INTRODUCTION - WITH SO MANY COMPLICATED PROBLEMS IN THE CORINTH CHURCH, HOW COULD THEY HOPE TO SURVIVE?

• The culture was in turmoil, the church in sin and confused, leaders arguing-different directions
• My heart has been heavy- America's turmoil, leaders confused, prophets uncertain sound - I'm tired of no fight
• But Paul found a note of Triumph, I have seen a fresh approach, sweetly full of Christ's spiritual refreshing joyous triumph, yet in God's truth, and power

I. CAN WE TRIUMPH  ??? II Cor 2:14

The Triumph parade of a conquering general Paul pictured with this word was great - humbled - exalted

A.  THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH FOUGHT SOME TERRIBLE BATTLES BUT WASTED ENERGY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT WIN

1. They fought great battles against the flesh- Lust and Adultery invaded the church-& drunkenness
2. They fought the world system-even inside the church, court battles, dirty linen in public
3. They fought the Devil- cf 11:14 for he appeared as an angel of light- & some followed him

B.  BUT PAUL WROTE THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH - II Cor 10:3-4

1. The church there claimed many leaders- going different ways -all claiming to be right ??
2. And today- politically, spiritually- many leaders, each critical of others -Communist plan
3. But Paul did not war after the flesh- If we do we will be confused & help Satan.

C.  BUT PAUL WROTE THAT WE WILL ALWAYS BE CAUSED TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST BY GOD - II Cor 2:14a

1. This seemed inconsistent- for many from that church failed, and died! appearance of failure
2. But those who are truly in Christ- will be caused to triumph. ALWAYS! But are you in Christ?
3. Those who fight for Christ, will triumph like David, or Stephen- Victory Parade up there!

Those who are in Christ are sufficient, and will have a victory parade when we get Home

II.  CAN WE BE SWEET ??? II Cor 2:15,16

Such a triumph is described that the people could smell the victory banquet barbeque for miles

A.  GOD SAVOURS OUR SOULS AND SERVICE FOR WE ARE HERE TO GLORIFY HIM AND PLEASE HIM

1. The OT Sacrifice was cooked, with its savor (v.14) but some stank to God - polluted altars
2. We so much want to smell nice to each other Are we a perfume to God savoring His knowledge?
3. Those who are in Christ are made a sweet savor of Christ to God and to man - are you?

B.  TO SOME WE ARE A SAVOUR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH - II Cor 2:15b-16a - Paul sees from two Angles - Slaughterhouse

1. Some of the world will perish because some Christians stink to them, disappoint them
2. Satan tries to get us to be like Dan Gilbert- or AA Allen & laughs; false hopes - big rallies
3. But Satan got the Corinthians arguing in public, Paul was ashamed & not loved- 12:15

C.  TO SOME WE ARE A SAVOR OF LIFE UNTO LIFE - II Cor 2:16b - a Perfume that makes them think of Christ

1. The light of the world today is the Christian- dim or not, we are the world's only hope
2. Some do good things- praise God with they do - Soulwinning-Conference, or when Agnew spoke truth
3. Some do dumb things for God- Praise Him anyway- The God Squad, Sampson, or street preachers

But are we sufficient to guide people to Christ through the perfume of our lives?

III. CAN WE BE SUFFICENT ??? II Cor 2:17a

Paul offered Victory to them anyway, And we too can claim absolute Victory in Christ

A.  PAUL ASKS "WHO IS SUFFICIENT?" AND ANSWERS HIS OWN QUESTION "WE ARE!" v. 17

1. If we do not corrupt His word- adulterate it-(add water to the wind) 1st step of liberalism
2. If we speak in sincerity, as of God - God knows the man who is in it for for worldly gain
3. If we speak in the sight of God- in Christ God knows what we present, had better be Christian

B.  WE ARE NOT AS MANY WHICH CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD! What about you- what do you do with Bible?

1. We preach the Bible- systematically- not just a few proof texts for our philosophy!
2. We let the Bible speak for itself in its pure power it gets on all our toes- gives power
3. We urge you to read the Bible for yourself & we make every aid possible available to you

C.  IN THE SIGHT OF GOD SPEAK WE IN CHRIST - SO WE PRESENT NOT A PHILOSOPHY BUT A PERSON!

1. The Church is important, but we point men to Christ to get them saved- Born again-
2. If our arguing methods keeps us from presenting Christ- we are wrong, flag, prayer, or not
3. But no one can keep YOU from following Jesus Christ but yourself- you cannot blame others

Our sufficiency is of God (II Cor 3:5b) and in Christ we have triumphant liberty

CONCLUSION - CAN YOU BY FAITH CLAIM THIS VICTORY CELEBRATION NOW? ARE YOU SURE OF IT WHEN YOU GET HOME?

• Come to Jesus, be Saved, Confess Him publicly- let him make you a new creature.
• Then fight the good fight of faith with spiritual weapons- if you can't lead, be an armor bearer for one who does.
• But let God's word so work in your heart that you can be sufficient to triumph in Christ.