How to be Triumphant
2 Corinthians: Matters of the Heart • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Corinthians Reinstate the Repentant Sinner / 2:5–13
the Corinthians. First of all, he hoped the letter would rectify the troublesome situation before he arrived (see 2:3). When he visited them, he wanted to encourage
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Tonight, we will continue our series through the book of have titled this series, [Matters of the Heart], and the subject of my message is, [How to be Triumphant].
74 years ago on May 8, 1945, a grand celebration swept across the United States and Britain. The reason for their celebration, victory in Europe had finally arrived.
President Harry Truman honored the legacy of his predecessor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, dedicating the day to him for his leadership during World War II.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke to the thousands of Britains who had endured six long years of war,
“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen.
Thousands took the streets to celebrate, the cause against the evil Nazi empire was effective. Germany surrendered. Parades broke out, people danced in the streets, and families with relatives in harms way rejoiced.
While it was a happy day, the triumph only came after years of heartache, as the evils of war swept across the world. The triumph also led to some sorrow.
Sure the war was over, but it was paid for with the lives of 70-85 million soldiers. Nearly 3% of the worlds population died in this war. The US, UK, and USSR lost over 20 million soldiers. Germany, Japan, and Italy lost over 10 million soldiers.
The Axis powers lost over 10 million soldiers.
While the day was as great triumph, it only occured after the difficulties they endured. Had they quit, given in, or surrendered they would have not been triumphant!
And the day of celebration came with a close, because the job was not finished. Though Germany surrendered, the war was not yet over, Prime Minister Winston Churchill concluded his speech:
and to our gallant allies of the United States who were so foully and treacherously attacked by Japan. We will go hand and hand with them. Even if it is a hard struggle we will not be the ones who will fail.”
He planned to be triumphant in the next phase of the war, knowing if they gave up now, defeat was inevitable.
As I studied chapter two, and I arrived at verse fourteen, “Now thanks be to God who always leads in triumph in Christ...” I thought about WWII.
The war was treacherous, forever changing the world. Nevertheless, people triumphed. As Christians, we must remember, we too are in a war.
Our war is not physical, it is spiritual. Furthermore, the war is NOT between God and Satan. God has the ultimate power. The war is between God’s PEOPLE and Satan.
In chapter two, Paul continues to write in a state of vulnerability. He focused on [Matters of the Heart]. Thankfully, Paul was open and honest with the church in Corinth. They had caused him hurt, but showed how we can triumph over hurt.
How can we be triumphant? I have three points, [Triumphant through Forgiveness], [Triumphant through Faith], and [Triumphant through Fragrance].
Let’s begin
1. Triumphant through Forgiveness
1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
As we studied last week, God heals heartache. Paul had his share of heartache. He loved the Corinthians, and up to this point they brought him great joy.
He was proud of the Corinthian church. God blessed him with fruitful ministry while he worked with them for eighteen months. However, they were not as receptive of his first letter as he expected them to be.
So he wrote another letter, one that has been lost in history. However, this next letter was painful. So painful, Paul wept as he wrote. He knew that he could not go to Corinth at this time. Should he go, his visit would be painful on the church and painful to Paul.
What was the issue that caused Paul so much pain?
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
The man in the story is likely the man Paul referenced in
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!
There was a man who was committing adultery with his father’s wife, his step mother. Paul instructed them to confront the sin and handle it soon, let it ruin the church.
The Corinthians did just that, except they took it too far.
One author explains, “Two mistakes in church discipline should be avoided—being too lenient by not correcting mistakes and being too harsh by not forgiving the sinner. There is a time to confront and a time to comfort.”
For too long, they refused to confront his sin, then when they did, they refused to accept his genuine repentance. They kept him at an arm’s length, refusing him pardon, and in essence put him on parole (Swindoll, 308).
Sure the man was a fault, his sin was so terrible even the pagan neighbors would not do that. Paul told the church to reprimand the sinner. Evidently this worked because verse seven shows us that he was filled with sorrow, and they now needed to comfort him.
Why would Paul emphasize this? If we do not learn to forgive, we will never be able to triumph.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Paul wanted them to forgive this man, why? If they did not forgive, they would be outwitted by Satan. Nothing can bring division in a relationship, marriage, friendship, or church than unforgiveness.
When we do not forgive, bitterness takes root, and Satan wins. The church needed to confront the man, but punishment should only be used to lead to repentance.
The man chose to repent, now they needed to forgive. If the church was to be triumphant, they needed to forgive AND forget just like Jesus did.
I read the story of a pastor named William E. Sangster who remembered:
It was Christmas time in my home. One of my guests had come a couple of days early and saw me sending off the last of my Christmas cards. He was startled to see a certain name and address. “Surely, you are not sending a greeting card to him,” he said.
“Why not” I asked.
“But you remember,” he began, “eighteen months ago...”
I remembered, then, the thing the man had publicly said about me, but I remembered also resolving at that time with God’s help, that I remembered to forget. And God had “made” me forget. I posted the card.
The Corinthians would not forget or forgive the man of his sins. Paul knew if they were to ever triumph, they would have to learn the art of depending on God to forgive others.
2. Triumph through Faith
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Paul gets personal in this story. He shared with them a recent struggle he faced. God opened a door for Paul to minister in the city of Troas.
Upon arrival, God supernaturally blessed him and his ministry. The only problem? Paul was troubled in his spirit. He was supposed to meet his spiritual son Titus in Troas.
