Tax Collector:– A Representative of RomeA Representative of Rome– ThievesThieves– Automatically Hell-Automatically Hell-

Bound!Bound!– Wealthy outcasts!Wealthy outcasts!As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus

sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:14 (NLT)

Meet Jesus Christ…Meet Jesus Christ…

Christ identified with Levi! (v15)Christ identified with Levi! (v15)

At great personal cost! (v.16)At great personal cost! (v.16)– ““How to start a religion”How to start a religion”– ““Our kind of people”Our kind of people”

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” Mark 2:16 (NLT)

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) Mark 2:15 (NLT)

At once the Pharisees went away and met At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. kill Jesus. MMark 3:6 ark 3:6

Meet Jesus Christ…Meet Jesus Christ…

Christ identified with him! (v15)Christ identified with him! (v15)

At great personal cost! (v.16)At great personal cost! (v.16)

This is Christ's Purpose! (v17)This is Christ's Purpose! (v17)

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NLT) Mark 2:17 (NLT)

"The Problem of Wineskins" "The Problem of Wineskins" 2:21-222:21-22

"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ– Fermentation splits old wineskins.Fermentation splits old wineskins.– Christ Rejects the Authority of Christ Rejects the Authority of Human TraditionHuman Tradition

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” Mark 2:22

The Pharisees and the scribes The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?" hands?"

Jesus answered, "Neglecting the Jesus answered, "Neglecting the commandment of God, commandment of God, you hold to the you hold to the tradition of mentradition of men."." (Mark 7:5,8)

God is all about New Wine! God is all about New Wine! ““Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,

And which have not entered the heart of man – All that And which have not entered the heart of man – All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:91 Cor. 2:9

““Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new!“ the past. Behold, I will do something new!“ Isaiah 43:18-Isaiah 43:18-1919

““For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;And the former things will not be remembered or come And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” to mind.” Isaiah 65:17Isaiah 65:17

““If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Cor. 5:172 Cor. 5:17

"The Problem of Wineskins" "The Problem of Wineskins" 2:21-222:21-22

"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ

God is all about New Wine! God is all about New Wine! – 1 Cor. 2:9 (NASB-U) but just as it is written,1 Cor. 2:9 (NASB-U) but just as it is written,

"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man,not entered the heart of man,All that God has prepared for those who love Him."All that God has prepared for those who love Him."

– Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB-U) "Do not call to mind the former things, or Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB-U) "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new!" ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new!"

– Isaiah 65:17 (NASB-U) "For behold, I create new heavens and a new Isaiah 65:17 (NASB-U) "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;earth;And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind."And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind."

– 2 Cor. 5:17 (NASB-U) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new 2 Cor. 5:17 (NASB-U) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Christ's View of LeviChrist's View of Levi

Christ identified with him! (v15)Christ identified with him! (v15)– At great personal cost! (v.16)At great personal cost! (v.16)– Christ's Purpose! (v17)Christ's Purpose! (v17)– He made Levi a disciple!He made Levi a disciple!

What can Christ do with you?What can Christ do with you?

The Backlash - 2:18The Backlash - 2:18

Christ turns their Religion on its head! Christ turns their Religion on its head! (2:19-20)(2:19-20)

"The Problem of Wineskins" "The Problem of Wineskins" 2:21-222:21-22

"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ

God is all about New Wine! God is all about New Wine!

Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Elders." Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Elders." (Mk.7:5,8)(Mk.7:5,8)– Mark 7:5 (NASB-U)  Mark 7:5 (NASB-U) 

    The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do     The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?" elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?"

– Mark 7:8 (NASB-U) Mark 7:8 (NASB-U) "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." tradition of men."

"The Problem of Wineskins" "The Problem of Wineskins" 2:21-222:21-22

"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ

God is all about New Wine! God is all about New Wine!

Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Elders." (Mk.7:5,8)Elders." (Mk.7:5,8)

Wineskins: Human InstitutionsWineskins: Human Institutions

Always at odds with God!Always at odds with God!– Humans always protect their institutions.Humans always protect their institutions.– Even today!Even today!

"The Problem of Wineskins" "The Problem of Wineskins" 2:21-222:21-22

"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ"I don't fit into your mold!" - Jesus Christ

God is all about New Wine! God is all about New Wine!

Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Elders." Christ rejected "the Traditions of the Elders." (Mk.7:5,8)(Mk.7:5,8)

Wineskins: Human InstitutionsWineskins: Human Institutions

Always at odds with God!Always at odds with God!

Wineskins become hopelessly rigid!Wineskins become hopelessly rigid!– Breaking the Sabbath v.23-28Breaking the Sabbath v.23-28– Healing the lame man 3:1-5Healing the lame man 3:1-5

People will kill to keep their traditions! (3:6)

We are not immune!We are not immune!

When we stop reaching the unreached!When we stop reaching the unreached!

When people like Levi feel unwelcome!When people like Levi feel unwelcome!

When When traditiontradition becomes holy! becomes holy!

When we settle down!When we settle down!

When we want to "Save the old church!"When we want to "Save the old church!"