Aroma

Captivating Day 5 What If?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ezekiel 11:14-21
John 17:20-26
Acts 2:41-47
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Galatians 5:16-26

Captivating, Day 5

Over the past week, we’ve studied how captivating a captivated life can be as we share the aroma of the gospel with families and friends. Today, we are taking a realistic look at our personal involvement in our local church body. But first, what exactly is the church? Differing opinions abound, but let’s carefully examine what Scripture teaches.

First, what is “the church?”
When most people in our culture refer to a “church,” we are referring to the literal church building or non-profit organization. This word “church,” as we most commonly use it, was likely derived from the Greek word “kuriakon,” which translates to “of the Lord,” or “belonging to the Lord.” This is important for a number of reasons, but perhaps most noteworthy because the word “kuriakon” is entirely missing from the New Testament, the text which expressly documents the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the beginning and growth of the early church.

Listen, friends. It is never used in the text at all. Not even once. What we have accepted and widely adopted as the definition of local church is not, in fact, biblical.

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, the word “ecclesia” was used in reference to the early believers. The word “ecclesia” translates to “an assembly.” This is both fascinating and important; Scripture is telling us the church is not a faceless organization or building, rather an assembly of individual believers making up a whole body.

The church is not a place. Nor is it just one or two key people of faith. Scripture teaches the church is gathered assembly of people. A body of individual believers, each one possessing the same Holy Spirit, but each designed to fulfill a unique and wholly different purpose, working together to build up the church.

Loves, the difference here has precious little to do with our semantics
and everything to do with our heart posture.
We have defined the church by what it does for us and offers us,
while Scripture teaches us believers are called to BE the church.

So…how do we go about “being the church?”
Acts 2 describes the early believers as devoted to studying the Scriptures, to prayer, to fellowship and taking the Lord’s Supper together. All who chose Christ also chose to live together in unity and community. This was always the Lord’s design!
When someone was in need, the other believers cared for them, even selling their own belongings so they could fulfill the need. Early followers of Jesus “Christus” knew they were a city on a hill.
As they obeyed the Lord and loved others the Lord drew countless others and caught the world on fire with His love. 

Does that spark something in your chest the way it does mine, Love?
Does it change the way you think about your church and the greater body of believers spanning the globe?
Does it make you feel like maybe we’ve been asking all the wrong questions?

What if… instead of asking how our church “feeds” us, we began realizing that, as believers, we are fed by the Word of God, AKA the Bible?

What if… instead of complaining about the lack of ____________, we started focusing on how we can build up other believers? Suppose we stepped out in faith and used our spiritual gifts to edify the church?

What if… instead of waiting for our church leaders to publicly ask us to serve, or donate, or give, or fill-in-your-blank, we just looked for opportunities and jumped in?

What if… instead of consoling a fellow believer in need and praying for provision, we went home and sold something we owned or re-arranged our budget so we could meet their immediate need?

And Love, what if we did all of these things joyfully, without reservation or pause? Would that be a community worth abandoning our self-imposed isolation for?
Would that be a community that would spark a lost world’s attention?

That’s all well and good, I hear you say.
But how am I supposed to do all of this when I’m treading water right now?
I’m barely keeping up with my everyday, let alone serving anywhere extra.

Sweet friend. I’ve been there, too. 

Hear this: there is no condemnation here.
We can not earn our place with Jesus. If you have accepted Him as Savior, and surrendered your heart and life to Him, you belong. Nothing changes that.

At the same time, is it possible that in the busyness of this age, we have lost sight of what surrender to Jesus really means?

Is it possible that not walking in your Kingdom identity and purpose in church has spilled over into everyday life and relationships, thereby emphasizing the isolation you find yourself adrift in?

We would be lying if we tried to pretend like we’ve never been there.
I know I have.

And you are right. It is impossible to pour from an empty cup.
But dear one, personal experience and the Holy Spirit have taught me our cup will always become empty when it isn’t regularly refilled by the Word of God and the ministry of said Holy Spirit.

Love, do you feel a stirring?

The Lord is calling each of us to come to a full stop today, right this minute.
Find a quiet space. Cover your head with your apron. Put on your red hat.
Do whatever you need to do to get quiet in your spirit, regardless of the ruckus around you, and ask Jesus to help you make space to be in the Word daily, and to dive into prayer.
Ask Him to instill a hunger for Scripture, for His Presence, and for Holy Spirit.

Then, trust that He Who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it!
He will finish what He started, Sister! Rejoice and obey!

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Captivating Day 2 The Middle Of The Story: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Middle Of The Story!

The Questions

1) Who is the “I” in verse 4 and why is he troubled?

2) What is the “aroma of knowledge”?

3) What contrast is Paul making in verses 16 and 17?

4) What is to be our motivation as believers?

