What Were You Expecting?
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 31 viewsThree things we, as authentic witnesses of Jesus Christ, can expect to be true of our living testimony: Triumph, Polarized Responses, and to be in the minority.
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Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
INTRO: Do you like going into situations where you have no idea what to expect? Most of us do not.
We ask the question all the time- What should I expect the first time I go to a new school? What should I expect when I summons my first Uber ride? What should I expect when I have this surgery?
As a pastor, I’ve had several conversations with folks who are trying to be a witness in their particular environment. Youth in the schools and athletic programs, adults in the workplace and retirees as they putter about to and fro. The question always arises, “What is this supposed to look like?” or “What should I expect?”
Well, today our text helps us develop some real expectations. Let me kind of set the stage: [Ask AV to bring up slide of map]
The apostle Paul, who decided not to go to Corinth as he initially planned, sent Titus from Ephesus over to Corinth to check in on them, to see if they were applying what he taught them, to collect an offering to help the struggling Jerusalem church, and to relay Paul’s message that his visit would be postponed.
The plan was for Paul to go on up through Asia to preach and to meet up with Titus in Troas. But, Titus didn’t make it when Paul was there. Paul explained to the Corinthians in v. 13 that, because he was awaiting news of them, he was unable to have peace.
You can imagine the thoughts running through Paul’s head at that time: Are they angry? Did their anger prompt them to forsake the Gospel? Are they attempting to follow Christ and apply the teachings and discipline?
Well, he did catch up with Titus eventually and received the report that allowed him to pen this letter we are studying. But even as he illustrated his concern and love for the Corinthian church, Paul also draws his readers to rejoice in Christ because of the never-changing reality His mercy and grace towards us.
In so doing, he highlights three helpful realities that every true believer can expect as we faithfully live out our Christian walk.
This is kind of like hearing what the military will be like from an experienced soldier and not just reading the recruiter’s manual.
You and I, if we have truly surrendered our lives to Christ, are witnesses for Christ.
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Knowing that we are witnesses, we might question our ability, knowledge, or even our understanding as to what this is supposed to look like. Perhaps we are more like the Corinthian Church than we realize… if you have not been discipled, then I am talking specifically to you. If you are confused about real Christianity, this is for you. If you are foggy in your understanding about what it means to be a witness, this is a message for you.
I invite you to make use of the sermon guide located in the bulletin as we learn together this morning, “What Were You Expecting?
The first reality is, as authentic Christians,
We Can Expect Triumph (12-15)
We Can Expect Triumph (12-15)
Someone once told me that I am an optimist, well the reality is I have to be! I can’t help but be optimistic when I know the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!
But let me read v. 12-13 again (READ)
You see, Paul went on about his mission, even as he was a bit distracted and disheartened. His mind was in Corinth, his emotions were in limbo.
But, let me show you this- God used him anyway. Look, he said ‘a door was opened for me in the Lord...” In other words, it wasn’t just that he had an opportunity to speak, but that God was using the proclamation of the Gospel to transform lives.
Paul was a smart guy, no doubt. But I am confident that his preaching was not the ‘running up and down the aisle, swinging from the chandelier’ kind that would have aroused the emotions of the folks there in Troas. In another trip to this same city, he would put a fella to sleep with his preaching! And in his humanity, Paul likely wrestled with his messages and even doubted whether or not he should be speaking.
ILL: Now, I don’t know if this ever happens to you, but every time I preach or share the gospel with someone, or even stop to help someone and pray with them- every time, I think-, “That was not the best witness...” “Marc, you could have done better- been more enthusiastic, used better words, or something.”
But the point here, is that it is not about Marc Reynolds!
And that is what Paul is saying- In spite of him, God brought victory!
Look down to v. 14 (READ)
The triumph comes through Christ- Isaiah says
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
This is consistent with the Gospel of John,
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Hey, listen we can expect triumph because Christ is triumphant! You and I are given POWER through His Spirit, which indwells us and thus our lives, wherever we go, reflect the sweet aroma of victory in Jesus.
Friend, you might feel like you can’t be a witness or you might feel like you will mess up, but I’m telling you that as we live surrendered to Christ, we WILL be witnesses of the Gospel and through our testimony God will bring people from death to life!
