Series:​ ​Reconciled Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​God​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known Passage:​ ​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​2:12-17 Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser Date:​ ​10.1.17 2​ ​Questions:​ ​Q1:​ ​If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​ever​ ​met​ ​anyone​ ​famous,​ ​raise​ ​your​ ​hand​ ​(Celebrity?​ ​Athlete?) Share: I​ ​once​ ​met​ ​Ken​ ​Curtis,​ ​who​ ​played​ ​Festus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​show​ ​“Gun​ ​Smoke”​ ​(which​ ​by​ ​today’s​ ​standards​ ​was remarkable​ ​because​ ​it​ ​had​ ​24​ ​shows​ ​per​ ​season​ ​and​ ​aired​ ​for​ ​20​ ​seasons!)

When​ ​you​ ​get​ ​to​ ​see​ ​in​ ​real​ ​life​ ​a​ ​person​ ​you’ve​ ​seen​ ​on​ ​a​ ​screen,​ ​it’s​ ​an​ ​odd​ ​experience. Q2:​​ ​Has​ ​anyone​ ​ever​ ​had​ ​someone​ ​famous​ ​try​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​YOU?​ ​Anyone​ ​had​ ​a​ ​famous​ ​person​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​YOUR autograph?​ ​Observation​ ​about​ ​these​ ​2​ ​Q’s​:​ ​First​​ ​the​ ​MOST​ ​famous​ ​person​ ​in​ ​human​ ​history…​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ, can​ ​be​ ​known​ ​(which​ ​is​ ​what​ ​it​ ​means​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​Christian)! John​ ​17:3​ ​And​ ​this​ ​is​ ​eternal​ ​life,​ ​that​ ​they​ ​know​ ​you​,​ ​the​ ​only​ ​ ​true​ ​God,​ ​and​ ​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​have​ ​sent.

TRUTH:​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​is​ ​the​ ​most​ ​renowned​ ​person/being​ ​in​ ​human​ ​history​ ​meet-able​ ​and​ ​knowable,​ ​but second​​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​He​ ​comes​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​US​​ ​so​ ​we​ ​CAN​ ​know​ ​and​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​love​ ​Him.​ ​He created​ ​us​ ​and​ ​loves​ ​us​ ​and​ ​made​ ​us​ ​to​ ​love​ ​Him!​ ​Our​ ​verses​ ​today​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​that​ ​“G ​ od​…​ ​spreads everywhere…​​ ​the​ ​knowledge​​ ​of​ ​Himself​.” This​ ​raises​ ​Q3:​​ ​How​ ​does​ ​He​ ​do​ ​that?​ ​How​ ​does​ ​He​ ​spread​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself?​ ​A:​ ​Over​ ​the​ ​next several​ ​chapters​ ​in​ ​2​ ​Corinthians,​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​describe​ ​multiple​ ​ways​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​first he​ ​describes​ ​is​ ​US… Main​ ​point:​ ​People​ ​encounter​ ​God​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of​ ​surrendered​ ​Christians As​ ​God​ ​spreads​​ ​the​ ​knowledge​​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​into​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​His​ ​first​ ​way​ ​He​ ​does​ ​so​ ​is​ ​through​ ​Christians. Paul​ ​explains​ ​that​ ​his​ ​ministry​ ​is​ ​basically​ ​helping​ ​people​ ​who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​yet​ ​know​ ​God​ ​come​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Him,​ ​and people​ ​who​ ​do​ ​know​ ​God​ ​come​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Him​ ​better.​ ​And​ ​the​ ​first​ ​way​ ​God​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​this​ ​knowledge​ ​of Himself​ ​is​ ​through​ ​Christians.​ ​ ​Apparently​ ​God​ ​is​ ​more​ ​present​ ​to​ ​us​ ​than​ ​we​ ​realize! Karl​ ​Barth,​ ​the​ ​famous​ ​theologian,​ ​was​ ​on​ ​a​ ​streetcar​ ​one​ ​day​ ​in​ ​Basel,​ ​Switzerland,​ ​where​ ​he lectured.​ ​ ​A​ ​tourist​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​climbed​ ​on​ ​and​ ​sat​ ​down​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Barth.​ ​ ​The​ ​two​ ​men​ ​started​ ​chatting.​ ​Barth asked,​ ​“Are​ ​you​ ​new​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city?”​ ​ ​“Yes,”​ ​said​ ​the​ ​tourist.​ ​“Is​ ​there​ ​anything​ ​you​ ​would​ ​particularly​ ​like​ ​to​ ​see​ ​while you’re​ ​here?”​ ​Barth​ ​asked.​ ​ ​“Yes,”​ ​he​ ​said,​ ​“I’d​ ​love​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​famous​ ​theologian,​ ​Karl​ ​Barth.​ ​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​Him?” Barth​ ​replied,​ ​“Well​ ​as​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​fact,​ ​I​ ​do.​ ​ ​I​ ​give​ ​him​ ​a​ ​shave​ ​every​ ​morning.”​ ​ ​The​ ​tourist​ ​got​ ​off​ ​the​ ​streetcar quite​ ​delighted.​ ​ ​He​ ​went​ ​back​ ​to​ ​his​ ​hotel​ ​saying​ ​to​ ​himself,​ ​“I​ ​met​ ​Karl​ ​Barth’s​ ​barber​ ​today.”

We​ ​can​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​someone​ ​we​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​and​ ​not​ ​realize​ ​it​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​Every​ ​time​ ​we​ ​are​ ​with another​ ​Christian,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​place​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​and​ ​know​ ​GOD.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​message​ ​of​ ​our​ ​text. CONTEXT:​ ​In​ ​2​ ​Corinthians,​ ​Paul​ ​is​ ​writing​ ​the​ ​Christians​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church​ ​he​ ​planted​ ​in​ ​Corinth. False​ ​teachers​ ​have​ ​discredited​ ​the​ ​legitimacy​ ​of​ ​his​ ​ministry​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eyes​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians and​ ​so​ ​Paul​ ​takes​ ​the​ ​chapters​ ​to​ ​explain​ ​how​ ​God​ ​works​ ​through​ ​him​ ​(and​ ​all​ ​of​ ​us)​ ​which demonstrates​ ​that​ ​He​ ​IS​ ​God’s​ ​minister.​ ​Today​ ​is​ ​the​ ​starting​ ​point:​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​the lives​ ​of​ ​surrendered​ ​Christians.​ ​1)​ ​Roles​​ ​in​ ​encountering​ ​God​ ​(If​ ​He​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​what is​ ​God’s​ ​Job​ ​and​ ​our​ ​job),​ ​2)​ ​Impact​​ ​of​ ​encountering​ ​God​ ​(in​ ​other​ ​Christians),​ ​and​ ​3)​ ​Motive​​ ​in​ ​encountering God.​ ​TRUTH:​ ​These​ ​verses​ ​show​ ​YOU​ ​how​ ​to​ ​know​ ​God​ ​better​ ​as​ ​well​ ​how​ ​you​ ​help​ ​every​ ​person​ ​you encounter​ ​know​ ​Him​ ​better​ ​too.​ ​READ People​ ​encounter​ ​God​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of​ ​surrendered​ ​Christians…if​ ​this​ ​is​ ​so,​ ​what​ ​does​ ​God​ ​do​ ​in​ ​this​ ​and​ ​what​ ​is our​ ​part​ ​of​ ​this.​ ​What​ ​are​ ​the… 1. Roles​ ​in​ ​encountering​ ​God​ ​(14) First,​ ​God’s​ ​job.​ ​Paul​ ​begins… 14​ ​But​ ​thanks​ ​be​ ​to​ ​God,​ ​who​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​always​ ​leads​ ​us​ ​in​ ​triumphal​ ​procession,​ ​and​ ​through​ ​us​ ​spreads​ ​the fragrance​ ​of​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​him​ ​everywhere.

