Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 21 June 2020
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Title: “God who always leads us in triumph”

REVIEW
Our Biblical Theology of Tribulation

1. God

a) As our Father

b) As the God of all comfort

c) His personal involvement

d) His promises

2. Ourselves as Believers

a) Our faith

b) Our trust in God

c) Our comfort

d) Our conscience

THE CONCEPT OF GOD’S LEADING IN LIFE

1. God opening doors (2 Corinthians 2:12)

2. God’s leading to be noted (2 Corinthians 2:14)

3. This understanding may be traced in Paul’s life

a) In his ministry in Antioch (Acts 12)

b) In his being chosen by God to proclaim the Gospel (Acts 13)

c) The first Missionary journey (Acts 13-14)

d) The second Missionary journey (Acts 16-18)

e) The third Missionary journey (Acts 19-21)

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT GOD’S LEADING

1. God is there to personally lead and to open doors (2 Corinthians 2:12)

2. It will be in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14)

3. It will be in triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)

4. The Holy Spirit will be there too (Acts 13:2-4)

a) To anoint with power

b) To give wisdom and discernment

5. There may be tribulation

a) But God is there to comfort

b) To give grace

c) To empower

d) To make us effective

OUR PART IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S LEADING

1. Thanksgiving to God for His leading (2 Corinthians 2:14)

a) In thanksgiving the heart is filled with the Lord

b) Filled with gratitude

c) Filled with joy

d) Filled with confidence

2. Confidence in God’s leading

a) When God leads there will be triumph

b) Where God leads, He will lead us into victory

i) There may be battles to be fought

ii) There may be powerful enemies who will oppose

iii) Satan may even be there to deceive with his wiles (2 Corinthians 2:11)

3. There must be knowledge that we can share

a) The word “Knowledge” is be carefully understood

i) Knowledge of God
This has to be acquired first

ii) This knowledge of God is to be made known in every place
Skill in preaching and teaching is intimated

b) There is a word “to make known” that needs a bit of comment
(2 Corinthians 2:14)

i) To reveal

ii) To manifest

iii) This describes the work to be done

4. The means of making this knowledge known

a) The diffusion of knowledge (The idea of “make known” is “diffuse”)
Knowledge of God is diffused through His servants (2 Corinthians 2:14)

b) The servants of God are to be the very fragrance of Christ

c) Knowledge of God is compared to fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

i) The fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved

ii) It is also the aroma of death among those who are perishing
(because of rejection)

WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS?

1. This is a demanding ministry

a) Knowledge is not to be taken for granted

b) Ministry is also not to be taken for granted

2. Who is sufficient indeed for such a ministry?

a) Paul knew what he must not do

b) He must not “peddle the word of God”

i) The word of God is not a piece of merchandise
ii) It is not to be seen as a trading business

3. Sufficiency

a) The word “sufficiency”

i) There must be strength

ii) There must be ability

b) There must be sincerity

i) It is examined in the light

ii) Everything is transparently clear

c) There must be full awareness of ministering in the very sight of God

i) Consciousness of God

ii) Fear of God (reverence)

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To make knowledge a part of our being

a) Of who we are

b) Of what we are

c) In all we do

d) So that we emanate the very fragrance of Christ

i) Life-giving

ii) Refreshing

2. To be conscious of our need for God in ministry

a) Our sufficiency

b) Our strength and ability come from God