“WHO’S GONNA FILL THEIR SHOES”
HEBREWS 11: 13-40
MAY 27, 2001/ MEMORIAL DAY
INTRODUCTION #1: “MEMORIAL DAY” A POEM BY DICK GAYAN NC P2
Lend me your ear, I have something to say about this celebration we hold for Memorial Day. Do you know why we do it? Do you know what was done, that we commemorate now with trips, games, and fun.
Did you see the parade, did you hear the band play? Who were those old men that were marching today? What were the sacrifices? What was it we lost? Who paid the price, and what was the cost?
It goes back to our conflicts some time ago, when our men fought at Dunkirk, the Bulge, and St. Lo. The attack at Pearl Harbor, the march to Bataan. A boy going in came out a man.
They charged at Tarawa and Corrigedor, and said hello to the Lord on Normandy’s shore. Where thousands of servicemen fought, bled, and died; and their bodies washed in on the red stained tide.
They fought Panzers in Africa, Japan’s kamikaze zeroes. They beat them all, they were our heroes. They fought on the ground, on the seas, in the sky. They fought for our country and didn’t ask why.
They left their families, they offered their lives, some didn’t return to parents and wives. They fought with valor, for you, for me. They fought that we would always be free.
So think in the joy of your celebration. Think of them, the spirit of our nation. Thank God for those who answered the call. On Memorial Day, honor them all.
INTRODUCTION #2: “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” sung by George Jones, written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes.
You know this ol’ world is full of singers But just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing. Imagine life without ‘em, all your radio heroes like the outlaw that walks through Jessi’s dreams. No there’ll never be another Red headed stranger, a man in black and Folsom Prison Blues, the Okie from Muskogee or Hello Darlin’. Lord, I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes.
Chorus: Who’s gonna fill their shoes, Who’s gonna stand that Tall, Who’s gonna play the Opry and the Walbash Cannonball? Who’s gonna give their heart and soul, to get to me and you, Lord, I wonder, Who’s gonna fill their shoes.
God bless the boys from Memphis, Blue suede shoes and Elvis, Much too soon he left the world in tears, they tore up the fifties, Ol’ Jerry Lee and Charlie, and “go cat go” still echoes through the years.
You know the heart of country music still beats in Luke the drifter, you can tell it when he sang, “I saw the light.” Ol’ Marty, Hank and Lefty, Why I can feel ‘em right here with me. ON this Silver Eagle rolling through the night.
Chorus: Who’s gonna fill their shoes? Who’s gonna stand that Tall? Who’s gonna play the Opry or the Wabash Cannonball? Who’s gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and YOU? Lord, I wonder? Who’s gonna fill their shoes?
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Hebrews chapter 11 has long been known and titled the “Hero’s of Faith” chapter. Some have reviewed and found comfort here in the struggles of life. Our text for this day reveals to us some old shoes that need to be filled in a new Generation. It teaches us powerful lessons of perseverance, endurance, hope, and Faith. And I believe it shows us the reality that faith can be lived out by even us this day. It’s just about filling old shoes, remembering the past and knowing we too stand in line for the next generation to follow!
THESIS SENTENCE: Remembering the Past calls us to live by faith in the present and to leave a legacy for the future!
JUST WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FILL THESE OLD SHOES?
I. FILLING OLD SHOE IS UNDERSTANDING IT IS NOT ALWAYS A PRETTY PICTURE (VV. 11-16, 35B -39)!
A. The story of the Past is FRUSTRATION AND FUTILITY?
1. In the end is death and taxes!
2. These folks did not receive what was promised!!
3. They only saw the promises from a distance!
4. They admitted they were aliens and Strangers on earth.
5. They were longing for a better country!
B. The story of the Past is Grim and Gruesome!
1. Others were tortured and refused to be released!
2. Some faced Jeers and Floggings.
3. Still others were chained and put in prison.
4. They were stoned;
5. They were sawed in two!
6. They were put to death by the sword.
7. They hid in sheepskins and goatskins.
8. They were destitute, persecuted and mistreated --
9. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 10. None of them received what was promised!
