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Parable of the Cloth and Wineskins
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsChrist, in addressing why His disciples did not fast like the Pharisees, uses the illustration of new wine and old wineskins to emphasize the importance of aligning beliefs and actions with God's way of life. In this parable, new wine represents the fresh, vibrant teachings of Christ, while old wineskins symbolize the brittle, outdated doctrines of the Pharisees. Just as new wine, when fermenting, would burst old, inflexible wineskins, Christ's new doctrines cannot be contained within the corrupt, rigid forms of the old religious practices. Attempting to mix His truth with these old systems would distort it, rendering God's truth useless. There is a wise and proper way to embrace His teachings, which requires a complete replacement of the old human way of life with the new godly way, as they are fundamentally incompatible.
Clothing, Wineskins, and Wine
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Parable of the Cloth and the Wineskins concludes a much longer narrative. The context and reveals deeper meanings and applications of the parable.
Matthew (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSin causes disease, but the person who becomes sick does not necessarily commit the sin. Because God alone can forgive sin, God alone can heal.
Afflicting Our Souls
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus taught that fasting is an internal, spiritual good work, done in the inner self. Any other kind of fasting has little or no spiritual value.
Four Views of Christ (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLuke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.
Truth (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly a converted person humbles himself before the truth, making a conscientious effort to follow the light of evidence, even to unwelcome conclusions.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe preaching the gospel to the world is at best the beginning of a complex process of creating disciples through steady feeding and encouragement to overcome.
Four Views of Christ (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist provides a model of how to live a godly life in the flesh, living life the way God lives it. Using His light, we can navigate our way in this world.