The Fragrance of Christ

Introduction: The Scent of Victory (WWII in Paris, 1944)

In August of 1944, Paris was liberated after four long years of Nazi occupation. When Allied forces entered the city, the streets filled with celebration. French flags were hung from windows, flowers were tossed from balconies, and crowds surged to cheer the soldiers. The air carried an unforgettable scent: smoke from the battle, perfume from the crowds, and the freshness of long-awaited freedom.

To the Parisians, those smells meant life, victory, and hope. But for the retreating Nazis, it meant defeat, humiliation, and death. The same event produced two very different responses—life to some, death to others.

Paul uses that very image in 2 Corinthians 2. He says that as followers of Jesus, we carry a fragrance wherever we go—the fragrance of Christ. To some, it will be the aroma of life. To others, it will be the aroma of death. But either way, it is unmistakable.

Historical Background (5 minutes)

Corinth was a wealthy port city—famous for its commerce, culture, and corruption. Paul had planted a church there during his second missionary journey (Acts 18). It was a troubled church—marked by false teachers, moral compromise, and division.

When Paul wrote 2 Corinthians, he had already sent Titus with a strong letter of correction. While waiting in Troas for Titus’ report, Paul says, “I had no rest in my spirit” (vv. 12–13). Even though God had opened a door for ministry, Paul’s heart was restless with concern for the Corinthians.

And then, Paul takes an image everyone would recognize: the Roman triumphal procession. When a general won a great victory, he returned to Rome and paraded through the city with his soldiers, spoils, and captives. Priests burned incense, filling the streets with fragrance. To the Romans, it smelled like victory and life. To the defeated captives, it smelled like death.

Paul says that’s exactly how the gospel works—and exactly what our lives should be.

Exposition (Main Body)

1. The Restless Heart of a Servant (vv. 12–13)

“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother…”

Troas, the port of embarkation for sea travelers from Asia to Macedonia. It was here Paul received his vision to evangelize Macedonia.

Paul was interested in ministering where God opened doors. The only way our work for God will be blessed is when it is directed service.

Paul cared deeply for people, not just opportunities.

Fruitfulness in ministry didn’t erase his burden for souls.

Application: Men, do you care about the people God has placed in your life—your wife, your children, your coworkers, your church family?

A godly man feels the weight of others’ souls.

2. The Triumph of Christ (v. 14)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”

Christ is the conquering King; we are led in His procession.

“In a Triumph the procession of the victorious general marched through the streets of Rome to the Capitol… First came the state officials and the senate. Then came the trumpeters. Then were carried the spoils taken from the conquered land… Then came the pictures of the conquered land and models of conquered citadels and ships. There followed the white bull for sacrifice which would be made. Then there walked the captive princes, leaders and generals in chains, shortly to be flung into prison and in all probability almost immediately to be executed. Then came the lictors bearing their rods, followed by the musicians with their lyres; then the priests swinging their censers with the sweet-smelling incense burning in them. After that came the general himself… finally came the army wearing all their decorations and shouting Io triumphe! Their cry of triumph. As the procession moved through the streets, all decorated and garlanded, amid the cheering crowds, it made a tremendous day which might happen only once in a lifetime."–Barclay

This is the picture Paul has in his mind. He sees Christ marching in triumph throughout the world, and himself in that conquering train. It is a triumph which, Paul is certain, nothing can stop!

We are not the heroes—He is.

To be led in triumph means surrender.

Application: Men, real strength is not doing life your own way. Real strength is surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord.

3. The Fragrance of the Gospel (vv. 15–16)

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life…”

Our lives give off a “scent.”

To some, it is life. To others, it is death.

The same gospel comforts some and convicts others.

Application: Men, what do people sense when they’re around you? Do they see Christ—or do they see pride, anger, selfishness?

4. The Sincerity of Ministry (v. 17)

“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

False teachers in Corinth were selling religion for gain.

Paul says: we speak sincerely, as from God, accountable to Him.

Application: Men, the world doesn’t need religious salesmen. It needs sincere, faithful men of God who live with integrity at home, at work, and in church.

Conclusion and Charge (5 minutes)

Paul paints a picture of authentic Christian living:

Burdened for souls.

Surrendered to Christ’s triumph.

Spreading His fragrance.

Living with sincerity before God.

Charge: Brothers, you will leave this retreat carrying an aroma. Will your children smell Christ in how you lead them? Will your wife smell Christ in how you love her? Will your coworkers smell Christ in your integrity? Will your church smell Christ in your humility and service?

Be men who leave the fragrance of Christ wherever you go.

Men, Paul shows us what it means to live as the fragrance of Christ:

Burdened for souls.

Surrendered to Christ’s triumph.

Spreading His fragrance.

Living with sincerity before God.

Think for a moment about King Alfred the Great. In 878 AD, England was nearly lost to the Vikings. Alfred was driven into the marshes, forced into hiding with only a handful of loyal men. But he refused to surrender. He prayed, rebuilt his army, and finally defeated the Vikings at Edington. His victory preserved Christian England for generations.

When Alfred returned, church bells rang, fires were lit across the countryside, and the air was filled with the fragrance of celebration. To the English, it was the smell of life and hope. To the Vikings, it was the smell of defeat and death. One event—two very different responses.

Charge:

Brothers, you and I are part of Christ’s triumphal procession. The victory is already His. The question is: what fragrance will you leave behind?

Will your children breathe in the fragrance of Christ in the way you lead them?

Will your wife smell Christ in the way you love and serve her?

Will your coworkers sense Christ in your integrity?

Will your church experience Christ in your humility and devotion?

Be like Alfred’s men—carrying the fragrance of triumph. Not because of your own power, but because you belong to Christ the Conqueror. Leave behind the unmistakable fragrance of Jesus wherever you go.

Verse 1

I know that my Redeemer lives;

Glory, Hallelujah!

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

Glory, Hallelujah!

Chorus

Shout on, pray on,

We're gaining ground—

Glory, Hallelujah!

The dead's alive

And the lost is found—

Glory, Hallelujah!

Verse 2

He lives, he lives, who once was dead;

Glory, Hallelujah!

He lives, my everlasting Head.

Glory, Hallelujah!

Verse 3

He lives to bless me with His love,

Glory, Hallelujah!

He lives to plead my cause above,

Glory, Hallelujah!

Verse 4

He lives my hungry soul to feed,

Glory, Hallelujah!

He lives to help in time of need.

Glory, Hallelujah!

Verse 5

He lives, all glory to His name!

Glory, Hallelujah!

He lives, my Savior still the same.

Glory, Hallelujah!

Verse 6

He lives to crush the fiends of hell—

Glory, Hallelujah!

He lives and doth within me dwell—

Glory, Hallelujah!

At the end of the final Chorus all together: Amen!

© © Words: Public Domain and Music: 2010, 2013 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.

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