Look at verse 15 (READ)
As you live your life surrendered unashamedly to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you are a pleasant aroma to God. Why? Because you are covered in the righteousness of Christ! Similarly, when you are around others, your Christian life ought to waft over them in such a way that they smell Jesus!
So, then, as you simply live out your faith, others will notice. It will be part of your character and your conversations. And listen, you will see triumph- in your life for sure, and also in the lives of others because God’s plan for others to come to salvation is through your obedience and testimony.
Discuss: Can people ‘smell the aroma of Jesus’ just by being around you?
But next, I want to show you that even as you can expect triumph,
We Can Expect Polarized Responses (16)
We Can Expect Polarized Responses (16)
Now, let me ask you- are you the kind of person that has to be liked? If so, I’m going to ask you to review the first point in your mind as you listen.
Let me read v. 16 (READ)
As you live and speak the Gospel, you will only have 2 responses from people.
To those who are being saved, you will be a pleasant and inviting witness.
If you’ve ever had someone come to you and tell you that your witness helped them to see their need for a Savior, then you know the joy it is to be an instrument used by God in this way!
ILL: I remember back in 6th grade, there was a kid in my class who was always getting in trouble- making bad choices, bad grades, etc. He was a pain. Well, my family was just about to move from Asheville to Hendersonville and in the final week that I was at AC Reynolds Middle School, I was determined that I was just going to tell this guy just how big of a pain he was. But before I could, he approached me and had tears in his eyes- he told me he was sad that I was leaving and that whatever I had in my life, he wanted in his. I was stunned, but got to share Jesus with him. Only God could orchestrate this.
But, unfortunately, there is only one other response.
To those who are perishing, you are the aroma of death.
Have you ever smelled death? Yeah- well, here’s the point: You are considered the enemy. You are hated. Why? Because what you have is seen as a threat. Again, this is congruent with Jesus’ teaching as he said,
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
You, Christian, are reflecting the light that so many hate. Paul acknowledges the weight of this- in v. 16- “Who is adequate for these things?” Who can sufficiently reflect the Gospel light? Like I said earlier- it’s not about me or you.
And, look, there is no other response- You cannot be neutral about the Gospel. Either it is life or it is death. Actually, the image that Paul is alluding to took place in times of war-
ILL: Following a battle, the winning army would parade through the streets, often with a number of captives from the other side. They marched in victory to the chants and cheers of their countrymen, but to the wails of the captives who would be executed in short manner.
Discuss: Why is the Gospel so confrontational?
Indeed, we can expect triumph through Christ, and polarized responses to our testimony. There is no middle ground.
Finally, I want you to see that
We Can Expect to be the Minority (17)
We Can Expect to be the Minority (17)
Verse 17 is a reminder of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s read it again (READ)
Here, Paul says that as authentic believers, we are not like so much of the world- so many who would corrupt and try to sell God’s Word to be more appealing, more inclusive, etc.
ILL: I drive by churches every week that have sold out to the ideology of the LGBTQ+ revolution, I see pastors who have sold themselves as approachable and live a life that looks no different from the world. I see people who attend a worship service only when there’s nothing better to do and live as though they are chameleons, changing their behavior and belief to match their friends or company at the time.
But, as truly sold-out followers of Jesus, you and I must expect that we are not the majority in this country or any other.
Folks, we are seeing the prediction that Paul shared with Timothy.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Likewise, Jesus foretold:
“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
If you are going to be an authentic witness for Jesus, get used to being in the minority class. I know that sounds depressing, but that is the story in Scripture and throughout history.
Look here- you and I cannot get caught up trying to be a trendy church or chameleon- Christian. There will be a day where Christ will separate the sheep of his flock from the goats of the world.
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
As a genuine follower of Jesus, you can expect triumph in Christ, polarized responses to your testimony, and that you will be a minority.
The question I have for you is this: Are you an authentic follower of Jesus? Do you blend in with the world or do those around you smell Jesus when you are near?
This morning, I encourage you to dedicate your life to Him.
[Pray]
Discuss: Daniel (in Old Testament) lived his life in Babylon, an ungodly country as a minority. What lessons from Daniel can we apply to today’s teaching?