WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.719
 2 Corinthians, which is where we'll be looking at today.

00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:10.880
! Thank you, Bob.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980
 Thank you.

00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000
 Thank you.

00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:09.180
 We've been going through our series in 2 Corinthians.

00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:17.180
 This morning we're going to be looking at chapter 2, verse 14, to chapter 3, verse 6.

00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:27.900
 So let's hear God's word.

00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:34.739
 2 Corinthians, chapter 2, starting at verse 14.

00:01:34.739 --> 00:02:04.739


00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:10.019
 To the one, we are an aroma that brings death.

00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:16.420
 To the other, an aroma that brings life.

00:02:16.419 --> 00:02:21.619
 And who is equal to such a task?

00:02:21.620 --> 00:02:26.759
 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.

00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:35.939
 On the contrary, in Christ, we speak before God with sincerity as those sent from God.

00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:40.780
 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?

00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:48.159
 Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:53.159
 You yourselves are our letter.

00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:56.060
 Written on our hearts.

00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:59.659
 Known and read by everyone.

00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:00.659
 You show that you are a letter from Christ.

00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:04.259
 You show that you are a letter from Christ.

00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:06.699
 The result of our ministry.

00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:13.919
 Written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God.

00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:14.919
 Not on tablets of stone.

00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:16.919
 Not on tablets of stone.

00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:21.280
 But on tablets of human hearts.

00:03:23.279 --> 00:03:28.199
 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.

00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:34.159
 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.

00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:39.719
 But our competence comes from God.

00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:45.439
 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant.

00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:50.599
 Not of the letter, but of the spirit.

00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:56.780
 For the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:00.240
 Well, let's pray.

00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:16.100
 Father, may the spirit of the living God take the words that we hear, your words,

00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:21.659
 and write them afresh on our hearts today.

00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:25.219
 For us here as we gather in this room.

00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:31.159
 And for the children as they gather next door.

00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:39.100
 Father, do a work that brings life in us today.

00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:41.560
 In Jesus' name.

00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:42.820
 Amen.

00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:43.000
 Amen.

00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:59.420
 Well, I'm sure you're all familiar with the TV program, The Apprentice,

00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:07.620
 where entrepreneurs make their pitch before Lord Sugar in the hope of becoming his business partner.

00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:12.060
 And without any embarrassment or shame whatsoever,

00:05:12.780 --> 00:05:17.259
 they boast about their salary, the huge sums of money they've earned,

00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:20.420
 the company endorsements of where they've worked,

00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:24.280
 and their wide range of abilities that they have.

00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.319
 If you want the best,

00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:29.980
 if you want your business to succeed,

00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:31.360
 you need me.

00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:33.360
 I'm your woman.

00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:33.920
 I'm your woman.

00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:36.340
 Or I'm your man.

00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.920
 Well, if you were to ask the members in the church at Corinth,

00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:48.699
 what kind of people do we need for this church to grow?

00:05:49.580 --> 00:05:51.819
 For this church to take off?

00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:54.520
 Well, it was simple.

00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.520
 Their answer would be something like this.

00:05:56.519 --> 00:06:04.139
 You need people who are successful, influential, and powerful.

00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:09.139
 No room for the weak and fragile.

00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:15.180
 Well, at the risk of causing great offence to you all,

00:06:15.919 --> 00:06:18.759
 that rules us all out, doesn't it?

00:06:19.299 --> 00:06:21.659
 Please don't apply.

00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:27.900
 You see, most of us feel inadequate and ineffective.

00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.220
 We don't feel very impressive at all.

00:06:32.760 --> 00:06:39.000
 In fact, we're all far too conscious of our flaws and failures.

00:06:40.940 --> 00:06:43.240
 Well, if that's how you're feeling this morning,

00:06:43.900 --> 00:06:46.780
 we're in good company.

00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:51.779
 Because it seems Paul felt the same.

00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:55.500
 He didn't have a great big salary.

00:06:55.919 --> 00:06:57.599
 He wasn't terribly impressive.

00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:00.039
 Look at chapter 2, verse 17.

00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:06.359
 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.

00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:09.439
 He wasn't in it for the money.

00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:11.979
 He was no big name speaker.

00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:17.840
 He didn't even have a list of influential endorsements.

00:07:17.960 --> 00:07:19.280
 Chapter 3, verse 1.

00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:22.640
 Do we need, like some people,

00:07:23.140 --> 00:07:26.580
 letters of recommendation to you or from you?

00:07:28.080 --> 00:07:30.960
 No, he had no impressive credentials.

00:07:32.460 --> 00:07:35.259
 And he wasn't a powerful personality.

00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.700
 Look at chapter 3, verse 5.

00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:44.579
 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.

00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:49.099
 No great talent on display when Paul arrived.

00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:54.339
 And looking at ourselves and as others look at us,

00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:56.560
 we might feel the same.

00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.459
 We're not terribly successful.

00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.379
 We're not very influential.

00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:05.240
 And we're not very powerful.

00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:10.660
 But we do have Christ.

00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:13.780
 And because of Christ,

00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:16.519
 we who are weak and fragile

00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:19.960
 have all that we need.

00:08:21.660 --> 00:08:25.040
 That's what our theme is this morning.

00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:27.720
 It's a summary of our text.

00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.639
 You can read it on screen.

00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:35.159
 We are not successful, influential, or powerful.

00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.960
 But we do have Christ.

00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.539
 And because of Christ,

00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:44.860
 we who are weak and fragile

00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:48.699
 have all we need.

00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:52.779
 So three things to encourage us

00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:56.980
 that God is at work through people like us.

00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.460
 Here's the three things.

00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.720
 We have the aroma of Christ.

00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:04.560
 We have a letter from Christ.

00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:09.620
 And we have confidence through Christ.

