The Tough Smell
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 31st May 2009
Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:1-13:14
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 power of God to then Paul, who in his recent reversals in not visiting Corinth as he promised,
00:00:06 --> 00:00:11 and that he was run out of Ephesus, and with his message of a crucified Messiah,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 well he was a sorry figure. He was a defeated figure.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:23 Paul was the embodiment of weakness compared to the self-sufficient power ministry of the super-apostles.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 So how would you feel if you were Paul?
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 How do you think you'd feel?
00:00:28 --> 00:00:32 Well, it's not like there's some sort of moral scandal going on here.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:38 He's preaching the true gospel, and he's being treated as if he is a common criminal.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 You see, I think the Corinthians are a little embarrassed,
00:00:42 --> 00:00:49 because the gospel that Paul preached doesn't seem to produce the same sort of results of that of the super-apostles.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 I think the sort of criticism the super-apostles are making would be like,
00:00:52 --> 00:00:57 if he's truly God's apostle, and if he was preaching the true message,
00:00:57 --> 00:01:02 well, in fact, our churches would be filled, or his churches that he was preaching to would be filled,
00:01:02 --> 00:01:07 instead of he himself being kicked out of town after town and being put into prison.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 And so at the end of chapter 1 and beginning of chapter 2,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:15 and I want you to take your Bibles up, you need to be following me with this.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 At the end of chapter 1 and beginning of chapter 2,
00:01:18 --> 00:01:22 Paul is dealing with the criticisms of the super-apostles,
00:01:23 --> 00:01:24 some of the criticisms that he's thrown at him.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 One of the big problems is that Paul did not visit Corinth when he said that he wouldn't visit them,
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 and Paul's last visit with them was a fairly painful visit.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 He even refers to that as a painful visit.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:40 But he indicated that he would try and visit again on his way through to Macedonia,
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 but he didn't, and instead he wrote them a letter.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 And this gave ammunition to the super-apostles.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 Paul responds to the accusations of the super-apostles
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 by expressing his love and his care and his concern for this church at Corinth.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:01 He says at the end of chapter 1 that his conscience is clear.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:05 However, you can throw all the stones at me you like.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 You can look on the surface and say,
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 I've disappointed you, I let you down,
00:02:10 --> 00:02:15 but there was no evil intent in me not coming to visit at Corinth.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 His reason for not visiting was actually far from evil intent.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:23 He didn't visit because he thought it would be better if he didn't visit.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:24 So chapter 1, verse 23,
00:02:24 --> 00:02:31 I call God as my witness that was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 Or in chapter 2, verse 1,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:37 So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 His earlier visit didn't go so well,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:45 so he thought that he would write a letter rather than a personal confrontation.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:51 He didn't visit in order to get revenge, but because of love.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 Chapter 2, verse 4,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:57 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart,
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 and with many tears,
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 not to grieve you, but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:08 Do you think there's any evil intent there with Paul when he decided not to visit?
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 Paul expresses here a deep love and concern for this church.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:17 The issues brought a deep level of distress and anguish to him.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:22 He even refers to a member of the church who has caused particular grief,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:24 but whom he forgives.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 And he mentions here that in fact the whole church,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:29 it's a very significant thing he says,
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 it's actually the whole church got together and dealt with this issue.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 It wasn't just Paul up against this one difficult person.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 It wasn't just Paul dealing with it himself.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 He says the whole church came together and we dealt with this difficult issue.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:49 And I reckon he wants them to do the same now to deal with these super apostles.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:54 He wants the whole church to band together and deal with these false apostles
00:03:54 --> 00:03:59 who are causing him grief and doing significant damage in this church.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 This is a major issue for Paul and it needs to be dealt with.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 He is very distracted and distressed by it.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:12 So much so that when he went to Troas and he didn't find Titus there,
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 he moved on.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 It seems that Paul arranged to meet Titus at Troas
00:04:17 --> 00:04:22 to hear how the Corinthians had responded to the letter that he'd written.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:27 But when he found that Titus wasn't there, he moved on.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:32 His zeal for preaching the gospel actually brought him to Troas,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:37 but his passionate care for the Corinthians actually kept him from staying there.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 Seems like an odd thing really,
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 because doesn't it appear that God brought him to Troas?
