https://youtu.be/EnxaqjnS80A

Sweet Aroma: Pastor Appreciation Day 2021 (2 Cor. 2:14-17) *All verses in NKJV*

(Talk about Matt and Crystal)

- A little more than 18 yrs ago, I was there when Pastor Matt and Pastor Crystal planted FVC.

- I’ve seen it grow from just a few people in an elementary School, to where we are today.

- Working 2 jobs, raising kids, full time ministers… making many sacrifices along the way.

- They have had other opportunities. Example: Larger church that offered him a job, meaning he would have to close FVC. But he didn’t take it, because God called him to lead us! And he obeyed.

- Their hearts are not focused on what they can get from God, but how they can serve him better.

- Praise God that they obeyed the Lord, because I have seen it change countless lives here, as they share the unadulterated gospel with anyone who will listen.

- They have made FVC a treasure, and because of that, they have become a treasure to us. 

- Example: I don’t know where I would be without them. They are encouragers, steadfast, loyal, and an example for all of us to follow…

- They are a treasure to us because they have made it a priority to preach the whole truth and council of God. People need to hear the hard truth, not to be placated. Above all, that has become a sweet aroma to us who are saved, and a stern warning to those who are not. 

- It is the smell of death to those who have chosen to live a life of sin, and that has often created friction, which they have gladly endured for the cause of Christ.

- This leads me into today’s scripture…

2 Cor. 2:14-17, Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

1. Jesus uses us to spread his word.

- Paul is creating a word picture here that is about more than what smells good or bad. The concept is one of victory or defeat.

- In Rome, when a General returned from winning in battle, they would hold a victory parade, or a “Triumph march” to celebrate his victory over the enemy.

- This would involve a long processional through large crowds lining the city streets including chariots, soldiers, the spoils of war, and the enemy captives taken during battle. The route would be lined with burning incense that would permeate through the whole city. 

- 2 Cor. 2:14 (NLT), But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 

- Paul uses a word picture of Christ being the victorious leader, and we are in his triumph march. We are his servants, led by him, with the goal of spreading the gospel everywhere. 

- It is amazing how the word of God can change a life. You can’t expect people to just figure it out.

- Example: That’s why Pastor Matt preaches the way he does. You can’t dance around the truth and try to be PC, and hope someone catches it.