00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:13.580
 So our first encouragement this morning

00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:19.800
 is we have the aroma of Christ.

00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:22.699
 Look at verse 15.

00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.919
 Chapter 2, verse 15.

00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.479
 For we are to God

00:09:28.479 --> 00:09:33.139
 the pleasing aroma of Christ.

00:09:34.819 --> 00:09:37.039
 Now what does it mean for us today

00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:38.240
 as we sit here

00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:41.759
 to be the aroma of Christ?

00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:44.039
 Well first,

00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:46.139
 we need to step back a little bit

00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.879
 and see that we have been

00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:51.299
 conquered by Christ.

00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.399
 Look at verse 14.

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:55.759
 But thanks be to God

00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:57.879
 who always leads us

00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:59.340
 as captives

00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:02.899
 in Christ's triumphal procession.

00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.600
 Now victory parades

00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.080
 were a familiar sight

00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.980
 in the Roman world.

00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:11.879
 Trumpeteers celebrated

00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:14.139
 as victorious generals

00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:16.580
 marched back into their city

00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:18.779
 after going to other nations

00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:19.779
 and other places

00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:22.960
 bringing their captives in tow.

00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.620
 It was a great big spectacle.

00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:29.519
 And it's a striking image

00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.740
 that Paul uses

00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:33.600
 to explain who we are

00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:35.120
 as Christians.

00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:38.360
 Because Christ is

00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:40.700
 the victorious King

00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:43.940
 who has come and conquered us.

00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:47.259
 He has won us over

00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.980
 from a kingdom of darkness

00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:51.720
 and brought us into a kingdom of light.

00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.440
 Through his death

00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:55.180
 and through his resurrection

00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:57.839
 he has overcome sin

00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:58.979
 and Satan.

00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:04.759
 Now we are his captives

00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:07.539
 to serve Christ.

00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:10.139
 Not in a begrudging way

00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.839
 but because he is

00:11:11.839 --> 00:11:14.279
 our victorious champion.

00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:17.559
 Now what great encouragement

00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:19.399
 for us as a church

00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:21.600
 that we are now part

00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.840
 of Christ's triumphal procession.

00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:29.059
 As Christ marches

00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:31.939
 as this victorious general

00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:33.779
 through this world

00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.259
 the church

00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:38.959
 is Christ's victory parade.

00:11:39.459 --> 00:11:41.519
 A display to the world

00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.899
 of Christ's power

00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:45.039
 and greatness.

00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:49.179
 You see we are not small

00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:51.399
 or influential.

00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:54.439
 We are something wonderful.

00:11:55.459 --> 00:11:56.219
 The results

00:11:56.219 --> 00:11:57.919
 of God's work.

00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.959
 Now not only were the sights

00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:02.139
 were there sights

00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.939
 of generals

00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:05.519
 the sounds of trumpeteers

00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:08.799
 but in these great festivals

00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:11.459
 there were also smells.

00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:13.500
 So second

00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:15.980
 we are the aroma

00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:18.139
 of Christ.

00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:20.440
 Look at verse 14 again.

00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.820
 But thanks be to God

00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:25.519
 who always leads us

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.500
 as captives

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:29.120
 in Christ's triumphal procession

00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.460
 and uses us

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:34.000
 to spread the aroma

00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.200
 of the knowledge of him

00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.720
 everywhere.

00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:40.940
 For we are to God

00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:42.960
 the pleasing aroma

00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.860
 of Christ.

00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.139
 Now historians will tell you

00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.100
 you can look this up

00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.620
 on Google

00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.600
 or wherever you go

00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.840
 to get your information.

00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.300
 They'll tell you that

00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.580
 during these great big

00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.720
 victory parades

00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.620
 there would also be

00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:58.440
 incense carriers.

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:01.000
 People who would carry

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.200
 incense along with

00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.820
 these parades.

00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.220
 Presumably to add

00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.779
 to the celebrations.

00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:10.920
 All over the city

00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:11.840
 as they marched

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.700
 through the centre

00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.860
 would be this

00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.940
 unmistakable aroma.

00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.519
 You could hear

00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.519
 the trumpets

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.800
 you could see

00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.620
 the generals

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:23.360
 and you could smell

00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.060
 the victory.

00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:28.180
 Well the church

00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:30.279
 is the aroma

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.180
 of Christ.

00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:33.040
 Where we go

00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:34.879
 and where we walk

00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.259
 we spread

00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:38.059
 that victorious

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.500
 aroma.

00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:42.399
 But how do we

00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.559
 spread that aroma?

00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.700
 What does it look like?

00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:48.100
 Well very simply

00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.419
 we spread

00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:50.120
 the aroma

00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.919
 of Christ

00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:52.820
 by proclaiming

00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.220
 and talking about

00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.580
 the gospel

00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.679
 of Christ.

00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.340
 Did you see it there

00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.659
 at the end of verse 14?

00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:03.860
 He uses us

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.620
 to spread

00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.419
 the aroma

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.959
 of the knowledge

00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:08.699
 of him

00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:10.000
 everywhere.

00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.059
 You see

00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:12.779
 it's as we

00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:14.039
 share the gospel

00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.639
 as we spread

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.259
 the knowledge

00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.860
 of God

00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.980
 so we

00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.059
 release

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:20.620
 the aroma

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.519
 of Christ.

00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.559
 The good news

00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.100
 of Jesus

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.220
 his death

00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:25.839
 on the cross

00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:26.519
 for our sins

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:26.860
 his

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.019
 resurrecting

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.480
 power

00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.419
 over death

00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:30.779
 and the grave

00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.860
 his gift

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.620
 of life

00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.879
 his guarantee

00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.180
 of an eternal

00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:36.300
 kingdom to come

00:14:36.300 --> 00:14:37.139
 it's

00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.279
 aromatic

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:40.120
 there's that

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.580
 unmistakable

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.440
 smell

00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.840
 of victory

00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.779
 as the gospel

00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:47.399
 is declared.

