Pastor Tony is preaching from Luke 5:33-39. Jesus is teaching that new wine must have new wineskins. Tony believes we are in a period of time, in the church, where new wine is coming. We are going to need new wineskins - new ways of carrying out the mission Jesus gave us. The truth of God and His Word does not change but what we do and how we do it has always changed and always will.

In this part of Luke’s gospel we see Jesus choose Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him and ultimately become one of His 12 apostles. First, it is amazing that Levi immediately left everything to follow Jesus. But even more amazing is how Jesus, in choosing Levi and having dinner with other tax collectors and sinners, undermines and destroys racism and bigotry. A timely message for us!

Pastor Tony tells us that nothing is more important in the gospels than to “see Jesus.” And in this passage in Luke we are told that when those present saw Him they were “seized with amazement” and “filled with awe.” Is it possible for us to have this response to Jesus today? It is!

The Christian life of faith is a pilgrimage of longing for the New City.

To be with Jesus is to want to be with Jesus more. To see the glory of Jesus is to see your own sinfulness. So are the lessons from Simon’s boat!

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites all who are heavily burdened to come to Him and find rest for their soul. In this message Tony asks some questions to what Jesus said: what did Jesus mean by “soul” and “rest?” What does a soul at rest look like? Why are we so resistant to coming to Jesus for rest? How can we come to Him and accept His offer?

Following Jesus is a participation in life and death, losing your life in order to find it.