2 Corinthians 2:4-17

For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. 5 If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate—to all of you. 6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. 7 As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me, 13 I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.l15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? 17 For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

Original Intent

1) Who is the “I” in verse 4 and why is he troubled?
In the previous chapter, we learn Paul is the letter’s author and he is speaking to his audience from a heart of “anguish”. We also learn from chapter 1:15 how Paul was unable to come Corinth and explains the reasons why he did not come. He longs to come to the Corinthians and he loves them deeply (2:4). Paul explains how his anguished, troubled heart is precisely because of his love for them. The Corinthian church struggled with conflict within and disunity ran rampant among them. This grieved Paul’s heart because he knew how much God desires unity, love, and forgiveness to be the most prominent characteristics of His Bride, the Church. Paul had already written to the Corinthians with strong words intended for their correction and discipline to live like Christ had called them. This second letter reflects the intensity that Paul loves them enough to call them out towards repentance.

2) What is the “aroma of knowledge”?
In this passage the words you see are exactly what they mean, the smell or odor of the knowledge of God, the of knowing Christ and having Him as Lord of your life. The more we know of the Lord, the more we have experienced Him personally in everyday life, the greater the intensity of His lingering fragrance over our daily actions and words.

3) What contrast is Paul making in verses 16 and 17?
Paul is using the analogy of life and death and comparing it to either an enticing fragrance or a repugnant one. To other believers and those seeking and exploring the claims of Christ, the devoted Christ-follower smells of life and hope, drawing others deeper with intrigue for how to know this Jesus for themselves. However, in contrast, there are others, those who have denied or turned their back on the Cross, those who are entirely un-interested and repelled by the freeing story of the Gospel. To these, the Christian smells of death, the stark reality of their separation from God and “the misery arising from sin”. These people press hard and fast away from hope, tragically clinging tightly to their sin. (Strong’s Interlinear Bible Search, www.studylight.org)

4) What is to be our motivation as believers?
Paul finishes the chapter with a description of the motivation of the believer, sincerity in Christ. He makes the contrast with those who “market” the word of God for profit. Other translations use the word “peddling” the word of God. (NASB) The Corinthian church would have known what Paul was referencing because there were those in Corinth that were doing just that. Similar to what Paul speaks of in Philippians how some preached Christ out of envy and vain conceit, some in Corinth were using the preaching of the gospel to bring about their own fame and prideful superiority to gain popularity and even funding. Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to loving act and share hope from a heart that loves and honors God, not because we are using the gospel to further our own position.

Everyday Application

1) Who is the “I” in verse 4 and why is he troubled?
Paul traveled far and wide. He led the New Testament church by establishing small local churches and training local pastors. He would then go check on those churches throughout his missionary journeys, continuing to build them up or, at times, remind them of the anchoring truth of the gospel and bring about correction and rebuke. He captivated those around the Mediterranean with his devotion to Christ, especially those who had met him and knew him personally. He gained a reputation that reeked beautifully of a transformed life wholly devoted to Christ.  I often wonder, do people know who I serve? Are they so captivated by my actions and my life that they ask why? Paul sets an example for us today of utter devotion for the lost and the truth of the Gospel, even when it means asking hard questions and pointing people back to truth. Everything Paul did was from a heart of deep love, may we be encouraged to do the same!

2) What is the “aroma of knowledge”?
What knowledge do you smell like? It is an odd question, but one Paul raises in this passage. There was a senior lady at a church I attended in my twenties. We used to joke that she “oozed” Jesus. Her demeanor, her attitude, her words, and her life exemplified her dedicated devotion to Christ. Paul gives thanks to God who “always leads” us in spreading the truth about Christ in every place. We should be both encouraged that we are not alone for He is with us, but we should also be convicted to follow where He leads. Our aroma should captivate a dying world, drawing them in by the fragrance of the One who rescues and saves!

3) What contrast is Paul making in verses 16 and 17?
The aroma of a devoted Christ follow is sweet to those who know Him and to those who are being drawn in by the Holy Spirit. There is a familiarity and comfort when you find a brother or sister in Christ. There is a nearly tangible bond and a shared hope that comes from being part of the family of God, regardless of location. On the other hand, the aroma of Christ is repulsive to a dying world. The knowledge of God brings about the knowledge of sin and brokenness with no hope. When He pursues those who are running, His aroma is one of wrath and separation. Even in the stench of sin, God’s grace is still available and abundant. The question for us is two-fold. One, are we bringing a fragrant aroma of hope? Two, are we drawn in or repelled by the fragrance of other Christ followers? How well we love others and love Christ’s Bride, the Church, are two telling traits of how well we actually love Jesus.

