Sermon Snippet – The Sweet Smell of Service to the Savior
INTRODUCTION – This week, I was talking to a man who had a trapped skunk in the back of his vehicle. We chatted for about an hour. As he got ready to pull away and roll up his window, I told him that I could no longer smell the skunk and that I probably smelled like one. I was correct; as soon as I walked away from him, I could smell that skunk stench emanating from my clothes. There is a sermon in that experience about becoming used to noxious and obnoxious words, ideas, and behavior, but I am going in the opposite direction today. Rather remarkably, the Bible tells us that we can be sweet-smelling to God.
1. SHARING THE SALVATION MESSAGE IS SWEET TO OUR SAVIOR
In II Corinthians 2:14-17, Paul speaks about his ministry in Corinth. He uses the imagery of the Old Testament offerings: “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ” (verse 15a). Many people reject the sweetness of salvation (verse 16). However, our conveyance of the Gospel message is always sweet to God. Our individual efforts are pleasing to Him. Moreover, our involvement in a Gospel-preaching church is likewise a pleasure to God. Also, some will respond to the Gospel and receive Jesus Christ as Savior. To them, we become “the savour of life unto life” (verse 16).
2. SUPPORTING GOSPEL MINISTRIES IS SWEET TO OUR SAVIOR
In Philippians 4:18, Paul rejoices, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” At this time, the Apostle was in prison for preaching the Gospel. He really needed financial help, for the callous Roman authorities did not provide life’s necessities to prisoners. Certainly, then, Paul was greatly blessed by this thoughtful gift. However, even greater was the Savior’s pleasure, for this giving was “a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” In this era of scamming and skimming, we are responsible for our giving. We must support ministries that preach and present the Gospel.
3. SUPPLICATION IS SWEET TO OUR SAVIOR
Recently in our daily devotionals, we spent several weeks in Revelation 8:3-4, where we find “the prayers of all saints” likened to “the smoke of the incense” of the Old Testament tabernacle, and, later, temple. It is an overwhelming understatement to say that not everything about us is all sweetness and light. However, each time that we pray, our words are sweet to our Savior. What an encouragement, an incentive, to continue in regular prayer! Note that our prayers – perhaps our frail, feeble prayers – are “before the throne” of God, “with the prayers of the saints.” Our words of supplication are treated with the same respect accorded to the petitions of Abraham, Moses, Hannah, David, Peter, Paul, John, and other giants of the faith. Our simplest prayers are sweet to our Savior.
CONCLUSION – The basis for these three truths is found in the sweet sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:2 affirms that “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Since Jesus fully fulfilled the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-19), He is the ultimate sweet-savour offering. May each one of us be certain of faith in this sweet Savior, and may we permit His sweetness to work out into our lives.