1. “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?”
Matthew 25:14-30
In matthew 25:14-30, we find a man who entrusts 3 of his servants with responsibility for taking care of some of his wealth while he travels to another country.
In his absence, he needs his servants to step up and fill his shoes.
There may be many times in our life that we will need to step up and take on the responsibilities of someone else…if it hasn’t happened already.
It may be that someone in our business has retired or resigned. It may be a family member has passed and their responsibilities are shared with you and others in your family. It may be that you are next in line for a job Promotion.
The older I get the more I realize the brevity of life and think about Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes especially those who will carry on the Work of the Lord.
We have 3 wonderful Elders who I think are very conscientious about their work. But when they depart this life, who will step up and be qualified to fill their shoes?
Our deacons-When they are no longer here, who will be qualified to fill their shoes and serve this congregation?
Brother Guy-Who’s gonna fill his shoes of preaching the gospel?
Song leaders? Teachers? Whatever shoes you are filling right now, there will be a time when someone else will have the opportunity to fill your shoes.
Many people I have loved dearly have already left this world: my daddy, my papa & granny, my aunt eunice, Uncle Hack, Aunt faye, my brother Darrel---
Many People from our Church family-Fred & Betha Evans, Leamon Britton, Jim Henry & Letha mae Moran, Doyce & Edna Stone, Grady & Lorena Baugher, Delmer & Verta Blankenship, Nob & Willie Mae Brooks, Iretha Hargrave, Sherry Harrison, Daryl & Juanita Smith, Beverly Knowles, Ethel Looney, Lucille Reese, Reba Peek, Jimmy Hargrave, and the list will continue to grow as God allows this earth to stand.
This makes me realize that I need to take time to learn from those who are with me right now. Because there will be a time-if I live long enough that their pew will be empty- their places in life will be filled by someone else.
So tonight I want to talk a little while about "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?“ by looking at some examples of Bible characters who became successors.
I want us to examine how they prepared themselves to be the successors and also how we can learn from their preparation.

2. John & Jesus Moses & Joshua Paul & Timothy Joshua & The Judges
The first Bible character I think about John the Baptist—the one who was chosen to prepare the way for Jesus—how he said in
John 1:27
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
John 1:29 John recognized the glory of his successor: vs. 29, When he saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 3:30 John recognized that he was a forerunner. He knew there was One more worthy than he--- that why he said,
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John knew the Jesus was greater than the He, but that didn’t stop John from doing the work he was set out to do for Jesus.
That’s something important we can learn from John, Work-even if you aren’t the Chosen one. Keep on doing your job-serving the Lord- until you can’t do it anymore.

3. 1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
What shoes to fill! Shoes John couldn’t fill and Shoes we will never fill.
I think about Jesus & his life that we have been studying during our Wednesday night Bible study.
I think about His lowly birth.
I think about His humble beginnings.
I think about His diligence to be about the Father’s business at a very young age.
I think about His miracles He performed to teach others that He was the Christ.
I think about His power over demons and the devil.
I think about His overcoming the temptations of Satan.
I think about His compassion for those who wanted to be healed and saved.
I think about His patience with and His teaching of the apostles.
I think about His willingness to follow after and to do His Father’s will.
I think about His willingness to suffer the death on the cross even though He was without sin.
I think about His forgiving attitude towards His own people who murdered Him.
I think about His call for us to follow after Him
I think about His will of us to continue to teach others about Him so that they will be saved.
Although we will never be able to fill Jesus’ shoes, we are instructed to walk as He walked.
1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Are you striving to fill His shoes? Striving to be worthy of just lacing them?

4. 1 Peter 2:21-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls
1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

5. John & Jesus Moses & Joshua Paul & Timothy Joshua & The Judges
I think of another great Character of the Bible: MOSES
Who’s gonna fill the shoes of Moses?
Moses- the meekest man in the bible
Born a Hebrew but Raised in the palace like an egyptian
But Chose a Lowly Life instead of all the riches of Egypt
Spoken to by God through a burning bush
Chosen by God to lead His people out of egyptian bondage
Witness of the Power of God through the 10 Plagues and the parting of the Red Sea
Leader of the Israelites
Deliverer the 10 commandments from God to His people
How would his successor Joshua be able to fill His Shoes?

6. Exodus 24:13
13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
As we see from Exodus 24:13
From the beginning, Joshua was with Moses during his time as leader of Israel.
Joshua kept close by Moses….learning from the Father of the Faithful.

7. Numbers 14:7-9
The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
We can see that Joshua applied that knowledge of having faith in the Lord in Number 13 when he and Caleb report back from the land of Canaan.
10 of the 12 spies gave their evil report of land….it’s a great place, BUT…..in verse 28-the people are strong, cities walled, the people are great, They had no faith they could take the people, bc they are stronger than we….we are like grasshoppers compared to them.
In Numbers 14:7-9, Joshua pleads…..
But Joshua dared to be different. He stood out when all others tried to fit in. Aren’t we also called out to be different than the world around us? Do we go along with the crowd or are we standing out and filling the shoes that are set forth before us?

