MAKING SENSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD – SMELL
Romans 12:1
Do You Smell?
INTRODUCTION:
A. I have saved this message on smell for last for a number of reasons
1. I was not sure how much information I might find in my Bible concerning the sense of smell
2. Secondly, I had no idea where I might go with this message
3. Praise God he was good to provide information and direction.
B. Each of us have a sense of smell
1. It is the sense that enables us to perceive and distinguish the odors of various substances, also known as olfaction.
2. In humans, the organ of smell is situated in the mucous membrane of the upper portion of the nasal cavity near the septum in the nose.
a. It is made up of the olfactory cells, which are actually nerve cells that function as receptors for the sense of smell.
b. The free ends of the cells project outward from the epithelial tissue in the form of numerous hair like processes.
c. These fibers are buried in the mucus that coats the inner surface of the nasal cavity and are stimulated by various odors.
3. Nerve fibers extend from the olfactory cells to an area of the brain called the olfactory bulb.
4. Any disturbance of the nasal cavity—such as the common cold—in which the olfactory hairs are covered with excess mucus or other material, interferes with the sense of smell
5. As I read I came across many who said that most people believe the sense of smell is the least important – that may or may not be true
6. But what I do know is the sense of smell is not as strongly developed in humans as in many other vertebrates & invertebrates
7. And so it is when we come to the spiritual setting of the sense of smell.
C. The predominate theme attached to the sense of smell in both the Old and New Testament is that of SACRIFICE.
1. The apostle Paul probably had the best sense of smell of any man who has walked the face of the planet earth (outside of Jesus, of course).
2. He embodied the idea so aptly in Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
3. The life God desires and expects, and it is only reasonable considering what He has done for us, is one that offers our bodies (an embodiment of our entire life) to Him totally as a living sacrifice.
4. This type of life becomes a sweet smelling savor to our God!
5. And as I said, with the physical sense of smell, this is probably looked upon as the least important sense of all.
D. So lets trace the idea of a sweet smelling savor or order through the Word of God and see what we can learn how important it really is.
1. We will look at it in three different contexts: the first will be in
a. The Life Of Israel, followed by
b. The Life of Christ, and concluding with
c. The Life of the Believer (you and I)
2. I pray that we will be a sweet perfume ascending to our God in praise of His great love towards us.
PRAY
Let’s begin our look at the sense of smell by looking at it in the context of
I. THE LIFE OF ISRAEL, Leviticus 1:2-9 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. [3] If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. [4] And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. [5] And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [6] And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. [7] And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: [8] And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: [9] But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
A. God had brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt with a mighty hand and led them safely to Mount Sinai where He met with them
1. One of the first points of business God had with Israel was to introduce them to a number of sacrificial offerings that were to be made.
2. That which we just read was the “Burnt Offering.”
a. It was to be a voluntary offering made for an atonement of sin in general:
b. Later (Lev 4 & 5) would come two required offerings for specific sin (Sin Offering and Trespass Offering).
c. As well as two other voluntary offerings (Lev 2 & 3), the Meat Offering & Peace Offering, instituted to show honor and respect to God & to express gratitude to God respectively.
3. The one thing they all have in common is that they were to be burned on the altar and said to be “a sweet savour (or scent or odor) unto the Lord.
4. These offering were to be perpetual offerings – that is sacrifices – to God
B. But, lest we think the sacrifice was enough we need to understand that it was actually the heart that God was looking at.
1. First, have you ever smelled flesh burning?
a. It is not a pleasant thing
b. To say nothing about the whole slaughtering process.
2. But, beyond that listen to these two passages from the book of Malachi
a. Malachi 1:10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
- Why would God say this? Because they were offering the rag-tag of their animals – their heart was not right
b. Malachi 2:13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
- Why would God not regard their offering? Because they were offering it hypocritical: That is committing and continuing in sin while they were giving the sacrifice.
3. I’m going to step out on a limb and say this – the sacrifice was only as good as the hearts intent.
a. Listen to David’s words found in Psalm 51:15-17 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. [16] For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
b. David knew the law and that a sacrifice was necessary, but he also knew that it was the sacrifice along with the heart that God truly wanted!
C. And so we find that the Old Testament sacrifice was a necessary part of a individual’s life (by law), but the heart – the manner of living was to be a literal sacrifice to God as well.
With this in mind we move to the New Testament in our Bibles and consider this sweet smelling sacrifice in light of
II. THE LIFE OF CHRIST, Ephes. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
A. Our Savior is a perfect picture of a living sacrifice that was acceptable and a sweet smelling savor to our God.
1. This passage has as it’s direct focus the death of our Lord on the Cross of Calvary as a sin and trespass offering.
2. And according to this passage of scripture it was an acceptable (that is perfect) and sweet smelling (complete) offering – ultimately for us!
3. He, our Lord and Savior, is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament sacrifices pictured!
B. Now think about our Savior’s life.
1. He was sinless: in attitude, word and actions - Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
2. The words He spoke were not His words but those of the Father
- In John 17:8 Jesus is recorded as saying, For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me;
3. His works were the works of the Father
- John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
4. Jesus gave his life to the Father, for being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil 2:8
C. It was the Life and Death of Jesus that was the ultimate sweet smelling sacrifice for sin – the resurrection put the cap stone on it for us – again, all in accordance with the will of the Father! A sweet smelling savor!
With this the Bible finds its fulfillment, but its application moves on through the centuries and now takes its aim on you and I – a sweet smelling sacrifice in
III. THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER, Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
A. As we can see God’s desire is that we live our lives as a living sacrifice
1. The Old Testament physical sacrifices are no long needed
2. Jesus fulfilled the law that was pictured by them, atoning for our sin and making it possible for us to come to God.
3. In receiving Christ as our Savior we are place in Him – His death is our death, His life is our life
4. Our life, therefore changes, for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17
B. The life we now live is not to be one that is focused on ourselves for I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
1. My life is to be a living sacrifice to the Lord – it is to be a sweet smelling savor – odor – to my God for all that He has done for me.
2. This can be seen in a number of ways:
a. It is seen as we give to and help others
1) Paul writes to the Philippians But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Phil 4:18
2) When we give to God’s servants we give a sacrifice
3) When we give to God’s people we give a sacrifice
4) But more importantly when we give with a heart turned to God we are the sacrifice!
b. It is seen as we present the gospel and are a witness of our great Savior
1) 2 Cor. 2:14-16 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. [15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: [16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2) We have been commissioned to preach the Gospel, the death burial and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
a) When we do so with a heart that is stayed on God, as Christ was a sweet savor to God so we are as well.
b) To some the gospel will smell good, as unto eternal life, and to others it will be repulsive, as unto eternal death.
c) But in Christ our obedience and pure heart is as a sweet smelling savor to God in either case!
C. We are to be a living sacrifice wholly acceptable to God
1. Fully given to the Lord
2. Completely obedient to the Lord
3. Given without hypocrisy and with a pure heart.
4. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
CONCLUSION:
A. Do you smell this morning?
1. As a sweet odor to the Lord – a living sacrifice
2. Or are you a repulsive sacrifice before God – a corrupt sacrifice?
B. Won’t you offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God right now?
