TITLE: Big Shoes to Fill

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 3:4-9

PROPOSITION: Preachers have different abilities that God can use.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Soon this church will be looking for a new preacher.

2. No scriptural process - some obvious points -

   1. Sound in knowledge and doctrine

   2. Able to communicate the Word of God

   3. Search committee has a tough job to wade through resumes

3. There should be no “professional jealousy” among preachers.

4. How do you decide on your next minister?

5. Someone commented that the next preacher will have big shoes to fill.

   1. I followed a man that wore size 14 shoes and was 6' 6” tall.

   2. It is not the size of the shoe – It is the size of the heart.

TEXTUAL STUDY

4 For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?

1. There was some comparisons between Paul and Apollos

2. This should not happen - don’t develop “preacher-itis”

3. You do not belong to the preacher – but to Christ

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each?

1. Who is Manly? Paul? Apollos? Peter?

2. Men - with weakness and strong points

3. Minsters - Desire to help, work with, encourage

4. Faith builders – Source of knowledge and faith

6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1. Some are planters, some water

2. Some weeders, some harvesters

3. Each minister will have areas of strength and areas of weakness

4. Factors that make us different – Temperament, personality, skill, education, experience, family, background, age, values

5. IT IS GOD WHO GIVES THE INCREASE!

7 So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

1. The man without God is nothing.

2. A man with God can do great things.

3. Glory should go to God - God give the increase.

8 So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1. I am not in competition with former ministers

2. “You have some big shoes to fill.” NO!

3. I am not like former preachers

4. Next man should not try to be Manly.

9 For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God.

1. Labor together - same goals - same desires

2. We may take different approaches to reach the goals

3. Husbandry (field in NKJV) = a field, garden, ground ready to plow

4. Building = every preacher wants to strengthen the structure

Conclusion:

1. Don’t expect another Manly - Only one of them.

2. Who knows? Next preacher may even eat potatoes.

3. Don’t compare - I liked the way “X” did it better.