New Wine
John 2:1 - 12

Introduction:  John 2:1 - 12

	Life does not begin for all or any of mankind until the Feast of our lives run out of 
wine.  Notice, it was the third day when there was a wedding.  Jesus was in the tomb for 3 
days preparing the spiritual world for our wedding to Him in salvation.


I.  In our lives and plans we sometimes run out of the, (Spiritual Things), wine 
which keeps us on course.  We must remember...

	A.  Our plans, (wine), are earthly and will run out.  Our righteousness is as filthy 
rags and in all of our preparations we still fail.

	B.  Our Nation is running out of Wine.

		1.  Just examine the state of our nation.

			a.  Abortion...

			b.  Homosexuality

			c.  The banner for the right to chose.  (Freedom is not having the 
right to do what is wrong)

			d.  Freedom is not having the attitude that the government should 
meet your every need.  (If nothing seems to work for you, then why don't you try to 
work)

		2.  As one great African American Congressman said recently, "What we 
have in America is not a financial problem, but a moral problem."

	C.  Talk about running out of Wine, (the preacher in Missouri). He ran out of wine 
but did not refresh himself with the new wine Christ has to offer us.

	D.  Why did he run out of wine?  Quit reading, praying, tithing, and attending 
church.



II.  Servants:  (Mary, mother of Jesus)  Knew  where to go in time of great need and 
how to avoid embarrassment for the host:

	A.  We shall not be ashamed when we trust in Christ.

	B.  Faith in Christ allows miracles to happen, faith does not command a sovereign 
Lord to perform miracles, it opens the door in our lives for Christ to move.


III.  Mary, as head over the food and drink committee, commanded the servants to 
obey Christ:

	A.  A Godly leader will always exhort the servants to obey Christ in all things

	B.  The servants of God under the direction of the ministry, (Apostles, Prophets, 
Pastor teachers, and Evangelists), should be one of the key links between Christ and the 
world.  The ministry feeds the flock by the word and the flock bears children.  The church 
must be the cup bearers before the world.


IV.  The waterpots are made ready:

	A.  Six water pots, (man's number).

	B.  Purified before being used, (Sanctified).

	C.  Filled to the rim, (Christians must have their vessels filled up with the Word of 
God so the world cannot enter and pollute).

		1.  Some may say I only want to be filled 1/2 way or 3/4 of the way


V.  The Water:  From Christ

	A.  Never thirst again

	B.  Out of your belly shall flow living water



VI.  Take the water spoken by Christ Jesus to the world and great things happen:

	A.  The water of the Word is empowered by the Spirit and is changed from simple 
words into the power of salvation, available to all who drink, desire to drink.

		1.  It is not the clay pots nor the servants who change the water, it is Christ 
the Lord.

	B.  It is not the dead works of life which produces the wine, rather, it is the Spirit 
which gives power through our actions of obedience by faith.  Salvation is not of man.


Conclusion:

	When people receive the new wine, it is the beginning of miracles for their life.  
The old life is made new.
Con't:  New Wine
Prepared by:  Reverend Dale Carter
11/07/97
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