God Always Leads in Triumph in Christ (2:14a) Victorious General returning from battle always led a triumphal procession through the city Victorious General returning from battle always led a triumphal procession through the city Jesus is the Victorious General, the Commander-in-Chief (Col. 2:15; 1 Cor. 15:57) Jesus is the Victorious General, the Commander-in-Chief (Col. 2:15; 1 Cor. 15:57) Each word is powerfully significant: Each word is powerfully significant: –God…Always…Leads…Us…in Triumph…in Christ Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God!

God Disperses the Sweet Gospel Through Us (2:14b) During the triumphal procession, priests burned incense and the spreading fragrance was evident to all During the triumphal procession, priests burned incense and the spreading fragrance was evident to all The “fragrance” is the knowledge of Christ, the gospel The “fragrance” is the knowledge of Christ, the gospel The fragrant gospel is spread “THROUGH us” (2 Cor. 4:7) The fragrant gospel is spread “THROUGH us” (2 Cor. 4:7) The fragrant gospel is spread through us in every place (Matt. 5:13-16; Mark 16:15) The fragrant gospel is spread through us in every place (Matt. 5:13-16; Mark 16:15) Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God!

God Makes Us Sufficient As the Aroma of Christ During the triumphal procession, the aroma carried significance During the triumphal procession, the aroma carried significance The aroma of Christ has a vertical & a horizontal dimension The aroma of Christ has a vertical & a horizontal dimension Horizontally: We are the aroma of Christ AMONG men (2:15b-16a) Horizontally: We are the aroma of Christ AMONG men (2:15b-16a) –The aroma has differing results among men (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18; 1 Pet. 2:7) –Among the saved/obedient, the gospel (& its teachers) is a sweetness, leading to life –Among the perishing/disobedient, the gospel (& its teachers) is a stench, leading to death Vertically: We are the aroma of Christ TO God (2:15a, 16b) Vertically: We are the aroma of Christ TO God (2:15a, 16b) –“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) –Souls being saved through our aroma is “to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15) –“Our sufficiency [to be the aroma of Christ] is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5) Commissioned by God, we speak His pure word in His sight (2:17) Commissioned by God, we speak His pure word in His sight (2:17) Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God! (2:15 -17)

You Can Be Among the Saved in Christ! Believe Jesus is God’s Son – John 8:24 Believe Jesus is God’s Son – John 8:24 Repent from your sins and turn to God – Luke 13:3 Repent from your sins and turn to God – Luke 13:3 Confess your faith in Jesus – Matthew 10:32 Confess your faith in Jesus – Matthew 10:32 Be immersed into Christ – Mark 16:16 Be immersed into Christ – Mark 16:16 –God will forgive your sins – Acts 2:38 –God will add you to His church – Acts 2:47 –God will write your name in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Faithful live as the aroma of Christ – 2 Cor. 2:14-17 Faithful live as the aroma of Christ – 2 Cor. 2:14-17