Is It Party Time?

1. Proverbs 30:20-33; Mark 2:18-22 / Psalm 45:1-17

I. Jesus Did Not Conform To Expectations

A. Jesus did not teach His disciples to do all ppropriately religious things. “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?” (Mark 2:18)

B. Compared to other religious disciples of the time and place, the followers of Jesus seemed to be party people. “And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?” (Luke 5:33) “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:12)

C. Even when it is appropriate to fast, Jesus taught that such things ought to be done in private and focused on the spirit rather than on display. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces,that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

D. Everything in life has its appropriate time. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

E. While Jesus Himself was with them, it was not yet time for fasting, even in private. “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” (Mark 2:19)

II. Some Things Can’t Coexist

A. In spiritual matters it is far worse than just useless to attempt to mix incompatible things. “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.” (Mark 2:21)

B. The new spirit of the Christian cannot fit into the old life of the unbeliever. “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.” (Mark 2:22) Leather skin bottles expanded with fermentation, but after expanding they would not expand again with more fermenting wine.

C. There must be one ultimate focus in life; man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Psalm 73:25-26)

D. Jesus dealt with the struggle presented by having more than one ultimate goal in life during the temptation at the start of His ministry. “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10)

III. Put New Wine in New Bottles

A. Christ makes all things new; new faith cannot be forced into an old lifestyle. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5)

B. Prepare for the new life. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” (Ezekiel 11:19)

C. Put on the new life. “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:23-28)

D. Get on with the new life. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2:2)