The Fragrance Of Christ | Pastor Philip John | NLF Dubai

Summary

In this inspiring message, the speaker reflects on the power of faith and trust in God amidst life's challenges and blessings. Drawing from the Song of Solomon and personal experiences, the sermon emphasizes the importance of cultivating a heart that bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit, staying faithful through both adversity and prosperity. The speaker encourages believers to embrace both the north and south winds of life, trusting in God's purpose to shape them into the likeness of Christ for His glory.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The importance of prayer and seeking God's guidance in our lives, especially during challenging times.
• 🌸 The Song of Solomon 4:16 is used as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people, with our hearts compared to a fruitful garden.
• 💰 God's ownership and investment in us, as He purchased the 'garden' at a high price, symbolized by the sacrifice of His Son.
• 🌺 The Holy Spirit's role in cultivating our spiritual garden, breaking up the hard ground of our hearts and planting the seed of His Word.
• 🍀 The fruits of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, which are signs of a healthy spiritual life.
• 🌪️ The metaphorical North Wind and South Wind representing seasons of adversity and blessing in our lives.
• 🛡️ The concept of God's hedge of protection surrounding us, showing His care and possession.
• 🌟 The assurance that God's thoughts towards us are precious and vast, as stated in Psalm 139:17.
• 💪 The call to remain faithful and to let our 'fragrance' spread, regardless of whether we face adversity or blessing.
• 🏆 The story of Joseph as an example of someone who maintained a fragrant character through both favorable and unfavorable winds.
• 🌈 The ultimate purpose of all things in our lives, according to Romans 8:28, is to make us more like Jesus Christ.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Song of Solomon 4:16 in the context of the sermon?

The Song of Solomon 4:16 is used as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people, with the heart compared to a fruitful garden that the Lord owns and cares for, emphasizing His love and the desire for His people to bear spiritual fruit.

How does the sermon relate the concept of a garden to the believer's heart?

The sermon likens the believer's heart to a garden owned by the Lord, highlighting that God has purchased this garden at a high price and is invested in its growth and fruitfulness, just as a person would be with a costly property.

What does the sermon say about God's thoughts towards His people?

The sermon references Psalm 139:17 to convey that God's thoughts towards His people are precious and vast, indicating His deep care and knowledge of every aspect of their lives, including their joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

How does the Holy Spirit act in the believer's life according to the sermon?

The Holy Spirit is described as the seed of ownership in the believer's life, working to break up the hard ground of the heart, bringing conviction of sin, and producing spiritual fruit. The Holy Spirit also nourishes and prunes the believer to help them grow and bear more fruit.

What are the 'winds' in the sermon's metaphor and how do they represent life's experiences?

The 'winds' represent the various seasons and experiences of life. The South Wind symbolizes times of blessing, love, and prosperity, while the North Wind represents adversity, challenges, and difficult times. Both are necessary for growth and producing a fragrance of character.

How does the sermon use the story of Joseph to illustrate the concept of facing both favorable and unfavorable winds?

The sermon recounts Joseph's life, where he experienced both the South Wind of prosperity and the North Wind of adversity. Despite being sold into slavery (North Wind) and later rising to power in Egypt (South Wind), Joseph maintained his faith and character, demonstrating that one can remain faithful and pleasing to God through all circumstances.

What is the ultimate purpose of the 'winds' in a believer's life, as explained in the sermon?

The ultimate purpose of the 'winds' is to shape the believer into the likeness of Jesus Christ, producing a fragrance of character and faith that honors God. Both the North Wind and the South Wind are tools used by God to work for the good of those who love Him, according to His purpose.

What does the sermon suggest about the believer's response to adversity?

The sermon encourages believers to embrace adversity (the North Wind) as a means of spiritual growth and character development. It challenges believers to maintain their faith and integrity, even in difficult times, and to trust that God is working all things for their good.

How does the sermon address the concept of glorifying God in all circumstances?

The sermon emphasizes that whether facing the South Wind of prosperity or the North Wind of adversity, believers should aim to glorify God in all circumstances. This includes being a blessing to others, especially in the house of God, and using one's success and trials to further the kingdom of God and the salvation of souls.

What is the message conveyed by the sermon regarding the believer's attitude towards life's challenges?

The sermon conveys that believers should adopt an attitude of faith and resilience, ready to face both favorable and unfavorable winds, trusting in God's sovereign control and His purpose for their lives. It encourages believers to let their character and faith shine through, regardless of the challenges they face.

How does the sermon apply Romans 8:28 to the concept of facing life's 'winds'?

The sermon applies Romans 8:28 by stating that God works all things, both good and bad, for the good of those who love Him. This means that every 'wind' that blows in a believer's life, whether it seems favorable or adverse, is ultimately part of God's plan to shape them into the image of Christ.