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In this conversation, I speak with theologian, missionary and author Howard A. Snyder about the radical vision of John Wesley and what it might mean for the Church today.We explore Wesley as more than the respectable founder of a denomination. His movement brought people into small, disciplined communities where they could grow in holiness, care for one another and participate actively in God's mission.Howard explains why genuine Christian community requires more than attending a weekly service, how the early Methodist societies and class meetings helped ordinary people become disciples, and why the Church must recover its identity as a visible community of the Kingdom of God.We also discuss creation care and Howard's conviction that salvation is not simply about rescuing human souls from the earth. In Christ, God is reconciling and healing the whole creation - people, communities and the land itself.Howard A. Snyder is a former Professor of the History and Theology of Mission at Asbury Theological Seminary and Professor of Wesley Studies at Tyndale Seminary. His many books include The Radical Wesley, The Community of the King, The Problem of Wineskins, Salvation Means Creation Healed and, most recently, Consider the Lilies: How Jesus Saves People and the Land.RESOURCESRead Consider the Lilies free through Asbury Theological Seminary:https://place.asburyseminary.edu/academicbooks/53/The Radical Wesley: The Patterns and Practices of a Movement Maker:https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-radical-wesley-by-howard-snyder/Salvation Means Creation Healed:https://wipfandstock.com/9781608998883/salvation-means-creation-healed/Howard Snyder's articles at Seedbed:https://seedbed.com/author/howardsnyder/Howard's profile and selected publications at the Manchester Wesley Research Centre:https://www.mwrc.ac.uk/howard-snyderIf you enjoy the conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel and share it with someone interested in Wesley, Christian community or the renewal of creation.#JohnWesley #Methodism #HowardSnyder #CreationCare #ChristianCommunity #Wesleyan #ChurchRenewal
The Bible can be confusing – It can also be so powerful it will radically change your life. There are some books in the Old Testament you can flip to that seem so rigid and so impossible, that a life following God is unattainable. Then there are books in the New Testament filled with overflowing mercy and grace that perfectly cover your every imperfection. So which is it – rigid and impossible, or, mercy and grace? Actually, I believe it’s both. It’s old and it’s new. It’s what we could never live up to, so it’s what Jesus died for. It’s what was expected of us, and what was done for us. There are many pages of my Bible in the Old Testament where I’ve written in bold letters across the print “JESUS”. The first 15 chapters of the book of Leviticus were specific instructions given to Moses from God to redeem his people and make them holy. There’s procedures for the burnt offering, procedures for the grain offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering, contaminations and purifications and discharges. This was the Old Covenant with God for an unholy people. Countless things they had to do, ceremonies and offerings with elaborate steps to make them good enough for a Holy God. And guess what … we couldn’t do it. The truth is, we could never make ourselves holy. We could never get it right and keep it right. And for THIS, we have JESUS!!!!!!!! So, on these pages of procedures and offerings I have written JESUS. Not to cancel God’s requirements, but to remind myself that Jesus fulfilled all of those requirements for me. THE OFFERING HAS BEEN MADE FOR ME. When I needed an offering to cover my sin, Jesus made the offering of his life for me. When I need an offering for my guilt, Jesus made the offering with his blood. Ephesians 1: 4-7 tells me that God loves me and chooses me in Jesus to be made HOLY without fault in his eyes. Praise God for his glorious grace he pours out on us who belong to Jesus. He purchased MY FREEDOM with the blood of Jesus and forgives my sins. And with this, the Old Covenant was fulfilled and we are given a New Covenant with Jesus. We’re not living trying to patch up the old, we’re dwelling in the new, covered in the new, free in the new! It was a very hard concept for everyone to understand in the days of Jesus. All they had known for every generation before them was rules and regulations and offerings trying to make them good enough for God. But Jesus comes as God in the flesh and says, “Now we’re doing something NEW!” To help them understand, Jesus tells 2 stories about the old and the new. First, the story of the patch. Mark 2: 21, “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.” Clothing in Jesus’ day was all wool and linen – both of them shrink when washed. You would intentionally make something larger than needed because as you washed it, you knew it was going to get smaller and smaller. So what would happen if you got a hole in your linen robe that’s been washed 100 times and you patched it with a brand new piece of linen cloth? Well, it would make a real mess! You can’t make something old right again with something new. You either have to start over with something totally new – or cut a patch of linen from old cloth to fix the old hole. What is Jesus telling