By Andy Foster
2 Cor 2:14-17 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
2 Corinthians gives us a glimpse into Paul’s heart and a picture of what it is to be genuine minister and disciple of Christ. It would be easy to look at this passage and say, “I wish were like Paul. He never was discouraged, always had it together, always prepared and ready to minister.” The fact is that Paul was human like us and was dependent on the same Christ. So let’s back up a couple verses and see how Paul got to this exaltation of courage and purpose.
2 Cor 2:12-13 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.
The church in Corinth as we see in 1 Cor. had returned to former sinful patterns, tolerated sexual perversion, fought among themselves, distorted marriage, and was infiltrated by false prophets. Upon this news Paul had returned to visit where he was personally ridiculed, slandered, and falsely accused, by the people he loved. After leaving he wrote a “severe” letter and sent it with Titus. He waited for Titus’s return with great heartache and anguish over the welfare of the church at Corinth. In the end, all of this had led to a troubled hear, discouragement and lack of peace.
Have you ever been discouraged in your service to Christ, and hurt by the people you love? (You are probably thinking can I ask a stupid question?) We are discouraged when there is no support, we are misunderstood, no one responds, we don’t see any results; we feel inadequate, overwhelmed, ill equipped, and overcome by despair. And while adversity often accompanies service to Christ, these difficulties are often the platforms for the manifestation of God’s grace, power and love.
To combat his discouragement, Paul went on the offensive and exemplified the attributes of a faithful disciple and effective minister You may say, “well I am not a minister”. But if you are a follower of Christ then yes you have been called to make disciples of men, to serve others, and be an ambassador of Christ. Whether you are a SS teacher, small group leader, a mother or father, at work or school, wherever God has placed you to influence others, Paul has much to say to us here.
1) Paul’s first response and the mark of a genuine follower of Christ was to Be Thankful
v. 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Rather than dwelling on his heartache and disappointment, or bailing out, Paul starts by thanking God. In the midst of the trials, and the pain inflicted by those he loved, he returned to his comforter, provider and protector to recount all that had been done for him.
Paul had taken to heart what he wrote in 1 Thess 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Specifically he considers his identity and purpose in Christ. If we are dependent on receiving encouragement from other sources except Christ, we are ultimately heading for heartbreak, depression, and disillusionment. People, even our closest friends and family will fail us, government, career, and pleasures of this world will all fail us. If thankfulness is replaced by discontentment and bitterness, discouragement will soon follow. Instead take inventory of what we have in Christ. Like Paul we must rest in Christ and his work in us. Paul’s response was, “thanks be to God”.
Specifically Paul Thanked God that we have triumphed with Christ
… who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ
In spite of facing great obstacles and discouragement he rested in that Christ was and is victorious. Paul goes on to give us a wonderful picture of the triumphal Christ.
Triumphal procession – The word “triumph” is a very significant meaning in the Roman world. It was the highest honor given to a victorious Roman general. When a Roman general had successfully and completely conquered his foe a triumph would be granted by the Roman emperor. In an actual triumph, a great procession would progress all to the way to the capitol in Rome. The procession consisted of state officials and the Senate, trumpeters, who were heralding what was coming, the spoils taken from the conquered land, painted pictures and models of the conquered land, buildings, and ships. This was followed by the captives in chains. Following this came the musicians and priests swinging their censors with the sweet-smelling incense burning. This all preceded the decorated general and his family. And after him rode his family. And finally, at the very end, came the army wearing all their decorations and shouting, “Triumph! Triumph! Triumph!” And all this massive procession moves through the streets of the city, all decorated and garlanded with flowers and, along the edge of the road are mobs of people cheering.
This is the picture of victory we have in Christ who is the ultimate victor. Paul found hope, comfort and courage in the triumph of Christ. He knew he must rest his ministry on the person and work of Christ. Paul had no joy which was not connected with Christ, and he had no success which he did not trace to him.
Do we walk in that kind of certainty in Christ’s work in and around us and identify with Him in His victory? Let us remember what he conquered.
Col 2:13-15 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
1 Cor 15:55-57 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb 2:14-16 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
That is the triumph Paul is speaking of when considering our victory in Christ.
