As a man sows, so shall he reap

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As a man sows, so shall he reap Gal. 67
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens
another.
Do not be misled bad company corrupts good
character. 1Cor. 1533
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a
companion of fools suffers harm. Prov. 1320
These 3 reinforce and help us understand Prov.
2717
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As we are coming to the end of a year together, I
want us to think on blessings we have of
working with each other . . . opportunities to
rub mind-on-mind with each other . . . occasions
to sharpen each other in the work we do together.
As iron sharpens iron, so we can and
do sharpen each other in the Lords service.
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How does that happen?
A. To sharpen a blade we use something hardas
hard or harder than the blade itself. Therefore .
. .
If you are to be sharpened, you must rub your
heart, mind, spirit against people who can hone
yourstake off the rough edges, bring you to a
sharp edge mentally and spiritually
Cant rub your spirit vs. a fool and become
wise
vs. a coward and become courageous . . .
vs. one disinterested and become more faithful .
. .
vs. a hot-head and grow more controlled
vs. a stingy giver and grow more generous w/the
Lord
vs. a spiritual weakling and become stronger
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The Point Is We must look for people who can
hone/sharpen us
We must realize that others are needing us to be
a sharpening stone for them.
It is not good for the man to be alone I will
make him a helper suitable for him. (Gen. 212)
Moses had Jethro to relieve him of too heavy a
burden (Ex. 18)
Joshua had Caleb . . . Elijah had Elisha . . .
Paul had BarnabasTimothyLukeSilas
The question is not Whom do you hang
around? The question is Who sharpens you?
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Eccles. Illustrates the value of having a friend
who is able to sharpen you
Two are better than one because they have a good
return for their labor. For if either of them
falls, the one will lift up his companion. But
woe to the one who falls when there is not
another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie
down together they keep warm, but how can one be
warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is
alone, two can resist him. A cord of three
strands is not quickly torn apart. (49-12)
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Solomon teaches us to avoid people who bring us
downtheir effect is to dull our spirits before
God and each other
Gossip do not associate with a gossip. - 2019
Hot-head do not associate with a man given to
anger,or go with a hot-tempered man, lest
you learn his ways, and find a share for
yourself. 2224f
Drinkers/over-indulgent Do not be with heavy
drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of
meat for the heavy drinker and the glutton will
come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man
with rags. -- 2320f
Unstable My sondo not associate with those who
are given to change for their calamity will rise
suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes? -
2421-22
Liar/untrustworthy Like a club and a sword and
a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness
against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth and an
unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in
time of trouble. - 2518-19
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Avoid doing things that make you a dulling
stone.
Dont repeat everything you hear 179 He who
repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
Avoid senseless arguments 1714 The beginning
of strife is like letting out water so abandon
the quarrel before it breaks out.
Dont overstay your welcome 2517 Let your
foot rarely be in your neighbors house, lest he
become weary of you and hate you.
Dont meddle in whats not your business 2617
Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who
passes by and meddles with strife not belonging
to him.
Dont joke w/harmful things 2618-19 Like
a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is
a man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was
only joking?
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What sharpening each other looks like
1110 When it goes well with the righteous, the
city rejoices
1114 Where there is no guidance, the people
fall, but in abundance of counselors there is
victory.
124 An excellent wife is the crown of her
husband.
1226 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor.
131 A wise son accepts his fathers discipline.
1314 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of
life, to turn aside from the snares of death.
1320 He who walks with wise men will be wise.
1322 A good man leaves an inheritance to his
childrens children.
151,30 A gentle answer turns away wrath
bright eyes gladdenheart.
1717 A friend loves at all times, and a
brother is born for adversity
1821 Death and life are in the power of the
tongue.
1824 There is a friend who sticks closer than
a brother
275f Better is open rebuke than hidden love
wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an
enemy multiplies kisses.
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As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens
another --Proverbs 2717--
People sharpener Find one . . . Be one!