"Christ The Triumphant Victor"
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NASB)
(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on August 13, 2000)

Introduction: Over the last few weeks we have seen Paul dealing with such issues as finding comfort in the midst of struggles; forgiving Christians who have repented of their sins; and answering the criticism of others about our ministry. Today, we come to the end of Chapter 2 where we see Paul in the midst of all these things breaking forth in praise to God. Most people would have either left the ministry or the church long before they got to this point. But Paul knew that all the struggles and challenges that we face are trivial when compared to the Glory of God and His purpose for us. When we find ourselves facing, what seems to be, great opposition in our service for the Lord, we need to keep our eyes upon Christ who is the Triumphant Victor.
 

I. Christ, The Triumphal General (v.14).
1. The parade of triumph

A. "triumph," thriambeuo {three-am-byoo'-o: v, part, pres, act, m, sg}; to make an acclamatory procession, to conquer or to give victory, cause to triumph over, overcoming power, lead in a triumphal procession (i.e., of God's overcoming power).
B. This word occurs only here and Colossians 2:15, "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." (NASB).

- In this verse the despoiled powers and authorities are viewed as unwilling captives driven before the triumphal chariot of God or Christ

C. It is derived from thriambos, "a hymn to Bacchus," sung in festal processions, and was used to denote the Roman "triumph," celebrated by victorious generals on their return from their campaigns (Vincent Word Studies).

1) The general entered the city in a chariot, preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war, and followed by his troops, and proceeded in state along the sacred way to the Capitol, where he offered sacrifices in the temple of Jupiter.
2) He was accompanied in his chariot by his young children, and sometimes by confidential friends, while behind him stood a slave, holding over his head a jeweled crown.
3) The body of the infantry brought up the rear, their spears adorned with laurel.

- They shouted "triumph!" and sang hymns in praise of the gods or of their leader.

4) In a Roman triumph garlands of flowers scattered sweet odor and incense bearers dispensed perfumes that would fill the air.
5) Paul describes himself and the other subjects of Christ's grace under the figure of this triumphal pomp, in which they are led as trophies of the Redeemer's conquest.

- The picture here is of Paul as captive in God's triumphal procession.

2. Our constant victory in Jesus Christ

A. Is always constant, not occasional.

1) "always," pantote {pan'-tot-eh: adj, adv}; at all times, always, ever more.
2) Christians are always victorious in Christ.

Application: The reason why most "ministries" or "churches" fail is because they never had Christ in them to begin with, or they dropped Christ out of it somewhere. Instead of being "in Christ," they are "in the flesh."  When we take our eyes off Christ we put them on each other, and that spells failure and not victory. To be "n Christ" means we need to be Christ centered, and to do that we need to in constant communications with Him through prayer and we need to study the Bible so we can know His will and desires for us.
 

B. Our victory is not based upon our success in proclaiming the Gospel.

1) Paul points out in the verses which follow, that the victory we have in Christ is not measured in terms of the number of those who are saved due to our proclaiming the gospel.
2) The victory and triumph Christians experience are results of the faithful proclamation of the gospel, whether or not men believe in Christ.

A) "the sweet aroma of the knowledge"

- the Greek usage, sweet aroma andknowledgeare in apposition (the placing of a word or expression beside another so that the second explains and has the same grammatical construction as the first), so that the knowledge of Christ is symbolized as an aroma communicating its nature and efficacy through the apostle's work, "permeating the world as a cloud of incense"

-- "sweet aroma," osme {os-may': n, acc, f, sg}; pleasant odor, fragrance, sweet smelling offering or scent (from something is communicating its power).
-- "knowledge," gnosis {gno'-sis: n, gen, f, sg}; knowing the act, knowledge, science.

B) It is God who "manifests" or reveals the Gospel to the hearts of man.

- "manifests," phaneroo {fan-er-o'-o: v, part, pres, act, dat, m, sg}; to render apparent, appear, manifestly declare, make manifest, shew self.
- The knowledge of God is here the aroma which Paul had scattered like an incense bearer.
- We are to preach or share the Gospel and the Holy Spirit is the one who does the convicting.