[Many of us identify ourselves with our favorite team and cheer them on to triumph and victory. How many Cardinal fans are here? When the St. Louis Cardinal won the world series, many of you feel part of that and claim that victory as well. You proudly wear your hats, and jackets, plaster the car with bumper stickers, identifying yourselves with your teams victory. We unashamedly pull for our favorite team and identify with them even if they are not victorious. If you are a fan of the Kansas City Royals you can identify with this. As a Georgia Bulldog fan, it is easy to know who I identify with on a Saturday afternoon. We have our red shirts on waving our rally rags, the sound of the Georgia fight song in the background, and the site of Heidi and Isaac barking at the TV. Of course you would never see me doing that.]
How much more we should identify with the triumph of Christ and walk assuredly in His work. We are part of the victorious procession as Christ is hailed victor over death and sin. Do we take to heart that we are Rom 8:37 … in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Our hope, courage and peace are in knowing that Christ is triumphant over sin, death and principalities of this world.
We should also - Thank God that we are His instruments
… and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
What is that fragrance? It is the smell of victory through Christ. It is the scent that reveals the person of Christ. How is that fragrance administered? Amazingly, through us.
Remember that in a triumphal procession there came the priests swinging their censors with the sweet-smelling incense burning while the streets were all decorated and garlanded with flowers. These incense and flowers emitted the sweet and overpowering fragrance of victory.
Aroma and fragrance can evoke strong emotions and memories. The holiday season is upon us and so are the sights, sounds, and smells that arouse the senses. The smell of a Thanksgiving turkey, sweet potato soufflé, and pumpkin pie conjure up feelings beyond the mere scent. Our emotions and memories are stirred. Scents have a lasting impression on us and are attached to people, places and events. This applies to our spiritual walk as well. When people are around us, the aroma of Christ should be so evident in our lives that it evokes a reaction and leaves a lasting impression. The scent of Christ presence should be so powerful that people are drawn to Him.
We should be so saturated with Christ that we can’t help but smell like him. When we stand around a campfire for a time, we are penetrated with the scent of smoke. As we abide in Christ, the aroma of all of his attributes penetrates to the deepest pores of who we are. Our exposure to Christ is evidenced in the aroma that is given. The stronger the scent the closer we have been to the burning embers of His holiness. As we minister and dispense the sweet fragrance of Christ, we have to be exposed to Him. We are the means by which Christ dispenses His work.
No one buys the perfume for the bottle, but only its contents. Our eternal value does not come from our physical or mental strength but only from our spirit, which is being renewed in the image of our Lord. Let us not offer an attractive bottle but freely dispense the perfume of Christ to all that come.
2) Second, Paul showed Clarity and Purpose in Knowing who he served
v. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
In other words, we are a well-pleasing fragrance to God that is offered to God in Christ. We are the offering, which Christ is continually making to God. The thing which is really amazing, that fragrance is not only for those around us, it is for God Himself. Our chief motivation in ministry is offer to God the sweetness found in service and sacrifice.
A favorite question I ask my H.S. SS class is how do you smell? That is a dangerous question especially to a teenager. But of course I am asking of the spiritual implications. So, I ask you, how do you smell? Before you start sniffing around let us keep our nose to ourselves and consider if your actions and attitudes exude the sweet fragrance of Christ, an aroma pleasing to God.
Our primary motivation and compulsion to minister is to please God with humble service. If we serve with the ultimate intent of only pleasing others, and even worse for self promotion, then our purpose is askew. Having the wrong motivation certainly leads to discouragement and frustration. It is God through Christ to whom we serve and sacrifice.
Heb 13:15-16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Christ is the ultimate source and example of a fragrant offering.
Eph 5:1-2 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Do we care as much about the fragrance of our lives as we do our personal hygiene? We spend considerable time making sure we smell good, we use fragrant soaps and shampoos, deodorant, lotions, cologne and perfume, brush our teeth then mouthwash. When I was dating Heidi I made sure I smelled good. I would put an extra dab of cologne on then another, another just to make sure. Now I don’t worry about that as much. I am kind of like an old shoe that doesn’t smell that great but comfortable to have around.
We should care as much about adorned in Christ; and not just covered but saturated with Him so that so that His life is fully evident in ours. When people encounter us as a body here at CCC, are they taken back by the fragrance of Christ exuded in word and deed? More importantly is God pleased by our aroma?