4) What is to be our motivation as believers?
Paul brings this up because of the peddlers within Corinth that were disgracing the true gospel; they preached Christ for their own benefit to make themselves look better. Our goal as believers is sincerity and Christlikeness. We love because Christ loved us. Period. There is no market value that you can put on Jesus’ deep love. I am reminded of the credit card commercial that shows a series of events with price tags and then ends with sincere sweet moments between families and friends. The commercial ends with a black screen and the word priceless. Paul is making the point here that the Gospel has no price tag. It is available for all and there is no monetary price that can be put on the gospel. We must be sincere in our lives, in our pursuits, and all things that Christ calls us to in this life. Oswald Chambers pens it beautifully in the title of his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”. We give our utmost best because we love the One who is the Highest and worthy of the most supreme love.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

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Captivating Day 1 The Middle Of The Story

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Corinthians 2:4-17
Colossians 1:24-29
Judges 13-16

Captivating, Day 1

I catch Ms. Eileen out of the corner of my eye as we sing the chorus to “Only King Forever.”
You are the only King forever
Almighty God we lift You higher
You are the only King forever
Forevermore, You are victorious

Ms. Eileen is the older sister/motherly type figure in my life and my children’s. She is the one my husband refers to as “The hugging bandit”.
She is coming my way and I know what she wants and will lovingly give: the biggest, tightest hug one can take without choking.

My one son, who is not the touchy-feely type, jokes that Ms. Eileen could kill someone with her hug. My other son, however, gleefully smiles with open arms, eager to receive her gift.

When Ms. Eileen is seated, the scent of her lingers in the air, on my shirt, and on my son’s head. It is the fragrance of Ms. Eileen.
It is the aroma she carries on her and sweetly leaves behind.

As I read 2 Corinthians 2 of believers being the aroma of Christ, carrying the fragrance of life or death depending on whether the recipient has trusted Jesus, is seeking Him, or has turned away, I think of Ms. Eileen.
Scent-wearers carry with them an odor, some more pleasant and welcoming than others. *For the record, I am quite fond of Ms. Eileen’s fragrance. 😉

Maybe you’ve had a similar experience where someone wearing a strong fragrance embraces you and then you “smell” that person on you the rest of the day.  In similar lingering fashion, the gospel brings a lasting fragrance of either life or death.

This aroma of Christ is something we, as believers, ARE, not necessarily something we do.
It is, however, directly correlated with the message we profess and the hope we offer to others through the gospel.

God delighted in creating Adam and Eve and provided everything they needed for life, even boundary lines by which they would know their lives were intended for worship to the Lord. God gave one command: do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17).

Man, deceived by God’s enemy and his own desire to rule over himself instead of trusting God’s good love for him, sinned against God and crossed into disobedience. (Genesis 3)

God sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment man deserved for the sinful state perpetuated in every human being since Adam (Romans 5:12, John 3:16).

By trusting in the atonement of Jesus, man receives forgiveness of sins and is given the gift of eternal life with God, forever dwelling in perfect communion with Him (Romans 10:9).

As Christians, we are called to both
declare these truths
and live this hope.
In this way, others catch the waft of Christ’s fragrance.

The people within the walls of our home are the ones receiving a front-row seat to this dramatic, fragrant affect.
The pleasing fragrance intensifies as we devote time to studying God’s Word and conversing with Him in prayer. Its aromatic tendrils extend towards those we love, first for the ones at home, who are the first witnesses of our dedication to the living God and His active Word.

Its attractiveness is found in the soft answer we return to harsh words.
It’s on display as we patiently endure through suffering, both in everyday trials and intense life-storms.
Its winsome delight is displayed in our willing surrender of our preference to another’s and as forgiveness is extended before apologies are even made.

In these ways we emit the aroma of Christ.

Eyes are watching.
Hearts are witnessing.
How deeply do we love the Savior?

To those in our homes and families for whom the veil is being lifted (2 Corinthians 3:15), witnessing our life and hearing our hope is the beginning of sight for them!

But, it is a hard, hard reality to accept that for some within our families,
the fragrance of Christ we embody will be to them the stench of death.

Our motives will be questioned.
Our meekness, mocked.
Our “religion” considered a crutch.
And, it will sting.

I imagine it stung deeply for Samson’s parents, too, when the boy they were gifted deceived his parents, denied his consecration, and followed after his fleshly desires rather than God’s purposes for his life.

As a mother of two teens and one tween-ager, I have a different vantage point reading Samson’s story than when I read it as a child. Now I see through the eyes of Samson’s parents, and my heart breaks for the years they surely spent in travail for the wayward choices of their son.  I imagine (because the Scripture doesn’t say) them appealing to Samson, pleading with God, angling to arrange God-fearers to influence Samson to turn from his selfish, arrogant pursuits and dedicate his life afresh to the God Who set him apart from birth.

We know the end of Samson’s story.
We know the faith of his parents eventually became his own.
We know Samson turned to God in the final moments of his life. And, though his eyes were gouged out, Samson finally was granted sight.
He saw God for Who He is: The Only One with infinite power to both destroy and save.
The One who longs for all to find life and so He tarries patiently.

All of us, however, are still in the middle of both our stories and others’.
Our children, parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles; all of our family members are either carriers of the aroma of Christ or catching whiffs of us.

For those in our families, whether unbeliever or Christ-follower, we live out love, travail in prayer, and proclaim with our lives and tongues the greatest news ever given!

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to him belong

They are weak but he is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Oh, yes Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Captivating Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Captivating!