A Sermon in Shoes

A sermon is better lived

Than talked any day,

Yes, talking is good

But living is the best way.

Life is more critical than lip

We must understand,

And one’s witness by life

Is the Master’s demand.

I’d rather see a sermon

Than hear one any time,

I’d rather a living example

Than instruction of any kind.

A sermon in shoes

Bespeaks a believer’s walk:

One’s feet shod with the Gospel

In support of one’s talk.

People hear what they see

More than what they hear,

And a genuine witness

Is shown through love and care.

Jesus demonstrated this

In all that he preached

And our example in living

Must sync with what we teach.

“What you do speaks so loudly

I can’t hear what you say,”

Is pertinent to any believer

Whose talk contradicts the way.

Somewhat like the Pharisees

In Jesus’ day

That were good at talking

But walking? No way!

Hypocrisy was synonymous

With their way of life

And what they said and did

Were really at strife.

A sermon in shoes

Is what Jesus requires

To ferry the Gospel message

Wherever he desires.

Stewart Russell © October 2019