Gospel In A Shoebox

GOSPEL IN A SHOEBOX

Eph. 6:15

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. The was a legalistic Bible college student who wanted to have a scriptural basis for everything he did. He wanted to be able to quote a Bible verse for everything he did. All went fine until he fell in love with a beautiful girl.

2. He wanted very much to kiss her, but he couldn’t think of a scripture for it. Finally he thought of the verse, "Greet each other with a holy kiss." But he went to his hermeneutics professor who said it “dealt with a church setting not a dating situation.” So again he walked her home, but couldn’t kiss his girl good night.

3. The next evening he walked her to the dormitory & once again started to say "good night." But as he did, she grabbed him, pulled him toward her, & planted a 10-second kiss right on his lips.

4. At the end of the kiss he gasped for air, & stammered, "Bible verse, Bible verse." The girl grabbed him a 2nd time, & just before kissing him said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

B. TEXT & THESIS

1. One of the things that I had to learn early in life was to pay attention to the shoes that I chose to wear.

a. For sports you need shoes with a good grip.

b. If you’re working in mud or water, you want to wear waterproof boots.

c. If you’re going to a formal occasion, you need dress shoes to look nice, etc.

2. Part of the Armor of God also includes shoes for spiritual warfare; Paul said, “your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel” Eph. 6:15.

3. I want to share with you today "The Gospel in a Shoebox" and look at the five types of footwear that modern Christians are wearing and ask “WHAT KIND OF SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?”

I. SNEAKERS

FIRST PAIR OF SHOES IS A SNEAKER! [made to be quiet]

A. SOME PEOPLE SNEAK AROUND IN SECRET SIN

1. David said that people sneaked around to smear his reputation (Ps. 56:5-6, Msg) or betray him (Ps. 69:4, Msg). Isaiah said in his day there were sneaks who are “inventive in sin and scandal” (Isa. 32:1-8, Msg). Zephaniah said people sneak around to worship false gods (Zeph. 1:4-6, Msg.).

2. Those who wears “sneakers” think they can sin and God won’t see it. That’s impossible! God’s everywhere! There’s no place we can go that God doesn’t see us! Jesus said, “There’s nothing hidden that won’t be disclosed, and nothing concealed that won’t be made known” Luke 8:17.

3. The Word of God teaches us to be completely honest with God and confess our sins. If we do, 1 John 1:9 says that God is faithful to forgive us for our sins. YOU CAN’T TIPTOE AROUND SIN!

B. SNEAKING AROUND AS A SECRET WITNESS

1. They do it so they can fit into their social group, or get the boyfriend or girlfriend they want. They’re like chameleons, the little lizard which changes colors to fit whatever background scenery is around it.

2. But Jesus warns; “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” Mt. 10:32-33.

3. Jesus said we’re supposed to be the light of the world and a city set on a hill. We can’t be secret Christians; Jesus tells us to let our lights shine in public, let people know of the God we serve!

C. SNEAKING INTO HEAVEN

1. Also, some people think it’s possible to sneak into heaven. The comedian W.C. Fields was once caught looking through a Bible. A friend asked W.C. if he was finally turning to religion. W.C. responded, “No, my boy, I’m just looking for loopholes, just looking for loopholes.”

2. There may be loopholes to human laws, but there’s not to God’s Law! Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father accept through Me” John 14:6. Forget sneaking! Go to Jesus for your salvation!

II. RUNNING SHOES

A. RUNNING SHOES ARE GOOD SOMETIMES

If you’re running long distances, you know that running shoes are worth their weight in gold. They cushion your feet and keep you from getting shin splints. BUT RUNNING SHOES AREN’T VALUABLE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNLESS THEY’RE POINTING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! Often people run the wrong direction:

B. THINGS PEOPLE RUN FROM

1. FROM CONVICTION. The Jewish leaders, questioning Stephen in Acts 7 were so convicted by the Holy Spirit that they covered their ears so they couldn’t hear anymore of what he had to say! Are we avoiding some of God’s Word?