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 And then Paul says,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:48 I had no peace of mind.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 I was in great distress when Titus wasn't there
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 and so I moved on.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 I moved on.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:59 It's a kind of a strange sort of thing that Paul would even raise this really,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:03 because what he's doing here is again revealing his weakness.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 It would seem that he's playing straight into the hands of the super apostles.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 Isn't this just another case of Paul getting it wrong?
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 Another example of his weakness?
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 Another example of him running away from his problems?
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 Well, you'd think so.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 On the surface anyway, you'd think so.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:28 Paul is actually revealing his weakness.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:32 And in revealing his weakness, he's mustering his defense.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:37 This is where something very interesting happens in 2 Corinthians.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 You see, he could have just told us the whole story of what happened
00:05:42 --> 00:05:46 after he left Troas, but he decided not to.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 So if you've got your Bibles there, I need you to see this.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 Flick over to chapter 7, verse 5.
00:05:54 --> 00:06:00 Because here's the rest of the story.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:06 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest,
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 but we were harassed at every turn.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 Conflicts on the outside, spheres within.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 But God, who comforts the downcast,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 comforted us by the coming of Titus.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:23 You see, he could have just actually continued on the story.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 He could have said we had no comfort because Titus wasn't there.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:28 And so we moved on to Macedonia.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 And Titus was there.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 And we were comforted.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 And God was sovereign.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:33 And he reigned.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:37 And he could have just told a story of God's triumphal intervening
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 in a difficult situation.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 And his ministry in his ministry.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 And he would have played straight into the hands of the super apostles.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 He could have just traded blows with the super apostles
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 on whose ministry was more triumphal,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 who was more powerful,
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 whose ministry had God intervening.
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 He could have done that.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 Because clearly God was at work in that situation.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 But he didn't.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 Why didn't he do that?
00:07:06 --> 00:07:11 Because he's not like the super apostles in one very important way.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 Flick back to chapter 5.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:18 This here, I think, is one of the key aspects of 2 Corinthians.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 We see here in chapter 5,
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 where Paul outlines his perspective on life and ministry.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 Chapter 5, verse 7.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:30 We live by faith, not by sight.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 And this is contrasted to the super apostles,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 who a couple of verses later, in verse 12,
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 we are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:48 so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 rather than what is in the heart.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 That's the contrast between Paul and the super apostles.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:58 It's taking pride, which is what is on the surface,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 the superficial aspects of ministry,
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 rather than what is at the actual heart of ministry.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 And so from this point on until,
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 so back into chapter 2.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 So from this point on,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 in chapter 2,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 right up until chapter 7, verse 6,
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 Paul takes,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:19 Paul takes, if you like,
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 a diversion.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 A kind of diversion.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 It appears to be a diversion.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 But he takes us right into the heart,
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 in these next 80-something verses,
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 into the heart of gospel ministry.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 He takes us below the surface,
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 superficial things,
00:08:39 --> 00:08:42 to the things that the world cannot see,
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 to the things that the world doesn't want to see,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 to the things that the super apostles couldn't see,
00:08:50 --> 00:08:54 and he takes a look at what is authentic gospel ministry.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:59 Paul wants this church to know that this conflict is not because he's messed up,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:04 but because of the effect that the Christian message has on people.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 And that is the irony of it all.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:10 In the midst of all this antagonism and divisiveness,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:14 God is actually leading a triumphal procession,
00:09:14 --> 00:09:19 because the conflict is actually a sign that the gospel is at work.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 It says it there in chapter 2, verse 14,
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 but thanks be to God,
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:31 and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:35 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 and those who are perishing,
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 to the one we are the smell of death,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 to the other the fragrance of life,
00:09:40 --> 00:09:43 and who is equal to such a task.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:47 What Paul is saying here is that despite the appearance of weakness,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:52 it was God who always and everywhere led Paul in triumphal possession.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:57 This was not the triumphal language of Paul's opponents.