the people here? He’s telling them he didn’t come to patch up the Old Covenant between God and his people. He didn’t come to patch up where they continually fell short of God’s requirements. Once he fulfilled the law, he was giving them something brand new! A New Covenant. And what is this New Covenant between us and God? It is total forgiveness. Jesus shed his blood on the cross to pay for all human sins once and for all. It’s a transformed heart. In this new covenant, God places his Holy Spirit inside his believers, changing our hearts to help us live according to his will. It’s living by grace, realizing salvation is a free gift received through faith, not something we could earn by following strict rules. And finally, it’s direct relationship. We no longer require a mediator to speak on our behalf in the Temple – we can have a relationship with God through Jesus. This was a radical shift for everyone hearing Jesus. What? We’re not patching up the old law that we keep failing at? You’re telling us you’re offering something totally new? Something we could never earn. Something that makes us forever good enough?!!!!! So Jesus tells a follow up story to paint the picture further. Mark 2:22, “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.” Just in case you’re not in the business of wineskins these days, let me explain. A wineskin was basically a bag made from animal hide that people used to store and transport wine. When the wine was new, it was still fermenting. As it fermented, it released gases and expanded. If new fermenting wine was put into an old brittle wineskin, there was no stretch and it would split wide open and everything would be ruined. Jesus was using something people understood to explain something spiritual: You can’t put something completely new into something that isn’t willing or able to change. Jesus was bringing something new—a new covenant, a new way of relating to God, a new kind of life through Him. The old religious systems and traditions couldn’t simply be patched up and expected to contain what Jesus was bringing. The point wasn’t that the “old” was bad. It was that something new requires room for something new. You don’t have to live in the Old Testament with the old rules and laws. Jesus did something radically new to make us forever good enough. We are made holy through our faith in him. Accept that. Receive that. And let it transform you and make you new. You can’t remain the way you were. In this relationship with Jesus, he’s going to make you new too. Why? Because the old you simply cannot hold what God is offering you now. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW PERSON. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” God isn’t trying to pour something new into your old life. He’s trying to make you new and this new you can hold everything he’s pouring out. No, you can’t stay the same because through Jesus, you’re simply not who you used to be. That old version of you is gone. Let go of her. Receive the new you. You’re walking in a New Covenant with God made possible by Jesus. Jesus didn’t come to put a patch on your old life. He didn’t come to make a few improvements, cover a few holes, and send you on your way. He came to make you NEW. And He doesn’t just give you new wine; He makes you a new wineskin—able to receive, hold, and live in everything He is offering you. So let go of the old you. Stop trying to make your new life with Jesus fit into your old ways of thinking, old patterns, old fears, and old rules. The patch is gone. The old wineskin is gone. The old you is gone. You are walking in a New Covenant with God, made possible by Jesus. Receive the new life He has given you, make room for what He wants to do, and let Him transform you from the inside out. You are not a patched-up version of your old self. You are a NEW creation in Christ. The old has gone, and the new has begun! So stop trying to squeeze your new life with Jesus into the old patterns, old mindsets, old fears, and old ways of doing things. Let the old you go. Make room for what God is doing. You have a New Covenant, a new heart, a new freedom, and a new life—and it's all because of Jesus. New wine calls for new wineskins. And your new life calls for a new you. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
In part three of the series, we explored what can happen when we recognize that God is sovereign over rejection of the Gospel and receptivity to the Gospel. And we explored the ways that through witness, God gives churches a unified vision to seek and save the lost. What Can Happen When We Witness? Matt DeLano
In part two of this series, we explore practical ways to stir your heart, show the love of God, and share the good news of Jesus with those around you who may not know Him. How Do We Practice Witnessing? Zane Witcher
Message preached by Pastor Kevin Borders on Sunday, July 5, 2026
A message from Pastor Michael Dutschke Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call ‘parables'), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered. Bible Reading: Luke 5:36-39 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Michael Dutschke Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call ‘parables'), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered. Bible Reading: Luke 5:36-39 (NLT)
On Sunday morning, we were blessed to have special guest speaker Sam Couper share a message with us.
