Triumphal Procession In Christ

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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

DON’T answer this question out loud… maybe we should: In the last year, have you talked with at least ONE lost person about Jesus with the prayerful hope that God will save them?  (Pause)

If/when a church is overly focused on ministering to each other, & not concerned about the lost, that church IS massively dysfunctional.  Paul had two goals in ministry.  First, The lost being saved.  Second, The saved maturing in Christ.  Thus he preached nothing but “Christ & him crucified!”

Let me say a word about evangelism before we examine our text.  God has called us to reach the lost with the Gospel of Christ by making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).  That is the call for EVERY Christian.  Did you hear that… EVERY CHRISTIAN!  If you are a Christian, you are called to evangelize & make disciples.

Now here’s the danger for the members of HBC.  Some think that means the target are those who live close to the physical location of HBC.  That is NOT necessarily the case!  Hear me out…

Most of this membership does NOT live in the immediate Huffman community.  As a result some may neglect the need to evangelize because their neighbors don’t live in Huffman.  That thinking is off base.  Let me remind us of who OUR COMMUNITY is.  Who WE are called to share the Gospel with.

It’s YOUR neighbor.  YOUR coworkers.  YOUR friends.  YOUR family.  YOUR classmates.  Those GOD has placed in YOUR sphere of influence.  The people WE know & interact with ARE the ones GOD has called us to evangelize!  It matters NOT what community they live in!

Being lost isn’t bound by geography… race… socioeconomics… culture… education… or family boundaries.  A lost person is a lost person no matter what they look like… where they live… who they work for… or where go to school.

“1 In 2011.”  Would you be willing to ask God… during 2011… to lead at least ONE person to a saving faith in Christ? (Pause)  What if: Just 10% of attendance did?  36 people would be saved!  What if just 25% did?  90 people would be saved!  This isn’t about notches on a Bible, but obedience…

All year… God willing… I’m going to remind you of “1 In 2011.”  So pray & watch…

2:12-13.  Paul went to “preach the Gospel.”  There were opportunities, but that need didn’t mean HE was called there.  So he left Troas & went to Macedonia.  How are we to understand that?

2:14a.  Paul knew no matter WHERE he was, he’d be successful.  I like that because it means that our faithfulness to spread the Gospel… wherever we are… it is successful!  Two supporting texts…

Is 55:11, “(My Word)… shall not return to Me empty…”  It is impossible to be unsuccessful when God’s Word is proclaimed, spoken, shared, or taught.  Thus WE are assured success!

Then Jn 6:37, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, & whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”  We’re not called to “save” people, God does that!  We sow the Gospel seed & GOD brings forth the fruit called salvation!  So again… we are assured success when we evangelize!

Now understand something interesting in context of Paul’s words.  This will be a little tough so listen close!

2:14-16.  GOD is the active one in salvation “Thanks be to God WHO,”  & “Through US” (v 14).  We’re the conduit thru which God works.  We sow the seed, GOD give the increase (1 Cor 3:7-8)!

2:15.  Now look at the DOUBLE result!  One action… two results.  WE are the “aroma of Christ.”  That is us spreading the Good News that Jesus saves!  And what we do impacts BOTH those who accept AND those who reject the message!  Let’s explore that a little…

When a Roman General returned from a conquest… he led into the city his victorious army & the prisoners he had taken.  Priests followed burning incense.  For the soldiers who had conquered it was a sweet aroma of victory!  For the prisoners the smell meant they were about to be executed.

The Gospel of Christ to those who believe is sweet victory.  To those who do not believe it is a stench that will bring about their ultimate destruction.  Thus 2:16a “A fragrance from death to death” & 2:16b “A fragrance from life to life.”  Thus what is written in 1 Pet 2:7 about Jesus…

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 AND “A stone of stumbling, & a rock of offense.”

Paul’s comment in 2:16c is… “Who is sufficient for these things?”  It’s hard to understand how the message of salvation can be so clear to us & repel others as offensive.  Then… no one has the strength, wisdom, power, or ability to work salvation in anyone’s life… including our own.  It’s tricky to know when to speak… what to say… or how to say it when it comes to witnessing.  The whole God, church, & salvation thing is absolutely overwhelming for anyone who engages in them as “over their head.”

But there IS an answer & rescue from these things… again from Paul… Listen!

