2 Corinthians, which is where we'll be looking at today.
! Thank you, Bob.
Thank you.
We've been going through our series in 2 Corinthians.
This morning we're going to be looking at chapter 2, verse 14, to chapter 3, verse 6.
So let's hear God's word.
2 Corinthians, chapter 2, starting at verse 14.
To the one, we are an aroma that brings death.
To the other, an aroma that brings life.
And who is equal to such a task?
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.
On the contrary, in Christ, we speak before God with sincerity as those sent from God.
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?
Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
You yourselves are our letter.
Written on our hearts.
Known and read by everyone.
You show that you are a letter from Christ.
The result of our ministry.
Written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God.
Not on tablets of stone.
But on tablets of human hearts.
Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.
But our competence comes from God.
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.
Well, let's pray.
Father, may the spirit of the living God take the words that we hear, your words,
and write them afresh on our hearts today.
For us here as we gather in this room.
And for the children as they gather next door.
Father, do a work that brings life in us today.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Well, I'm sure you're all familiar with the TV program, The Apprentice,
where entrepreneurs make their pitch before Lord Sugar in the hope of becoming his business partner.
And without any embarrassment or shame whatsoever,
they boast about their salary, the huge sums of money they've earned,
the company endorsements of where they've worked,
and their wide range of abilities that they have.
If you want the best,
if you want your business to succeed,
you need me.
I'm your woman.
Or I'm your man.
Well, if you were to ask the members in the church at Corinth,
what kind of people do we need for this church to grow?
For this church to take off?
Well, it was simple.
Their answer would be something like this.
You need people who are successful, influential, and powerful.
No room for the weak and fragile.
Well, at the risk of causing great offence to you all,
that rules us all out, doesn't it?
Please don't apply.
You see, most of us feel inadequate and ineffective.
We don't feel very impressive at all.
In fact, we're all far too conscious of our flaws and failures.
Well, if that's how you're feeling this morning,
we're in good company.
Because it seems Paul felt the same.
He didn't have a great big salary.
He wasn't terribly impressive.
Look at chapter 2, verse 17.
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.
He wasn't in it for the money.
He was no big name speaker.
He didn't even have a list of influential endorsements.
Chapter 3, verse 1.
Do we need, like some people,
letters of recommendation to you or from you?
No, he had no impressive credentials.
And he wasn't a powerful personality.
Look at chapter 3, verse 5.
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.
No great talent on display when Paul arrived.
And looking at ourselves and as others look at us,
we might feel the same.
We're not terribly successful.
We're not very influential.
And we're not very powerful.
But we do have Christ.
And because of Christ,
we who are weak and fragile
have all that we need.
That's what our theme is this morning.
It's a summary of our text.
You can read it on screen.
We are not successful, influential, or powerful.
But we do have Christ.
And because of Christ,
we who are weak and fragile
have all we need.
So three things to encourage us
that God is at work through people like us.
Here's the three things.
We have the aroma of Christ.
We have a letter from Christ.
And we have confidence through Christ.
So our first encouragement this morning
is we have the aroma of Christ.
Look at verse 15.
Chapter 2, verse 15.
For we are to God
the pleasing aroma of Christ.
Now what does it mean for us today
as we sit here
to be the aroma of Christ?
Well first,
we need to step back a little bit
and see that we have been
conquered by Christ.
Look at verse 14.
But thanks be to God
who always leads us
as captives
in Christ's triumphal procession.
Now victory parades
were a familiar sight
in the Roman world.
Trumpeteers celebrated
as victorious generals
marched back into their city
after going to other nations
and other places
bringing their captives in tow.
It was a great big spectacle.
And it's a striking image
that Paul uses
to explain who we are
as Christians.
Because Christ is
the victorious King
who has come and conquered us.
He has won us over
from a kingdom of darkness
and brought us into a kingdom of light.
Through his death
and through his resurrection
he has overcome sin
and Satan.
Now we are his captives
to serve Christ.
Not in a begrudging way
but because he is
our victorious champion.
Now what great encouragement
for us as a church
that we are now part
of Christ's triumphal procession.
As Christ marches
as this victorious general
through this world
the church
is Christ's victory parade.