May 31, 2026 Sermon
In Part 3 of this series we explore how God can deepen our love for Him and for others through the practice of fasting.
This week, we jumped into part 2 of this series as we looked at the logistics of how to abstain from food and the invitation of what to replace food with in the midst of fasting.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/21/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/20/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/19/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/18/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
In part 1 of this series, we explore the what and why behind the rhythm of fasting.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/17/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/16/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 3/15/26 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Pastor Fran preaches about how the way Jesus sees and approaches people (and calls us to) is not an admonition to be a little more loving, but rather a complete paradigm shift away from judgment and toward love!
The Summons: Grappling With God's Kingdom and KingNew Wine Into Old Wineskins Mark 3:1-6 No one likes change. Whether it's a new manager, a new president or a new housing development moving in right across the street, we all know the complaints that come with unfamiliarity. Moving away feels uncomfortable, switching jobs feels unsteady and inviting new people in can feel nerve wracking. But why do we fear change when it's guaranteed to happen? When Jesus brought forth the new kingdom, people were confronted with uncomfortable change. Some responded with flexibility, humility and resilience, while others reacted with resistance and hostility. Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus came to pour out His new wine, and what it means for us to become new wineskins, ready for his renewal.
Jesus said you can't pour new wine into old wineskins. So what happens when the King marks your life?In Kingdom Wineskins: Marked By the King, Pastor Larry Smith walks us through what it means to become a new wineskin disciple — shaped by humility, reflection, and holy curiosity. This is about embracing hardship instead of running from it. Taking holiness seriously. Choosing love when it costs. Practicing forgiveness daily, sitting still long enough actually to hear God.The question isn't just “What is God doing?”It's “Where is the Holy Spirit trying to grow me right now?”If you're tired of surface-level faith and ready for formation that stretches you — this one is for you.We'd love to connect with you https://newlifephilly.churchcenter.com/people/forms/224507 Would you like Prayer today? https://newlifephilly.churchcenter.com/people/forms/382423We pray the New Life Philly Podcast encourages you today! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube at NewLifePhilly.
Listen to this week's sermon, Parables In Practice preached by Pastor Jason Dunn from Luke 5:27-29
Jesus said you can't pour new wine into old wineskins. When the Kingdom comes, it stretches us. It disrupts comfort. It refuses to fit inside systems that were never built to carry resurrection life.In this message, Pastor Larry Smith calls the church to become wineskins that can hold what God is pouring out right now — not stale religion, but living, active Kingdom life. And when we make room for that new wine, our lives begin to carry the unmistakable aroma of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.This isn't about hype. It's about formation. It's about surrender. It's about becoming a people who don't just talk Kingdom — we smell like it.We'd love to connect with you https://newlifephilly.churchcenter.com/people/forms/224507 Would you like Prayer today? https://newlifephilly.churchcenter.com/people/forms/382423We pray the New Life Philly Podcast encourages you today! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube at NewLifePhilly.
Sometimes when God does the unexpected, it is a challenge to trust in His goodness. Have you been there? Jesus personified the unexpected. He revealed God's kingdom in many surprising ways. How can we be sure we correctly understand Him in the unexpected?
