Iron Sharpens Iron

Core Values - Part 9 • Proverbs 27:17• December 26, 2021 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Every member of the body of Christ, which includes genuine believers in our church community, should grow. Another way of saying it is that all members should sharpen themselves in their spiritual and earthly responsibilities. Yet one member cannot do it alone as a sword cannot be sharpened by itself, so a person needs others to become sharper. Today, we turn to one of the wisdom books in the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs, to give us some inspiration about people sharpening others. We shall discuss three perspectives and explore some applications.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
 Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Proverbs 27:17 ESV

17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another

Notes

Every member of the body of Christ, which includes genuine believers in our church community, should grow. Another way of saying it is that all members should sharpen themselves in their spiritual and earthly responsibilities. Yet one member cannot do it alone as a sword cannot be sharpened by itself, so a person needs others to become sharper. Today, we turn to one of the wisdom books in the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs, to give us some inspiration about people sharpening others. We shall discuss three perspectives and explore some applications.

  1. One perspective is partners or friends who learn together. Imagine fellow soldiers who will fight side by side. Every soldier reminds the other soldiers to sharpen their blades and prepare for battle.

  2. Another perspective is the enemy. Enemies sharpen their swords for the battle to clash swords. The sharpening happens before the battle. Imagine enemies as challenges that inspire us to sharpen our skills and focus.

  3. Yet another perspective is that the person acts as a teacher, mentor, or coach to another person. Imagine an iron hammer pounding twisted iron that was heated. Or an iron file used to create friction at the edge of the sword.

Application

  1. Encourage and remind family members, officemates, classmates, churchmates, small group members to improve themselves continuously. Conversely, receive encouragement and reminders as well.

  2. Use the problems, challenges, and competition as motivation to increase focus, determination, and growth. The enemy could come in the form of people, situations, and internal factors.

  3. Consider teachers, mentors, and coaches as blessings. They can come in the form of parents, pastors, professors, and growth group leaders. Absorb all the wisdom you can. Draw it out from them.

Discussion / Reflection

  1. How does iron sharpen iron?

  2. How can family and small groupmates sharpen each other?

  3. How can enemies sharpen us?

  4. How can parents, growth group leaders, and pastors sharpen us?