Do We Smell Sweet, or do We Stink

Do We Smell Sweet, or do We Stink

We have entered into the Holiday Season for 2017. The time has passed so fast. In a very short time we will begin our 15^th year of service to this community.

As I look at the things God has done over these years, I am humbled and honored. Together, we have made a difference in this area, and through our mission work, in the world.

Betty and I love and appreciate everyone here. Your love and faithfulness has moved us forward, and will continue to move Amazing Life Church Forward.

This past week was an absolutely awesome time in the presence of God. The prayer, brokenness, praise, and love was so evident in this house.

I pray that the love and concern for one another, and this community, continue always in this house.

I come to you this morning in the name of Jesus, to share some thoughts titled, “Do We Smell Sweet, or do We Stink”

Before I share some thoughts on how we smell, and I am referring to the fragrance of Christ that reaches the people we come in contact with.

I want to first share a little bit about how we shine. In one of Daniel’s end time prophesies he revealed this.

Daniel 12:1-3

1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.

2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Throughout the Bible, old and new, there is a constant Biblical principle revealed. “God’s people are the light of the world.”

The word insight in the original text is wisdom. From the Hebrew it means, “to be prudent, circumspect, have understanding, to have insight, to cause to prosper.” (explain prosper)

The word shine from the Hebrew means, “to admonish, send out light, be light, to enlighten.”

(Those who have insight will shine!!)

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The word light in these passages come from the Greek word, phos, and it is used metaphorically to mean this.

“God is light, of truth and knowledge, with spiritual purity. Exposed to the view of all, and the power of understanding.”

Paul spoke of being the light with some admonitions.

Philippians 2:14-15

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.

Preach-Preach-Preach the Light

Now let’s have some fun.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? (Aroma, thing well pleasing to God.)

17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 TLB

15 As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us.

16 To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life-giving perfume. But who is adequate for such a task as this?

First of all, by Christ, we have been made adequate. Bearers of that high calling to share the story, and the love, of our Father and our Savior.

This defines these two verses. “We and our testimonies, and our preaching represent God, and the glory and knowledge of Christ. It gives new life to those who hear, and a sweet smell of eternity.”

“To those who reject this sweet aroma, this revelation of Christ, they do so because it means dying to self. They smell death, not life. Something, that at the moment they are not willing to embrace.” (Plant the seed anyway)

Ephesians 5:1-2 TLB

1 Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father.

2 Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.

“Do We Smell Sweet, or do We Stink”

#inHisname