Christ Among Us

PRAYER

2 Corinthians 2:14–16 NLT

14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

This morning we are reading a letter that flowed from the heart of a missionary.

In fact, the author, the Apostle Paul was a missions traveling man.

He went on three missionary journeys and he turned an arrest and imprisonment into another missionary journey to Rome.

He said in: Romans 15:20 (NLT) … [that his heart] has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

We’re talking about a man who spent years traveling.

Traveling...

On foot

In undependable ships — not with engines but with sails

In all sorts of extremely hazardous conditions

And during those many years dedicated to taking the Gospel where it had not been heard,he experienced many difficult things.

He told the Corinthians in: 2 Corinthians 11:20 (NLT) [I am amazed that] You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NLT) [Do they claim to be] servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served [Jesus] far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

And yet, Paul has the audacity to say in our text: "But God continually … leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.”

The trials and heartaches didn’t get Paul down.

No doubt he was made of sterner stuff than most of us.

ESPECIALLY, when you think about how he understood the nature of the message he proclaimed. He said…

To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.

But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.

It’s one thing to be a life-giving perfume.

But it’s quite another to be the stench of death to the many who reject your message.

BUT there were and ARE many who reject the Gospel Message of eternal life through repentance of our sins and surrender of the control of our lives to Jesus.

Jesus said in: Matthew 7:13–14 (NLT) “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

The Message translation has Jesus saying: Matthew 7:13–14 (MSG) “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. 14 The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

Those who reject the only way of Salvation, Jesus, are a violent group.

Today is also the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Many are being persecuted, even killed because of belief in Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews said: Hebrews 13:3 (BBE) Keep in mind those who are in chains, as if you were chained with them, and those who are in trouble, as being yourselves in the body.

Can we pray for the millions of Christians who are being persecuted?

In light of such persecution, what a temptation we face to make the Gospel more palatable.

But we must resist that temptation!

As we saw Wednesday night, the commission in…

2 Timothy 4:1–2 (TPT) Timothy [but this letter has application to more than one Timothy’s life — it is for us all], in the presence of our great God and our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is destined to judge both the living and the dead by the revelation of His kingdom—I solemnly instruct you to 2 proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit —with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.

We do this because…

God Uses His Word

God uses His Word in extraordinary ways, because it is a supernatural book.

Peter says in 2 Peter 1:16 (BBE) … when we gave you news of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our teaching was not based on stories put together by art, … [NO!] 2 Peter 1:21 (BBE) … these words did not ever come through the impulse of men: but the prophets had them from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 (LSB) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Yes, God uses His Word in extraordinary ways.

He uses it in the missionary’s life

He uses it in the missionary’s ministry.

God uses His word to ignite a passion in people to take the Gospel to all the world.

God often—very often—uses His word to awaken and confirm His calling to the work of missions.

This past summer several of our young people went to camp.

At camp, through the preaching of the Word of God, some of them sensed God calling them into ministry.

If we will pray, if we will encourage, if we will disciple these kids and teens — they WILL respond.

Some of them may sense that God has called them to other countries to take the Gospel.

I know it is hard, but PLEASE do not discourage them.

No, they won’t make lots of money as a missionary, as a pastor, as a youth pastor or in any other ministry.

But the purpose of life is NOT to become wealthy.

If we are TRULY Christians and our heads are screwed on right, we know our purpose in life is to please God — to do His will.

Can we PLEASE encourage this youngest generation to do that?

PLEASE?

At the same time God uses His word to call the workers to the harvest, to ignite a passion in people to take the Gospel to all the world…

… He uses it to ignite an awakening where the Name of Jesus has never been proclaimed.

Take/Send the Gospel

That is the call God has put upon this church — to proclaim the Word so that an awakening occurs.

An awareness of a need for the salvation of Jesus.

That He is the ONLY answer for which BILLIONS are seeking.

I believe God has placed His heart in this church.

That heart is to see the lost won to Jesus.

No matter where they are.

Over and over again in the past, almost 14 years, I have seen this church do tremendous things in missions.

Even while we were building this building, we continued to make sure missions was supported.

Financially and prayerfully.

Even if we are not taking, we are SENDING the Gospel wherever we can.

Our goal has been to promote the Jesus of: Ephesians 5:2 (LSB) … Christ [who] loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

God is calling us to take the aroma of life leading to life to all who will receive.

Please take the folder you were given this morning.

I have not done this before and I am so sorry I have not.

This gives you an idea of what we are doing through missions — just in 2023.

We reach not just in other countries, but right here in this country, in this community as well.

In years past I have continued the tradition of having a missionary come and tell you about missions.

But they could NEVER do that.

Even though I asked them to do so.

I’m really not faulting them, because they are so focused on their own call that they can’t talk about the big picture at New Life Family Church.

They don’t KNOW the Big Picture at New Life Family Church.

Yes, we have a vision to reach other nations.

Especially those who have never heard the Gospel.

But we also have a vision to reach the lost of THIS country —

According to the Baptists: The United States … is the largest unchurched English-speaking mission field in the world. Only China and India have larger populations of non-Christians.

We want to reach OUR community where so many are, at best, Cultural Christians, their family went to church, their grandfather was a pastor, they live in the Bible-belt, but THEY do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

For instance, in 2 weeks we will have a missionary to Peru come and preach for us.

Brother Holloway needs financial and prayer support to reach unreached peoples in that country.

But he doesn’t, maybe even can’t, see the Big Picture of missions at New Life Family Church.

God has called this little church in the mountains of North GA to spread the Light, the Aroma of the Gospel NEAR AND Far.

Can you see that in this handout this morning?

Oh God, let them see!

Whereas we know our efforts are infinitesimal in comparison to the need, we ask God to take our little, to multiply it so that many are saved, baptized in the Holy Spirit, discipled and raised into ministry.

We gave over $28,500 to missions last year.

A $10,000 increase over the previous year.

This year we have given about $25,600 so far.

But with 2 months to go, I believe we can exceed last year’s record.

That is about 14% of our total income.

We could give even more, if we can pay off the mortgage.

Which in comparison to the value of this facility and property is very small.

That’s why there is a place of the Faith Promise card for you to contribute to pay off the mortgage.

Who Is Sufficient for These Things?

Paul asks at the end of verse 16—and I make it our closing question—

Who is adequate or sufficient for such a task as this?

Who can bear the weight of knowing that the aroma of your Christ-exalting life will lead some to eternal life and others to eternal death?

It’s as serious as if you walked into Walmart at its busiest time and some would smile and come in behind you and be saved, and everyone else would drop dead.

Who could bear it?

That’s what Paul asks.

In one sense, the answer is no one.

But that’s not Paul’s main point.

He said in 2 Corinthians 1:12 and Romans 1:5 that he carries out this very ministry by the grace of God.

He is not sufficient—you and I are not sufficient—in ourselves.

No missionary feels sufficient.

But 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Our sufficiency is from God.”

So the utterly crucial question for many of you, as you have prayed and thought about giving an offering above your tithes to missions, is:

Can I do this?

Can I bear this weight of sending the aroma of Christ in some new place?

By God’s grace, you can.

Close

Worship Team

Will you fill out the card in this handout?

Ushers have more if you need one.

There are pens in all the chair backs.

The ushers will receive the cards.

We will make a copy and give you back the original.

Invitation to bring needs:

Salvation

Needs not brought earlier.

Prayer

For Angela Buske

Prayer over meal and fellowship