00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.100
 You see

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.800
 the church

00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:50.720
 that is

00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.920
 you and I

00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:53.259
 gathered here

00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:55.039
 just think

00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.519
 about it

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:55.960
 when you're

00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.700
 involved in

00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.300
 the ministries

00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:57.879
 like the

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.280
 rock

00:14:58.280 --> 00:14:58.920
 that we

00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.440
 were thinking

00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.080
 about this

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.500
 morning

00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.780
 or as you

00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:02.600
 speak to a

00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:02.940
 friend

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.980
 or as you

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.720
 speak to your

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.120
 children

00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.000
 when you

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.060
 open God's

00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.400
 word

00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.280
 and begin

00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:08.980
 to teach

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.759
 and explain

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.900
 so the

00:15:10.900 --> 00:15:12.080
 gospel aroma

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:12.900
 of Christ

00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:14.200
 is released

00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:17.019
 and it

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.860
 begins to

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.639
 spread

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:21.040
 and its

00:15:21.040 --> 00:15:22.120
 effects

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.600
 are

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.920
 undeniable.

00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:28.980
 third

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.820
 the aroma

00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:31.680
 brings

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.920
 both

00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.639
 life

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:35.000
 and

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.660
 death

00:15:35.660 --> 00:15:36.980
 verse

00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.660
 15

00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:39.980
 for we

00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.519
 are to

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:40.980
 God

00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.019
 the

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.660
 pleasing

00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:43.280
 aroma

00:15:43.280 --> 00:15:44.120
 of Christ

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.879
 amongst

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.620
 those who

00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.160
 are being

00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:46.879
 saved

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.360
 and those

00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.720
 who are

00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.300
 perishing

00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:51.120
 to the

00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.480
 one

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.820
 we are

00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.399
 an aroma

00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.159
 that brings

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:54.759
 death

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.539
 to the

00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:56.940
 other

00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.800
 an aroma

00:15:58.800 --> 00:15:59.600
 that brings

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.220
 life

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:02.800
 isn't that

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.379
 how we

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.360
 respond to

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.960
 the gospel

00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.860
 of Christ

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:09.960
 can you

00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.759
 smell it

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:13.240
 the smell

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.019
 of life

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:16.320
 or the

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:16.940
 smell of

00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.460
 death

00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:19.360
 as we

00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.080
 listen to

00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.560
 the word

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.060
 today

00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:22.019
 do you

00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.519
 get an

00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:22.960
 aroma

00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.419
 of

00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.279
 life

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:26.779
 or are

00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:26.960
 we

00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.600
 receiving

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.300
 an aroma

00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.000
 that's

00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.940
 death

00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:32.280
 it's

00:16:32.280 --> 00:16:32.680
 like the

00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.160
 incense

00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.580
 sticks

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:33.920
 or the

00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.300
 yankee

00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:34.820
 candles

00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.320
 that we

00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:35.700
 have

00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.620
 in our

00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.080
 house

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.000
 they're

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.640
 everywhere

00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:39.880
 Kirsty

00:16:39.880 --> 00:16:40.740
 buys them

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.440
 in bulk

00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.260
 and I

00:16:42.260 --> 00:16:43.020
 follow around

00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:43.700
 after and

00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.480
 remove them

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.660
 to one

00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.320
 they are a

00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:46.820
 beautiful

00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.600
 scent

00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.240
 to another

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.920
 they are a

00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:50.340
 horrible

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.360
 stench

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:54.100
 and the

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.520
 gospel

00:16:54.520 --> 00:16:55.420
 will always

00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.020
 have that

00:16:56.020 --> 00:16:56.760
 effect

00:16:56.760 --> 00:16:58.300
 it will

00:16:58.300 --> 00:16:59.120
 either draw

00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.720
 people

00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.019
 or repulse

00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.560
 people

00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:03.480
 to one

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.000
 Christ

00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.940
 is joy

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.100
 and freedom

00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:07.519
 and life

00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.960
 to another

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.559
 Christ

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.579
 is foolish

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:13.019
 to be

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.620
 rejected

00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:15.980
 and death

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:18.940
 what's your

00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.740
 response

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.240
 to the

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.200
 gospel word

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:22.600
 as we

00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.100
 hear it

00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.779
 this morning

00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:26.059
 can you

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.039
 smell that

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.860
 scent of

00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.539
 victory

00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.440
 of

00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.080
 life

00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:31.360
 of

00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:32.140
 Jesus

00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:37.160
 now

00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.720
 before we

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.400
 move on

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:40.160
 we all

00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.539
 have a

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.240
 question to

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.759
 answer

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.019
 did you

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.559
 see it

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.980
 the end

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.340
 of verse

00:17:45.340 --> 00:17:45.980
 16

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:49.600
 and who

00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.519
 is equal

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.080
 to such

00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:52.860
 a task

00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.360
 who is

00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:54.860
 capable

00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:55.320
 of all

00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.620
 of us

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.279
 here today

00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.119
 who is

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.619
 capable

00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:58.379
 of being

00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:58.619
 a

00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.180
 pleasing

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.359
 aroma

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:00.980
 to

00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.440
 God

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:04.599
 well on

00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:04.960
 our own

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.220
 we can't

00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.440
 we're not

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.019
 up to the

00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.559
 task

00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:10.440
 but Christ

00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.759
 our victorious

00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.460
 champion

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.920
 is at

00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.460
 work

00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.440
 through

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.379
 people like

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:16.960
 us

00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.779
 and because

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.460
 of him

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.339
 we can

00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.799
 say

00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.680
 yes

00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.279
 I am

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.720
 up for

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:24.879
 the

00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.440
 task

00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:27.819
 you see

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.240
 it's not

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.799
 about us

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.099
 being

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.879
 successful

00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:31.200
 or influential

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.139
 or powerful

00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.180
 it's about

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.859
 God

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.019
 spreading

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.119
 the aroma