Paul​ ​Thanks​​ ​God​ ​because​ ​GOD​ ​spread​s​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​​ ​everywhere​ ​that​ ​it​ ​goes.​ ​Paul​ ​wants us​ ​also​ ​to​ ​thank​ ​God​ ​because​ ​He​ ​has​ ​made​ ​Himself​ ​knowable.​ ​Knowledge​​ i​ n​ ​the​ ​New​ ​Testament​ ​is​ ​not

2 intellectual​ ​information.​ ​Its​ ​personal​ ​information​ ​from​ ​personal​ ​experience!​ ​God​ ​spreads​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of himself​ ​to​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​HOW?​ ​Through​ ​us​.​ ​The​ ​Corinthians​ ​came​ ​to​ ​KNOW​ ​God​ ​through​ ​Paul.​ ​When Paul​ ​came​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​and​ ​1)​ ​loved​ ​them​ ​as​ ​a​ ​ ​Christian​ ​and​ ​2)​ ​began​ ​telling​ ​these​ ​folks​ ​about​ ​Christ​ ​(He​ ​gave community​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​content),​ ​through​ ​him​ ​THEY​ ​came​ ​to​ k ​ now​​ ​Christ.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​how​ ​God​ ​works.​ ​He​ ​makes Himself​ ​known​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people! In​ ​fact​ ​as​ ​Paul​ ​looks​ ​back,​ ​he​ ​realizes​ ​that​ ​God​ ​has​​ ​always​ ​led​​ ​him​ ​in​ ​this​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​ministry​.​ ​Again​ ​and again,​ ​God​ ​led​ ​him​ ​to​ ​the​ ​right​ ​person​ ​in​ ​the​ ​right​ ​place​ ​and​ ​through​ ​their​ ​relationship,​ ​God​ ​spread​ ​the knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself!​ ​This​ ​is​ ​what​ ​God​ ​does.

Gwen​ ​Voss​ ​was​ ​25​ ​when​ ​she​ ​died​ ​unexpectedly​ ​in​ ​2005​ ​at​ ​Condell,​ ​7​ ​days​ ​before​ ​her​ ​wedding.​ ​Her​ ​family​ ​has been​ ​at​ ​Lakeland​ ​for​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time…​ ​she​ ​was​ ​in​ ​our​ ​youth​ ​group.​ ​Tim,​ ​her​ ​father,​ ​had​ ​been​ ​with​ ​her​ ​from​ ​6-9​ ​and Kathy​ ​had​ ​been​ ​there​ ​from​ ​9-12…​ ​when​ ​Gwen​ ​sat​ ​up​ ​and​ ​went​ ​into​ ​cardiac​ ​arrest.​ ​ ​It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​horrible​ ​moment. But​ ​in​ ​the​ ​midst​ ​of​ ​that​ ​terrible​ ​day,​ ​God​ ​was​ ​not​ ​only​ ​bringing​ ​Gwen​ ​to​ ​Himself​ ​(which​ ​was​ ​blessed)​ ​but​ ​also making​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​to​ ​Kathy​ ​through​ ​another​ ​Christian​.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​what​ ​Kathy​ ​told​ ​me​ ​about​ ​how​ ​God​ ​showed​ ​up for​ ​her​ ​that​ ​day. “Gwen's​ ​previous​ ​roommate​ ​had​ ​not​ ​been​ ​doing​ ​well.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​struggling​ ​emotionally​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​physically​ ​and was​ ​bitter,​ ​surly.​ ​ ​Two​ ​days​ ​before​ ​Gwen​ ​died,​ ​an​ ​older​ ​woman​ ​from​ ​across​ ​the​ ​hall​ ​had​ ​been​ ​moved​ ​in​ ​with​ ​Gwen. She​ ​was​ ​a​ ​90​ ​year​ ​old,​ ​gracious,​ ​beautiful​ ​woman​ ​(Kathy​ ​said​ ​to​ ​Tim,​ ​“I​ ​hope​ ​I'm​ ​that​ ​beautiful​ ​when​ ​I'm​ ​90.”) “Saturday​ ​when​ ​Gwen's​ ​heart​ ​stopped,​ ​Kathy​ ​and​ ​this​ ​woman​ ​were​ ​rushed​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room​ ​so​ ​the​ ​doctors could​ ​try​ ​to​ ​save​ ​Gwen.​ ​Kathy​ ​was​ ​inconsolable…​ ​she​ ​knew​ ​immediately​ ​that​ ​Gwen​ ​was​ ​gone​ ​and​ ​couldn't​ ​get​ ​near Gwen.​ ​ ​This​ ​older​ ​woman​ ​sitting​ ​in​ ​the​ ​waiting​ ​room​ ​said,​ ​‘Honey,​ ​come​ ​and​ ​sit​ ​with​ ​me.’​ ​ ​She​ ​took​ ​Kathy’s​ ​hand, and​ ​Kathy​ ​said​ ​that​ ​with​ ​that​ ​hand​ ​came​ ​a​ ​peace. “Kathy​ ​asked,​ ​‘Do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​the​ ​Lord?​ ​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​pray​ ​with​ ​me?’​ ​ ​This​ ​woman​ ​replied,​ ​“Honey​ ​my​ ​grandfather was​ ​a​ ​minister…​ ​of​ ​course​ ​I​ ​know​ ​the​ ​Lord.”​ ​And​ ​then​ ​she​ ​prayed​ ​a​ ​prayer​ ​that​ ​ministered​ ​to​ ​Kathy​ ​soul. Fascinating​ ​thing:​ ​“Later​ ​she​ ​said,​ ​‘Now​ ​I​ ​know​ ​why​ ​I'm​ ​here​ ​-​ ​God​ ​sent​ ​be​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​you!’​ ​Kathy​ ​asked,​ ​‘What do​ ​you​ ​mean?!’​ ​ ​She​ ​replied,​ ​‘I​ ​was​ ​just​ ​a​ ​little​ ​dizzy​ ​and​ ​my​ ​Dr.​ ​put​ ​me​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hospital.​ ​Now​ ​I​ ​know​ ​God​ ​THIS​ ​is​ ​why I​ ​am​ ​here.’​ ​ ​She​ ​went​ ​on​ ​to​ ​share​ ​that​ ​she​ ​had​ ​lost​ ​2​ ​children​ ​of​ ​her​ ​own​ ​in​ ​her​ ​life…​ ​one​ ​to​ ​cardiac​ ​arrest​ ​-​ ​ ​and then​ ​quoted​ ​the​ ​verses​ ​and​ ​promises​ ​God​ ​had​ ​used​ ​to​ ​help​ ​her…​ ​all​ ​this​ ​even​ ​before​ ​Kathy​ ​family​ ​could​ ​arrive. Kathy​ ​conclusion…​ ​“I​ ​don't​ ​even​ ​know​ ​this​ ​woman's​ ​name…​ ​but​ ​even​ ​then​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​God​ ​sent​ ​her​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​me in​ ​that​ ​difficult​ ​hour…​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​He​ ​took​ ​Gwen​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​Him,​ ​but​ ​He​ ​was​ ​caring​ ​for​ ​me​ ​and​ ​my​ ​family.”

