THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION

What is “odor” in Illongo? “Baho.” “Bahu” is another term which simply means a
foul or offending smell. Odor is defined as “a smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant.” It
is also defined as “a quality or attitude that suggests or resembles a particular thing.” As
in, He has the odor of sanctity.
Now, in the Kindergarten Class, we are taught that there are three kinds of odor:
pleasant, unpleasant, and odorless. Please give me examples of each. Thank you.
Many people believe that the true worth or value of a thing is not in its odor – but
in its purpose. Do you believe in that too? For example, can you think of things that smell
good yet actually are not good for us? Or of things that smell bad yet are very useful?
Okay, never mind. Today, in this sermon, we are going to discover not only our
true odor, but our true purpose as well, why are called Christians, supposed to be the true
messengers of God…

MAIN TEXT

14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and
through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to
God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
16
To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is
equal to such a task? – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

DISCUSSION POINTS

1. “through us”
 We serve as containers of God’s odor.
 It means that we are the avenue – or the medium – wherein others can have a
“smell” of what God is like.
2. “the fragrance of the knowledge of him”
 This “smell” or “fragrance” is a foretaste of our knowledge about God and Christ.
 Kon sa pagkaon pa, kita mga pamaagi nga sa diin ang iban makapanimaho ukon
makasimhot kon ano ang matuod nga Diyos.
 The actual “eating,” however, depends much on the believer.
3. “we are the aroma of Christ…”
  The next obvious question is: ano ya’ng bahu ta?
 As far as this text is concerned, we are the aroma of Christ to everyone – believers
and unbelievers.
 So, to revise the obvious question, I think we need to ask ourselves more seriously,
Do I smell like Christ? Or better still, Is Christ in me? Do I project Christ-likeness to
others? Do others have the “foretaste” of God through me?
4. “the smell of death / the fragrance of life”
 This means that we should project an appropriate effect to others. That’s purpose!
 When we are in the midst of unbelievers, our “smell” should give them a sense of
guilt, knowledge of judgment, and the reality of God’s wrath.
 When we are with believers, we carry in their midst the aroma of life – of joyful
sense of God’s glory.
5. “and who is equal to such a task?”
 This is really a challenging question posing a great challenge!
 We should be spiritually proud – even angels were not given this kind of
opportunity!

APPEAL & CLOSING TEXT

Now let us again smell ourselves, brethren, and ask ourselves the obvious
questions of the day: Do I smell like Christ? Does His fragrance emanate from me or from
the way I live? Do I really understand the purpose of Christ’s odor in my life?

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, like men sent from God. – 2 Corinthians 2:17
(NIV)