What’s that smell?
Opening:
1. Have you ever thought of what do you smell like to those around you?
2. We ALL emit a scent or smell – if you don’t believe it, lean over to your neighbor and have a whiff
3. How good is your sniffer anyway?
Human nose – good
Dog nose – 300 times more sensitive than humans
Blood hound nose – 600 times more sensitive than a dog
Polar bear sensitivity is 3000 times more sensitive than a bloodhound nose nose
Polar bears have been known to track a the smell of a live seal from 20 miles way and the carcass of a whale from 60 miles away.
A. Each believer is leaving a spiritual as we go about life
1. You are marked by your spiritual odors
a. I believe that not only the Christian world, but the demonic as well can “detect our scent” if you will and will target us accordingly.
2. Read what Paul told the Philippians Christians in the verse below...
Phi. 4:18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Text: 2 Cor. 2:14-16
A. The background setting of this passage
1. Tell how Roman general returning from battle with the spoils of war- horses, silver and gold, men, woman and children.
Fragrances and incense was heavy in the air. To the victor- the smells of victory- to the prisoners, the smells of death – death to life as they once knew it.
The procession would follow a special route through the city and would end at the Circus Maximus where the helpless captives would entertain the people by fighting wild beasts..”
B. What kind of smell are we emitting?
1. Is it the stench of death or the smell of life?
C. Lest look at ways in which we can emit the stench of death
1. Back biting – comes from two Greek words which means down-talk
#2637, katalalos
Same as when your friends “dis” you
Slander - some folks are character assassins
Tell of preacher who told a lady even though she apologized his character was marred forever
2. When your friends dis you
D. Emitting the smell of life
1. Jesus best example of this
Peter say in Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Closing…
1. Today the choice is yours… you choose how you smell spiritually
2. Choose today to smell like Jesus