Kathy​ ​didn’t​ ​just​ ​hear​ ​ABOUT​ ​God.​ ​In​ ​these​ ​moments,​ ​she​ ​encountered​ ​Christ​ ​in​ ​this​ ​woman.​ H ​ e​ ​spread the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​her!​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​always​ ​doing​ ​things​ ​like​ ​that! Paul​ ​describes​ ​this​ ​knowledge​ ​as​ ​fragrance​.​ ​A​ ​fragrance​ ​fills​ ​the​ ​air​ ​and​ ​changes​ ​the​ ​room.​ ​That’s​ ​what God​ ​can​ ​do​ ​through​ ​a​ ​Christian.​ ​I’d​ ​also​ ​suggest​ ​that​ ​fragrance​ ​is​ ​a​ ​function​ ​of​ ​presence.

I’m​ ​focused​ ​when​ ​I​ ​study​ ​and​ ​can​ ​be​ ​startled​ ​if​ ​someone​ ​shows​ ​up​ ​quickly.​ ​Sometimes​ ​Lisa​ ​approaches​ ​quietly, I​ ​become​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​her​ ​presence​ ​because​ ​I​ ​smell​ ​her​ ​perfume.​ ​You​ ​can’t​ ​smell​ ​perfume​ ​over​ ​the​ ​Phone​ ​or​ ​Skype. That​ ​He​ ​spreads​ ​through​ ​us​ ​the​ ​FRAGRANCE​ ​of​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Him​ ​is​ ​a​ ​way​ ​of​ ​saying​ ​we​ ​actually​ ​experience HIM.

Our​ ​ministry​ ​to​ ​people​ ​seems​ ​random,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​turns​ ​out​ ​that​ ​ACTUALLY​ ​we​ ​are​ ​just​ ​keeping​ ​divinely scheduled​ ​appointments).​ ​He​ ​is​ ​always​​ ​leading​ ​me…​ ​waiting​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​follow.​ ​(Every​ ​day​ ​contains​ ​the opportunity​ ​to​ ​get​ ​close​ ​to​ ​someone​ ​and​ ​have​ ​God​ ​show​ ​up!)​ ​Through​ ​us​ ​He​ ​is​ ​always​ ​spreading. NOTICE​ ​the​ ​word​ ​everywhere​….​​ ​Everywhere​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​God​ ​spreads,​ ​it​ ​spreads​ ​through​ ​His people.​ ​He​ ​does​ ​almost​ ​nothing​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​us​ ​that​ ​he​ ​can​ ​do​ ​through​ ​us.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​see​ ​how​ ​important​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in this?​ ​The​ ​way​ ​He​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​to​ ​people​ ​(inside​ ​the​ ​faith​ ​or​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​faith)…​ ​is​ ​US. Question…​ ​If​ ​God​ ​takes​ ​responsibility​ ​to​ ​spread​ ​through​ ​us​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself,​ ​is​ ​it​ ​working?

One​ ​way​ ​to​ ​see​ ​this:​ ​The​ ​World​ ​Christian​ ​Almanac​ ​reports​ ​that​ ​in​ ​100​ ​AD​ ​there​ ​were​ ​60,000 “unreached​ ​people​ ​groups”​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​(UPG​ ​is​ ​a​ ​distinct​ ​people​ ​group​ ​with​ ​little​ ​or​ ​no​ ​access to​ ​the​ ​gospel).​ ​1900​ ​AD​ ​(after​ ​1800​ ​years​ ​of​ ​missionary​ ​service),​ ​the​ ​number​ ​was​ ​40,000.​ ​From 1900​ ​to​ ​1989​ ​(with​ ​the​ ​advent​ ​of​ ​planes,​ ​trains,​ ​radio,​ ​etc.)​ ​the​ ​number​ ​shrunk​ ​to​ ​12,000.​ ​In 2017,​ ​with​ ​internet​ ​satellites,​ ​etc,​ ​the​ ​number​ ​is​ ​6900.​ ​Jesus​ ​said,​ ​“The​ ​gospel​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​will​ ​be​ ​preached​ ​to every​ ​tribe,​ ​nation,​ ​tongue,​ ​and​ ​language,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​the​ ​end​ ​will​ ​come​ ​(Matt​ ​24:14).”​ ​That​ ​is​ ​when​ ​this​ ​line​ ​reaches this​ ​line!

POINT:​ ​He​ ​is​ ​spreading​ ​everywhere​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself.​ H ​ e​ ​always​ ​leads,​ ​He​ ​spreads,​ ​and​ ​what He​ ​spreads​ ​through​ ​us​ ​is​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​very​ ​little​ ​we​ ​can​ ​do​ ​to​ ​mess​ ​this​ ​up. Our​ ​job

3 What​ ​is​ ​our​ ​job​ ​in​ ​this?​ ​A1:​​ ​We​ ​are​ ​in​ ​Christ​…​ ​He​ ​is​ ​in​ ​us,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​in​ ​Him,​ ​He​ ​is​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Father.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​a real,​ ​dynamic​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​if​ ​we​ ​are​ ​a​ ​Christian!​ ​So​ ​being​ i​ n​ ​Christ​ ​qualifies​ ​you​ ​for​ ​this! More,​ ​if​ ​He​ ​leads​​ ​us​​ ​then​ ​we​ ​are​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​His​ ​spreading​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Him​ ​through​ ​us​ ​when​ w ​ e follow​.​ ​What​ ​makes​ ​us​ ​usable​ ​to​ ​God’s​ ​work​ ​through​ ​us…​ ​is​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​following​ ​Jesus.​ ​NOTE:​ F ​ ollowing​ ​is more​ ​than​ ​mindlessly​ ​traipsing​ ​behind​ ​someone.​ ​Following​ ​takes​ ​attentiveness. Have​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​been​ ​following​ ​someone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​car…​ ​you​ ​watch​ ​them…​ ​you​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​them.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​get​ ​lost​ ​in thought​ ​and​ ​they​ ​turn…​ ​you​ ​miss​ ​it.