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Why does prayer sometimes hit a wall? Discover the missing spiritual discipline that adds a cutting edge to your intercession. Learn to distinguish mere starvation from a God-ordained fast and unlock the breakthrough you have been waiting for.
The Book of Luke, Luke 5:33-39, Pastor Kyle Fellows
The Book of Luke, Luke 5:33-39, Pastor Kyle Fellows
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/20/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/19/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/18/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/17/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/16/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/15/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 12/14/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.
In Luke 5:36–39, Jesus uses the parable of new wine and new wineskins to confront the religious mindset of His critics. After calling Matthew and dining with sinners, Jesus is questioned by Pharisees and John's disciples about why His followers don't fast like they do—a sign of comparison and religious prejudice. Jesus responds by teaching that new wine (the fresh movement of the Holy Spirit) cannot fit into old wineskins (rigid traditions, mindsets, and comfort zones). He highlights the shift from the old covenant to the new, showing that God's work requires new structures and open hearts. Throughout history, the Church has struggled with clinging to what God did in the past instead of embracing what He is doing now. The real loss isn't outdated methods—it's missing the Spirit's fresh work. Jesus notes that people naturally prefer the “old wine,” symbolizing our tendency to stay with what's familiar. Yet every generation is called to remain flexible, ready to receive and steward the ever-fresh outpouring of God.
11/23/25 Walk It Out: Tables, Wineskins & Workboots - Mark Roye by City Tribe Church
Listen now as guest speaker Pastor Chase Wiggins shows how fasting stirs a deep hunger for Jesus—letting go of the temporary to encounter more of His glory. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms. Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Website missionchurchca.com
What do you do when life feels unfamiliar, upside-down, or out of your control? In this message from Daniel 1, Pastor Ben Young unpacks how to stand strong in the middle of cultural change, personal dislocation, or spiritual disillusionment. Like Daniel, you may not be able to change your circumstances—but you can choose to honor God in the middle of them. Start with one act of faith. One decision. One resolve.
Join us this week for the ninth message in our series, "Hello Jesus," with Pastor Nathan Johnson.
When we left off, Jesus was enjoying a meal at Matthew's house. Matthew happens to be our author, and he was a tax collector. That led the Pharisees and religious leaders to sneer at Jesus and question his disciples about why their teacher would eat with tax collectors and sinners. The setting for our passage on Sunday is still at Matthew's house. Having been questioned by the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus then faced questions from the disciples of his cousin, John the Baptizer. His response was three cryptic parables about a wedding, a patch of clothing, and wine in wineskins. What Jesus conveyed touches on what I find to be the most exciting and compelling kind of study we can do in the Bible. Jesus, who has already claimed to be the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, is speaking to the connection between the old covenant, old ways, and old methods of the religious leaders of his time and pointing to the new work God was doing right in front of them. We are going to look into that connection between the Old and New Covenants (or Testaments), how Jesus redefined the work of God and the people of God, and how we can make sense of what from the Old Testament continues forward through Christ versus what was completed and fulfilled in Christ, now becoming obsolete for those who follow him.------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media Website | Instagram | Threads | Facebook | Vimeo------------------------------------------- Download our AppApple App Store | Google Play Store
Pastor/Elder Anthony Valentine preaches from Matthew 9:14-17
Mark 2:18-22 (NCV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss why Jesus's disciples didn't fast.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here. Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org. Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here. Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22596The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/
Teaching on Mark 2:18-22
Melissa Mueller teaches from Luke 5:33-39 on the invitation to behold Jesus and surrender our old ways to receive the new life He brings. Slides available at https://bit.ly/469ZHtM If you'd like to partner with what God is building here in San Francisco, you can give at realitysf.com/building
What might our future look like if we begin sowing the rhythm of solitude into our discipleship with Jesus?
In practicing solitude, we follow Jesus—who drew near to the Father, drew out the Enemy's lies, and drew from God's Word.