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5/5/2024 Paul Bang 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
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Sense of smell In terms of the number of distinguishable stimuli, our sense of smell can detect thousands of different odours. Additionally, smell is closely linked to memory and emotion. During the COVID epidemic many sufferers lost their sense of smell, and speaking for myself I've occasionally experienced phantom smells - quite often dog poo! What do smells have to do with Easter? Death smells bad Perhaps you remember Martha's comment when Jesus ordered that the stone blocking Lazarus' tomb be removed: “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”” (John 11:39 NIV11) It's not surprising Martha was reluctant to open the tomb. After four days of death, she knew her brother's body would smell bad. Spices were used to reduce the bad smell. Consider what happened when Jesus was buried: “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40 NIV11) The women who followed Jesus planned to finish the work Nicodemus had started: “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.” (Mark 16:1-2) Death smells bad. There is no way around it. It smells bad to human noses and to human hearts. The finality of it, the emptiness of it, the uselessness of it frustrates us. What is it for? No one knows — except Jesus. Resurrection life smells good When Peter and John reached the tomb they noticed something. The wrappings were there, but the body was not. “[John] bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.” (John 20:3-8 NIV11) Soon afterwards, Mary sees Jesus. She does not recognise him, thinking he is the gardener. Then he speaks, and she realises it is him. What does she not see? What did the Apostles not see? Spices. There is no mention of spices. The angels in the tomb don't mention them, nor do the Apostles or any of the witnesses. Why no spices? Because there is no bad smell! God smells the good The writers of Scripture often mix literal and metaphorical ideas. Themes like ‘light and darkness', ‘water', ‘wilderness', ‘the shepherd and his flock' and ‘the garden' have both physical and spiritual meanings. The same is true of good and bad smells. Noah's sacrifice after exiting the ark is described like this: “The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood…” (Gen. 8:21) Our prayers smell like incense to God: “…the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.” (Revelation 5:8) Our sacrifices and prayers create a pleasant aroma to God. But how do we smell to our neighbours? “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV11) We smell like Jesus Our lives remind people of the Son of God so much that it is as if we smell like him.We are the aroma of death for those who wish for no change. In other words, we do not smell like hope to them because it is not the kind of hope they want. However, to those who want change, desire to be different and who are looking for meaning, purpose and healing, we smell like life. What kind of life? Resurrection life. Eternal life. New creation life. Christ's life. Here's an unusual definition of a disciple of Jesus - ‘Someone who smells like Jesus.' What do you think? Is that a reasonable claim? If so, what does it mean? Let me offer some words and Scriptures for reflection, discussion and prayer. Attitude - Philippians 2.5 Ready - Luke 12.35 Obedient - John 14.23-24 Merciful - Hebrews 2:17 Amazing - Matthew 8:27 The perceptive among us will notice that the first letters spell ‘AROMA'. Will meditating on the Scriptures above help you be the aroma of resurrection life to the world? Let's pray to grow into the likeness of Jesus so that the world can smell him through us and find new life. Your brother, Malcolm
Sense of smell In terms of the number of distinguishable stimuli, our sense of smell can detect thousands of different odours. Additionally, smell is closely linked to memory and emotion. During the COVID epidemic many sufferers lost their sense of smell, and speaking for myself I've occasionally experienced phantom smells - quite often dog poo! What do smells have to do with Easter? Death smells bad Perhaps you remember Martha's comment when Jesus ordered that the stone blocking Lazarus' tomb be removed: “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”” (John 11:39 NIV11) It's not surprising Martha was reluctant to open the tomb. After four days of death, she knew her brother's body would smell bad. Spices were used to reduce the bad smell. Consider what happened when Jesus was buried: “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40 NIV11) The women who followed Jesus planned to finish the work Nicodemus had started: “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.” (Mark 16:1-2) Death smells bad. There is no way around it. It smells bad to human noses and to human hearts. The finality of it, the emptiness of it, the uselessness of it frustrates us. What is it for? No one knows — except Jesus. Resurrection