He​ ​uses​ ​us​ ​every​ ​day​ ​when​ ​we​ ​consciously​ ​follow​ ​Him!​ ​We​ ​walk​ ​through​ ​our​ ​day​ ​like​ ​investigators, looking​ ​for​ ​what​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​doing​ ​because​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​and​ ​know​ ​He​ ​IS. I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​friend​ ​who​ ​says​ ​when​ ​he​ ​is​ ​with​ ​people​ ​he​ ​is​ ​constantly​ ​asking,​ ​“Lord,​ ​am​ ​I​ ​here​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​Your presence​​ ​(just​ ​be​ ​with​ ​this​ ​person​ ​in​ ​their​ ​experience)​ ​Your​ l​ ove​​ ​(am​ ​I​ ​here​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​a​ ​need),​ ​Your​ ​truth​​ ​(is there​ ​something​ ​You​ ​want​ ​me​ ​to​ ​say),​ ​Your​ ​power​​ ​(am​ ​I​ ​to​ ​pray​ ​for​ ​You​ ​to​ ​work)?” MORE:​ ​He​ ​works​ ​through​ ​us​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​living​ ​surrendered​ ​lives​.​ ​Where​ ​does​ ​this​ ​come​ ​from?​ ​The word​ ​translated,​ ​triumphal​ ​procession.​ ​He​ ​leads​ ​us​ ​in​ ​triumphal​ ​procession.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​that? ​ ​People​ ​in​ ​Corinth​ ​would​ ​certainly​ ​know​ ​what​ ​that​ ​means.​ ​In​ ​Roman​ ​military​ ​history,​ ​the greatest​ ​honor​ ​given​ ​to​ ​a​ ​general​ ​was​ ​a​ ​“triumph​ ​procession.”​ ​The​ ​entire​ ​population​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city would​ ​line​ ​the​ ​streets,​ ​and​ ​incense​ ​would​ ​be​ ​burning​ ​all​ ​along​ ​the​ ​way​ ​as​ ​the​ ​general​ ​rode through​ ​the​ ​crowds​ ​in​ ​a​ ​4-horse​ ​chariot,​ ​followed​ ​not​ ​only​ ​by​ ​his​ ​army,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​the​ ​last​ ​of​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​and their​ ​spoils,​ ​who​ ​were​ ​brought​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Rome​ ​to​ ​be​ ​killed​ ​there​ ​as​ ​the​ ​final​ ​battle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​war.​ ​God​ ​always​ ​leads us​ ​in​ ​triumphal​ ​procession,​ ​Paul​ ​says.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​picture,​ ​we​ ​aren’t​ ​in​ ​the​ ​army…​ ​we​ ​are​ ​those​ ​who’ve​ ​been captured!​ ​The​ ​word​ ​means​ ​“triumphed​ ​over.”​ ​He​ ​leads​ ​us​ ​into​ ​the​ ​world​ ​as​ ​people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​captivated by​ ​Christ.​ ​Paul​ ​would​ ​know…​ ​Jesus​ ​confronted​ ​him​ ​in​ ​person.​ ​After​ ​Paul​ ​saw​ ​Christ​ ​in​ ​glory,​ ​after​ ​he experienced​ ​the​ ​conviction​ ​of​ ​His​ ​holiness​ ​and​ ​the​ ​grace​ ​of​ ​His​ ​forgiveness,​ ​after​ ​he​ ​discovered​ ​this​ ​Jesus​ ​was full​ ​of​ ​grace​ ​and​ ​love​ ​for​ ​him,​ ​Paul​ ​became​ ​a​ ​captive​ ​of​ ​Christ. The​ ​viewpoint​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​is​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​here​ ​for​ ​one​ ​reason​ ​only, to​ ​demonstrate​ ​the​ ​absolute​ ​captivity​ ​of​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​to​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ. Oswald​ ​Chambers

Have​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​been​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​who​ ​had​ ​a​ ​complete​ ​availability​ ​to​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​been incredibly​ ​encouraged​ ​through​ ​them…​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​is​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​explain?​ ​ ​THIS​ ​is​ ​what​ ​Paul​ ​describes.​ ​He makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​captive​ ​to​ ​Him! How​ ​does​ ​God​ ​USE​ ​surrendered​ ​Christians?

Impact​ ​of​ ​encountering​ ​God Qualification​:​ ​This​ ​is​ ​really​ ​“spiritual”​ ​language​ ​that​ ​is​ ​vague.​ ​What​ ​does​ ​that​ ​mean?​ A ​ 1:​​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​give some​ ​concrete​ ​answers​ ​in​ ​the​ ​next​ ​verses​ ​(mostly​ ​1)​ ​the​ ​content​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel​ ​and​ ​2)​ ​the​ ​community​ ​of​ ​the gospel),​ ​but​ ​A2:​​ ​I​ ​want​ ​us​ ​to​ ​see​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​something​ ​mysterious​ ​God​ ​does​ ​through​ ​us. People​ ​experience​ ​ ​“the​ ​aroma​ ​of​ ​Christ’s​ ​sacrifice”​ ​in​ ​us​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​surrendered​ ​and​ ​through​ ​that​ ​can know​ ​Him!​ ​Paul​ ​says… 2.

15​ ​For​ ​we​ ​are​ ​the​ ​aroma​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​God​ ​among​ ​those​ ​who​ ​are​ ​being​ ​saved​ ​and​ ​among​ ​those​ ​who​ ​are​ ​perishing,

What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​aroma​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​God​?​ ​This​ ​is​ ​temple,​ ​sacrifice​ ​language.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament,​ ​offerings on​ ​the​ ​altar​ ​that​ ​were​ ​burned​ ​were​ ​“a​ ​pleasing​ ​aroma”​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​It​ ​wasn’t​ ​that​ ​He​ ​likes​ ​the​ ​smell​ ​of​ ​a​ ​great steak​ ​grilling​ ​(though​ ​who​ ​DOESN’T?).​ ​An​ ​offering​ ​is​ ​an​ ​expression​ ​of​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​love​ ​and​ ​trust​ ​in​ ​Him.​ ​He asks​ ​us​ ​(like​ ​He​ ​has​ ​always​ ​His​ ​people)​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​some​ ​of​ ​what​ ​He​ ​has​ ​given​ ​to​ ​us​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Him​ ​as​ ​an​ ​offering because​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​His​ ​work​ ​and​ ​because​ ​we​ ​love​ ​and​ ​trust​ ​Him​ ​more​ ​than​ ​what​ ​He​ ​has​ ​given us.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​an​ ​animal…​ ​I​ ​bring​ ​an​ ​animal​ ​and​ ​offer​ ​it​ ​to​ ​God​ ​(which​ ​then​ ​fed​ ​the​ ​priests). KEY:​ ​The​ ​smell​ ​of​ ​that​ ​offering​ ​pleased​ ​Him​ ​(like​ ​parents​ ​are​ ​pleased​ ​by​ ​acts​ ​of​ ​love​ ​and​ ​sacrifice​ ​by​ ​their children). The​ ​ultimate​ ​sacrifice​ ​in​ ​human​ ​history…​ ​was​ ​Christ.​ ​He​ ​didn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​die​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross.​ ​“Father,​ ​let​ ​this cup​ ​pass​ ​from​ ​me.”​ ​But​ ​then​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​“Father,​ ​not​ ​my​ ​will,​ ​but​ ​Yours​ ​be​ ​done”​ ​and​ ​to​ ​the​ ​cross​ ​He​ ​went,​ ​not just​ ​to​ ​die​ ​at​ ​the​ ​hands​ ​of​ ​men,​ ​but​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​sin​ ​offering​ ​before​ ​God.​ ​He​ ​endured​ ​hell​ ​for​ ​the​ ​redeemed.

4 Here…​ ​the​ ​aroma​ ​of​ ​Christ’s​ ​sacrifice​ ​going​ ​up​ ​to​ ​God​ ​is​ ​what​ ​WE​ ​smell​ ​like​ ​when​ ​we​ ​live​ ​as surrendered​ ​Christians.​ ​Vague​ ​language,​ ​but​ ​something​ ​of​ ​Christ’s​ ​holy​ ​sacrifice​ ​is​ ​what​ ​people​ ​experience. What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​impact?​ ​For​ ​one,​ ​CONVICTION​: 16​ ​to​ ​one​ ​a​ ​fragrance​ ​from​ ​death​ ​to​ ​death,

To​ ​a​ ​person​ ​who​ ​doesn’t​ ​WANT​ ​God,​ ​experiencing​ ​God​ ​in​ ​us​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​pleasant​ ​experience.