00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.039
 of Christ

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:39.000
 as we

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.720
 open up

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.460
 his word

00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.339
 and begin

00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.039
 to speak

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.720
 and teach

00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.779
 the gospel

00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.599
 of Christ

00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:46.879
 we spread

00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.500
 that aroma

00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:51.439
 so we

00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.039
 are

00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.919
 the aroma

00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.839
 of Christ

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.240
 be

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.959
 encouraged

00:18:56.959 --> 00:18:58.419
 today

00:18:58.419 --> 00:19:00.339
 the second

00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.039
 encouragement

00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:03.299
 is

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:05.459
 we have

00:19:05.459 --> 00:19:06.159
 a letter

00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.480
 from Christ

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.199
 look at

00:19:09.199 --> 00:19:09.879
 chapter 3

00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.619
 verse 3

00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:13.699
 you show

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.279
 that you

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.100
 are a

00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.559
 letter

00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:17.019
 from Christ

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.279
 now it's a

00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.640
 strange

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.059
 metaphor

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.900
 he's jumping

00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.519
 from the

00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.059
 generals

00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.700
 and the

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.600
 aroma

00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.160
 metaphor

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.080
 and now

00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:24.640
 he's talking

00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.519
 about letters

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.740
 and things

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.259
 written

00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.240
 on the

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.559
 letter

00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.380
 so what

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.100
 does that

00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.480
 mean

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.740
 well first

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.480
 there is

00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.440
 the letter

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:36.340
 of recommendation

00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.779
 do you see

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.080
 it there

00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:38.559
 at the beginning

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.539
 of chapter 3

00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:41.019
 he says

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.660
 are we beginning

00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.319
 to commend

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.019
 ourselves

00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.460
 or do we

00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.139
 need like

00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.960
 some people

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.200
 letters of

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.879
 recommendation

00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.900
 to you

00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.660
 or from

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:49.980
 you

00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:53.359
 I have a

00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:53.940
 book here

00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.200
 it's called

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.960
 The Language

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.740
 of Rivers

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.480
 and Stars

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:59.680
 written by a

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.480
 friend of mine

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.339
 called Seth

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.639
 Lewis

00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.299
 some of you

00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.039
 know Seth

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.200
 some of you

00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.680
 don't

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.920
 and you might

00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.480
 say well why

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.220
 should I read

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.619
 that

00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:09.720
 well when we

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.500
 open up at

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.039
 the first

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.039
 couple of

00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.399
 pages

00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:13.319
 there's some

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.899
 endorsements

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:16.879
 people like

00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.740
 Alistair

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.240
 Begg

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.700
 well I've

00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.259
 heard of him

00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.899
 he's a good

00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.319
 guy

00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.559
 and

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.859
 Stephen

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.440
 Wellham

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.440
 well he

00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.059
 teaches at

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.740
 Munster Bible

00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.159
 College

00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:27.839
 I mean

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.680
 if he's

00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.259
 saying it's

00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.500
 good

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.579
 it must

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.839
 be good

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:34.319
 there's a

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:34.819
 plug for

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.359
 Seth's book

00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.039
 by the way

00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:38.180
 well the

00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.799
 same thing

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.359
 is going

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.960
 on here

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.539
 regarding

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.159
 Paul's

00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.720
 ministry

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.700
 they're

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:42.980
 saying

00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.879
 well what

00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.259
 are your

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.079
 credentials

00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.680
 Paul

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.740
 what are

00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.180
 your

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.359
 endorsements

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.960
 who

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.899
 recommends

00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:50.579
 you

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.819
 why should

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.359
 we listen

00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:53.119
 to you

00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.779
 well that's

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.319
 when Paul

00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:55.960
 pulls out

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.460
 the letters

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:56.940
 from his

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.639
 briefcase

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.940
 and brings

00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.559
 out all

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.000
 the big

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.579
 names

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.139
 Paul

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.299
 a brilliant

00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.980
 speaker

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.279
 a great

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.740
 crowd

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.839
 puller

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.880
 Paul

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:09.299
 guaranteed

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.120
 to up

00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:10.360
 your

00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.019
 collections

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.839
 every

00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.360
 time

00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.660
 he

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.420
 speaks

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.559
 well the

00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:15.880
 problem

00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.360
 was

00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:16.779
 Paul

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.680
 had no

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.279
 letters

00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.019
 of

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.700
 recommendation

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.519
 but he

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.079
 did have

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.079
 one letter

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:25.360
 an endorsement

00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.180
 that could

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.799
 not be

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.500
 bettered

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.160
 and guess

00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.539
 what

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.579
 we have

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.440
 that same

00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:30.980
 letter

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.039
 as well

00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:34.220
 it was a

00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.680
 letter

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.720
 that came

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.059
 from

00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.759
 Christ

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.940
 a letter

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.779
 from

00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.299
 Christ

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.740
 look at

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.379
 verse 2

00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:46.859
 you

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.700
 yourselves

00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.980
 that's

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.339
 right

00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.819
 you

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.899
 the church

00:21:50.899 --> 00:21:51.619
 you

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.259
 yourselves

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.519
 are our

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.079
 letter

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.299
 written

00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.720
 on our

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.319
 hearts

00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.980
 known

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.799
 and read

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.639
 by everyone

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.740
 you show

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.340
 that you

00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.120
 are a

00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.580
 letter

00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.759
 from

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.380
 Christ

00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:07.640
 the

00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.320
 church

00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.340
 is

