VISION: Transitioning With Heaven's Fragrance - Steve Parrish
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:14–16, ESV
The different seasons of Jesus’ life:
conception & birth
visit of Magi and the vision to flee
brief childhood snapshot
launch of his ministry at a wedding
temptation
mass ministry while gathering & training team
mass ministry while sending out team
mass ministry while preparing team for the future
crucifixion
resurrection & ascension
return
Each season required a transition to move into the next. Each season of your life will require the same.
The fragrance of your next season is determined in your transition. Aligning with Heaven aromatizes your future!
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. John 12:3–7, ESV
In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Matthew 26:12–13, ESV
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:47–53, ESV
Your fragrance matters. It arrives before you do and remains after your gone. It invites more of the same.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:14–16, ESV
KEEP SMELLING GOOD (smells never improve on their own!)
1. remain connected to Heaven
2. focused on the Author & His narrative
Jesus knew this transition was coming - the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8, ESV some are seen afar off (graduation), others are unexpected (fired)
3. ignore the noise
ignore the jolt:
there will be all sorts of distractions
distractions are hell’s attempt to stink up your world
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2, NIV
4. hate foul smells, not foul smelling people
5. bless: do not curse!
the most important aspect of the transition are your words
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21, ESV
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:5–12, ESV
6. keep spraying Heaven’s scent
Jesus let Judas kiss him
Jesus told the disciples to stop fighting
Jesus healed a man injured
later Jesus remained silent