I​ ​was​ ​like​ ​that…​ ​I​ ​was​ ​repulsed​ ​by​ ​serious​ ​Christians…​ ​not​ ​that​ ​I​ ​met​ ​many,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​few​ ​I​ ​did​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​the creeps….​ ​I​ ​was​ ​darkness​ ​experiencing​ ​light.

Have​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​wondered​ ​by​ ​there​ ​is​ ​so​ ​much​ ​rage​ ​aimed​ ​at​ ​Christians?​ ​(See​ ​John​ ​3:20-21​ ​and​ ​1​ ​Peter 4:3-4).​ ​This​ ​is​ ​Paul’s​ ​explanation!​ ​Point:​ ​We​ ​shouldn’t​ ​be​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​some​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​react​ ​badly to​ ​our​ ​faith!​ ​This​ ​will​ ​continue.​ ​RC​ ​Sproul,​ ​in​ ​The​ ​Holiness​ ​of​ ​God​,​ ​shares​ ​this​ ​story:

A​ ​well-known​ ​professional​ ​golfer​ ​was​ ​playing​ ​in​ ​a​ ​tournament​ ​with​ ​President​ ​Gerald​ ​Ford,​ ​fellow​ ​pro​ ​Jack Nicklaus,​ ​and​ ​Billy​ ​Graham.​ ​After​ ​the​ ​round​ ​was​ ​over,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​pros​ ​on​ ​the​ ​tour​ ​asked,​ ​"Hey,​ ​what​ ​was​ ​it like​ ​playing​ ​with​ ​the​ ​President​ ​and​ ​Billy​ ​Graham?"​ ​The​ ​pro​ ​said​ ​with​ ​disgust,​ ​"I​ ​don't​ ​need​ ​Billy​ ​Graham​ ​stuffing religion​ ​down​ ​my​ ​throat!"​ ​With​ ​that​ ​he​ ​headed​ ​for​ ​the​ ​practice​ ​tee.​ ​His​ ​friend​ ​followed,​ ​and​ ​after​ ​the​ ​golfer​ ​had pounded​ ​out​ ​his​ ​fury​ ​on​ ​a​ ​bucket​ ​of​ ​golf​ ​balls,​ ​he​ ​asked,​ ​"Was​ ​Billy​ ​a​ ​little​ ​rough​ ​on​ ​you​ ​out​ ​there?"​ ​The​ ​pro​ ​sighed and​ ​said​ ​with​ ​embarrassment,​ ​"No,​ ​he​ ​didn't​ ​even​ ​mention​ ​religion."​ ​Astonishingly,​ ​Billy​ ​Graham​ ​had​ ​said​ ​nothing about​ ​God,​ ​Jesus,​ ​or​ ​religion,​ ​yet​ ​the​ ​pro​ ​stomped​ ​away​ ​after​ ​the​ ​game​ ​accusing​ ​Billy​ ​of​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​ram​ ​religion down​ ​his​ ​throat.

To​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​doesn’t​ ​WANT​ ​Christ,​ ​experiencing​ ​our​ ​surrender​ ​evokes​ ​a​ ​really​ ​bad​ ​reaction.

A​ ​close​ ​friend​ ​of​ ​mine​ ​became​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​a​ ​few​ ​years​ ​ago,​ ​but​ ​before​ ​that,​ ​he​ ​and​ ​I​ ​spent​ ​years​ ​loving​ ​each other,​ ​but​ ​really​ ​disagreeing​ ​about​ ​Christ.​ ​When​ ​Lisa​ ​and​ ​I​ ​were​ ​engaged,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​in​ ​Chicago​ ​and​ ​we​ ​went​ ​to​ ​hear her​ ​at​ ​a​ ​concert.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​really​ ​powerful​ ​evening…​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​sincerity,​ ​Lisa​ ​talked​ ​and​ ​sang​ ​about​ ​Jesus. Later,​ ​when​ ​Rob​ ​and​ ​I​ ​were​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​it,​ ​I​ ​asked​ ​what​ ​he​ ​thought​ ​and​ ​he​ ​described​ ​a​ ​swirling​ ​reaction​ ​he sat​ ​in​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​evening.​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​get​ ​up​ ​and​ ​throw​ ​chairs​ ​around.”

Conviction​ ​IS​ ​one​ ​reaction​ ​people​ ​have​ ​to​ ​Christ​ ​in​ ​us. There​ ​is​ ​another​ ​reaction,​ ​though,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​ENCOURAGEMENT. to​ ​the​ ​other​ ​a​ ​fragrance​ ​from​ ​life​ ​to​ ​life.

Getting​ ​with​ ​Christians​ ​who,​ ​with​ ​simplicity​ ​and​ ​Godly​ ​sincerity,​ ​love​ ​Christ…​ ​we​ ​are​ ​encouraged!

FYI,​ ​the​ ​man​ ​I​ ​mentioned​ ​last​ ​week​ ​that​ ​I’d​ ​let​ ​a​ ​wall​ ​come​ ​between…​ ​I​ ​wrote​ ​him​ ​Tuesday​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​am saddened​ ​to​ ​say​ ​that​ ​I​ ​let​ ​our​ ​last​ ​interactions​ ​break​ ​our​ ​fellowship​ ​but​ ​never​ ​told​ ​you.​ ​Could​ ​we​ ​meet​ ​to​ ​talk about​ ​that?”​ ​His​ ​reply​ ​was​ ​immediate​ ​and​ ​positive,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​met​ ​Thursday​ ​for​ ​breakfast​ ​and​ ​COMPLETELY​ ​resolved what​ ​happened!​ ​I​ ​asked​ ​his​ ​forgiveness​ ​for​ ​not​ ​having​ ​told​ ​him​ ​how​ ​I​ ​was​ ​hurt​ ​so​ ​he​ ​could​ ​respond​ ​and​ ​he​ ​asked forgiveness​ ​for​ ​what​ ​had​ ​happened.

MORE:​ ​in​ ​our​ ​relationship,​ ​God​ ​encouraged​ ​and​ ​blessed​ ​my​ ​spirit.​ ​He​ ​wrote​ ​me​ ​Thursday​ ​afternoon,

Dear​ ​Dan,​ ​It​ ​was​ ​such​ ​a​ ​blessing​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​you​ ​this​ ​morning…​ ​I​ ​basked​ ​in​ ​the​ ​glow​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Spirit's​ ​work​ ​in​ ​you, for​ ​which​ ​I'm​ ​so​ ​grateful. ​ ​And​ ​I​ ​appreciated​ ​your​ ​honesty,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​make​ ​things​ ​right​ ​between​ ​us.​ ​Thank you​ ​for​ ​initiating​ ​our​ ​time​ ​together.​ ​

