Evangelism can be a difficult thing. Some people believe that we must do everything we can to make the gospel attractive to unbelievers – even to the point of being silent about sin. Others think that we must be as direct as possible, even to the point of harshness. The Apostle Paul reminds us that as we testify to the gospel with both our words and actions, our primary audience is God. When we faithfully present God’s message of salvation, we are “The Smell of Jesus” (2 Cor. 2:12-17) to others around us. That means we will smell like death to those who reject the gospel, and we will smell like life to those who embrace the gospel. Whether someone believes the gospel is not our responsibility. We are to be faithful, speaking with sincerity and love to a world that needs Jesus.

I. Strain of Gospel Ministry (2:12-13)
II. Sufficiency in Christ (2:14-16)
III. Sincerity of Gospel Message (2:17)

Questions for consideration: (1) What circumstances cause you to look away from Christ and to focus on your own shortcomings? (2) Why does Paul tell us that there are two reactions when we present Christ to others, if Christ “always leads us in triumphal procession”? (3) In what ways could we be tempted to be “peddlers of God’s word”? How can we focus on being sincere?