life smells good When Peter and John reached the tomb they noticed something. The wrappings were there, but the body was not. “[John] bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.” (John 20:3-8 NIV11) Soon afterwards, Mary sees Jesus. She does not recognise him, thinking he is the gardener. Then he speaks, and she realises it is him. What does she not see? What did the Apostles not see? Spices. There is no mention of spices. The angels in the tomb don't mention them, nor do the Apostles or any of the witnesses. Why no spices? Because there is no bad smell! God smells the good The writers of Scripture often mix literal and metaphorical ideas. Themes like ‘light and darkness', ‘water', ‘wilderness', ‘the shepherd and his flock' and ‘the garden' have both physical and spiritual meanings. The same is true of good and bad smells. Noah's sacrifice after exiting the ark is described like this: “The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood…” (Gen. 8:21) Our prayers smell like incense to God: “…the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.” (Revelation 5:8) Our sacrifices and prayers create a pleasant aroma to God. But how do we smell to our neighbours? “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV11) We smell like Jesus Our lives remind people of the Son of God so much that it is as if we smell like him.We are the aroma of death for those who wish for no change. In other words, we do not smell like hope to them because it is not the kind of hope they want. However, to those who want change, desire to be different and who are looking for meaning, purpose and healing, we smell like life. What kind of life? Resurrection life. Eternal life. New creation life. Christ's life. Here's an unusual definition of a disciple of Jesus - ‘Someone who smells like Jesus.' What do you think? Is that a reasonable claim? If so, what does it mean? Let me offer some words and Scriptures for reflection, discussion and prayer. Attitude - Philippians 2.5 Ready - Luke 12.35 Obedient - John 14.23-24 Merciful - Hebrews 2:17 Amazing - Matthew 8:27 The perceptive among us will notice that the first letters spell ‘AROMA'. Will meditating on the Scriptures above help you be the aroma of resurrection life to the world? Let's pray to grow into the likeness of Jesus so that the world can smell him through us and find new life. Your brother, Malcolm
2 Corinthians 2:12 - 16 What does it mean to be “the aroma of Christ to God?” The aroma refers to the fragrance of a sacrifice burning up to the heavens. Imagine a person's heart, marked by the sacrifice of Christ, set ablaze by the Holy Spirit, with smoke reaching up to please the Father—this is the pleasing aroma to which Paul in 2 Corinithians refers. Chris Waugh challenges some of the common habits we have, such as letting savviness for knowledge get in the way of the heart, or putting on our best self at worship services like we put on perfume. But God wants to purify the heart and set it ablaze. This is what pleases the Lord.
Dr. Nate Magloughlin - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Pastor Tony teaches at the Westside Venue on 2 Corinthians 2:12-17:When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me, I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ's triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.Get a digital copy of the Cruciformed JournalSubscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com
Today we are reminded that we are all sent out into the world and that we should be the aroma of Christ to our neighbors!
We all have strong memories that are connected to scent and find ourselves drawn to or repelled by certain scents. This idea can serve as a metaphor for us in the spiritual life. 2 Corinthians chapter 2 speaks of us being the "aroma of Christ." In this episode, we talk about what kinds of "aromas" we are attracted to in others and what "aroma" we are giving off. Is our aroma one of life that draws people to imitate the way we are living or are we giving off an aroma of death that repels people from the Christian life?
Christians carry the aroma of Christ everywhere we go. As we share Jesus with the world, some people will love it, some will hate it, but God is pleased to use us regardless of the outcome.
Weakness might smell to the world, but to God our weakness is the aroma of Christ.
Charlie Dunn / 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Ambassadors: Aroma of Christ
The Aroma of Christ: Steven Dew by South Caraway Baptist Church
Series: 2nd Corinthians: Defending & UpbuildingService: Wed Bible StudyType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Josh McKibben
August 13, 2023 –10:00 AM “We Are the Aroma of Christ” Text: Second Corinthians 2:12-16 Sam Eldersveld, preaching
This Sunday at NTC Massena, we hear a word from Bruce Beckstead! You and I are not suppose to blend in, we are suppose to stick out. There was something about Jesus, an Aroma that made Him stick out. Do we have that same Aroma that Christ has? Join us as we grow together!
