Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 5, 2022: SOAP #4416:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 5:6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break….
37 And no-one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

OBSERVATION:  Luke chapter five begins and ends with important issues concerning the church.  Verses 2 through 6 tell of nets gathering many fish—so many that the nets broke.  Nets need washing and mending.  Washing and mending are proof that the nets are useful—proof of intended future use.  The church is the net God is using to catch men.  He is often working to wash and mend His church. 

The chapter ends (verses 36-39) with the importance of having new wineskins to hold the new wine.  The immediate reference is to Judaism’s inability to contain the New Wine to be poured out on the day of Pentecost.  Among other issues, Judaism had been contained by the nation of Israel, more importantly by the temple in Jerusalem, but something was needed that would include the whole world! 

I believe these verses also show the difficulty for believers who have loved and served the Lord for many years to accept the changes brought into the church by younger generations.  Styles of worship music, types of discipleship groups, types of facilities, etc.  Truly the church is for all generations! 

APPLICATION:  As a retired pastor, I often come face to face with changes.  I must be careful to learn and grow.  I must be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is doing.  God is at work today and I rejoice!  When I have trouble singing some of the newer songs, I look around at younger believers who are wholeheartedly and fervently worshipping the one I love!  My heart overflows with appreciation! 

NOTE:  being in the Word every day writing these SOAPs keeps me fresh and able to see God’s big picture. 

PRAYER:  Lord, rub the oil of the Holy Spirit into my heart.  Soften the areas that have become hard and entrenched in old routines.  Keep me open to the freshness of the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the Word.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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