A display to the world
of Christ's power
and greatness.
You see we are not small
or influential.
We are something wonderful.
The results
of God's work.
Now not only were the sights
were there sights
of generals
the sounds of trumpeteers
but in these great festivals
there were also smells.
So second
we are the aroma
of Christ.
Look at verse 14 again.
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.
Now historians will tell you
you can look this up
on Google
or wherever you go
to get your information.
They'll tell you that
during these great big
victory parades
there would also be
incense carriers.
People who would carry
incense along with
these parades.
Presumably to add
to the celebrations.
All over the city
as they marched
through the centre
would be this
unmistakable aroma.
You could hear
the trumpets
you could see
the generals
and you could smell
the victory.
Well the church
is the aroma
of Christ.
Where we go
and where we walk
we spread
that victorious
aroma.
But how do we
spread that aroma?
What does it look like?
Well very simply
we spread
the aroma
of Christ
by proclaiming
and talking about
the gospel
of Christ.
Did you see it there
at the end of verse 14?
He uses us
to spread
the aroma
of the knowledge
of him
everywhere.
You see
it's as we
share the gospel
as we spread
the knowledge
of God
so we
release
the aroma
of Christ.
The good news
of Jesus
his death
on the cross
for our sins
his
resurrecting
power
over death
and the grave
his gift
of life
his guarantee
of an eternal
kingdom to come
it's
aromatic
there's that
unmistakable
smell
of victory
as the gospel
is declared.
You see
the church
that is
you and I
gathered here
just think
about it
when you're
involved in
the ministries
like the
rock
that we
were thinking
about this
morning
or as you
speak to a
friend
or as you
speak to your
children
when you
open God's
word
and begin
to teach
and explain
so the
gospel aroma
of Christ
is released
and it
begins to
spread
and its
effects
are
undeniable.
third
the aroma
brings
both
life
and
death
verse
15
for we
are to
God
the
pleasing
aroma
of Christ
amongst
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
isn't that
how we
respond to
the gospel
of Christ
can you
smell it
the smell
of life
or the
smell of
death
as we
listen to
the word
today
do you
get an
aroma
of
life
or are
we
receiving
an aroma
that's
death
it's
like the
incense
sticks
or the
yankee
candles
that we
have
in our
house
they're
everywhere
Kirsty
buys them
in bulk
and I
follow around
after and
remove them
to one
they are a
beautiful
scent
to another
they are a
horrible
stench
and the
gospel
will always
have that
effect
it will
either draw
people
or repulse
people
to one
Christ
is joy
and freedom
and life
to another
Christ
is foolish
to be
rejected
and death
what's your
response
to the
gospel word
as we
hear it
this morning
can you
smell that
scent of
victory
of
life
of
Jesus
now
before we
move on
we all
have a
question to
answer
did you
see it
the end
of verse
16
and who
is equal
to such
a task
who is
capable
of all
of us
here today
who is
capable
of being
a
pleasing
aroma
to
God
well on
our own
we can't
we're not
up to the
task
but Christ
our victorious
champion
is at
work
through
people like
us
and because
of him
we can
say
yes
I am
up for
the
task
you see
it's not
about us
being
successful
or influential
or powerful
it's about
God
spreading
the aroma
of Christ
as we
open up
his word
and begin
to speak
and teach
the gospel
of Christ
we spread
that aroma
so we
are
the aroma
of Christ
be
encouraged
today
the second
encouragement
is
we have
a letter
from Christ
look at
chapter 3
verse 3
you show
that you
are a
letter
from Christ
now it's a
strange
metaphor
he's jumping
from the
generals
and the
aroma
metaphor
and now
he's talking
about letters
and things
written
on the
letter
so what
does that
mean
well first
there is
the letter
of recommendation
do you see
it there
at the beginning
of chapter 3
he says
are we beginning
to commend
ourselves
or do we
need like
some people
letters of
recommendation
to you
or from
you
I have a
book here
it's called
The Language
of Rivers
and Stars
written by a
friend of mine
called Seth
