Make It Real May 2010

Question: I have heard Christians speak about “ a new wine skin”. What are they referring to?

Answer: I want to answer this question by sharing about “ a new wine skin” venture that Beauty For Ashes Ministry has just begun. Jesus speaks about how putting new wine in an old wine skin will cause the skin to burst open. Jesus uses this example in three gospel accounts: Matthew 9:17-18, Mark 2:22, and Luke 5:37-39.

John the Baptist and his disciples were known for their commitment to fasting. John’s disciples questioned Jesus as to why His disciples did not fast. The Lord answered them by giving the example of new wine not being able to be poured into used wine skins without causing the used skins to burst open. The wine represents the precious work of the Holy Spirit doing a new thing on the earth to draw people to the Lord Jesus Christ. The wine skin represents the people and method that God chooses to reveal this new work. The last move of God will look different from the next move of God. The next move of God will use unknown people (called vessels in the Scriptures) to facilitate the new move of God. The people used by God in the on-going or last move of God may question the next move of God (such as revealed by the disciples of John asking the Lord about His disciples) when it doesn’t fit into their way of revealing the working of the Holy Spirit.

I also believe when you hear people refer to new wine skins, they may be indicating a new phase of ministry that they are planning for their church. For example, I was seeking the Lord concerning young men and women (upper high school and college age) and their dislike for waking early on Sunday morning to attend church. I also felt that they wanted something more relevant to their generation that would be exciting enough to invite unsaved acquaintances to attend. I would see the young people at the local restaurants and popular coffee houses with their friends and lap tops. The fancy coffee, expensive teas, healthy sandwiches and salads seemed to dominate the menu. The atmosphere was comfortable and contemporary. As I sought the Holy Spirit for wisdom to draw the young Christians who love God and want to experience the Holy Spirit with His manifest presence, the concept for a new method (wine skin) was conceived. We began planning a Sunday “Revival Culture type” service to be held on Saturday evenings in a coffee house setting. This coffee house service would not be the typical (though effective and needed) coffee house ministry that I have visited. The wine skin (method ) would be different. The new wine would be cutting edge ministry with a freedom in worship, moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and teaching that would have no planned agenda or topic.

As the “new wine skin” idea came together, those gifted in interior design met with one of the young overseers of the coffee house ministry, and a design was selected. The carpenters, painters and tiling crews (all volunteers) brought the new wine skin to fruition. The technical staff have the WiFi hooked up and ready to go. The projector is set and ready to play Christian concerts prior to the meeting. Because God uses new vessels with the new wine, the Holy Spirit had us join with a new ministry called “Nameless” to co-host the meetings with us. Young people from both ministries joined together to form a new worship team.

Now the new wine is being poured out from the servers (young ministers) waiting on tables while prophesying as they take the orders. The new song will come forth from the worship, and young ministers will preach and teach as the Holy Spirit directs. Prayer lines will form when needed, and young people will leave knowing that they have encountered the true and living God. Sunday morning service on Saturday night- a new wine skin.