This​ ​was​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​“nice”​ ​interaction.​ ​In​ ​a​ ​mysterious​ ​way,​ ​God’s​ ​Spirit​ ​strengthened​ ​us​ ​both. NOTE:​ ​If​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​Christians,​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​sense​ ​why​ ​satan​ ​is​ ​so​ ​bent​ ​on​ ​outwitting us​ ​with​ ​his​ ​designs​ ​to​ ​cause,​ ​exacerbate,​ ​and​ ​keep​ ​Christians​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​place​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​POINT:​ ​You​ ​are genuinely​ ​surrendered​ ​to​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​you​ ​carry​ ​Christ​ ​into​ ​every​ ​situation. One​ ​last​ ​thing​ ​Paul​ ​speaks​ ​to… 3. Motive​ ​for​ ​sharing​ ​God What​ ​motivates​ ​Christians​ ​in​ ​wanting​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known? 17​ ​For​ ​we​ ​are​ ​not,​ ​like​ ​so​ ​many,​ ​peddlers​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​word,

The​ ​heretics​ ​who​ ​had​ ​come​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​WERE​ ​peddlers​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​Word.​ ​They​ ​did​ ​their​ ​ministry​ ​for money.​ ​They​ ​did​ ​spiritual​ ​work​ ​for​ ​monetary​ ​gain.​ ​The​ ​money​ ​was​ ​their​ ​treasure.​ ​But​ ​people​ ​captivated​ ​by Christ​ ​LOVE​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​desperately​ ​want​ ​others​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Him.​ ​We​ ​are… …men​ ​of​ ​sincerity,

That’s​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​story​ ​for​ ​why​ ​we​ ​share.​ ​We​ ​realize​ ​we​ ​are… …commissioned​ ​by​ ​God,

5 More​ ​than​ ​that…

in​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​God​ ​(so​ ​we​ ​know​ ​He​ ​is​ ​watching​ ​as​ ​we​ ​do)​ ​we​ ​speak​ ​in​ ​Christ.

Knowing​ ​God​ ​is​ ​watching​ ​and​ ​we​ ​are​ ​speaking​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​through​ ​us​ ​HE​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known…​ ​these things​ ​make​ ​us​ ​bold​ ​(4:1)! A​ ​Methodist​ ​circuit​ ​riding​ ​preacher​ ​named​ ​Peter​ ​Cartwright​ ​illustrated​ ​this.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​called​ ​“The Backwoods​ ​Preacher”​ ​because​ ​he​ ​ministered,​ ​not​ ​in​ ​the​ ​cities,​ ​but​ ​on​ ​the​ ​old​ ​west​ ​frontier​ ​during​ ​the mid​ ​1800’s.​ ​One​ ​day​ ​Andrew​ ​Jackson​ ​came​ ​to​ ​Cartwright’s​ ​church,​ ​the​ ​elders​ ​warned​ ​Peter​ ​not​ ​to offend​ ​the​ ​President.​ ​In​ ​those​ ​days,​ ​the​ ​President​ ​had​ ​great​ ​power​ ​to​ ​influence​ ​a​ ​denomination​ ​for

good​ ​or​ ​bad. When​ ​Cartwright​ ​got​ ​up​ ​to​ ​speak,​ ​the​ ​first​ ​words​ ​out​ ​of​ ​his​ ​mouth​ ​were,​ ​"I​ ​understand​ ​that​ ​President​ ​Andrew Jackson​ ​is​ ​here​ ​this​ ​morning.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​been​ ​requested​ ​to​ ​be​ ​very​ ​guarded​ ​in​ ​my​ ​remarks.​ ​Let​ ​me​ ​say​ ​this:​ ​"Andrew Jackson​ ​will​ ​go​ ​to​ ​hell​ ​if doesn't repent​ ​of​ ​his​ ​sin!" The​ ​entire​ ​congregation​ ​gasped​ ​with​ ​shock​ ​at​ ​Cartwright’s​ ​boldness.​ ​How​ ​could​ ​this​ ​young​ ​preacher​ ​dare​ ​to offend​ ​the​ ​tough​ ​old​ ​general​ ​in​ ​public?!​ ​After​ ​the​ ​service,​ ​everyone​ ​wondered​ ​how​ ​the​ ​President​ ​would​ ​respond​ ​to Cartwright.​ ​When​ ​Andrew​ ​Jackson​ ​met​ ​the​ ​preacher​ ​at​ ​the​ ​door​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​him​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eye​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​"Sir,​ ​If​ ​I​ ​had​ ​a regiment​ ​of​ ​men​ ​like​ ​you,​ ​I​ ​could​ ​conquer​ ​the​ ​world!"

When​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​God​ ​makes​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​through​ ​us,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​a​ ​confidence​ ​about​ ​ourselves​ ​as​ ​we meet​ ​other​ ​people.

Response:​ ​My​ ​friend,​ ​God​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​make​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​to​ ​every​ ​person​ ​you​ ​will​ ​meet​ ​today. 1) Thank​ ​God​ ​that​ ​He​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known.​ ​Thank​ ​Him​ ​for​ ​those​ ​through​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​experience​ ​Him​ ​(not just​ ​in​ ​your​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​but​ ​continuing.)​ ​I’d​ ​suggest​ ​you​ ​write​ ​them​ ​this​ ​week. 2) Repair​ ​relationships​ ​that​ ​are​ ​broken,​ ​because​ ​those​ ​are​ ​bridges​ ​across​ ​which​ ​He​ ​makes​ ​Himself known. 3) This​ ​week…​ ​can​ ​you​ ​be​ ​of​ ​a​ ​mind​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​that​ ​He​ ​is​ ​leading​ ​you​ ​to​ ​people​ ​by​ ​divine​ ​appointment​ ​who need​ ​Him.​ ​Question:​ ​Do​ ​I​ ​bring​ ​1)​ ​His​ ​presence,​ ​2)​ ​His​ ​love,​ ​3)​ ​His​ ​truth,​ ​4)​ ​His​ ​power​ ​(prayer)?​ ​What​ ​would it​ ​look​ ​like​ ​for​ ​you​ ​to​ ​live​ ​like​ ​that​ ​this​ ​week?​ ​Trust​ ​He​ ​is​ ​using​ ​you!​ ​Trust​ ​He​ ​is​ ​working,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​you​ ​don’t see​ ​Him!​ ​Nicky​ ​Gumbel​ ​in​ ​Alpha,​ ​tells​ ​the​ ​story​ ​of​ ​one​ ​soldier​ ​who​ ​is​ ​with​ ​another​ ​as​ ​he​ ​dies. The​ ​one​ ​soldier​ ​who​ ​asked​ ​another​ ​dying​ ​soldier,​ ​“Is​ ​there​ ​any​ ​message​ ​I​ ​can​ ​bring​ ​to​ ​people​ ​back​ ​home?”​ ​He replied,​ ​“Yes,​ ​tell​ ​this​ ​person​ ​(____________)​ ​that​ ​what​ ​he​ ​told​ ​me​ ​is​ ​helping​ ​me​ ​in​ ​my​ ​final​ ​hour.”​ ​Then​ ​he​ ​died. The​ ​second​ ​soldier​ ​survived​ ​the​ ​war,​ ​and​ ​indeed​ ​found​ ​the​ ​person​ ​and​ ​shared​ ​the​ ​message.​ ​It​ ​had​ ​been​ ​a Sunday​ ​School​ ​teacher​ ​who​ ​had​ ​shared​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​The​ ​former​ ​teacher​ ​wept​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​quit​ ​teaching​ ​years​ ​ago because​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​think​ ​what​ ​I​ ​was​ ​teaching​ ​made​ ​a​ ​difference!”​ ​He​ ​regretted​ ​having​ ​quit.

