Don’t Lose Your Edge!
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Eccl. 10:9 Whoso
removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be
endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then
must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
INTRO: This
phrase is used a lot when referring to an athlete that at one time was very
successful and effective, but after a while, cooled off and became an average
player. We say he has lost his “edge”.
The understanding is that one has lost the qualities or skills that made them
successful in the past
I. Notice the Wear - vs. 10 If the
iron be blunt…”
The Dullness is a result of:
A. Availability – it was available, and the owner
was able to put his hand on it and use it.
B. Activity – the iron got dulled because it was
active; it was not sitting idle. It was
INVOLVED.
C. Adversity – see verse 9; constant contact with
foreign objects.
NOTE:
The possibilities of getting
hurt by stones increase if you work with them.
The possibilities of getting
injured while cutting wood increase if you actually do it.
I’ve heard people say, “I got
hurt at church”.
That will happen if you are
involved in the church.
·
If you attend
faithfully, and show up, and get involved, you will probably get hurt at
church.
·
If you pass out
tracts, you will eventually have somebody wad one up and throw it on the
ground.
·
If you go
soulwinning, you will eventually have someone slam a door in your face.
After a while, the adversity
and controversy and activity can make you DULL!
A dull ax makes a lot of
noise, but doesn’t make a lot of difference!
II. Notice the Whetting – vs. 10 “…and
he do not whet the edge…”
There are some secrets to sharpening with a whetstone.
·
There must be ABRASION.
Whetstones are measured in
degrees of GRIT
Picture of the Bible, or a
man of God or another believer that has a backbone!!
The grit that is used depends
on how fine a surface you are dealing with.
A rough, hard surface
requires more grit than a fine, highly polished surface.
As a pastor, I have to make
sure I don’t ruin these innocent, highly polished children with a grit that is
too rough.
But I have to make sure that
I have enough grit for those of you that have come from rough, sinful
backgrounds.
·
There must be LUBRICATION.
Whetstones have to stay
OILED. Picture of the Holy Ghost.
The best way to keep your
edge is to hang around people that are Spirit filled – not carnal and worldly.
·
There must be REPETITION.
One swipe won’t get it done;
you will have to do it repeatedly.
It has to be done OFTEN. Takes time!
The whetting process must keep up with the wearing process!
III. Notice the Working – vs. 10 “…then
must he put to more strength…”
NOTE: The
more you work without sharpening your edge, the stronger your flesh will
become.
You will eventually be able
to operate without the edge.
You will sweat, and labor,
and toil, and work, but you can do it without the edge if you go long enough.
Why not keep your edge, and
let God do the work?
·
With your edge,
there will be more progress.
·
With your edge,
there will be more profit.
Work smarter – not harder!!!
·
Colossians 1:29 Whereunto
I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
