Title: What To Do When The Wine Runs Out
Bible Book: John 2 : 1-10
Author: Cliff Myers
Subject: Spiritual Poverty; Refreshing; Restoration; Revival
Objective:
Introduction
John 2:1-10
I have discovered that in managing our time, many of us are not good stewards! Many of us both in and out of the church often burn the candle at both ends. And because we find ourselves not using our time wisely, we become easily burned out. Because we spend so much time doing things that really don’t matter in the Kingdom, we can’t handle the things that do matter! I can’t speak for you, but I have found myself in this position many times. And as a result, I find myself at a loss in doing the things of God. I know now and then, I lose my zeal, my will to go on, my determination. It seems as if your wine has run out!
This text paints for us a mirror-like metaphor of the world we live in. It parallels the current situation that many of us find ourselves in every day! The text lets us know that there was a marriage feast going on, and at such feasts, it was customary to serve wine as the drink…
However, shortly after the feast begins, a tragic thing happens. After only three days into the weeklong celebration, the wine runs out! That’s what happens in many of our lives today. Soon after you begin serving the Lord, doing His will, walking in His way, turning away from sin, leaving ungodly folk behind, changing your lifestyle, and changing your mindset, suddenly, your wine runs out!
You see, the feast represents the celebration of our new life in Christ. Remember wine was the customary drink at wedding feasts, and just as a man and woman are joined in marriage or union, so are we with Christ at the time of our salvation. What I’m trying to say is that your new life in Christ ought to be like a feast (honeymoon) that never ends! And at this feast, the wine that is being served is symbolic of your joy, your peace, and your hope in Jesus Christ. The wine indicates what everybody who is in the body should have, but for whatever the reason may be (work it…) We’ve run out of wine! We’ve run out of joy. We look good on the outside, but on the inside, we’re empty. We’ve run out of hope. We’ve become spiritually bankrupt, empty, depleted, and exhausted. There’s nothing left in storage. There is nothing left for us to pull from. As a result, our praise has become passive, our testimony is tired, and our witness is weak. Why? Because, we’ve run out of wine!
Now if you research the customs of feasts and celebrations, and the use of wine, you will find out that it was an indictment for the family hosting the feast to run out of wine! It was unthinkable to run out of wine. Let me suggest to you today that it is an indictment against the church and the body of Christ to run out of joy, hope, and peace! You ought to have so much of Christ in you that you never run out!
(Problem) When we run out of wine, all of our preaching, teaching, singing, and service is of no value because we’ve run out of wine! So, we ask the question… “What can I do since the Wine has run out?” Let me ask you this morning, what do you do when you feel you can’t go on? How do you restore the joy that was once there?
The following three steps will help you during those times in you life.
I. FIND THE SOURCE
Mary knew where to go. She knew what she had to do. She didn’t waste time fooling with everything else. She knew how to find the source! Likewise, we have to know how to find the source! We need to know how to go to God in our time of need. How to go to Him when our wine runs out? For indeed, He is The Source. Just look at Gen 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” If God can create everything from nothing, imagine with me what he can do if He begins with something.
Then Jesus adds commentary Rev 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” That’s proof that He is The Source! When your world is turned upside-down, when it seems as if hell is hovering right over your head, when it seems that your wine has run out, go to The Source! The Bible declares in Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
What I’m trying to say is that when things look shaky and my wineskin gets empty, I know that have to go back and find The Source.
Because Paul told me that (Acts 17:24-28) “God made the world and everything (that includes wine!) in it, (and because) He is Lord of heaven and earth, He does not dwell in temples made with hands; Neither is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, (and because) He gives to all life, and breath, and all things. And has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. (and because) He has determined their pre-appointed times and the bounds of their dwellings; so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him, and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” I know He is The Source.! Tell somebody, “He is.!” Share with your neighbor, “He is the Source when the wine runs out”.
II. FOLLOW THE RECIPE
Notice what Jesus says in verse 7: “Fill the water pots with water.” They had run out of wine, but Jesus said, “Fill the water pots with water.!” The water pot represents a vessel (that’s you and me); empty vessels ready for use.
Likewise, the water is symbolic of the Word of God. Jesus said, “Fill the water pots with water.” When your wine runs out, follow the recipe the Jesus has prepared for us. When your wine runs out, you’ve got to fill yourself (the water pot) up with water. You’ve got to fill yourself with His Word! If you’re going to follow the recipe, check out some added ingredients found in Psalms 1:1-2. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law… He meditates day and night.”
One who fills himself with the Word is one who is “fully satisfied”. One who is filled with the Word is completely full with it to the point that it permeates and pervades throughout their very being. They’ve got so much Word on the inside, that it literally runs over and pours out in their everyday walk with the Master! When we fill ourselves with God’s Word, it becomes a part of our inner person. It infiltrates us, and when it becomes part of our inner man, we say what David said "Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you!” Listen as we fill up with His Word, it will eventually become a part of us. His Word will become more than just mere words put together on a page.
It will become a living, breathing, and life changing Word!
Once we fill up on His Word, once we become filled to the brim with His Word, we’ll be able withstand the attacks of the enemy when he comes our way! We will begin to experience a rejuvenation of God’s goodness.
When you are filled with the Word, you won’t have room for anything else. When you’re filled with the Word, you won’t have room for any foolishness. Not only that, but when you’re full with the Word, you’ll be able to share it with others. What do we do when the wine runs out? Find The Source, then follow the Recipe and finally:
III. FEAST ON THE GOOD WINE
The word feast (in this context) means to celebrate, to praise, to exalt, to glorify. It means to take pleasure in. Friend, when you have found the source and when you have followed God’s recipe. In other words, when you have filled your water pots the brim with water. Now listen, not just any water, but the Living Water, you’ll be able to feast on the Goodness of the Lord. You’ll be able to feast on the hope restored unto you.
You’ll be able to feast on His everlasting Mercy. You’ll be able to feast on His Grace.
What do you do when the wine runs out? Just get a hold of The Good Wine. For when you get hold of the Good Wine:
You’ll never thirst again!
Your joy will be fulfilled!
Your faith will be renewed!
Remember, this happens all because of Jesus. He is The Good Wine! I want to challenge you today to come and drink of the good wine. Come and drink. Isaiah said, “Ho, everyone that thirsts, come to the waters, and you that have no money; come buy and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me: Hear, and your soul shall live.”
The more you feast on the good wine, the better it will ‘taste’ to you. You’ll say, “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.” The more you feast on the Good Wine, the more you’ll say, “He’s sweet I know. He’s sweet I know… Dark clouds may rise. Strong winds may blow…But I’ll tell the world…. Wherever I go…That I have found a Savior and He’s Sweet.!” Praise God!
Conclusion
There is a song that was sung by Keith Green many years ago that still grips my heart every time I hear it. It goes like this:
“My Eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold
Oh, what can be done for an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and WINE.
The oil is you, Oh spirit of Love
Now wash me anew in the wine of your blood.”
Are your eyes dry today? Is your faith old today? Is your heart hard today? Are your prayers cold today? Has the wine in your soul run out? I want to invite you today to have the New WINE restored in your life. As we sing “My Eyes are Dry”, come to Christ and let Him fill you afresh with “oil and wine”.