00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:09.880
 Paul's

00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.800
 endorsement

00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:12.280
 as Paul

00:22:12.280 --> 00:22:12.960
 preached

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.720
 the gospel

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.720
 so the

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.420
 aroma

00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.240
 of Christ

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.960
 began to

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.440
 spread

00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.340
 and it

00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:18.720
 brought

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.380
 life

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.100
 there were

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:20.880
 people in

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.400
 the city

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.020
 of Corinth

00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:22.360
 who were

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.000
 changed

00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.759
 and they

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.220
 became

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.120
 Christians

00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:27.500
 verse 3

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:29.259
 you show

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.920
 that you

00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.400
 are a

00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:30.720
 letter

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.119
 from

00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.700
 Christ

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.460
 the

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.180
 result

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.900
 of

00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.460
 our

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.680
 ministry

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:37.359
 Paul

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.640
 is saying

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.099
 you want

00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.279
 a

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.099
 recommendation

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.640
 well

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.619
 you are

00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:41.859
 my

00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.700
 recommendation

00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.720
 the fact

00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.099
 that you

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.680
 are following

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.220
 Christ

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.039
 is proof

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.880
 that my

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.480
 message

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:47.880
 and my

00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.480
 ministry

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.279
 is real

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.099
 and genuine

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:54.240
 now aren't

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.939
 there times

00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.480
 that we

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.000
 wonder

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.719
 if we're

00:22:57.719 --> 00:22:58.539
 having any

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.179
 effect

00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:01.719
 we're not

00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.399
 being talked

00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.019
 about on

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.019
 social media

00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:06.119
 we're not

00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:07.059
 on 6-1

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.559
 news

00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.179
 making the

00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:08.699
 headlines

00:23:08.699 --> 00:23:11.419
 the online

00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:12.199
 influencers

00:23:12.199 --> 00:23:12.740
 aren't

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.399
 recommending

00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.039
 us

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.959
 but guess

00:23:15.959 --> 00:23:16.279
 what

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.879
 the gospel

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.339
 is at

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:17.719
 work

00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:19.500
 and how

00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.019
 do we

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.259
 know

00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:20.920
 how can

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.259
 we be

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.000
 so sure

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.940
 well here

00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.480
 you are

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:26.140
 start

00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.700
 looking at

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.140
 the people

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.900
 around you

00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:30.600
 you see

00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.480
 the church

00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.900
 is a

00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.240
 letter

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.339
 from

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.880
 Christ

00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.740
 and each

00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.380
 person

00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.579
 who believes

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.259
 the gospel

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.360
 is the

00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:40.960
 written

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:42.500
 endorsement

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.579
 from

00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.120
 God

00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.759
 the church

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.220
 is a

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.900
 result of

00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.140
 your

00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.340
 faithfulness

00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.620
 your

00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.360
 witness

00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:51.960
 and your

00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.540
 work

00:23:52.540 --> 00:23:55.560
 the church

00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.220
 is a

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.640
 letter

00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:58.380
 saying

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.580
 your

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.200
 work

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.320
 has

00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:01.720
 taken

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.360
 effect

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.940
 and if

00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.320
 you have

00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:04.780
 any

00:24:04.780 --> 00:24:05.460
 doubts

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.560
 whatsoever

00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:08.960
 look what

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.360
 he says

00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.000
 about this

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.440
 letter

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:12.480
 they are

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.040
 a letter

00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:13.780
 written

00:24:13.780 --> 00:24:15.340
 by the

00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:15.940
 spirit

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.640
 verse

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.019
 three

00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:19.600
 you show

00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.180
 that you

00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.660
 are a

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.940
 letter

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.259
 from

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.779
 Christ

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.980
 the

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.500
 result

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.920
 of our

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.420
 ministry

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.200
 written

00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.080
 not with

00:24:26.080 --> 00:24:26.600
 ink

00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:28.259
 but with

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.059
 the spirit

00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.620
 of the

00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:29.900
 living

00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.480
 God

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.200
 not on

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.640
 tablets

00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.420
 of stone

00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.160
 but on

00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.720
 tablets

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.080
 of human

00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.660
 hearts

00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.700
 God

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.820
 now I

00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.000
 think

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.440
 that's a

00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.880
 beautiful

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.360
 picture

00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:41.820
 of what

00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.380
 happens

00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.180
 as you

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.880
 faithfully

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.600
 teach the

00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.019
 gospel

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.060
 and share

00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.640
 the gospel

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.100
 with your

00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:47.560
 friends

00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.680
 and family

00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:50.779
 parents

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.240
 as you

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.880
 open up

00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.440
 the word

00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:52.880
 of God

00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.420
 to your

00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.440
 children

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:56.180
 whether it's

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.560
 happening

00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.580
 on college

00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.240
 campus

00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.080
 or in

00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.540
 school

00:24:59.540 --> 00:25:00.000
 at the

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.400
 CU

00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.460
 or when

00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:01.840
 you go

00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.380
 to work

00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.160
 when you

00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.160
 share the

00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.660
 gospel

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.300
 the spirit

00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.000
 of the

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.840
 living God

00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:09.340
 takes that

00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.020
 word

00:25:10.020 --> 00:25:12.300
 and writes

00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:12.720
 it

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.500
 on people's

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.960
 hearts

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:17.000
 guaranteeing

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.260
 salvation

00:25:18.260 --> 00:25:19.820
 you see

00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.420
 the work

00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:20.760
 of the

00:25:20.760 --> 00:25:21.140
 spirit

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.200
 cannot be

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.860
 erased

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.020
 or removed

00:25:24.020 --> 00:25:24.980
 his work

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.880
 is permanent

00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.280
 and eternal

00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:30.320
 picture it

00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:30.940
 like this

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.920
 as God

