Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes

“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!