C. The Story of Scripture is the Story of reality and of MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE!
1. Memorial Day was established in 1868 as a day to honor the fallen soldiers of the just concluded Civil War. It has grown to become a solemn recognition of all of our nation’s war dead and the high price of our freedom. Is this not the Gospel Message. 2. I dare say, for those who have died fighting for the freedom of our Country, against the tyranny of sin and oppression, have followed the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3. The very reason we call Him Savior, one who saves another from destruction or injury, was the example that the men and women of our nation followed, even to their deaths.
4. Our text for this day, tell us that there is something greater out there for which to fight.
5. Here we have a call to “Fill BIG SHOES!”
II. FILLING OLD SHOES IS UNDERSTANDING THIS IS GOD’S BUSINESS (VV. 16-19; 25-27; and 40)!!
A. When we “Fill Old Shoes” God is not ashamed!
1. Verse 16 tells us that these who did not “Belong to This World” were “Longing for a better country -- a heavenly one.”
2. The reality of this text is about focus!
3. What is Your present focus? Is it the lose of a job, the frustration of a spouse or children, the lack of a spouse or children, the lose of a spouse or children? Is it on financial struggles or financial gain? Is it on judging those around you or being concerned with the judgments others have placed on you?
4. Our Heroes of the faith were focused on God!
5. They were focused on the “Promises Of God!”
6. God was NOT ASHAMED OF THEM, for He has prepared a city for them!” 7. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).”
8. The Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).”
9. Is God ashamed of you and are you ashamed of God??????
B. When “Filling Old Shoes” life becomes God-stances!
1. Often in life, we call what happens to us, just circumstances beyond our control. 2. Heroes of the Faith heard a “still small voice/ a gentle whisper (I Kings 19:9b-13).” 3. Though life was difficult and much was asked, they “reasoned that God could raise the dead (vs. 19).”
4. “They chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time (vs. 25)”.
5. They “regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value (vs. 26).” 6. They “saw HIM who is invisible [vs. 27(GOD)]!”
7. Do you get it?? Life wasn’t about circumstances, life was about GOD-stances. “A STANCE IS A WAY OF STANDING!” THESE HEROES STOOD FOR GOD!! 8. WHO ARE YOU STANDING FOR OR WHOM ARE YOU FALLING FOR?
III. FILLING OLD SHOES IS UNDERSTANDING IT IS A MATTER OF FAITH (VV. 1-2; 20-24; and 28-34A)!!
A. Faith is a matter of certainty!
1. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for (vv. 1-2).”
2. Faith is a trust in God based on an expectation of His character with the realization that we cannot see the outcomes for what we trust.
3. Faith is a confidence that God is and that, “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (vs. 6).
4. The reality of “Filling Old Shoes” is that it won’t come by happenstance. It will only come by a resolved commitment to seek God and Believe that Jeremiah 29:11 is more than true, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
5. Faith is the reality of Matthew 7:7 & 8, “Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
B. Faith is a matter of pleasing God!
1. “And without faith it is impossible to please God,”
2. Each of our Heroes in Chapter 11 stepped out in faith.
3. Each one of them allowed their actions to prove what they believed. 4. They saw what unseen and moved accordingly.
5. They were led by the Holy Spirit and Acted!!
6. “This is what the ancients were commended for (vs. 2)!”
7. THIS IS WHY WE REMEMBER THE PAST, FOR IT SETS THE STAGE FOR THE PRESENT AND CALLS FOR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. WE CELEBRATE TODAY / TOMORROW BECAUSE OF THE FAITH OF THOSE WHO COULD SEE MORE THAN THEMSELVES. THEY SAW A GREATER GOOD AND WOULD ACCEPT NO LESS! WHERE DO YOU STAND??
CONCLUSION: “MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN”
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Ghost power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of HIS. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed; my present makes sense; and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals. I no longer nee pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity, I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on HIS presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait fast, my goal heaven, my road narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I wont give up, shut up or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till al know and work till He strops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me -- my banner will be clear! ---- Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house--discovered by those who entered his house after he was martyred.
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON MEMORIAL DAY?
HOW WILL YOU HONOR THOSE YOU HAVE PAID THE PRICE FOR YOU?
WILL YOU PAY THE PRICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION?
WILL ALL WHO COME BEHIND YOU FIND YOU FAITHFUL?
WHAT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY? CAN YOU BE INCLUDED IN THE FAITH CHAPTER? WILL YOU FILL THE SHOES?
