By Pastor Jeff Hanson
Pro 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
For all you chefs sitting out here this morning I have a question, is it safer to use a dull knife or a sharp one?
A sharp knife gives you more control and requires less physical force to cut, when you use a dull knife or tool you have to fight the tool and use much more force which may cause it to slip or fly off with immense force.
To keep their tools sharp the rubbing or grinding of two iron blades together removes dull spots and makes both edges sharper.
Sharpening metal creates sparks, heat, which in relationships the challenges we can face should and will create real growth in our relationship with others.
We know as Christians we need fellowship for growth
Gal 3:26-27, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Heb 10:23-25, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
When you think of iron, what do you think of?
Pure iron is soft and pliable and is not used for construction but when mixed with a small amount of carbon and other elements with heat it becomes hard, strong to be used in construction, for tools, and weapons.
Relationships in the body of Christ are mixed as well, Rom 12:4-5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
Even though we are different in many ways, for us to be able to sharpen each other we need to have agreement, Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” That does not mean we are mirror images of each other but we must especially when it comes to the gospel have the same vision.
I appreciate our bible study on Thursday nights as it gives me and others the opportunity to share thoughts and ask questions so that the iron continues to get sharpened!
We look at Jonathan and David in the bible that had a special relationship, 1Sa 18:1, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
1Sa 18:3-4, “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” (Mephibosheth)
Apostle Paul talked of this being knit together in Col 2:1-2, For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
This last Thursday in Romans 15 one of the questions was “what is the purpose for being unified?” Rom 15:6, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And this will lead to Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Pro 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
I want to be the sharpest iron I can be and when we are we can do powerful things in Christ, Heb 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
We are so blessed that we all have access to the word of God, for well over a century most people did not, bibles were scarce as they only could be copied by hand which made them very expensive. It was pretty much the religious leaders that had access to the bible. Literacy was also a problem. In the twelfth century several church councils placed restrictions on the bible being translated to halt any movement that the church considered heretical. The invention of the Gutenberg press changed that and allowed for the bible to become more easily available, in fact the first book to come from this press was the BIBLE!
The Catholic church still considered it dangerous to translate the bible into languages of the people and in the Third synod of Oxford forbade the bible forever being translated to English.
Does anyone know the name William Tyndale? He was killed or better said, he was executed October 6th 1536 for the horrible crime of translating the bible to English. He was strangled then burned at the stake and has his ashes scattered at the site!
If you want a true awakening of how many reformers suffered and died read the history of the church.
Just a little over 500 years ago Martin Luther challenged the teaching of the church and nailed 95 thesis on a door of a catholic church in Wittenberg Germany and what did that get him? Excommunicated and considered a criminal. His belief in justification by faith, not the paying of indulgences that was required by the church to receive forgiveness.
Psa 119:72’ “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
We are almost done with the study of the book of Romans on Thursday night and will be studying the Amor of God for a bit and one of the pieces of armor that is used for offense is the sword of the Spirit which tells us is the word of God.
Pro 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Let us make sure the word of God we carry into battle is sharp!
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