Lewis
some of you
know Seth
some of you
don't
and you might
say well why
should I read
that
well when we
open up at
the first
couple of
pages
there's some
endorsements
people like
Alistair
Begg
well I've
heard of him
he's a good
guy
and
Stephen
Wellham
well he
teaches at
Munster Bible
College
I mean
if he's
saying it's
good
it must
be good
there's a
plug for
Seth's book
by the way
well the
same thing
is going
on here
regarding
Paul's
ministry
they're
saying
well what
are your
credentials
Paul
what are
your
endorsements
who
recommends
you
why should
we listen
to you
well that's
when Paul
pulls out
the letters
from his
briefcase
and brings
out all
the big
names
Paul
a brilliant
speaker
a great
crowd
puller
Paul
guaranteed
to up
your
collections
every
time
he
speaks
well the
problem
was
Paul
had no
letters
of
recommendation
but he
did have
one letter
an endorsement
that could
not be
bettered
and guess
what
we have
that same
letter
as well
it was a
letter
that came
from
Christ
a letter
from
Christ
look at
verse 2
you
yourselves
that's
right
you
the church
you
yourselves
are our
letter
written
on our
hearts
known
and read
by everyone
you show
that you
are a
letter
from
Christ
the
church
is
Paul's
endorsement
as Paul
preached
the gospel
so the
aroma
of Christ
began to
spread
and it
brought
life
there were
people in
the city
of Corinth
who were
changed
and they
became
Christians
verse 3
you show
that you
are a
letter
from
Christ
the
result
of
our
ministry
Paul
is saying
you want
a
recommendation
well
you are
my
recommendation
the fact
that you
are following
Christ
is proof
that my
message
and my
ministry
is real
and genuine
now aren't
there times
that we
wonder
if we're
having any
effect
we're not
being talked
about on
social media
we're not
on 6-1
news
making the
headlines
the online
influencers
aren't
recommending
us
but guess
what
the gospel
is at
work
and how
do we
know
how can
we be
so sure
well here
you are
start
looking at
the people
around you
you see
the church
is a
letter
from
Christ
and each
person
who believes
the gospel
is the
written
endorsement
from
God
the church
is a
result of
your
faithfulness
your
witness
and your
work
the church
is a
letter
saying
your
work
has
taken
effect
and if
you have
any
doubts
whatsoever
look what
he says
about this
letter
they are
a letter
written
by the
spirit
verse
three
you show
that you
are a
letter
from
Christ
the
result
of our
ministry
written
not with
ink
but with
the spirit
of the
living
God
not on
tablets
of stone
but on
tablets
of human
hearts
God
now I
think
that's a
beautiful
picture
of what
happens
as you
faithfully
teach the
gospel
and share
the gospel
with your
friends
and family
parents
as you
open up
the word
of God
to your
children
whether it's
happening
on college
campus
or in
school
at the
CU
or when
you go
to work
when you
share the
gospel
the spirit
of the
living God
takes that
word
and writes
it
on people's
hearts
guaranteeing
salvation
you see
the work
of the
spirit
cannot be
erased
or removed
his work
is permanent
and eternal
picture it
like this
as God
works
through
you
so you
begin to
spread the
aroma of
Christ
and lives
are changed
each
transformed
life
is to be
read
as a
letter
from Christ
written
by the
spirit
and given
to his
church
to encourage
you
it's saying
look around
you
look at
all these
letters
written from
Christ to
you
a mark
of God's
work
in their
life
each one
of us
is so
precious
so we
can say
with Paul
verse 2
you
yourselves
are our
letter
written
on our
hearts
at home
in my
study
I have
a big
black
box
and in
it
I don't
know if
Kirsty
knows this
or not
are letters
from
Kirsty
from when
we are
dating
it was
called
dating
then
going out
whatever
it's called
now
and we
wrote
letters
we didn't
send
texts
and every
so often
I open
up that
box
and I
read one
of those
love
letters
from
Kirsty
do you
want to
hear some
I'm
I'm not
going to
read it
but
re-reading
those
letters
remind
me of
our
relationship
of our
love
but we
need to
re-read
the letters
from Christ
that are
before us
to look at
the church
and see the
work that
God has
been doing
amongst
us
to hear
the stories
afresh
of what
God has
done in
our
lives
