no man putteth new wine into old bottles
William MacDonald teaches that the new life and joy of Christianity cannot be contained by old, rigid religious forms, urging believers to embrace spiritual flexibility and renewal.
In this insightful sermon, William MacDonald explores Jesus' metaphor of new wine and old wineskins to reveal the tension between old religious traditions and the fresh, dynamic life of Christianity. He explains how the rigidity of Judaism could not contain the new joy and freedom Christ brought, urging believers to embrace spiritual flexibility. Through vivid biblical examples and practical applications, MacDonald challenges listeners to avoid the cold formalism of the Pharisees and welcome the vibrant work of God in their lives.
Text
“…no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles, and both are preserved.” (Lu. 5:37, 38)
The bottles referred to here were actually containers made from the hides of animals. When these wineskins were new, they were pliable and somewhat elastic. But when they became old, they were stiff and inflexible. If new wine was placed in old skins, the fermenting action of the wine would build up too much pressure for the old wineskins to accommodate, and they would burst.
Here in Luke 5, Jesus uses this to illustrate the clash between Judaism and Christianity. He is saying that “the outmoded forms, ordinances, traditions and rituals of Judaism were too rigid to hold the joy, the exuberance and the energy of the new dispensation.”
This chapter contains dramatic illustrations. In verses 18-21, we see four men tearing up the roof of a house in order to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. Their innovative, unconventional method is an illustration of the new wine. In verse 21, the scribes and Pharisees begin to find fault with Jesus; they are the old wineskins. Again, in verses 27-29 we have Levi’s enthusiastic response to Christ’s call, and the banquet he held to introduce his friends to Jesus. That is the new wine. In verse 30, the scribes and Pharisees grumble again. They are the old wineskins.
We see this in all of life. People get set in traditional ways of doing things and find it hard to adjust to change. The housewife has her own way of doing the dishes and finds it irritating to see someone else fumbling around in her sink. The husband has his own ideas as to how a car should be driven, and nearly loses his senses when wife or children drive.
But the great lesson for all of us is in the spiritual realm. We should be flexible enough to allow for the joy, the effervescence, the enthusiasm of the Christian faith, even if it comes in unconventional ways. We neither want nor need the stodginess and cold formalism of the Pharisees, who sat on the sidelines criticizing when God was working.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Explanation of new wine and old wineskins metaphor
- Physical properties of wineskins and their significance
- Jesus' illustration of Judaism versus Christianity
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II
- Examples from Luke 5: healing of the paralyzed man
- Response of the Pharisees as old wineskins
- Levi's enthusiastic acceptance of Christ as new wine
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III
- Application of the metaphor to everyday life and traditions
- The challenge of flexibility in personal and spiritual life
- Warning against rigid formalism and criticism of God's work
Key Quotes
“No man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.” — William MacDonald
“The outmoded forms, ordinances, traditions and rituals of Judaism were too rigid to hold the joy, the exuberance and the energy of the new dispensation.” — William MacDonald
“We should be flexible enough to allow for the joy, the effervescence, the enthusiasm of the Christian faith, even if it comes in unconventional ways.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Be open to new expressions of faith and avoid rigidly clinging to old traditions.
- Allow the joy and enthusiasm of the Christian life to energize your spiritual walk.
- Avoid criticizing God's work simply because it challenges your accustomed ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins mean?
It illustrates that new spiritual life and energy cannot be contained by old, inflexible religious systems without causing damage.
Why were the Pharisees considered old wineskins?
Because they clung to rigid traditions and criticized the new ways Jesus introduced, lacking flexibility to embrace spiritual renewal.
How can this teaching apply to everyday life?
It encourages believers to be open and adaptable to new methods and expressions of faith rather than resisting change out of habit.
What is the main spiritual lesson from this sermon?
Believers should embrace the joy and enthusiasm of the Christian faith without being bound by outdated religious formalism.