Our physical sense of smell can remind us of the importance of living lives that give off the spiritual aroma of Christ. So, let's stay connected to God in prayer and do our best to live in ways that honor him. - Whitney Hopler SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you smell? This week pastor Rick invites us to think about our aroma in regard to our faith.
The Aroma of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11) Ender Palencia, Pastor of Missions, tells us how we can show the love of God to others.
Romans 3:13-14 "Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” This verse reminds me of the incredibly repulsive smell of a dead animal I once passed on the roadside while riding my bike. It almost knocked me over! This also helps us understand the holiness and righteousness of God and how different He is from us. I guess if you are around a terrible smell long enough, you become used to it and it isn't as offensive or repulsive. To God, the speech of all mankind has the stench of death. It is dead, and it causes death. That's not our perception of ourselves, is it? We might counter God's judgment that we are useless and smell like a dead animal according to our feelings about ourselves. “We aren't that bad!” But God's judgment is righteous and true. Truth is as He sees us, not as we see ourselves. One of the areas of transformation in our lives when we are born again is in the area of our speech. Whereas our mouths, tongues, and lips were expressions of our sinful selves, they become vessels of loving communication. James wrote of this work of God's Spirit which gives wisdom to our speech in James 3:8-11 “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?” If we have adopted Jesus' purpose in life and recognize that our bodies are not our own, but are for expressing His life and love, then we go through a sanctifying work in how we speak to people. Instead of a poison, there is a healing balm. Instead of the stench of death, there is the aroma of life. Rather than speaking deceitfully, we speak the truth in love. This verse reminds us of what we once were, but are no longer. God has made us a fragrant aroma of Christ as we live to love with Him, speaking the truth in love. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Pastor Matthew Knopf leads this service with his sermon titled 'The Aroma of Christ' based on John 12:1-11
If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, you are the aroma of Christ Jesus in this world. And being the aroma of Christ, you will bring joy to those who know Him and condemnation to those who have rejected Him.
Three camp counselors talk about Christ with all sorts of special guest and inspiring stories about how they came to Jesus and telling different stories about the Bible
John 19:10-11 “So Pilate said to Him, ‘You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You? Jesus answered, ‘You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.'” Let's unpack this verse carefully because it could be confusing. Jesus recognized that God gave Pilate authority to crucify and therefore he, Pilate, has a responsibility to God. The fact that God had given Pilate authority to execute the death penalty was the reason the High Priest and the Jewish officials gave Jesus over to him. They didn't have that authority. For that reason the High Priest and Jewish officials committed a greater sin than Pilate in the death of Jesus. This truth didn't let Pilate off the hook so to speak, but it reveals that this execution took place under God's jurisdiction. God established government as a “minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” (Rom. 13:4). So Pilate was sinning against God to punish Jesus, who he knew was innocent. But the High Priest has the responsibility to offer the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people, and he was the one who delivered Jesus to Pilate proclaiming Him to be blemished and guilty. He knowingly offered to God what was in his mind a unacceptable offering. He is guilty of the greater sin. The reason we live to love with Jesus is the reality that everything we do is an offering of worship to God because we are priests serving in God's temple. Have we been guilty of great sin by offering to God actions and words that we know are unacceptable for His consumption? When we love, we know we offer that which is a fragrant aroma of Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
In this week's episode of Aroma Of Christ, Dalton dives into the book of Genesis where talks about the story of Joseph and the trials that he went through and how he had patience, understanding. Dalton, Marcus, and Gabe also talk about times in their lives where they had patience and waited on God. Tune In and have fun!
The fourth sermon in a series on II Corinthians Speaker: Mike McKinley
Prayer Candles, an aroma of Christ 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 " A light to others, bearing good works!" Matthew 5:14-16 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wrappedinhiscomfort/message
Dr. Tom Curran is joined by Fr. Kurt Nagel and Fr. Jeff Lewis to discuss "The Aroma of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2: 14-16) Fr. Lewis shares insights from his recent pilgrimage and Fr. Nagel shares reflections from his mother's life, death and funeral.
Let your life be a fragrant reminder to your Heavenly Father of the sacrifice and devotion of Jesus, his Son.
No one can bear the responsibility and weight of missions, but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 2:15, John 5:39