00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.519
 works

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.960
 through

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.460
 you

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.620
 so you

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.240
 begin to

00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.100
 spread the

00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.880
 aroma of

00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.380
 Christ

00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.519
 and lives

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.299
 are changed

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.100
 each

00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.059
 transformed

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.680
 life

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.600
 is to be

00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.200
 read

00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.980
 as a

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.240
 letter

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.100
 from Christ

00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:46.019
 written

00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.039
 by the

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.519
 spirit

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.580
 and given

00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:50.019
 to his

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.680
 church

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.940
 to encourage

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.559
 you

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.180
 it's saying

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.299
 look around

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.740
 you

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.519
 look at

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.220
 all these

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.820
 letters

00:25:58.820 --> 00:25:59.980
 written from

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.600
 Christ to

00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:00.880
 you

00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.740
 a mark

00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.900
 of God's

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.360
 work

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.460
 in their

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.020
 life

00:26:05.020 --> 00:26:07.120
 each one

00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.520
 of us

00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:08.020
 is so

00:26:08.020 --> 00:26:08.520
 precious

00:26:08.520 --> 00:26:09.520
 so we

00:26:09.520 --> 00:26:10.000
 can say

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.720
 with Paul

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.840
 verse 2

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:13.580
 you

00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.500
 yourselves

00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:16.280
 are our

00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:16.800
 letter

00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:18.560
 written

00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:20.260
 on our

00:26:20.260 --> 00:26:20.860
 hearts

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:25.120
 at home

00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.540
 in my

00:26:25.540 --> 00:26:26.080
 study

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.960
 I have

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.359
 a big

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.859
 black

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.579
 box

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:31.419
 and in

00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:31.740
 it

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.079
 I don't

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.319
 know if

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.619
 Kirsty

00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.240
 knows this

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.720
 or not

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.599
 are letters

00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.519
 from

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.059
 Kirsty

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.879
 from when

00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.259
 we are

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.679
 dating

00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:40.539
 it was

00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:40.819
 called

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.279
 dating

00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.859
 then

00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:42.639
 going out

00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.039
 whatever

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.759
 it's called

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.119
 now

00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.799
 and we

00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.039
 wrote

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.619
 letters

00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.259
 we didn't

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.699
 send

00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.740
 texts

00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.200
 and every

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.799
 so often

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.640
 I open

00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.160
 up that

00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.519
 box

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.220
 and I

00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.920
 read one

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.500
 of those

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.480
 love

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.059
 letters

00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.920
 from

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.400
 Kirsty

00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.059
 do you

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.319
 want to

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.920
 hear some

00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.819
 I'm

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:02.759
 I'm not

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.200
 going to

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.819
 read it

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.899
 but

00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:07.059
 re-reading

00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.759
 those

00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.480
 letters

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.259
 remind

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.240
 me of

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.179
 our

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.980
 relationship

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.779
 of our

00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.379
 love

00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:17.259
 but we

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.039
 need to

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.720
 re-read

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.859
 the letters

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:22.299
 from Christ

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:22.779
 that are

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.659
 before us

00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.720
 to look at

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.259
 the church

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.039
 and see the

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.599
 work that

00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.119
 God has

00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.599
 been doing

00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.039
 amongst

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.299
 us

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.139
 to hear

00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.179
 the stories

00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.840
 afresh

00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.600
 of what

00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.160
 God has

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.660
 done in

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:32.860
 our

00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.660
 lives

00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:35.420
 you see

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:35.980
 you

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.700
 us

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.259
 together

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.799
 are

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.320
 evidence

00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:38.920
 and proof

00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.360
 to one

00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:39.700
 another

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.700
 that God

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.580
 is building

00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.140
 his

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.940
 church

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:47.400
 it's not

00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.019
 about us

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.360
 being

00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.220
 successful

00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:51.400
 or influential

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.580
 or powerful

00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:54.519
 it's about

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.120
 God's

00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.920
 endorsement

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.480
 his

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.440
 recommendation

00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.440
 a letter

00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.240
 from Christ

00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.220
 the work

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.559
 of the

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.000
 spirit

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.019
 in our

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.440
 life

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.279
 proving

00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.120
 the results

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.700
 of our

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.819
 ministry

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:08.099
 God is

00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.680
 at work

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.359
 be

00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.059
 encouraged

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.640
 and don't

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.079
 forget

00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:16.460
 so we

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.779
 are the

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.299
 aroma

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.359
 of Christ

00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.900
 a letter

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.700
 from Christ

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.819
 and third

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.579
 encouragement

00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:25.559
 we have

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.259
 confidence

00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.919
 through

00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.519
 Christ

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.619
 look at

00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.220
 verse 4

00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:31.079
 such

00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.000
 confidence

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.059
 we have

00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.960
 through

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.599
 Christ

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.159
 before

00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.740
 God

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:38.000
 Christ

00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.859
 gives us

00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.919
 confidence

00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:40.579
 today

00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:42.240
 to continue

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.699
 in your

00:28:42.699 --> 00:28:43.240
 ministry

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.039
 you mightn't

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.740
 feel up to

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.000
 it

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.220
 but here

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.159
 is bucket

00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.819
 loads

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:50.439
 shovel loads

00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.840
 of confidence

00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:55.580
 but first

00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:57.080
 we must

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:57.680
 know that

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.120
 we are

00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.680
 not

00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.360
 competent

00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:02.480
 verse 5

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.539
 not that

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:04.980
 we are