God​ ​will​ ​use​ ​you​ ​to​ ​help​ ​others​ ​know​ ​Him. 4) He​ ​has​ ​gone​ ​to​ ​great​ ​lengths​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Him​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross.​ ​On​ ​the​ ​night​ ​Jesus​ ​was betrayed​ ​He​ ​took​ ​bread​ ​and​ ​broke​ ​it​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​my​ ​body​ ​which​ ​is​ ​broken​ ​for​ ​you.​ ​Eat​ ​this​ ​in remembrance​ ​of​ ​Me.”​ ​His​ ​body​ ​was​ ​broken​ ​as​ ​He​ ​confronted​ ​and​ ​defeated​ ​evil​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world…​ ​including​ ​OUR sin.​ ​Then​ ​after​ ​supper​ ​He​ ​took​ ​the​ ​cup​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​“This​ ​cup​ ​is​ ​the​ ​new​ ​covenant​ ​in​ ​my​ ​blood,​ ​drink​ ​this​ ​in remembrance​ ​of​ ​Me.”​ ​Jesus​ ​shed​ ​His​ ​blood​ ​as​ ​a​ ​sacrifice​ ​for​ ​the​ ​forgiveness​ ​of​ ​our​ ​sins​ ​and​ ​His​ ​life​ ​in​ ​us.​ ​As the​ ​ushers​ ​distribute​ ​the​ ​elements,​ ​hold​ ​them​ ​and​ ​thank​ ​Him.​ ​Consider​ ​how​ ​our​ ​Father​ ​was​ ​pleased​ ​by​ ​His Son’s​ ​obedience.

6

Small​ ​Group​ ​Leader​ ​Notes October​ ​1,​ ​2017

From​ ​Pastor​ ​Dan… Hello​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​Leaders​ ​and​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​using​ ​these​ ​notes, We​ ​turn​ ​a​ ​corner​ ​in​ ​2​ ​Corinthians​ ​now​ ​to​ ​begin​ ​hearing​ ​how​ ​God​ ​has​ ​used​ ​Paul​ ​in​ ​ministry​ ​(and​ ​uses​ ​us today).​ ​He​ ​explains​ ​this​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Corinthians​ ​because​ ​heretics​ ​had​ ​come​ ​to​ ​Corinth​ ​and​ ​discredited​ ​him​ ​in​ ​their eyes​ ​as​ ​a​ ​trustworthy​ ​minister​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel.​ ​Therefore​ ​Paul​ ​takes​ ​6​ ​chapters​ ​to​ ​explain​ ​how​ ​God​ ​used​ ​him and​ ​uses​ ​us. Today​ ​is​ ​the​ ​first​ ​installment​ ​of​ ​that​ ​message,​ ​in​ ​which​ ​he​ ​describes​ ​something​ ​mysterious…​ ​somehow people​ ​actually​ ​know​ ​experientially​ ​God​ ​through​ ​Christians​ ​who​ ​are​ ​surrendered​ ​to​ ​Him.​ ​Note:​ ​The​ ​language of​ ​this​ ​text​ ​is​ ​very​ ​“spiritual”​ ​and​ ​not​ ​tremendously​ ​concrete.​ ​He​ ​will​ ​get​ ​concrete​ ​quickly​ ​in​ ​describing​ ​what this​ ​looks​ ​like.​ ​But​ ​for​ ​now​ ​it​ ​is​ ​good​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​we​ ​cannot​ ​fully​ ​understand,​ ​God​ ​works​ ​through​ ​us to​ ​make​ ​Himself​ ​known​ ​to​ ​others. I​ ​pray​ ​God​ ​uses​ ​your​ ​time​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​good​ ​change. Warmly, Dan Our​ ​Scripture​ ​Study… Series: Message​ ​#: Sermon​ ​Title: Passage: Preacher: Date:

Reconciled 5 God​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​be​ ​known 2​ ​Corinthians​ ​2:12-17 Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser 2017-10-1

SMALL​ ​GROUP​ ​QUESTIONS

Getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other:​ ​Who​ ​is​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​has​ ​impacted​ ​your​ ​life​ ​for​ ​the​ ​better?​ ​ ​Share​ ​the story. The​ ​rationale​ ​for​ ​this​ ​“icebreaker”,​ ​in​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other,​ ​it​ ​gets​ ​your​ ​folks​ ​talking​ ​about how​ ​God​ ​has​ ​used​ ​people​ ​for​ ​good​ ​in​ ​our​ ​lives.

Personal​ ​Study:​​ ​As​ ​you​ ​study​ ​(read,​ ​reread,​ ​consider,​ ​ponder,​ ​reread)​ ​the​ ​passage,​ ​list​ ​observations​ ​you make​ ​from​ ​the​ ​text.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​point​ ​of​ ​this​ ​passage?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​developed?​ ​What​ ​“Aha’s”​ ​come to​ ​you​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read?​ ​What​ ​questions​ ​come​ ​to​ ​mind?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​God​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses? Bring​ ​your​ ​observations​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​this​ ​week! —————————

2​ ​Corinthians​ ​2:12-17

1. What​ ​were​ ​the​ ​circumstances​ ​of​ ​Paul’s​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​Macedonia​ ​(Greece)​ ​and​ ​eventually​ ​Corinth? These​ ​verses​ ​describe​ ​Paul’s​ ​crossing​ ​over​ ​the​ ​Macedonia​ ​after​ ​his​ ​starting​ ​the​ ​church,​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​for​ ​his “painful​ ​visit”​ ​(2:1).​ ​Paul​ ​was​ ​in​ ​Troas​ ​(north​ ​of​ ​Ephesus​ ​in​ ​modern-day​ ​Turkey)​ ​but​ ​felt​ ​a​ ​“restless​ ​of​ ​spirit.”

7 He​ ​was​ ​waiting​ ​for​ ​Titus​ ​to​ ​return​ ​from​ ​Corinth​ ​with​ ​news​ ​about​ ​how​ ​things​ ​were​ ​going​ ​there…​ ​the​ ​last reports​ ​has​ ​not​ ​been​ ​good.​ ​So​ ​much​ ​did​ ​he​ ​want​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​he​ ​leaves​ ​even​ ​while​ ​things​ ​are​ ​going​ ​well​ ​in order​ ​to​ ​find​ ​Titus​ ​and​ ​learn​ ​of​ ​the​ ​state​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Corinthians.

