The Aroma of Christ

Tim A. Reger

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Introduction

When people see and hear you, what do they see? I want to challenge you today to thing about this question. What do people see?

As we come to , we see that the church community was punishing someone.

One of the big problems with the Church has been that instead of being a hospital for the hurting, we have become the execution chamber. We have killed our wounded instead of helping them heal. Look at our passage today.

2 Corinthians 2:5–11 NIV84

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:5-

I. Forgiveness of Sin

In the church at Corinth, there was apparently was a person who had been involved in sin. Whether or not he was actually a part of the church, or just a visitor is not clear.

A. Paul’s had every right to be grieved.

Apparently whatever sin this man committed involved Paul. Some people believe it had something to do with Paul’s apostleship, however we truly don’t know what the sin was.

B. The punishment the church had give was sufficient.

Apparently, the entire church had a part in the man’s punishment. Paul says it was truly sufficient.

There are so many times in the church we are great at punishing, but not so great at forgiving, yet Paul reminds the church that they need to be forgiving.

C. Show forgiveness and restore the person.

1. The first step to restoration is forgiveness.

Forgiveness happens when we choose not to use a person’s offense against them.

2. The second step to restoration is comforting.

Sometimes we forget that people involved in sin are often hurting. They need comforting and encouragement.

Without forgiveness and comfort the sinner may be overwhelmed by the punishment, and become excessively sorrowful.

3. Next, comes a reaffirmation of love.

So many times we continue to stay mad or hurt, and stop loving.

D. Restoring a sinning brother or sister is a command.

Notice verse 9, “The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.”

II. Looking for Openings to Share the Gospel

2 Corinthians 2:12–13 NIV84

12 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.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

A. Paul went to Troas to preach the gospel,

1. Lord opened a door for him.

2. But Paul still didn’t have peace of mind, because Titus wasn’t there.

3. So he left and went on to Macedonia

B. A change in direction

At this point, there is a noticeable change in direction. From , to 7:5 there is a departure as he praises God! “So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.” 7:5 “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.”

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 NIV84

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 2:14-16

1. Thanks be to God

Paul says, God always leads us in triumphal procession. He gives the picture of the Roman Triumphant Procession. Only this one is Christ’s procession, and Paul is Christ’s captive who is now in His parade.

2. Spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus.

During the triumphal procession they would often burn incense which Paul compares to the knowledge of Jesus

a. We are the aroma of Christ.

b. To some the fragrance is the smell of death.

c. To the other it is the smell of death.

3. Paul did not peddle the Word of God for profit.

a. Preached the Word of God with sincerity.

b. Preached the Word as one sent by God.

III. A Letter Written On Our Hearts!

SO WHAT?

So What Does This Mean To Me?

We need to be people of grace that forgive!

We need to be a church who is a hospital for those who fail.

Restoration should be our key.

We need to be looking for opportunities to share the Gospel!

We are the fragrance of Jesus—To some we are the fragrance of life. To others we are the fragrance of death!

Share the Word of God as men and women who are sincere and sent by God!