Triumphal Procession

2 Corinthians 2:12–17 “When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

Open and closed doors

Forbidden by the Spirit- Acts 16:6.

Satanic resistance- Paul’s affliction in Asia 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Paul’s desire to see Jewish people saved- Rom 9:3. God’s purposes were different

The Will of God?

is the will of God “out there” somewhere?

will I ever be happy until I find it?

How do I know if I have found “it”?

Will God be pleased until then?

New Paradigm

God leads us in triumphal procession (v 14)

wherever you are, you belong to Jesus.

You are His son/daughter

You’re His ambassador

God’s Will for (Y)our Life

spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere (v 14)

rely on His strength (what does it take to lean)

Proverbs 3:5–7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

Ephesians 3:14–19 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:7–10 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

Philippians 4:11–13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Col 2:1-15; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Thess. 3:1-5; 1 Tim. 1:12-16; 2 Tim. 1:6-14; Titus 3:4-8

Sufficiency and Empowerment

our sufficiency is in Christ

sufficient to be ministers of the New Covenant

God’s spirit grants power and FREEDOM

we are “in-process”

The Final product

Everything is training for whatever comes next

perhaps everything is on the job training for our role in the kingdom?