Fragrance Or Stench

Fragrance or Stench

September 2, 2012 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Our lives are a testimony to others about our relationship with God through Jesus.

Focus Passage: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Supplemental Passage: Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." (John 12:20-21 NASB)

Introduction: I was picking the kids up from school one spring afternoon. We had the windows down. As we pulled up to a stop sign, I noticed the smell of a dead animal and said, “Ew, something smells dead.” My daughter looked around and said, “well, duh, Dad. We’re next to a cemetery!”

Relate other personal experiences regarding smells: bacon frying, bread baking, fresh cut grass, freshly plowed land, garbage trucks, dead animals, and talk about the emotions they invoke.

I. In Words

a. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NASB)

b. and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4 NASB)

II. In Deeds

a. "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. (Matthew 5:16 NASB)

b. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB)

III. In Attitudes

a. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 NASB)

b. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8 NASB)

Invitation:

Let Others See Jesus In You

B.B. McKinney, 1886-1952

While passing thro' this world of sin, and others your life shall view,

Be clean and pure without, within; Let others see Jesus in you.

Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you.

Keep telling the story, be faithful and true; Let others see Jesus in you.

Your life's a book before their eyes, They're reading it thro' and thro'

Say, does it point them to the skis, Do others see Jesus in you?

Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you.

Keep telling the story, be faithful and true; Let others see Jesus in you.

Then live for Christ both day and night, Be faithful, be brave and true,

and lead the lost to life and Christ. Let others see Jesus in you.

Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you.

Keep telling the story, be faithful and true; Let others see Jesus in you.