THE GOSPEL IN A SHOE BOX

By Johnny Campbell

A Baptist Preacher — Non-Charismatic

The Bible has much to say about shoes. There are many ways I preach them in Revivals.

How the shoe resembles our lives:

Every shoe has a maker
Every shoe is made for a purpose
Every shoe has a tongue, eyes, and a sole
For repairs it has to go to the right person
The hide was provided by a sacrifice

This outline is from Ruth 4:7-10:

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. 9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. – Ruth 4:7-10

Here we have Boaz taking off his shoe as a testimony to confirm he was redeeming his bride. That shoe was a testimony to all Israel that Boaz was redeeming Ruth to be his Bride. Glory, glory! You could preach here for an hour. So, as I read this custom of the Jews, and the testimony of this shoe, I began to think how shoes represent the Baptists that I have known. I’ve pastored this bunch and know them. Let us look and see if you recognize them in the Church.

1. THE SNEAKERS

Boy, these are the ones that kill me. They think they can sneak by with their sin like David did with Bathsheba, like Jimmy Swaggart running across the stage speaking in tongues and then leaving the studio and going to houses of prostitution with money that blinded people donated. He “cussed” the Baptists saying they was preaching “A damnable doctrine of Eternal Security,” but there’s no record of him getting saved again. Even Jim Baker says now he believes in eternal security.

Then we have the other crowd mentioned in John 10:1: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” Here we have people trying to sneak in some other way like the Catholics and purgatory. The water crowd (Campbellites), not Johnny Campbell, believe that you can sneak into GOD’S Heaven by water baptism singing, “Amazing splash that saved a wretch like me.”

2. THE RUNNING SHOES

Some we know this night are RUNNING from GOD like Jonah

Some we know this night are RUNNING to GOD maybe be in a rescue mission or a jail service

Some we know this night are RUNNING for GOD. Thank GOD for these kind

3. THE BABY SHOES

In every church there are babies. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:1: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Paul said spiritual babies speak in tongues and want to be is petted (mostly this is the pastor’s fault which makes it so hard for the Evangelist to preach). A baby always cries for attention, never wants to change even when dirty, and always wants the milk.

I’ve had pastors say to me, “After hearing Brother Johnny, ain’t you glad I’m your pastor?I love my folks…” You compromiser! You’re a hireling! No wonder your folks can’t grow; it’s because you got lace on your drawers! It isn’t the outside crowd that’s killing the Independent Baptists, it’s you that has the sign out front, with all your Fundamental beliefs, but inside your a coward.

4. THE FLIP FLOPS

I’ve pastored this crowd and they do flip-flops just like Bill Clinton. They make promises they never keep. You can depend on them crying at the altar with tears and snot dripping down their faces. Just like Peter told CHRIST, “You can depend on me” but before their night at the alter is over, they “done flip-flopped.”

Preacher, never put your confidence in this crowd. Most of this crowd is so henpecked it’s up to his heifer any way.

5. THE COMBAT BOOTS

I like my congregation to have combat boots with steel toes. You can preach to him all you want and stomp on him. The more you stomp, the more he says, “That doesn’t hurt a bit preacher. Glory to GOD, I’m walking with GOD.”

Oh, I like these that know and understand we are in a battle. Throw your peace button away, preacher. Put on a war button and declare war on them deacons, I mean demons.

GOD called you to heal the dead, cast out the sick, and raise the devil: “Devil, these boots are made for walking and I’m gonna walk all over you.”