PUTTING ON YOUR SHOES
Luke 15:22 and Ephesians 6:15
Our daily conversations are often filled with expressions concerning the use of our foot or feet.
We have learned to convey a whole idea or concept in this manner. For example:
1. A TENDERFOOT is a beginner, inexperienced.
2. To have COLD FEET is to back out, a coward, to change one’s mind.
3. ITCHING FEET, wanting to travel.
4. FEET ON THE GROUND is to be realistic, pragmatic, not a dreamer.
5. FOOT IN THE MOUTH, saying the wrong or inappropriate thing.
6. PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN is to be firm, strong.
7. HOT FOOT IT, do it fast, quickly.
8. FOOT THE BILL is to pay.
9. GET ON YOUR FEET means to get established, become prosperous.
10. STEP ON TOES means to talk about things which make people feel guilty or create conviction about a matter.
There are spiritual principles connected with the use of the words "foot" and "feet" so let’s look at what the Bible has to say about "putting on your shoes."
Let’s look this morning at the shoes worn on your journey of a Christian.
I. The Shoes of Deliverance
Ex:12:11: And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover.
Egypt typifies the world and the bondage of sin.
Disobedience to God always results in bondage.
We become slaves to sin and end up defeated and miserable.
The Israelites were miserable.
They were slaves making bricks day in day out.
They cried out to God for deliverance and He heard their cries.
God sent Moses to lead them out of bondage.
But they had to be delivered by the shed blood in order to make their journey of faith possible.
Heb:11:28: Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
The shoes of deliverance, deliver nothing without the shed blood of Jesus.
Heb:9:22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
M’t:26:28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
What shoes are you wearing today?
Sneakers, Are you sneaking around trying to hide from God?
Running Shoes, Are you running from God this morning?
Flip- Flops, Christian are you hot and cold this morning?
II. The Shoes of Restoration Luke 15:22
We all know the story of the Prodigal son.
This son took his share of his inheritance and went off into the “Far Country” and wasted it all on riotous living.
A famine struck the land and he ended up broke and had to work slopping the hogs.
He was literally starving to death.
He decides to come home, because even his father’s servants had bread enough to spare.
His father saw him from a distance and ran and hugged him.
Lu:15:22: But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Lu:15:23: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Lu:15:24: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
How many of us this morning feel like we are in the hog pen of life?
When un-confessed sin is present on our life we cannot be in fellowship with God.
How many need the shoes of restoration.
By accepting Christ as personal Lord and Savior, you can have your fellowship with God restored.
No shoes, no service. Story of Wal-Mart and Madison.
III. The Shoes of Battle
Eph:6:15: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
A. The Shoes of Battle provide stability
Psalms:37:31: The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
B. To triumph over enemies.
Jos:10:22: Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.
Jos:10:23: And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
Jos:10:24: And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
Jos:10:25: And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
C. To March forward
1. "Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God".
2. "Not touchy, sensitive, easily offended, not stumbling over personal offenses"
Psalms:119:165: Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
D. To be prepared unto every good work.
1Pe:3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2Tm:3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Tm:3:17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
There may be some things of which it can be said that one size fits all, but shoes are not among them.
Shoes are very personal, and when they’re wrong, they’re wrong.
If they hurt, they hurt.
God places all of us in a pair of shoes following our salvation experience.
If God has you in shoes that don’t feel comfortable think of this:
If they seem too small and fit too tightly, God probably wants you to remove some things out of your life.
If they seem too big, God wants you to grow spiritually and fill those shoes.
If you have never yet worn the shoes of deliverance and restoration, come accept Christ as savior.
This morning let’s take the steps necessary to fill the shoes God has prepared for us.
The Christian’s "footwear" is not only sufficient and adequate for our spiritual journey but it is durable and long lasting.