00:09:58 --> 00:10:03 They declared themselves to be superior to Paul in missionary success,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 as well as experiences of God.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 Success and strength were the marks,
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 as well as the objects of their ministry.
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 They wanted to see significant numbers,
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 and they wanted to see this church come under their influence.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 Christian triumphalism,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 although can I say a contradiction in terms,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 has always had its appeal.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 Through the Middle Ages,
00:10:30 --> 00:10:35 it was believed that God was glorified through soaring church buildings
00:10:35 --> 00:10:38 and spectacular church ceremony.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 Even in our own time,
00:10:41 --> 00:10:45 triumphal language has been used by some in the church growth movements
00:10:45 --> 00:10:48 and the development of the so-called megachurches.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:54 It's partly because we have brought this idea that the world has sold it
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 and we have taken it on,
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 the church has taken it on,
00:10:58 --> 00:11:02 that it's effectively the growth fetish of our culture,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 where if it's growing,
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 it must be good,
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 and bigger equals better.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:12 The number of times I've heard people say,
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 oh, they must be doing something right,
00:11:14 --> 00:11:18 purely because they look on the surface
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 and see multiple programs
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 and people being drawn together.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 But I don't want to throw too many stones out there.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:31 There are clearly those who are in the triumphal language category.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 You've only got to turn on the Australian Christian Channel
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 and you see a number of them.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 But can I say,
00:11:38 --> 00:11:42 I think that Sydney Anglicans fall into the same category as well at times.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 Our own diocese.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:48 It seems to me that you get your article or your picture in Southern Cross
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 when there's a success to be told.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:55 I'd be surprised if actually, in fact,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 that Paul would get an article in Southern Cross.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:03 The stories that are told about how many people have gathered,
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 what churches are growing,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 what programs are effective,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 where are the failures,
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 where are the setbacks.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 That's what I want to know.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 Where are the failures and where are the setbacks.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 Isn't that authentic gospel ministry too?
00:12:20 --> 00:12:23 I even heard a diocesan official one day,
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 a few years ago,
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 say that the churches that are growing
00:12:27 --> 00:12:30 are the ones that will get the money from the diocese.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 That's triumphalism.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:40 Paul consistently uses anti-triumphalist language
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 to describe his ministry.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 He describes himself as a servant of the Corinthians,
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 a dying man,
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 he's weak,
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 a fool,
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 his ministry,
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 like his Christ,
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 was characterized by crucifixion.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 Paul understood clearly
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 that what is important to God
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 is not
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 bigness
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 of church buildings
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 or the number of who are gathering,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 but faithful and sacrificial service
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 based on the example of Christ himself.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 And so,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 to describe this
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 anti-triumphal language,
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 Paul tries to come up with an illustration
00:13:16 --> 00:13:19 about what sort of thing he's meaning.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 And so he comes up with it there.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 It's there in verse 14.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 It's like
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 when the Romans
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 come through town
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 just after they have had a big war
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 and they have this triumphal procession
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 parading through the streets.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 And what they do
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 is they get the prisoners
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 that they have captured
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 in their enemy towns
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 and they pluck out
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 the eyes of the leaders,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 they chain them to chariots
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 and they drag them
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 through the streets
00:13:45 --> 00:13:48 so that all the empire of Rome
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 might know
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 how powerful and mighty they are
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 and what they've done
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 to their enemies.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 And Paul says,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 he uses this illustration,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 he says in verse 14,
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 thanks be to God
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 who always leads us
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 in triumphal procession in Christ.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 I heard someone
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 on Australian Christian Channel
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 actually talk about this verse
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 and he quoted it,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 he said,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 thanks be to God
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 who always leads us in triumph.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 And then went on to talk about
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 the triumphal Christian life.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:21 life of success and prosperity.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 No, actually,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:25 you didn't quote the whole verse.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 It's not a life of triumph,
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 it's the triumphal procession in Christ.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 He says that the great thing is
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 that when I preach this gospel
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 from place to place
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 and I get kicked out of town
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 from place to place,