Don’t ever underestimate your life and how God uses you. As we minister to share our lives with others at whatever capacity, that arises as a pleasant aroma to God. Whether everybody responds, or nobody responds. Don’t measure your ministry by how many people respond or follow. It all rises when the truth is administered fragrantly before God.
3) A third mark of a genuine follower is Humility
16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?
The scent of Christ overwhelms those who are exposed to it. To some it is the sweet smell of mercy, grace, peace, contentment and strength. A fragrance that is relished and brings recollections of the truths given to us and the hope of eternity that is to come. To some however, the aroma of Christ is repulsive, overbearing as it reveals the stinch of self reliance and pride. It uncovers the soul of a destitute and unredeemed person. To some, Christ’s work through us reveals His glory in His grace and to others His glory in His judgment. Of those who perishing scripture says this…
1 Cor 1:18-19 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
2 Thess 2:9-11 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Remember the triumphal procession. When the fragrance came up to the general and to the victors, the perfume from the censors was like a perfume of joy and triumph and life. But to the captives, it was a perfume of death.
…And who is equal to such a task?
When we consider the gravity of our mission and calling, who is worthy of so important a task? No one! Who can undertake it without trembling? Who can engage in it without feeling unfit for it, and realize the need for divine grace? We should take seriously the work of the ministry. When we consider the responsibility, magnitude and grave importance of the Gospel, how sobering it is to realize what Christ has entrusted us with. However, we as Christians have been called to faithfully serve Christ and live out the Gospel in humility.
If we truly desire to minister faithfully, we will look to God for aid and depend on His strength.
Our ministry will only be as effective as our sufficiency in Christ. Paul understood this…
1 Cor 15:9-10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
2 Cor 3:4-6 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Our success is not measured in the work as it relates to numbers and size, but the fragrance of humility and integrity. The penetrating aroma of Christ is the essence of our ministry.
4) The forth trait we see exemplified in Paul’s life is Sincerity
v. 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
Peddling means, “to corrupt.” The noun came to be a term describing con men, pitch men, hucksters who sold by ingenuity and cleverness with trickery and deceit.
This was the case in the Corinthian church. There were some who were cheapening and degrading the truth, adulterating the Word of God. They were mixing it with Judaism and paganism to get people to buy. They were trying to make it saleable while gaining a personal profit. There are some who peddle God’s by twisting truths to make them marketable and palatable. They sell a watered-down gospel by their cleverness. Too often we can be lulled into focusing on the external appearance & attractiveness of a ministry and leaning on human conventions.
[We put up our artificial Christmas tree this weekend, and thought how silly this looks in some ways to put up a piece of plastic then covering it with more plastic ornaments, lights, etc. There is nothing authentic about the tree. While it is visual pleasing, it is not really what it is made out to be. It’s not even a dead, it’s not a tree at all. ]
Sincerity comes from the words ‘sunlight’ and ‘to judge’. It pictures something be held up to the light of the sun to be inspected. Our ministry and service must stand up to the scrutiny of God’s Word. Like a Christmas tree, when all of the ornaments are taken off, what is revealed, the real thing or mere imitation?
We should minister with sincerity dependent on God alone, not from human cleverness, not from brilliance or deceitful appearance, not from marketing strategy; but with a pure heart, devoted to the pure truth. The single source of our message is Christ. Simplicity of aim and purpose are the true characteristics of a real and sincere Christian. We should be cautious that we do not base the success of ministry on human results. The Gospel speaks for itself. We are to faithfully administer the truth in word and deed.
2 Cor 1:12 12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.
2 Cor 4:1-2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Our ministry will be accepted and rewarded by God not according to their success, but according to their fidelity. What we do is not of God, does not come from God, will not reach to God, unless it be done in sincerity, as in the sight of God
Conclusion
As the body of Christ, let us give thanks for the victory we have in Christ and the privilege of being used by Him, let us remember that ultimately serve for the pleasure of God, and knowing that we must minister in humility and sincerity.
Let us as a church emit the fragrance of Christ and not a scent of self reliance and pride. Let us follow Him in His triumphal procession. Let us be a place where people are attracted to the Truth of the Gospel and the unadulterated reality of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Got a thought? Please share.