Week 5 - The Aroma of Christ

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY:

Opening Scripture:

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 ESV

14 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. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 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.

Led in Triumph (2:14–17):

1. God spreads abroad the knowledge of his Son as we share the gospel message (v. 14).

2 Corinthians 2:14 “14 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.”

Background: In this passage, Paul may be alluding to the Roman victory parade that was common in his day. In this parade, both the conquering and the defeated. In this parade, both the conquering and the defeated leaders marched down the street, along with the victorious army and their captives. Fragrant spices were burned along the route as part of the festivities. However, the same aroma meant different things to victor and vanquished. To the defeated, the fragrance was an aroma leading to death, because execution or slavery (to some, a fate worse than death) surely followed. For the triumphant, however, the aroma was altogether lovely, marking their victory, triumph, and life. Paul’s point is that in Christ he and all believers are part of God’s victory parade, even in the midst of anxieties and all manner of difficulty.

Psalm 68:18 ESV

18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

2. When the message is accepted, it leads to life, but when rejected, it leads to death (v 15).

2 Corinthians 2:15 “15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,”

Illustrate Aroma

Who are chosen/elect of God and who are perishing?

Ephesians 2:11–13 “11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

“Christological” Election (see Barth and J.W. Adams)

But now you have been brought near to Christ (v. 13)

a. “But now” there is hope for those “far off” too, who previously were without hope

b. “by the blood of Christ” is the means to their Election/choosing/predestination

i. Eph. 1:7 Christ’s blood is the means to redemption

ii. Col 1:20-22 and Rom 5:10 Christ’s blood is the means to reconciliation with God

iii. Heb 10:19-22 Christ’s blood is the means to our confidence for drawing near in God’s presence

Do you accept the blood of Jesus?

Will you now be a minister of the reconciliation?

2 Corinthians 5:18 “18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”

3. The question of adequacy for such a ministry (v. 16).

2 Corinthians 2:16 “16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”

Alluding to Moses:

Exodus 4:10 ESV

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

God is still the one who makes us sufficient for his ministry!

4. The crucial importance of integrity in ministry, avoiding the temptation to regard it as a means of profit (v. 17).

2 Corinthians 2:17 “17 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.”

I believe all are called to God and all are called to serve their local congregation and the world, while some are called to a position of servant-leader that is rejected because of lack of funds (funding that is missing because of disobedience to giving in the Church, as well as an unwillingness of the one called)

Conclusion/Reflection:

Will you rise to the challenge to be thankful?

Will you rise to the challenge to smell good?

Will you rise to the challenge to find your strength in Christ?

Will you rise to the challenge to be different than the majority?

Talk It Over

How do we rise to the challenge Paul is talking about in 2:14–16?

When we see Christians, ministers, and the gospel mocked and demeaned in films, television, and literature, how do Paul’s words help us understand our secular society’s hostility to the message of Christ? (2:16)

How does praying in the Holy Spirit and intercession cause us to always triumph in Christ? (Rom. 8:26–24; 2 Cor. 2:14)