8. Deuteronomy 31:7-8
7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Joshua continues to learn from his predecessor the value of following the Lord.
In Deuteronomy 31:7-8
What a lesson we can learn! To fill the shoes of someone we will need to learn from those who are older and wiser than we.

9. Joshua 24:15
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua listened to Moses and continued in the Lord all his days. And in the last days of Joshua, you can see a man still devoted to the Lord.
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua tells the Israelites…..

10. John & Jesus Moses & Joshua Paul & Timothy Joshua & The Judges
Lastly I think of Paul and Timothy.
Paul—
Converted on the Road to Damascus
Never looking back to his old life for strength
Looking forward and hastening the day of the return of the Lord
Diligently teaching others about Christ
Not afraid to stand up to others
Boldly preaching Jesus
Who’s gonna fill his shoes?

11. 1 Corinthians 4:17
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
As we read through the scriptures, we find that Paul is very close to a young man named Timothy. He refers to timothy as his beloved son---one who is faithful in the lord---one who will bring remembrance of my ways which be in Christ.
Paul begins to prepare this young timothy for the real world and the real work.
It’s no wonder that Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

12. Philippians 2:19-22
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Paul has confidence in Timothy and sends him to different places to continue the work of the Lord.
Listen here in Philippians 2 of what Paul thinks of Timothy.

13. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
I can’t help but think of Paul –as he comes to the close of his life—the close bond that he and Timothy shared—the conversations they shared, the laughs they shared, the tears they experienced-- as Paul continues to mentor and teach and prepare Timothy for a world without him but a world with the Lord.
Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Even though Paul knows his time is coming to a close…..Paul continues to mentor Timothy…(I can picture in my mind an older Paul with his arm around young Timothy….advising him…...to fight the good fight (stand up for what is right)….Satan will try to deceive you….even your friends will try to wreck your faith…., BUT Keep the faith….FINISH the race---there is a crown to be won by following the Lord.

14. John & Jesus Moses & Joshua Paul & Timothy Joshua & The Judges
Think of someone whom you love and someone who has had a great influence in your life. Who will take the place of those who leave this life for eternal rest? Who’s gonna fill their shoes?
This is a serious question to consider.
None of us are too young to consider this question:

15. Judges 2:6-8
6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
If each and every member at O’NEAL isn’t preparing our successors and if our successors are learning from their predecessors, then this church will fail.
Judges 2:6-11 When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals.

16. Judges 2:9-11
9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:
Joshua & The Judges
Joshua didn’t train anyone to take his place. Israel quickly left God

17. Why were Joshua & Timothy able to “step up” to the Challenge?
Mentoring, Apprenticeship, TEACHING
Joshua was with Moses from the beginning of his time as leader of Israel
Timothy was trained by Paul from a youth
Why did Joshua & Timothy replace the man before them so well?
Mentoring, Apprenticeship, Teaching
Joshua with Moses from the beginning of his time as leader of Israel
Timothy was trained by Paul from a youth

18. Our Time Is Limited But Our Influence Continues
Each of us has a limited time, our influence will live in those we have taught

19. Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
What are we doing to train our children—to be faithful children of God? To become a faithful husband/wife? To be a devoted father/mother? To be a loving & productive citizen?
The wise man says to …..
Proverbs 22:6 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Training will take some time and effort on our part. Don’t be afraid of messing up….because you will. Learn from mistakes and teach our children to learn from their mistakes.
Be the role model you want your child to be.

20. Titus 2:1-6 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Know it is your job to train your children and to help guide others along the way.
Be purposeful in your training.
How often do we complain about how children this day and time act? What are we doing to correct that?
Be a part of the solution instead of the problem.

21. Titus 2:1-6
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Lead and teach by example. Children will hear your words but they will mimic your actions.

22. 2 Timothy 2:1-2
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
It is not just about teaching the lost. That we must do. But we also must teach and prepare those with less experience so that they will be prepared for the time when we are no longer here.
2 Timothy 2:1-2

23. 2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

24. Two Questions.. Who will fill your shoes? Who's shoes will you fill?
Each of us has a limited time
But our influence will live on in those we have taught
Which one of the men with talents do you want to be your successor? What kind of successor do you want to be?
God doesn’t want a 5 star servant with a 2 star work ethic. He doesn’t want a 2 star with a 1 start work ethic. He doesn’t want a 1 star servant with no work ethic. He was a 5 star working to a 5 star work ethic. He wants a 2 star working to a 2 star’s potential. He wants a 1 star working to a 1 star potential. He wants us working!
Teacher slogan: I teach. I touch lives.
Not one person in here that doesn’t touch lives, so you are all teachers.
What subject are you teaching? How are you preparing your students for a life without you?
Two questions..
Who will fill your shoes?
Who's shoes will you fill?