2. Read​ ​v.​ ​14​ ​carefully.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​we​ ​learn​ ​from​ ​this​ ​verse​ ​about​ ​how​ ​God​ ​works​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world? God​ ​is​ ​active​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​spreading​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself​ ​through​ ​His​ ​people. 3. What​ ​is​ ​God’s​ ​responsibility​ ​in​ ​our​ ​ministry?​ ​What​ ​are​ ​ways​ ​Paul​ ​sees​ ​God​ ​involved? Paul​ ​thanks​ ​Him​ ​because​ ​He​ ​is​ ​actively​ ​at​ ​work​ ​spreading​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself. He​ ​always​ ​leads​ ​Christians​ ​out​ ​in​ ​this​ ​work​ ​of​ ​making​ ​Him​ ​known. He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​does​ ​the​ ​spreading​ ​through​ ​us​ ​of​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself. What​ ​is​ ​spread​ ​through​ ​us​ ​is​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself. 4. What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​about​ ​how​ ​He​ ​uses​ ​us? This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​personal​ ​reflection​ ​question. 5. What​ ​is​ ​our​ ​responsibility?​ ​How​ ​does​ ​this​ ​“division​ ​of​ ​labor”​ ​strike​ ​you? If​ ​He​ ​leads​ ​us,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​our​ ​job​ ​to​ ​“follow.”​ ​Following​ ​God​ ​is​ ​a​ ​work​ ​of​ ​active​ ​watching​ ​and​ ​adjusting​ ​to​ ​His​ ​leading. Practically​ ​speaking,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​entering​ ​my​ ​day​ ​trusting​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​placing​ ​people​ ​in​ ​my​ ​path​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​love​ ​and pray​ ​for​ ​and​ ​be​ ​with​ ​or​ ​share​ ​truth​ ​with.​ ​The​ ​spirit​ ​of​ ​“following”​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​confidence​ ​that​ ​He​ ​is already​ ​at​ ​work​ ​in​ ​people’s​ ​lives. We​ ​are​ ​also​ ​led​ ​in​ ​“triumphal​ ​procession.”​ ​This​ ​is​ ​counterintuitive.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​read​ ​this​ ​line​ ​and​ ​assume​ ​that​ ​we are​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​triumphal​ ​parade​ ​of​ ​Christ’s​ ​Victory,​ ​that​ ​“we’re​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Lord’s​ ​army”​ ​marching​ ​forward​ ​in triumph. Actually,​ ​though,​ ​the​ ​word​ ​means​ ​not​ ​to​ ​triumph​ ​but​ ​to​ ​be​ ​triumphed​ ​over​.​ ​We​ ​go​ ​into​ ​the​ ​world​ ​as​ ​people​ ​who have​ ​been​ ​“taken​ ​captive”​ ​by​ ​Christ,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​gladly​ ​submitted​ ​to​ ​His​ ​Kingship​ ​and​ ​Lordship,​ ​who​ ​have​ ​an attitude​ ​of​ ​glad​ ​“surrender”​ ​to​ ​Christ.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​when​ ​we​ ​do​ ​THAT,​ ​that​ ​we​ ​“smell​ ​like​ ​the​ ​sacrifice​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​God among​ ​those​ ​being​ ​saved​ ​and​ ​those​ ​perishing.” 6. Read​ ​v.​ ​15-16​ ​What​ ​impact​ ​does​ ​God​ ​have​ ​through​ ​us​ ​in​ ​Kingdom​ ​ministry?​ ​How​ ​does​ ​He​ ​do​ ​it? “The​ ​aroma​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​to​ ​God”​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​be​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​the​ ​“smell”​ ​to​ ​God​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sacrifice​ ​of​ ​Christ.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​Old Testament,​ ​God’s​ ​people​ ​brought​ ​their​ ​offerings​ ​which​ ​were​ ​burned​ ​on​ ​the​ ​altar​ ​which​ ​was​ ​“a​ ​pleasing aroma”​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​What​ ​pleased​ ​him​ ​was​ ​not​ ​the​ ​smell​ ​of​ ​cooking​ ​steak,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​joy​ ​of​ ​his​ ​child’s​ ​offering.​ ​He gives​ ​us​ ​more​ ​than​ ​we​ ​need​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​will​ ​bring​ ​some​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Him​ ​because​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the mission​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church​ ​and​ ​because​ ​we​ ​trust​ ​Him​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​us.​ ​This​ ​act​ ​of​ ​both​ ​devotion​ ​and​ ​faith,​ ​which​ ​is manifest​ ​in​ ​the​ ​“aroma”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sacrifice,​ ​pleases​ ​God. There​ ​was​ ​never​ ​a​ ​greater​ ​sacrifice​ ​than​ ​that​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cross.​ ​He​ ​praying,​ ​“Father,​ ​let​ ​this​ ​cup​ ​pass​ ​from me.​ ​Nevertheless,​ ​not​ ​my​ ​will​ ​but​ ​yours​ ​be​ ​done.”​ ​His​ ​sacrifice​ ​was​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​sacrifice​ ​in​ ​love​ ​and​ ​faith​ ​in Christ​ ​which​ ​pleased​ ​His​ ​father.​ ​POINT:​ ​When​ ​we​ ​have​ ​a​ ​spirit​ ​of​ ​surrender​ ​we​ ​“smell​ ​like​ ​the​ ​sacrifice​ ​of Christ​ ​going​ ​up​ ​to​ ​God​ ​among​ ​those​ ​being​ ​saved​ ​and​ ​those​ ​perishing.”​ ​Chambers​ ​says,​ ​“We​ ​are​ ​here​ ​for​ ​one purpose​ ​only,​ ​to​ ​demonstrate​ ​the​ ​absolute​ ​captivity​ ​of​ ​our​ ​hearts​ ​to​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ.” NOTE:​ ​This​ ​is​ ​pretty​ ​“spiritualized”​ ​language​ ​that​ ​is​ ​not​ ​very​ ​concrete.​ ​Paul​ ​will​ ​get​ ​concrete​ ​in​ ​the​ ​verses​ ​that follow.​ ​But​ ​for​ ​now,​ ​he​ ​is​ ​addressing​ ​something​ ​mysterious…​ ​that​ ​someone​ ​God’s​ ​Spirit​ ​uses​ ​us​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​way that​ ​He​ ​spreads​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​Himself. 7. Does​ ​it​ ​change​ ​how​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​about​ ​helping​ ​others​ ​when​ ​you​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​an​ ​experience​ ​of​ ​God in​ ​you​ ​that​ ​is​ ​the​ ​primary​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​changes​ ​people? Group​ ​reflection​ ​question. 8. While​ ​these​ ​verses​ ​use​ ​“spiritual”​ ​language​ ​that​ ​is​ ​not​ ​necessarily​ ​concrete,​ ​they​ ​describe​ ​how​ ​people encounter​ ​“the​ ​aroma”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sacrifice​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​going​ ​up​ ​to​ ​God.​ ​Put​ ​another​ ​way,​ ​something​ ​of​ ​the

8 crucified​ ​Christ​ ​is​ ​“encountered”​ ​in​ ​“surrendered”​ ​Christians.​ ​Can​ ​any​ ​of​ ​us​ ​share​ ​an​ ​experience​ ​we have​ ​had​ ​with​ ​an​ ​“absolutely​ ​surrendered”​ ​Christian​ ​had​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​our​ ​lives? 9. Read​ ​v.​ ​17.​ ​What​ ​does​ ​NOT​ ​motivate​ ​us​ ​as​ ​Christians?​ ​What​ ​does? My​ ​guess​ ​is​ ​that​ ​many​ ​of​ ​us​ ​feel​ ​uncertain​ ​that​ ​God​ ​would​ ​use​ ​us​ ​to​ ​help​ ​others,​ ​or​ ​confused​ ​about​ ​how.​ ​But these​ ​verses​ ​say​ ​that​ ​God​ ​uses​ ​willing​ ​Christians​ ​to​ ​make​ ​Himself​ ​known.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​something​ ​emboldening about​ ​this. 10. What​ ​is​ ​one​ ​way​ ​this​ ​text​ ​directs​ ​you?​ ​What​ ​is​ ​your​ ​response?