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 it is God who is leading me.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 There is a great victory
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 that has been won
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 and it is Jesus' victory.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:48 And I am his captive.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 I am not the triumphal one,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 he says,
00:14:51 --> 00:14:53 it's Jesus who is the triumphal one.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 I am the sorry one
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 who's chained and tethered
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 behind him
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 and yet,
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 at the same time,
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 I am caught up in this procession
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 in a positive way
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 because Jesus,
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 my king,
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 is on display.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 Not me,
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 but Jesus,
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 my king.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 Paul says,
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 don't be embarrassed by me,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 by my rejection
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 for the sake of the gospel.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 I might be weak,
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 in fact,
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 I am weak.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 I am a nobody.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 I might be unimpressive
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 but I've been taken captive
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 by an impressive king.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 I am dead to myself
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 and now I'm enslaved
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 to this king,
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 Jesus.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 And it doesn't get
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 any better than that.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 The great victory
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 has been won
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 as the procession
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 moves forward.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 The fragrance of Christ
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 is spread everywhere
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 and to some
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 this victory through Christ
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 is the smell of death.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 To them,
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 the gospel,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 its message
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 about this crucified Jesus,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 about a defeated dead man
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 which they reject,
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 they reject it
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 and they move away from it
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 as they would
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 from the odour
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 of a decomposing body.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 These people,
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 it says,
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 as they hear the gospel message,
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 they are perishing
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 as dead in principle
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 as they perceive Jesus to be.
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 The gospel to them
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 is cyanide gas.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 And that's why Paul
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 has been kicked out
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 from town to town.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 And the Corinthian church
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 was so quick
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 to walk back
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 and wipe their hands
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 because they were embarrassed
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 by their apostle.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 Paul is saying
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 the nature of true gospel ministry,
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 nature of the true gospel itself
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 is that it will bring rejection.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 To others though,
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 the message is about
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 a risen Christ
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 which they perceive
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 in the way a person receives,
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 sorry,
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 in the way that a person
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 welcomes Chanel number five.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 These people are being saved
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 and they are alive in principle
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 as they perceive Jesus to be.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 It would be no surprise
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 then that Paul
00:16:52 --> 00:16:55 could have felt embarrassed
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 by a message
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 that proved to be so divisive.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 Those who turn away
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 from the message
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 inevitably turn away
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 from those
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 who bear the message.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 We don't need to seek out
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 rejection
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 and unpopularity.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 The nature of the gospel
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 means it will find us.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 It will find us.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 The gospel of our Lord Jesus
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 polarizes people.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 It is either cyanide gas to them
00:17:22 --> 00:17:24 or it is Chanel number five.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 That's the nature of gospel ministry.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 I expect people to get offended
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 and turn away in anger.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 I expect people to smell Jesus
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 and I expect them to want Jesus.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 I expect both things to happen.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 Either way,
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 it is our lot to suffer hardship
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 as a result of faithful gospel ministry.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 What a task.
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 What a task.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 To think that as I stand up
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 week after week
00:17:50 --> 00:17:53 that I am polarized
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 because the gospel polarizes
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 and the bearer of the gospel
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 will be polarized.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 And Paul says,
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 who is equal to such a task?
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 Who can do this work
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 of proclaiming Christ
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 and not knowing
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 if it's going to be rejected
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 or accepted?