you see
you
us
together
are
evidence
and proof
to one
another
that God
is building
his
church
it's not
about us
being
successful
or influential
or powerful
it's about
God's
endorsement
his
recommendation
a letter
from Christ
the work
of the
spirit
in our
life
proving
the results
of our
ministry
God is
at work
be
encouraged
and don't
forget
so we
are the
aroma
of Christ
a letter
from Christ
and third
encouragement
we have
confidence
through
Christ
look at
verse 4
such
confidence
we have
through
Christ
before
God
Christ
gives us
confidence
today
to continue
in your
ministry
you mightn't
feel up to
it
but here
is bucket
loads
shovel loads
of confidence
but first
we must
know that
we are
not
competent
verse 5
not that
we are
competent
in ourselves
to claim
anything
for ourselves
by ourselves
we're nothing
we have
no ability
or power
within ourselves
to change
ourselves
never mind
thinking of
changing
anybody else
we're
inadequate
we're
ineffective
we're
weak
and fragile
and the
truth is
we are
all too
conscious
of our
flaws
and failures
how can
I possibly
serve
in the
church
what do
I
have to
offer
well
by ourselves
we have
nothing
we have
absolutely
nothing
to offer
we are
not
competent
but
we have
a confidence
and a
competence
that comes
from God
look at
verse 5
not that
we are
competent
in ourselves
to claim
anything
for ourselves
but
our
competence
comes
from God
yes
we're
fragile
let's
face it
we have
hidden
flaws
and we
know
our
failures
but that's
not a
disqualification
in fact
admitting
to our
weaknesses
that is
what
qualifies
us
it's not
about my
ability
or being
successful
or influential
or powerful
it's coming
to God
and saying
God
I can't
I have
nothing
but you
can
our
competence
comes
from
God
can you
see how
upside down
it is
to how
the world
thinks
to get
anywhere
in life
we have
to prove
our
ability
show off
our
performance
boast
and brag
about all
the things
we have
done
no
thankfully
our
competence
doesn't
come from
within
us
it
comes
as a
gift
from
God
and
enables
us
and equips
us
to do
what he
calls
us
to do
have
confidence
competence
in our
ministry
verse 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
Paul is
contrasting
here
the old
covenant
and the
new
covenant
under the
old
covenant
you remember
when Moses
went up
Mount
Sinai
and God
gave him
the written
law
on stone
it was
good law
it showed
God's
people
how they
should
live
except for
there was
one problem
with the
law
it never
changed
people's
hearts
it's a bit
like the
speed signs
that we see
when we're
driving along
the road
they tell
you how
fast you
should
drive
some of
them even
have little
smiley
faces
or sad
faces
if you
go over
the speed
limit
you see
they can't
make you
keep
to the
limit
but we're
living
in the age
of the new
covenant
the age
of the
spirit
and the
spirit
of God
changes
people's
hearts
changes us
eternally
look at
the
end
of verse
six
the
letter
kills
by itself
the law
will kill
it will
only
condemn
but the
spirit
gives
life
you see
our
competence
doesn't
come from
ourselves
it's not
about our
ability or
cleverness
our competence
comes by
the power
of the
spirit
working
through
us
that
gives
life
to
change
people
you see
it's not
about us
being
successful
or
influential
or
powerful
it's
about
God
giving
us
confidence
through
Christ
so that
we can
continue
to serve
the
church
left
to
ourselves
we're
not
impressive
but we
do
have
Christ
and
because
of
Christ
we
who
are
weak
and
fragile
have
all
that
we
need
we
are
the
aroma
of
Christ
we
are
a
letter
from
Christ
and
we
are
competent
through
Christ
be
encouraged
as we
go out
into a
new
week
and we
meet a
mad and
frightening
world
who say
you have
nothing to
bring
we are
the aroma
of Christ
let's
pray
father
we
thank you
for your
church
your
people
for the
work you
have done
in our
lives
we
thank you
for the
gifts
and
abilities
that you
have
given
to
us
and we
pray that
we may
use
them
for
your
glory
father
give us
strength
and
encouragement
to go
on doing
all that
you have
called us
to do
we love
you
and we
thank you
help us
then as we
start into
this new
week
that we
would go
in
confidence
because we
have
Christ
in
Jesus name
we pray
amen