"Iron Men"

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr.

Greater Victory Temple

Church of God in Christ

”Men Program”

Seaside, CA

30 March 2008

Big Idea: Men that are spiritually young can become sharper and more accountable by bonding with Iron Men.

Scriptural References: EAI (Expository; Application; Illustration)

Deut. 34:9 (NIV) Moses had laid his hands upon Joshua and Joshua was filled with the spirit of Wisdom; Deut. 31:7-8 (Moses appoints Joshua as his successor – advising him not to afraid and not to be discouraged); Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV) Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Psalm 18:2 (NIV) The LORD is my rock, my fortress ….; (NIV) ( Romans 12:1 (KJV)“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another; Amos 3:3 (NIV) Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?;1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV (Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners); 2 Kings 6:1-7 (Elisha and The floating axhead); 1 Kings 19:19-21 (Elisha ministered unto Elijah) “… Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him; 2 Kings 2 (Elijah’s mantle falls on Elisha); Ephesians 6:10-17 (KJV) – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might …; 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have trusted that the Lord is Good;

Special Note: Carry an eraser with you to demonstrate erasing the assumptions; The metaphorical hymn, “a mighty fortress is our God” was written between 1527 and 1529 by Martin Luther; Assumption: something taken for granted; a supposition: a correct assumption.

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Proverbs 27:17 NIV (As iron sharpens iron,

so one man sharpens another).

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate men which are spiritually young to become sharper and more accountable by bonding with Iron Men.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “Iron Men”

VI. Introduction:

Now, before we begin, allow me to momentarily address a matter of the heart.

We live in a time (and age) where MANY things have changed - and are changing – some for the better; and others for the worst. As a result, we can no longer afford to make false assumptions as we have done in the past.

For example, because someone is mature in age, and is a member of a Pentecostal Church, we assume he is SAVED. To do so COULD BE … a “false assumption.”

Because someone sings in a Pentecostal Choir, we assume he is SAVED. To do so COULD BE … a “false assumption”.

Because someone is an African American Preacher, we assume that he likes Fried Chicken and Collar Greens; to do so COULD BE … a “false assumption.”

Because someone is under medical treatment for diabetes, we assume he doesn’t eat lots of sweets (and starches) when his wife isn’t around. To do so COULD BE … another example of a “False Assumption.”

___________

This is an eraser, if you assumed that it was an eraser; then of course, you are correct; To ASSUMED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE – is a False Assumption.

Today, this eraser will be used to symbolically represent erasing two False Assumptions from OUR mind.

The first false assumption that I would like for us TO ERASE (from our minds) is the ASSUMPTION OF AGE.

- Typically speaking, when we hear the phrase “young man”; we assume that the person in question is young chronologically. But, we are all aware of the fact … that there are many men, whom at first glance, look like they maybe young but in actuality they are not.

Today, when we refer to young men,” we are speaking of their spiritual status and NOT their chronological age. For one can be young in age; but mature spiritually. In contrast, one can be mature in age, but spiritually immature. So, please erase “the assumption of age” from your mind.

Now, the second false assumption that I’m requesting your assistance in ERASING FROM your mind is the ASSUMPTION OF MALENESS.

Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV) says in essence, …in the beginning God said let us make man in our image …in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.