IRON TO IRON PROVERBS 27:17

Welcome Home to the Cowboy Church of Young County, where everyone has a place to serve the Lord.

James 2:10–11; Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 4:12; Genesis 2:18; Acts 2:42; Matthew 18:20;

Malachi 3:16; 1 Samuel 23:16; Hebrews 10:24–25

(The verses today will be read out of the

New Century Version of the Holy Bible.)

KEY VERSE

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens another.

IRON TO IRON

OUtline

I. We are not God, and none of us are qualified to judge another human being because we cannot read each other’s hearts or know their motives. And when we attempt to do so, we are essentially trying to play God.1,2 (Prov 27:17)

II. The job of the believer is to share the word of God and love that person enough to be tough on them sometimes and hold them accountable to the Word of God. (Heb 4:12; Jer 23:29; Eph 5:26)

III. The meeting of two or more believers together in the Lord’s name will always guarantee blessing. (Mat 18:20)

IV. Iron sharpening iron is an opportunity to fulfill the Law of Christ by loving others as we love ourselves. (Prov 27:17; 1 Sam 23:16; )

Many times, what passes for fellowship and sharpening in churches today is centered on food and fun, rather than sharpening one another with the Word of God. In far too many instances, the only knives being sharpened are the ones used at potlucks. A well-sharpened knife shines more brightly because its dull edges have been removed. Similarly, we can shine for our Lord by consistently engaging in the practices mentioned above – which, also, promote harmony among us. As stated in Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”3

Love Y’all Cary

1 Mac Richard and Andy Andrews, The Trust Protocol: The Key to Building Stronger Families, Teams, and Businesses (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2017).

2 John R. W. Stott and John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): Christian Counter-Culture, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 177.

3 Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered; What Does It Mean that Iron Sharpens Iron?, Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013). (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).