Iron Sharpens Iron

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

1. Leaders must be sharp if they are to be effective

a. Leaders are sent and anointed to sharpen their people, but they themselves are dull, because they refuse to come together properly and sharpen each other.

2. Leaders must have honing contact with each other in order to be sharp

a. Leaders must not avoid the friction of contact with other leaders. No, they should come together in the proper way in order for profit to take place.

3. Dulling Encounters: Leaders can become dull when they come together in a manner not proper for honing. When two leaders come together it should be for the express purpose of sharpening. That means they must approach each other at the proper angle. They do not come together in the same path, but neither do they clash with one another.

a. Dulled hearing: When we do not have an ear to hear God but listen to the voice of men, we fail to maintain a mind sharply tuned to the direction and signals of God. Rather than listening to God, they surround themselves with those who speak what they want to hear.

b. Dulled vision: When a leader no longer sees clearly the purpose and vision for which God called him, he fails to see the direction of God and the pitfalls ahead. His vision is blurred by his own self-importance and the selfish ambitions of the flesh.

c. Dulled sensitivity: When a leader is pursuing his own selfish ambitions, he also loses his empathy and compassion for people. He becomes harsh and abrasive and ceases to be gentle and tenderhearted.

d. Dulled receptivity: The leader becomes dulled in the way he responds to any viewpoint other than his own. He is no longer open to the Holy Spirit to lead him into truth.

4. God is the one who chooses who will sharpen you.