00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.500
 competent

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.360
 in ourselves

00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:07.059
 to claim

00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.680
 anything

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.460
 for ourselves

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.539
 by ourselves

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.180
 we're nothing

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.660
 we have

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.480
 no ability

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.160
 or power

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.980
 within ourselves

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.900
 to change

00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.779
 ourselves

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.799
 never mind

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.420
 thinking of

00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:17.779
 changing

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.860
 anybody else

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:20.599
 we're

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.099
 inadequate

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.619
 we're

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.219
 ineffective

00:29:22.219 --> 00:29:23.099
 we're

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.439
 weak

00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:24.119
 and fragile

00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:26.199
 and the

00:29:26.199 --> 00:29:26.859
 truth is

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.559
 we are

00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.219
 all too

00:29:28.219 --> 00:29:28.740
 conscious

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.240
 of our

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.659
 flaws

00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.279
 and failures

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.119
 how can

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.939
 I possibly

00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:33.000
 serve

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.399
 in the

00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.879
 church

00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:36.339
 what do

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.939
 I

00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:37.879
 have to

00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.319
 offer

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:42.000
 well

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.759
 by ourselves

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.179
 we have

00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:43.559
 nothing

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.479
 we have

00:29:44.479 --> 00:29:45.179
 absolutely

00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.740
 nothing

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.439
 to offer

00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:48.279
 we are

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.539
 not

00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.119
 competent

00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:51.299
 but

00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:53.299
 but

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:55.460
 we have

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.299
 a confidence

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.859
 and a

00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.399
 competence

00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.460
 that comes

00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.299
 from God

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.019
 look at

00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.660
 verse 5

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.619
 not that

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.119
 we are

00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.599
 competent

00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.279
 in ourselves

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.759
 to claim

00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.139
 anything

00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.000
 for ourselves

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.079
 but

00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.559
 our

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.359
 competence

00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.180
 comes

00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.420
 from God

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.180
 yes

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.519
 we're

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.960
 fragile

00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.680
 let's

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.399
 face it

00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:14.359
 we have

00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:14.660
 hidden

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.240
 flaws

00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.619
 and we

00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:15.960
 know

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.240
 our

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.940
 failures

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:19.640
 but that's

00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.080
 not a

00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:21.320
 disqualification

00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:23.220
 in fact

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.860
 admitting

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.539
 to our

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.080
 weaknesses

00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:26.700
 that is

00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.380
 what

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.059
 qualifies

00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.480
 us

00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.220
 it's not

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.880
 about my

00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.360
 ability

00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.200
 or being

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.860
 successful

00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.860
 or influential

00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.640
 or powerful

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.539
 it's coming

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.080
 to God

00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:35.559
 and saying

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.299
 God

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.299
 I can't

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.960
 I have

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.519
 nothing

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:41.580
 but you

00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.059
 can

00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:44.500
 our

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.179
 competence

00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:46.940
 comes

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.819
 from

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.299
 God

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:50.159
 can you

00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.720
 see how

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.839
 upside down

00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.339
 it is

00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:52.839
 to how

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.339
 the world

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:53.919
 thinks

00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:55.480
 to get

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:55.839
 anywhere

00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.519
 in life

00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.000
 we have

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.119
 to prove

00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:58.419
 our

00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:58.940
 ability

00:30:58.940 --> 00:31:00.179
 show off

00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:00.399
 our

00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.279
 performance

00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.759
 boast

00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.519
 and brag

00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.200
 about all

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.720
 the things

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.099
 we have

00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.480
 done

00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:07.079
 no

00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:09.679
 thankfully

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:11.120
 our

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.700
 competence

00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.320
 doesn't

00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:12.880
 come from

00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.220
 within

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.759
 us

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.200
 it

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.700
 comes

00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.100
 as a

00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.340
 gift

00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:16.660
 from

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.060
 God

00:31:17.060 --> 00:31:17.920
 and

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.460
 enables

00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:18.799
 us

00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.460
 and equips

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.740
 us

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.259
 to do

00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.680
 what he

00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.080
 calls

00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:21.539
 us

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.620
 to do

00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.380
 have

00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.340
 confidence

00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:30.039
 competence

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.759
 in our

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.859
 ministry

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.859
 verse 6

00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.980
 he

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.759
 has

00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.819
 made

00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.119
 us

00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.679
 competent

00:31:38.679 --> 00:31:39.599
 as ministers

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.299
 of a new

00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.740
 covenant

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:42.899
 not of the

00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.199
 letter

00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:43.819
 but of the

00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.319
 spirit

00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:45.019
 for the

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.259
 letter

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.799
 kills

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.399
 but the

00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:46.720
 spirit

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.059
 gives

00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.519
 life

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.439
 Paul is

00:31:48.439 --> 00:31:49.500
 contrasting

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.740
 here

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.819
 the old

00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.519
 covenant

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.179
 and the

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:52.519
 new

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.959
 covenant

00:31:52.959 --> 00:31:53.779
 under the

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.139
 old

00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:54.559
 covenant

00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.299
 you remember

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.039
 when Moses

00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.579
 went up

00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:56.859
 Mount

00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.339
 Sinai

00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.339
 and God

00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.839
 gave him

00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.440
 the written

00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.940
 law

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.919
 on stone

00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:02.240
 it was

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.980
 good law

00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.899
 it showed

00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.399
 God's

00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:04.740
 people

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.480
 how they

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.759
 should

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.099
 live

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.940
 except for

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.220
 there was

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.879
 one problem

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.259
 with the

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.559
 law

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:10.680
 it never

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.339
 changed

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.940
