Smell Nice! Elm Creek

We Are The Aroma Of Christ

II Corinthians 2:14-17

Introduction

-tie

-ice breaker comment

-lilacs

-orange blossoms

-Beautiful smells

-II Corinthians 2:14-16 says,

-September is a time of beginnings

-a new commitment to be the aroma of Christ – in school, at work, in relationships in the community and through the ministry of the church.

I.The Fragrance Of Christ In The World

-          New Testament was written world dominated by the Roman empire.

-          conquered all of the world in which Christianity had its birth.

-          people who had been captured - procession.

-          display to the public that Rome was now in

-          trophies of victory.

-          “God...always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.”

-          He parades us around in the world as the trophies of His victory.

-          We are the evidence of the power of God which is able to take a person and redeem them from the grip of sin and death and free them to be a person who belongs to God.

“from justification to glorification the redeemed sinner is on exhibition as a trophy of divine grace.” 

-          sweet odours from burning spices in the streets.

-          vs. 14, “through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”

-          verse 15 we read, “we are to God the aroma of Christ.”

-          And the imagery appears again in verse 16.

-          context - 2:12-13

-          Troas

-          went on to Macedonia because Titus wasn’t in Troas

-          didn’t matter where he was,

-          God displayed him as a sweet fragrance of the power of the gospel.

-          Everywhere he went God demonstrated His power and love through Paul.

-          Wherever we are, whether in Elm Creek or Winnipeg, at school or work, God has left us in the world to demonstrate the gospel to the world.

-          Like a beautiful scent, we, by our lives and our words, spread the knowledge of the power of God for salvation

-          God has done all of this and we are the evidence

-          What are the implications of that for us?

II.The Fragrance of Life/The Smell of Death

-          scent of flowers and the scent of perfume is intended to be attractive

-          it does

- some people who are allergic

-being the aroma of Christ, does not invoke the same reaction in everyone.

-          We consider the knowledge of the gospel to be lifegiving and a word of peace and hope.

-          for many it is quite the opposite -  15, 16. “read”

-          has an impact on us

-          people will hate what we represent

-          become shy about speaking about and representing Jesus.

-          hide the aroma of Christ.

-          after shave,

-          When it comes to the gospel, we can’t do that.

-          just because, it is the aroma of death to them.

-we do that

-in our lifestyle.

-Amish people - outward appearance

-we look like everyone else.

-must not hide the aroma of Christ

-our values, our deeds and our attitudes

-allow the fragrance of Christ to eminate from us at all times in our lifestyle.

-          by the words of the gospel.

-          I have had this fear many times

-          why we were leaving,

-          must allow the fragrance of Christ to eminate from us by the words of witness

-          you are the fragrance of Christ in this community.

-          challenge you not to hide that aroma,

-          Let people smell Jesus on you!

III.Who Is Equal To Such A Task?

- Paul asks, “who is equal to such a task?”

-Do you and I always give off the pleasing aroma of Christ?

A.Sometimes We Stink!

-          dead skunks

cleaning out a pig barn,

-we don’t always smell beautiful, sometimes we stink

-Romans 2:24, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

-when we lack integrity in our business

-brother works in accounts receivable

-Christians who buy a car or machinery

-when our testimony is not clear.

-II Corinthians 6:14 - not to be yoked together with unbelievers

-Ephesians 5:11 -  not to have anything to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.

-date non-Christians,

-VLT’s or gamble

-rent movies whose content is clearly evil,

-In the work of the church,

-use political means

-zoning bylaw

-church business meetings

-These methods stink and are not the aroma of Christ.    

B.Sometimes We Smell Good!

-When we demonstrate love to others,

-not discriminating,

-demonstrated in action

-for enemies and friends alike,

-sacrifices and is concerned for the other,

-Williams Lake

-When we walk in holiness without self righteousness,

-Jesus

-Romans 6:13, “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, ...offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”

-not self righteous when they do it.

-          when we live by grace.

-“What’s So Amazing About Grace”

-Family Fun

-welcome young and old, rich and poor, friends and outsiders

-John is inviting a church that is closing

-“who is equal to such a task

-Do we stink or are we the aroma of Christ?

-Paul -  those who proclaim the message for their own gain.

-his competence comes from the sincerity and integrity with which he proclaims the gospel.

-the kinds of choices that will smell nice.

-1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

-II Corinthians 3:5 he says, “our competence comes from God.”

-God has taken the stench of death which is on every one of us and replaced it with the beautiful smell of resurrection.

Conclusion

-          Mr. Bean

-          I did such a test and failed

-tooth brush and went out and bought a roll of breath mints.

-self test

-As you continue to serve the Lord in this community and particularly as you begin a winter of ministry in Elm Creek,

-Do not hide the fragrance of Christ,

-allow the wonderful fragrance of the gospel to emanate from you by your words and your deeds

-smell nice!