John 3:31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.” 

Religious disagreements are inevitable with people.  With a difference of opinions, personalities, and perspectives, debate and discussion are normal.  However, when a dispute comes up always make sure that you are standing on the side of truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth found only in God’s word. 

As I read through the first three chapters of the Gospel of John, I continue to be amazed by John the Baptist, his love for Jesus Christ, and his willingness to stand for truth!  John does not shy away from standing for the truth.  As a matter of fact, standing for the truth is what got John the Baptist killed (Matthew 14:4). 

A dispute arose with some of John the Baptist’s disciples and the Jews over PURIFICATION (John 3:25).  The text doesn’t go into detail about the discussion, but it appears this is a discussion over purification in connection with the baptism of Jesus.  In chapter 3:22, John the apostle clues us in on Jesus and his disciples baptizing in the land of Judea.  In 3:26, the discussion is about everyone going to Jesus and His baptism.  It appears the disciples of John are questioning the legitimacy and authority of the baptism of Jesus.  John answers this dispute in 3:27 by stating that Jesus is gets His authority from God the Father.

In John 3:31, John is teaching his disciples that Jesus is baptizing by the authority of God. John says that Jesus is from above (because He is God) and that he (John) is from the earth.  John is showing that he is operating under the authority of Jesus……who is God! John simply looks past the dispute that his disciples have and directs them to receive what has come from God. 

We should always direct people to that which is from above, found in God’s word.  We should drop our opinions and perspectives to receive only that which is biblical.  The motivation in all discussion is to be biblical and loving as we share the truth. 

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” Ephesians 4:15

Where is your heart?  Let me ask the question a different way, what do you treasure most?  Jesus tells us that what is closest to our heart is the thing we treasure the most, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21).  Is it true that our hearts can be bound to our wallets?  Notice what our Lord says about our hearts (and possibly our wallets), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:19-20).  Jesus would also say in this context, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

 I am not the Lord and therefore I do not know your heart, however, I am good at observation.  What I noticed this past week with our first special contribution of the year was this, the Fulshear church of Christ has a heart connected to the kingdom of God and treasures in heaven, and a desire to honor the Lord.  

 Last Sunday the total given was over $20,000 for the regular and special contributions.  On top of that, you gave generously to help us serve the Senior Citizens that meet daily at the Irene Stern Community Center.  Gail Richardson was able to collect enough for the cost of the meal.  We are still in need of a foldable wagon ($100... see Gail for info) which is one of the items requested that would be most useful for Loraine.  

 I know that you are not trying to impress me, the elders, or members of this church family with your giving but I can’t help but be impressed and I know the elders are as well.  I’m amazed that you see giving to the Lord as a privilege.  THANK YOU!

 “...IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.” (Acts 20:35).

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” – 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Let’s do word association for a moment. What do you associate these words with … port, starboard, bow/stern, helm, keel, heeling, tack, jibe, windward, leeward, lines, mainsail, and jib? You’re right, BOATS and SAILING!  I want to admit that I know absolutely nothing about sailing.  I had to look up terms associated with sailing so we could play this lovely word association game. 

As you are aware, sailing has been an essential part of our world and especially in exploration for thousands of years.  We have stories in our Bibles about sailing.  In one story, (a real-life event), God saves 8 people on a big boat and destroys the whole world with water.  In another true story, a man is thrown off a boat into the sea and is

swallowed by a whale.  It really happened!

Mariners often are shipwrecked in the deep.  This certainly happened to the apostle Paul 3 times and on one of those occasions he was shipwrecked at sea and stayed a night and a day in the deep waters (Acts 11:25).  Can you imagine that?  Many would perish at the perils of the open waters. 

Against this backdrop, Paul says that some Christians have made shipwreck of their faith.  They have gotten off course, run aground, and are stranded with potential of losing their spiritual life.  Can you imagine being lost

forever?  Sadly, some will experience this fate. 

Let’s stay on course with our faith and with the blessed hope of arrival at the intended destination so that we can see the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:10). 

I want PATIENCE and I want it now!  Can you relate?  Do you ever feel this way?  Do you feel frustrated because of…?  We all get frustrated for so many different reasons.  I know I

certainly do!  

Patience is a virtue that is needed to successfully navigate through the frustrating and

challenging areas of life.  It takes a healthy dose of patience to walk through these

challenging areas while waiting for something better.  

Someone has said, “Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting.” As we wait out the frustrations that life has to offer in search of something better let’s learn to behave like Christ. 

Paul says that we must be in hot pursuit of PATIENCE as we walk by faith in Jesus (1 Timothy 6:11). Titus instructs that PATIENCE is a notable characteristic of the mature follower of Christ (Titus 2:2).  Trials and the testing of our faith produces the most amazing qualities of life —faith and patience. 

Let’s be disciplined to remain full of faith while we wait for something much so much better than trials .  Let’s behave well in order bring honor and glory to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.     

Have you ever tried to cut vegetables with a dull knife? It can be extremely difficult for sure.  Recently, when my in laws were visiting, my mother-in-law was in our kitchen helping to peel potatoes for a meal with a knife that was dull.  She asked, “Do you have a knife that is sharp that I can use?” Instead of getting another knife I got my knife sharpener and put an edge back on the knife which allowed my mother-in-law to finish the task.      

It is this very idea that the Proverb writer uses in Proverbs 27:17 to express the important role that is needed to sharpen the character of others.  In order for iron to be sharpened it implies there must be two pieces of iron and they must use one another to get sharp. It would be impossible for one piece of iron to be sharpened on its own without the help of the other.  Alone, both pieces of iron remain dull. 

This process helps us to gain, maintain, and achieve greater spiritual growth and fruit bearing in the Kingdom.  What is required in order for this to happen is there must be two positive and encouraging relationships to sharpen one another.  One that is focused on helping the other to be stronger, active, and moving forward. We all need faithful and spiritually mature friends to help us put on a sharp edge spiritually . 

So, who is that person for you?  Do you have one? Are you a solid piece of iron for someone else?  Remember, it takes two! Find one, be one, and bless one’s countenance to be sharper spiritually. 

“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17