 people's

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.460
 hearts

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:14.519
 it's a bit

00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:14.980
 like the

00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.819
 speed signs

00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.419
 that we see

00:32:16.419 --> 00:32:16.799
 when we're

00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.500
 driving along

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.960
 the road

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.019
 they tell

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.779
 you how

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.579
 fast you

00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:20.819
 should

00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.440
 drive

00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.919
 some of

00:32:22.919 --> 00:32:23.279
 them even

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.779
 have little

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.399
 smiley

00:32:24.399 --> 00:32:24.759
 faces

00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:26.039
 or sad

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.480
 faces

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.819
 if you

00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.200
 go over

00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.680
 the speed

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:27.980
 limit

00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.599
 you see

00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.240
 they can't

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.319
 make you

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:31.240
 keep

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.099
 to the

00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.420
 limit

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:35.420
 but we're

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:35.920
 living

00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:37.339
 in the age

00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:37.980
 of the new

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.420
 covenant

00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:40.299
 the age

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.619
 of the

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.079
 spirit

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.900
 and the

00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.500
 spirit

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.420
 of God

00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:45.099
 changes

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.579
 people's

00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.099
 hearts

00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:48.960
 changes us

00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:50.019
 eternally

00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.619
 look at

00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:50.740
 the

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:50.920
 end

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.240
 of verse

00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:51.579
 six

00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.019
 the

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.579
 letter

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.480
 kills

00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.400
 by itself

00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:54.940
 the law

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.440
 will kill

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:55.779
 it will

00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.039
 only

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.559
 condemn

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.440
 but the

00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.079
 spirit

00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:00.879
 gives

00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.420
 life

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:04.180
 you see

00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.420
 our

00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:04.920
 competence

00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.480
 doesn't

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.019
 come from

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.579
 ourselves

00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:08.680
 it's not

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.240
 about our

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.000
 ability or

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.639
 cleverness

00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.740
 our competence

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.420
 comes by

00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:14.240
 the power

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.740
 of the

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.160
 spirit

00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.040
 working

00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.600
 through

00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:17.180
 us

00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.340
 that

00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:18.680
 gives

00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.279
 life

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.519
 to

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.220
 change

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.040
 people

00:33:22.040 --> 00:33:24.700
 you see

00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.140
 it's not

00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:25.800
 about us

00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.160
 being

00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.980
 successful

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:28.860
 or

00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.600
 influential

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:31.300
 or

00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:31.900
 powerful

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:33.400
 it's

00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:33.700
 about

00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.259
 God

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.660
 giving

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:34.980
 us

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.580
 confidence

00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:36.580
 through

00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:37.180
 Christ

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.100
 so that

00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:38.580
 we can

00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:39.160
 continue

00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:40.259
 to serve

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.519
 the

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.060
 church

00:33:41.060 --> 00:33:44.420
 left

00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:44.660
 to

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.279
 ourselves

00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:47.220
 we're

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.480
 not

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.039
 impressive

00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:50.500
 but we

00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:50.840
 do

00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:51.380
 have

00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:52.420
 Christ

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:54.340
 and

00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:54.680
 because

00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.259
 of

00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.759
 Christ

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.519
 we

00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:56.880
 who

00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:57.080
 are

00:33:57.080 --> 00:33:57.400
 weak

00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:57.620
 and

00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:57.980
 fragile

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.860
 have

00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.580
 all

00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.160
 that

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.360
 we

00:34:00.360 --> 00:34:00.840
 need

00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:02.620
 we

00:34:02.620 --> 00:34:02.940
 are

00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.200
 the

00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.700
 aroma

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.039
 of

00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:04.560
 Christ

00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:05.920
 we

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.220
 are

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.539
 a

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:06.840
 letter

00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.180
 from

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.720
 Christ

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:10.139
 and

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.360
 we

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:10.559
 are

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.260
 competent

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.539
 through

00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.260
 Christ

00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:16.420
 be

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.200
 encouraged

00:34:17.200 --> 00:34:18.760
 as we

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.340
 go out

00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.860
 into a

00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.060
 new

00:34:20.060 --> 00:34:20.400
 week

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.040
 and we

00:34:21.040 --> 00:34:21.720
 meet a

00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.380
 mad and

00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.020
 frightening

00:34:23.020 --> 00:34:23.620
 world

00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:25.120
 who say

00:34:25.120 --> 00:34:25.480
 you have

00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.160
 nothing to

00:34:26.160 --> 00:34:26.500
 bring

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:28.560
 we are

00:34:28.560 --> 00:34:29.240
 the aroma

00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:30.060
 of Christ

00:34:30.060 --> 00:34:32.540
 let's

00:34:32.540 --> 00:34:32.840
 pray

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:43.620
 father

00:34:43.620 --> 00:34:44.059
 we

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.019
 thank you

00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:47.579
 for your

00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.180
 church

00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:48.559
 your

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.079
 people

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:51.059
 for the

00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.559
 work you

00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.160
 have done

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:53.260
 in our

00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:53.820
 lives

00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:55.840
 we

00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.320
 thank you

00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:56.680
 for the

00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.059
 gifts

00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.340
 and

00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:57.860
 abilities

00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.519
 that you

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:58.700
 have

00:34:58.700 --> 00:34:58.980
 given

00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.340
 to

00:34:59.340 --> 00:34:59.780
 us

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:01.640
 and we

00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.220
 pray that

00:35:02.220 --> 00:35:02.700
 we may

00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.240
 use

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:03.540
 them

00:35:03.540 --> 00:35:05.080
 for

00:35:05.080 --> 00:35:05.720
 your

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.360
 glory

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:08.220
 father

00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:08.900
 give us

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.080
 strength

00:35:10.080 --> 00:35:10.300
 and

00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:11.040
 encouragement

00:35:11.040 --> 00:35:12.800
 to go

00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.440
 on doing

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.160
 all that

00:35:14.160 --> 00:35:14.500
 you have

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.060
 called us

00:35:15.060 --> 00:35:15.519
 to do

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:17.860
 we love

00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.180
 you

00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:19.780
 and we

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.480
 thank you

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:22.600
 help us

00:35:22.600 --> 00:35:23.180
 then as we

00:35:23.180 --> 00:35:23.920
 start into

00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.500
 this new

00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:24.860
 week

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:26.300
 that we

00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.880
 would go

00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.580
 in

00:35:27.580 --> 00:35:28.160
 confidence

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:30.399
 because we

00:35:30.399 --> 00:35:30.879
 have

00:35:30.879 --> 00:35:31.699
 Christ

00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:33.219
 in

00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:33.960
 Jesus name

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.579
 we pray

00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:36.000
 amen