Latest / The Holy Pause / Becoming “Aroma” Creators

Transcript

Becoming “Aroma” Creators · The Holy Pause

• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: A reading from Scripture, 2 Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 12-17.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ,
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: and found that the Lord had opened the door for me,
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: But thanks be to God,
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession,
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: And uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: and those who are perishing.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: To the one, we are an aroma that brings death.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: To the other, an aroma that brings life.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: And who is equal to such a task?
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: On the contrary, In Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes I feel really great about the way I engaged in a moment.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: I was kind.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: I was effective at speaking and listening.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: I was aware of myself and others.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: I nailed it.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: And then there are other moments.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: When I lashed out in knee-jerk emotion.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: When I phoned it in and didn't actually listen to or engage in
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: a conversation I should have taken seriously.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: Or perhaps I was too wrapped up in forming my response that I didn't even listen to
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: the other person in the room.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: We all have impact on our surroundings, all the time.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Our presence leaves the environment different each time.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: The question is, What difference is my presence making in the world?
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Paul describes himself as someone whose life carried the fragrance of the knowledge
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: of Christ wherever he went.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: He wasn't simply passing through environments.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: His presence represented Christ and made an impact.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: We are challenged as believers to do the same.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: In our workplace, homes,
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: churches,
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: Friendships and communities,
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: our charge is to leave people better than we found them.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: Our words should encourage.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Our character should bring integrity.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: Our presence should bring peace.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: Our actions should point to people towards Christ.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: This is what our aroma should do.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: It should fill the world with the fragrance of divine love.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: An aroma changes the atmosphere around it.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: Without necessarily drawing direct attention.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: In the same way,
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: we can influence an environment simply by consistently carrying the character
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: of Jesus.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: It's easy to say.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: Slightly more difficult to do.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: But I believe we have what it takes to truly leave this world better than we found it.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: And it takes each of us knowing how to spread our scent of faith, of hope, and of love.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Today, before leaving any room,
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: relationship,
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: workplace,
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: or conversation,
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: practice asking yourself, did my presence make this environment better or worse?
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: Did I leave people with more hope, encouragement, peace, or love than they had the day before?
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_00: Join me in prayer.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help me carry the aroma of Christ wherever I go.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: Help me be an asset to every environment you place me in.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Let my words, attitude, character, and actions leave people better than I found them.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: May my life point others to you.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: This podcast was written by Catherine Piper and recorded by Reverend Elizabeth Troyer.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: With audio engineering and editing assistance from Jermaine Taylor,
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: this podcast will always be free.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: But if you would like to donate to our online ministry,
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: you can do so at wakeforestpres.org slash give.