-- John 16:8-11, "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged." (NASB)

A. "fragrance," euodia {yoo-o-dee'-ah: n, nom, f, sg}; fragrance, fragrance, sweet odor, aroma, used metaph. of sacrifices pleasing to God (as those who serve God sacrificially).
B. Ephesians 5:2, "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." (NASB)

Application: While we are sharers in the victories of our Lord, the point here is that Christ is victorious over us. He has "taken us captive" by saving us from our sins. Where Christians live out the life of Christ, a sweet aroma ascends Godward. Godly living, which includes the proclamation of the gospel, manifests Christ to men, and thus, it brings pleasure and glory to God. The preaching and the living out of the gospel are sweet smells to God. We say, "That is like music to my ears." Paul says, "Godly living and the preaching of the gospel are perfume to God's nostrils"

2. Believers are a fragrance of Christ's victory to the world (v.15b, c).

A. To those who are being saved (v.15b).

1) "being saved," sozo {sode'-zo: v, part, pres, pass, dat, m, pl}; save (of Christian salvation), rescue, deliver, keep safe, preserve.
2) In spreading the fragrance of Christ the Christian himself becomes fragrant.

Application: God is victorious over our weaknesses, so that He actually employs our weaknesses in a way which brings about His purposes--to His glory.
 

B. To those who reject Christ (v.15c).

- "perishing," apollumi {ap-ol'-loo-mee: v, part, pres, mid/pass, dat, m, pl}; to destroy fully, to perish, die, destroy, be lost, bring to ruin.

Application: Some Christians suppose that God is glorified only when unbelievers are converted by the preaching of the gospel. But this is not what Paul says. Paul says God is glorified (and pleased) by the preaching of the gospel, period, whether men believe or reject the gospel. And so, that sweet smell of the gospel to God.

3. The fragrance of death and life (v.16).

A. The fragrance of death (v.16a).

1) "aroma from death to death,"

A) "aroma," osme {os-may': n, nom, f, sg}; odor, fragrance, scent (i.e., used here to denote an odor of any kind, salutary or deadly [vincent].
B) "death to death," thanatos {than'-at-os: n, gen & acc, m, sg}; death, as the separation of the soul from God, eternal death.

- The divine fragrance itself may have, to Christ's enemies, the effect of a deadly odor.
- The figure was common in rabbinical writings.

Application: Just as the Roman victory procession was ascending the Capitol Hill, some of the captive chiefs were taken into the adjoining prison and put to death.  So while the fragrance may have been sweet to some, to those who were losing their lives, it was an odor of death. This is why some people react so violently to the Gospel Message.  The Gospel is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles according to 1 Corinthians 1:23.  When we proclaim the gospel, we should do so knowing that there is no human way unsaved men will receive the gospel and repent. Our only hope is that God will sovereignly intervene, bringing about conversions that would not happen in any other way.
 

B. The fragrance of life (v.16b).

1) The Gospel is the fragrance of life for those who believe.

A) "aroma," osme {os-may': n, nom, f, sg}; pleasant odor, fragrance, sweet smelling offering or scent (from something is communicating its power)
B) "life to life," zoe {dzo-ay': n, gen & acc, f, sg}; life, supernatural life received by believers as a gift from God

2) When a person recognizes that they are lost and dying in their sins, and there is no hope for them in and of themselves, then there is nothing sweeter than to hear the good news.

A) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (NASB)
B) Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB)
C) What could be sweeter than to hear there is hope in a lost and dying world that can offer no hope!

Application: To those who are being saved, the gospel is like perfume, attracting them to Christ and leading them to eternal life. Like bees to a sweet smelling flower.
 

III. Christ, His Victorious Message (vv16c-17).
1. Who is worthy to proclaim the Gospel? (v.16c).

- "who is adequate," ikanos {hik-an-os': adj, nom, m, sg}; competent as if coming in season, ample in amount or fit in character, able, enough, sufficient, worthy, qualified, adequate, competent.

Application: When Paul asks who is adequate for these things, he wants us to understand that no one is--in their own strength. We are not adequate to manifest Christ to a dying world. We cannot live like Christ, in and of ourselves. And we are not adequate to present the gospel in a way which convinces and converts sinners. Saving sinners is an impossible task. As we will see though, that there are some who do so, in their own flesh (v.17a).
 
 

A. Not those proclaim a diluted Gospel (v.17a)

1) Paul seems to indicate that there were many who diluted the Gospel.
2) "peddling the word,"

A) "peddling," kapeleuo {kap-ale-yoo'-o: v, part, pres, act, nom, m, 1 per, pl}; peddle for profit, of a petty retail merchant who sells deceitfully, be a huckster (used here of peddling the Gospel message for personal gain, or for the tricks of hucksters who adulterate the Gospel).