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10), because, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10).  Then Col 1:29, “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

As Paul was totally dependent on God’s power & grace[i], so too we must rest that God is the power at work.  We don’t have to perform perfectly in order to succeed.  We can de-stress & live each day… as it comes… in faithful obedience… trusting HIM for the outcome… & thus not worry.

2:17 is Paul’s conclusion.  He is not a “Peddler of God’s Word.”  This is his refusal to craft the message of the Bible & Gospel as anything other than what it is.  He would NOT soften God’s Truth to tickle people’s ears.  He would NOT say things to anyone other than the absolute TRUTH!  In Ac 20:27 Paul said… “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

This meant… & means… if it’s in the Word, it is GOD’S truth & is to be preached & taught.  Some people will love it as the fragrance of life, others will hate it as the fragrance of death.  I’ve even seen that happen WITHIN the church when people run into hard things found in God’s Word!  The issue is not how many can we get in the building or on the roll, but are we faithful to God!

So what does all this mean for you?  Let me suggest just a few things…

First… Examine your evangelistic activity.  Are you spreading the Gospel to those God has placed into your life?  If not… honestly… that needs to change.  IF Jesus is precious to you AND you love other people you WILL plant Gospel seeds in their life.  More about that soon (God Willing).

Second… Are you trusting God w/ the Gospel?  Depend & rest in God AS you evangelize, minister, & teach.  You are not sufficient in yourselves, so trust God.

Third… Believe God & His Word… even when it contradicts what you believe.  I know that’s a strange thought, but don’t soften it to please people!  Know that when you teach or evangelize using GOD’S TRUTH… there will be two results: Some will believe, some won’t.  But bottom line… DO NOT CHANGE THE GOSPEL IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

Last.  Jesus Christ was born, lived, died, & was resurrected to save you from God’s wrath.  Salvation is not about church membership… praying a prayer… or getting baptized.  Those are only important as evidence of what God has done IN you.

This is about you admitting you have sinned against God & deserve all His wrath.  It is about agreeing w/ God that your sin damns you.  It is about believing Jesus died to pay YOUR penalty.  It is about repenting (Turning away from) and TO GOD.  It is about a total & complete surrender of your life to God.  IF that’s your desire, then cry out to God now for salvation (Acts 16:31).

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[i] Ephesians 1:18-20, 3:7, 20; Philippians 2:13.

Your Best For 2012

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2012 Prayer, Christian Living, Discipleship

2 Peter 1:3-11

I am greatly blessed, in this order: First, My name is written in the Lamb’s Book of life.  Second, Pam is my wife with 3 wonderful kids.  Third, I have been granted the honor of being YOUR pastor!  As your pastor I want to take the first Sunday of 2012 to encourage you.

When I think of you, Colossians 1:28-29 is the first thing that crosses my mind.  Listen…

Him we proclaim, warning everyone & teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present EVERYONE mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.

Did you hear it? “Present everyone mature in Christ.”  That’s my prayer & goal for you!  I want you to grow & mature in Christ every day!  My greatest joy is you maturing in the faith (3 Jn 1:4)!

To begin 2012 let’s look at how maturing in Christ happens. I pray this encourages you.

Christian Maturity Is Massively God Oriented.  Note how Peter credited GOD.  “HIS divine power” (3a).  “HE granted to us” (4a).  “HIS… promises” (4b).  God is THE source of all things… including our maturity!  That’s good because otherwise it wouldn’t happen, (Ro 3:10) “No one seeks God!”

Let me press this a little.  These three passages build one on the other (Not in your outline)

Ro 8:29 Those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…

Phil 2:13 It is God who works in you, both to will & to work for His good pleasure.

Phil 1:6 I am sure of this, that He (God) who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

R 8:29.  God doesn’t leave our growth to chance.  It’ll happen.  P 2:13.  Conformity to Christ is what GOD does according to “His good pleasure.”  P 1:6.  The Christian will become more like Jesus from their salvation till they die… THEN it’s completed in heaven (Again by God)!

Our maturity is by GOD’S will (3a, 4a, 4b).  Clearer in Heb 6:1… “Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ & go on to maturity… 3 And this we will do if God permits.”  We mature to the level God wills for us… according to what He decides is best for us.  Nothing more… nothing less.

In the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30) each were given “According to their ability” (And who gave this to us?  Paul, “By the grace of God I am what I am,” 1 Cor 15:10).  The faithful servants received the SAME reward, even though their abilities & amounts trusted to them were different.

