2 Corinthians 2b-3a

Intro

1. We participate in the triumph of Christ

Portrait Paul paints is of a Roman Triumph

Qualifications for a Triumph (highest honor for a Roman general)

four groups involved—conquering general, his soldiers, priests waving burning incense to the gods, captured prisoners (slaves and almost always executed)

he must have won a decisive victory in the field of battle

the whole campaign must have been completed successfully

a minimum of 5,000 enemies must have fallen in the battle

a positive extension of territory must have been gained

must be a victory over a foreign foe, not merely quashing a civil war

—> In other words, the Triumph procession was only awarded when a complete and decisive victory had been achieved on an incredibly large, uncontested scale when foreign foes and dangers had been crushed, and the peace and joy of security was firmly established.

Christ is presented here as the conquering king, with a processional celebrating the glory of his victory.

In what sense is Christ the conqueror? Why is he leading us in triumphal procession?

Matthew 28:1

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It is interesting that Paul identifies ministry as a triumphal procession led by Christ

When you consider the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll laid bare in this letter

There seems to be a clear indication that Paul’s concepts of ministry success, of security, etc. are very different from our own sometimes.

Application: Our gospel witness should be shaped by the reality that Christ has already conquered all. Our empowerment in gospel ministry is that we share in His triumph!

Question: Does fear ever impact your gospel witness/proclamation?

Some examples:

using inappropriate language around certain friends in order to “fit in”

deciding not to pray for you meal at a work luncheon because your coworkers are not beleivers

participating in certain questionable entertainment events (i.e. movies/watch parties, etc) because you don’t want to be labeled a “goody two shoes”

an unwillingness to take advantage of clear opportunities to share the gospel out of embarrassment or fear of rejection

a reluctance to defend a position of truth because you might be branded as a bigot

2. We spread the knowledge of Christ

As noted before, their were four groups in a Triumph procesional

The conquering general, his soldiers, the captives, and priests, waving incense

To the general and his soldiers, the smell of the incense was doubtless pleasant. It was the smell of victory and glory

To the slaves, the smell of incense was the sensory experience that immediately preceded their execution.

>to the believer, the “fragrance” of Christ and his gospel is nothing short of good news

>for the enemy of God, Christ and his gospel is a stumbling block and a rock of offense

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 ESV

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

We do this in two ways:

In our living

In the O.T. God called a people to be “His” people—and the nations saw and some feared the God of Israel

The new covenant people of God are to be a “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light” ()

Therefore, to be the fragrance of Christ in all parts of the world means we must actually be something like Christ in our conduct and manner of life—(we are His representatives ch. 5)

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” ()

In our proclaiming

We must faithfully proclaim Christ and His gospel

The issues at stake are too significant to do otherwise

you are representing Christ

you are proclaiming a gospel of life and death

“He stands in Christ’s stead; his message is the Word of God; around him are immortal souls the Saviour, unseen, is beside him; the Holy Spirit broods over the congregation; angels gaze upon the scene; and heaven and hell await the issue.” -Matthew Simpson

Contrast is the peddler--

Four criteria for faithful proclamation

3. We recognize our sufficiency in God, our insufficiency in ourselves