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 Not Paul.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 I think that's his answer.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 Well, actually,
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 not Paul in his own strength
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 is the answer.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 And frankly,
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 the longer I've been involved
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 in Christian ministry,
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 the less I feel equipped,
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 the less I feel
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 I'm able to do this job,
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 the more I know
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 about God
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 and his word,
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 the less I realize
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 I know about him
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 and his word.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 But there is one thing
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 I'm certain of.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 I am one thing
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 I'm certain of.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 The crucified Jesus
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 is alive
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 and he's Chanel number five
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 to me.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 And I will not,
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 therefore,
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 peddle the word of God
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 for profit.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:49 I will not twist the message
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 or preach a sermon
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 or not counsel a hard word
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 just because people might
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 reject me.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 Going soft for fear of rejection
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 is to peddle the word of God
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 for profit.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 It is to say and do things
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 that make people like me
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 and to find Jesus
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 a little bit less
00:19:07 --> 00:19:09 like cyanide gas to them.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 It might not be as pleasing
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 as Chanel number five
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 for them
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 but maybe smell,
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 maybe more of a wet dog smell
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 would be just a little bit
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 more comfortable
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 than cyanide gas.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 Unpleasant
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 but not as offensive.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 And I think it's the problem
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 sometime with the gospel
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 we often peddle
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 in our society.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 It doesn't polarize people.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 It is neither death
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 or life.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 It's just
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 pleasant
00:19:37 --> 00:19:39 or
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 bland.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:43 When was the last time
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 there was deep offence
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 at an Easter service
00:19:45 --> 00:19:48 or a Christmas service?
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 Now don't hear me wrong.
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 I don't program
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 for deep offence.
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 I'm not
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 I'm just asking
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 the question
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 is the gospel
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 and all its implications
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 clear?
00:20:06 --> 00:20:10 We need to see clearly
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 that the authentic gospel
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 brings both acceptance
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 and rejection.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 Authentic ministry
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 will result
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 in acceptance
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 and it will result
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 in rejection.
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 And when the rich young ruler
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 came running up to Jesus
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 what must I do
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 to have eternal life?
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 Jesus didn't whip out
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 a two ways to live line
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 and say
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 pray this prayer
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 and you're in.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 He said
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 no no
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 you actually don't trust me
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 you get rid of
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 all your
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 all your wealth
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 then come follow me.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 And when he walked away sad
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 Jesus didn't go
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 oh come on
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 hang on a bit
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 let's just rethink this
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 for a moment.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 He walked away sad
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 and potentially
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 walked away angry.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 The authentic gospel message
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 brings both acceptance
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 and rejection.
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 And so may God
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 give us the courage
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 to stick at it
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 and preach the hard word.
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 May we remain
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 true to Christ
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 and not tamper
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 with a message
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 for the sake
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 of popularity.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 What a great example
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 we have here
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 in the apostle Paul
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 who continued
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 even when he got
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 the boot
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 even when it was
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 difficult
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 even though Paul
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 rejects the triumphalism
00:21:17 --> 00:21:19 of his opponents
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 his ministry itself
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 was not without
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 its effects.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 He says there
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 but thanks be to God
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 who always leads us
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 in triumphal possession
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 in Christ
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 and through us
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 spreads everywhere
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 the fragrance
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 of the knowledge
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 of him.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 The fragrance
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 is going out there
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 because of Paul's
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 ministry.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 Just like a fragrance
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 that is invisible
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 it clearly makes
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 its presence known
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 so Paul's ministry
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 made its presence known.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 Paul's ministry
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 although it seemed weak
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 was in fact
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 effective
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 and noticeable.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:57 and so as Christ
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 leads us
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 in triumphal
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 possession
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 as his slaves
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 we will see
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 both acceptance
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 and rejection.
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 People may come
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 to know Jesus
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 and people
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 may be repulsed
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 by Jesus
00:22:12 --> 00:22:15 and so
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 St Paul's
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 may grow
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 or it may decline
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 whatever the outcome
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 though
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 when the going
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 gets tough
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 the tough
00:22:24 --> 00:22:26 keeps smelling.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 Amen.