- Hucksters were suspected of corrupting by putting the best fruit on top of the basket.
- The term included dealers in victuals and all sorts of wares, but was especially applied to retailers of wine, with whom adulteration and short measure were matters of course.

-- They would mix the new, harsh wines, so as to make them pass for old.
-- It was not thought respectable to take refreshments.
-- The whole trade was greatly despised.

B) "word," logos {log'-os: n, acc, m, sg}; word, speech, the sayings of God, doctrine, what is declared.

3) The Word of God can be corrupted by mixing tradition and man-made doctrines with the pure Gospel. It can also be corrupted by using personal influence and authority.

A) Today, in America, we have thousands if not millions of Christians following after "teachers" who are diluting God's Word by mixing it with their lies.

1) Benny Hinn (word of faith teacher)

- He throws the Holy Spirit, like a baseball, out to people in the audience so they can receive the Holy Spirit.
- He also embraces a heresy known as tritheism (tri-theism), the false belief in the existence of three gods.
- "Jesus Christ knew the only way He would stop Satan is by becoming one in nature with him..."

2) Robert Schuller

- Sin is not rebellion against God, but rather it is anything that robs a person of his or her self-esteem.
- A person is in hell when he has lost his self-esteem.

3) Paul Crouch (TBN president)

- "I am a little god! Critics, be gone!"
- Teaches that when Jesus defeated Satan in the underworld, that's when His divinity returned to Him.

4) Kenneth Copeland (word of faith teacher)

- "...We are a class of gods!"
- He also stated that God was the biggest failure in the Bible

5) Kenneth Hagin (word of faith teacher)

- "man...was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God's presence without any consciousness of inferiority..."
- "Spiritual death means something more than separation from God. Spiritual death also means having Satan's nature...Jesus tasted death - spiritual death - for every man."

6) Charles Capps (word of faith teacher)

- denies that God created the earth out of nothing.
- He also teaches visualization and confession (picture it and then claim it and it will happen).

7) Earl Paulk (word of faith teacher)

- "Dogs have puppies and cats have kittens, so God has little gods."

8) Robert Tilton (word of faith teacher)

- States that being poor is a sin, since God promises prosperity.

9) The List of modern day hucksters goes on and on (see Hank Hanegraaff's book  "Christianity in Crisis." for hundreds of more examples).

- All these men are unworthy to proclaim God's Word!
- The "Word of Faith Movement " are teaching lies straight out of the pit of hell and then they accuse them that don't agree with them as being from Satan.

Application: Christians need to start paying attention to what God's Word says. 2 Peter 2:1 warns us that "there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies." 1 Thessalonians 5:21 told us to, "examine everything carefully." We are responsible to exercise careful and diligent spiritual discernment. We are to examine everything and put it to the test according to God's Word (hold that teaching up next to the Word of God to see if it lines up). We are to scrutinize all teachings so we may know what is indeed genuine and what is counterfeit. When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians he was concerned they were believing false teaching. He asked them, "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough" (Galatians 5:7-9). When Christians hear false teachings it should make us want to choke! There should be warning sirens going off in our heads! We need to get BACK INTO THE INTENSE STUDY OF GOD'S WORD so that we won't be mislead.
 

B. [who is worthy?] Only those who proclaim the pure and unadulterated truth of the gospel (v.17b).

1) The Answer: In and of himself, no one is, but some one has to preach Christ and Paul proceeds to show that he is sufficient.

A) "but as from sincerity," eilikrineia {i-lik-ree'-ni-ah: n, gen, f, sg}; purity of motive, integrity, sincerity, ingenuousness.
B) "speak," laleo {lal-eh'-o: v, indic, pres, act, 1 per, pl}; to talk, utter words, preach, say, speak, tell, assert, proclaim.
C) "in the sight of God," katenanti {kat-en'-an-tee: prep, gen}; directly in front of, before the presence of, in the sight of, before, in the sight of, in the judgment of, in the view of.

2) Paul and his fellow laborers in the gospel were not gospel peddlers.

A) They spoke the truth of the gospel, plainly, and with purity of motive.
B) They did not speak so as to please men and gain their approval and applause.
C) They spoke in the sight of God, seeking to glorify Him by accurately representing His Son, and thereby pleasing Him with the sweet smell of Christ.

Application: We are not to be like those who preach an adulterated, watered down Gospel, but the pure and sound doctrine of God's Word.
 

INVITATION:

I'm going to close with only one question to you:

- What part of God's Victory Parade are you marching in?