In the same way spiritual gifts are given according to God’s will (1 Cor 12:11), our growth & maturity in Christ is under God’s control… direction… & loving-kindness.  So whatever God gives us… wherever we’re planted… however much we mature… is by His sovereign care.

Christian Maturity Is Also Our Responsibility.  “Make every effort” (5).  “Be all the more diligent” (10).  Now understand this… WE are responsible for our growth in Christ!

Too many Christians are unbalanced at this point in their theology.  They either say everything is completely ordained by God & man is nothing… OR they say God only acts in response to man’s decisions.  BOTH are not only wrong… they’re unbiblical!

Christian living, maturity, & salvation are not 50-50 propositions (1/2 God, 1/2 us).  God is 100% in control AND man is 100% responsible at the same time!  Confusing?  Only as much as the Trinity or Jesus’ deity & humanity are difficult truths to understand.  Just b/c we don’t u’stand something doesn’t mean it’s false!  Look at 1 Cor 15:10 I mentioned earlier (Turn there).

But by the grace of God I am what I am, & His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

First, GOD’s activity (By the grace of God).  Second, Paul’s work (Not in vain… worked harder).  Third, Still all of God… “Though not I, but the grace of God…”  100% God & 100% man AT THE SAME TIME!

If we’re to mature (v 5-7), WE are responsible!  WE must read Scripture… pray… worship… & seek God ourselves (5-7).  We will NOT mature just because we “want to,” WE must seek it!

Christian Maturity Is A Lifelong Process.  “And are increasing” (8).  For how long?  Until we’re 50… 70… 90?  No… until we die.  Christians never stop growing in Christ.  God won’t allow it!

I am so encouraged that so many of you… though a few years older than I… still have a hunger for God & desire to be more like Christ.  Keep it up!  Keep following God!  You will be filled!

That blesses me because I know that the closer you are to God, the more you will live out your life for His glory in all the ways He wills (Eph 2:10).  Are you “MORE like Jesus” than last year??

Christian Maturity Has Now & Later Rewards.  Note 4 rewards of Christian maturity: “Partakers of the divine nature” (4b).  “Keep you from being ineffective & unfruitful” (8b).  “Never fall” (10b).  “Entrance into the eternal kingdom” {Heaven} (11b).  1 Tim 4:7,

Train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life & also for the life to come.

I only have time for “Partakers of the divine nature.”  THIS part of the Scripture amazes me the most!  Through Christ… God’s promises & grace… & as we “work out our salvation in fear & trembling,” WE PARTAKE OF GOD’S NATURE!  (BIG HUGE PAUSE)

What does DIVINE mean?  It means God’s thought become our thoughts.  His attitudes become our attitudes.  He desires are our desires.  His hatreds are our hatreds (sin).  We become more & more like God in EVERYTHING!

What is meant by Divine NATURE?  It is something that happens naturally.  Put hey & a steak in front of a wolf & what will it eat?  The steak.  Why?  It’s a wolf!  Put hey & a steak in front of a cow & what will it eat?  Hey.  Why?  It’s a cow.  Their NATURE drives them.

So too it natural for the Christian to love… forgive… show mercy… & be compassionate.  Likewise prayer… worship… ministry… & Scripture intake are not burdens… they are joys!  They come natural!  They flow from w/in!  The Divine nature IN THEM makes them WANT all those things!

Do they come natural for you?  If not… do you want them to?  Ask God to work in you through prayer!

The single most important thing for me… for you… is for you to be blessed.  THE greatest blessing in life is to know God personally & intimately.  Only thru Him will you find rest for your soul.  Only thru Jesus can

Before long we will all pass from this life & the only thing that will matter is our relationship to God thru Jesus.  With every breath of every second we are closer to eternity.  So in closing can I ask you to consider “WHAT THEN?” from a purely CHRISTIAN perspective.  Listen to 1 Cor 3:12-15…

If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw… 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, b/c it will be revealed by fire, & the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Christians aren’t judged in relation to salvation… that was settled at the cross.  However, we are judged according to what we’ve done on earth.  Some will get into heaven smelling like smoke.  Don’t be one of them!!  Labor now for the rewards of gold, silver, & precious stones that won’t be lost!  HOW?

That is your LIFE’S homework.  Before you go to bed… read this passage SLOWLY!  Take the outline & meditate on each of the points from the message.  Then by prayer… ask God to work these into your life in ever increasing measures for the rest of your life.  Not all that hard huh?