However, when he arrived, Titus was not there. Ho could not find them anywhere. So Paul left Troas and went to Macedonia. While he ministered, he was present in body, but absent in mind.
But notice Paul’s attitude concerning this situation, he chose to give God praise. He began to thank the Lord for enabling Him and allowing Him to triumph!
Let’s look at that word triumph. Triumph is defined, “a great victory or acheivement.”
How could Paul use the word triumph when he described a situation where he seemingly left in defeat? Paul understood that his FAITH in the Lord enabled him to triumph regardless of his circumstances.
When Paul wrote this, his audience understood what he meant. A triumph was less of a feeling and more of an event. When the Romans were successful in a battle, they would triumph into the city of Rome.
The triumph was similar to a parade. People would file in order to celebrate what happened:
the state officials and senators
the trumpeters
the spoils of the conquered land
the captives of the conquered land in chains
the officers
then the mucisians
the priests with their incense
then finally, the General himself
This was a normal triumphant march into Rome. As Paul focused on matters of the heart, Paul showed there was a time when I was discouraged and didn’t know what to do.
But I can praise the Lord because He has caused me to triumph! This is something we HAVE to understand. To live a triumphant life, we learn to praise God in FAITH.
Meaning, we praise and thank God BEFORE the miracle or the answer to our prayers. We praise God BEFORE our families are saved, bodies are healed, or the victory comes.
Why? Because if we want to triumph, we have to have FAITH that the Lord will do for us what His word promises. Therefore, we praise God in advance!
3. Triumph through Fragrance
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 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.
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 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.
Notice that word fragrance, Paul used it two times in his discussion on triumph. Why would he use such a peculiar word, fragrance?
When they made their triumphant procession, they would burn incense. The incense they burned was a smell that would fill the streets, when people smelled it, they realized and knew, we are victorious.
Smells has a certain way of letting us know what is happening. On Wednesdays, when I am in my office studying, praying, and preparing for our service, I can tell when the ladies are cooking in the kitchen.
Even if I do not hear them come in, once they start to cook, it lets out an aroma, and I can tell what they are making. A smell might let me know, we are having fried potatoes, or Mexican food, or spaghetti!
I can ride with someone in a car and tell if it is new, it has a new car smell.
Some people wear a certain cologne of perfume, when we smell the fragrance, it will cause us to think of them, even in they are not present.
Paul lets us know, when we learn to forgive and life in faith, it lets out a fragrance of triumph, it releases an aroma of victory!
The Psalmist said it this way,
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Paul explained it to the Philippians this way,
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
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What we do, what we say, how we live, and how we act emits a fragrance. Our actions determine if the fragrance is of life or death. We should ALWAYS remember that our actions, our words, and our lifestyle matters.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
There are some Christians who are constantly negative, always bitter, and never encouraging. They emit a fragrance of death. They are the type of Christians that many avoid.
For me, I want to be the type of Christian who is consistently forgiving, always having faith, encouraging others in my words and actions.
We have to ask, what do people think when they meet me? Do they ask, what was that smell? They had the foulest attitude of anyone I ever met.
Or do they think, that was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I wonder what makes them that nice? I have noticed they are always encouraging, looking at the bright side, thinking positive in whatever they face.
Paul explains that those who emit a foul fragrance wherever they go are merely peddlers of the word of God. They are not really serious about their responsibility in their walk with God.
Instead, we are to be like Paul, who lived in sincerity in all he did in the sight of God!
Close:
We have been studying prayer in our Sunday School class downstairs. I asked a question the first week, “What are some misconceptions about prayer.” Someone answered, “that the answers ALWAYS come immediately.”
Someone answered, “that the answers ALWAYS come immediately.”
That simple answer has stuck with me for over a month now. Whenever we hear a testimony in church, it is one of triumph: Look what God did in this situation!
I was sick, God healed me. I was discouraged, God encouraged me. I was lost, God found me. I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit, God let me speak in tongues
I was discouraged, God encouraged me.
I was lost, God found me.
I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit, God let me speak in tongues!
No one ever testifies:
I have been discouraged, just wanted to thank God, I am still discouraged. I have been sick, just wanted to thank God, i am still sick.I have tried to forgive someone, just wanted to thank God, I am more bitter than ever!
I have been sick, just wanted to thank God, i am still sick.
I have tried to forgive someone, just wanted to thank God, I am more bitter than ever!
If that happened, we would politely ask them to sit and share the testimony later! But the fact is the TRIUMPH we want is not an all of a sudden experience.
The triumph occurs when we trust God even when the obstacles seem impassable. The triumph occurs when we trust God to help us forgive AND forget the wrongs of others. The triumph occurs when we have faith in God that He will cause us triumph, even when it seems impossible.
The triumph occurs when we trust God to help us forgive AND forget the wrongs of others.
The triumph occurs when we have faith in God that He will cause us triumph, even when it seems impossible.
How then do we triumph? We triumph by allowing God to do in us what we CANNOT do in ourselves. We yield to God’s supernatural power and depend on His help.
In our own strength we cannot forgive, we cannot have faith, and we cannot leave a sweet-smelling aroma with people.
But if we will depend on God, then we can forgive those who have wronged us, extending grace, and refusing to hold it over their heads!
If we will depend on God, then we can have faith that the Lord will cause us to triumph, even when the circumstances say otherwise.
Should we choose to live this way, we will not be peddlers or hucksters of the gospel, but we will be people who are truly transformed from death to life, releasing a fragrance, a sweet-smelling aroma everywhere we go!