“relationships with sharpening purpose.”

Man-to-Man

“Relationships

With

Sharpening Purpose.”

Sharpening!

Sharpening!

Sharpening!

Sharpening!

Sharpening!

Man-to-ManIron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Man-to-Man

“Relationships

With

Sharpening Purpose.”

=

Iron Sharpening IronThe Marlboro Man & The Millennial Man

I don’t need others I don’t feel confident in “how” to develop

“I don’t need others” is the sin of pride

“I can’t do it, so I won’t try” is the sin of unbelief

Both responses are missing the BIG points You “NEED” others and “their” impact on you Others “NEED” you and “your” impact on them

The Body of Christ: designed/purposed to help grow us to maturity. Individually—”Every man must bear his own burden” Gal. 6:5 Corporately—”Bearing one-another’s burdens” Gal 6:2

The Way of Life is the Way of the Cross The way of life is the way of the cross; an afflicted, but yet glorious way.

Those who walk in it are never solitary. The Keeper of Israel, with a wakeful eye of fatherly love and faithfulness, ever attends them. Angels are commissioned to bear up their trembling steps. To them has it been promised, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” Their very tears are noted in the book of remembrance. Principalities and powers in heavenly places are interested about them; and at their departing hour, in whatever painful condition, they are surrounded by heavenly companions, ready to carry them to Abraham’s bosom, where the Lord is gone to prepare a place for them; so that, chequered as may be our course by sufferings and privations here, happy nevertheless are we if we have the God of Jacob for our help and our hope be in the Lord our God.

from “The Shunammite” in Elisha by F.W. Krummacher

 In the Body of Christ we are to . . . ~

Iron Sharpening IronCharacteristics of a Sharpening Friend: Terry & Ken

TRUST---keeping confidence—so we can be open about our struggles or challenges

TRANSPARENCY—anything and everything is always okay ACCEPTANCE—no judging or looking down on each other—we’re both

frail in our flesh ENTHUSIASM—encourager! REJOICING/WEEPING—Celebrate successes/pick each other up when we

fail EARNEST PRAYER---for each other’s growth, endurance, wisdom,

discernment SELFLESS DESIRE---for the other’s best VULNERABILITY—I will suffer, if necessary for his welfare INVESTMENT—of time, energy, and money DEPENDABILITY—always there—anytime 

Iron Sharpening Iron

Iron Sharpening Iron

Iron Sharpening IronCharacteristics of a Sharpening Friend: Greg

Honesty & openness—sharing imperfections, vulnerable

Effort and time to talk and/or get togetherListening without fixing Biblical anchor to everything

Iron Sharpening IronCharacteristics of a Sharpening Friend: Joe

Encouraging – He builds me up in Christ Biblical – He points me to pertinent Scriptures  Transparent – He willingly reveals his own

struggles  Risky – He puts his own reputation or even our

friendship on the line for my spiritual good Faithful – He sticks by me and the Lord

Iron Sharpening IronCharacteristics of a Sharpening Friend: Kidner

Constancy Candor Counsel Tact

Iron Sharpening IronBe a surrendered man!

Be a “body of Christ” man! Others need you You need others

Caution: Proverbs 18:24—Kidner

Man-to-ManIron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17