Passing the Smell Test - Pr. Doug Batchelor (Amazing Facts)[/url]
Heuristica AI summary: The sermon "Passing the Smell Test" explores the significance of smell, both literally and metaphorically, drawing parallels between human experiences and biblical teachings. It begins with an anecdote about a skunk in a basement to illustrate how problems can escalate when doors are left open, likening this to sin entering our lives. The speaker then delves into fascinating facts about the human sense of smell, noting its connection to memory, its sensitivity in women, and how temperature affects scent perception. Unique human scents are also discussed, with a mention of dogs' ability to detect cancer.
The sermon highlights the powerful sense of smell in animals like elephants and contrasts it with the perceived poor sense of smell in skunks and dolphins. It touches upon the pervasive role of smell in daily life, from personal hygiene products to professional careers like perfumers and wine tasters, and the multi-billion dollar aromatherapy industry.
A significant portion of the sermon focuses on the spiritual significance of scent in the Bible. Incense is presented as a symbol of prayers ascending to God, with references to the altar of incense in the temple and biblical verses illustrating this connection. The speaker emphasizes that Christ's merits make our prayers a pleasing aroma to God. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus are discussed, with frankincense and myrrh being precious, fragrant substances. The anointing of Jesus with expensive ointment before his death is highlighted as a significant event, symbolizing his kingship and priesthood, and foreshadowing the fragrance of Christ that believers are meant to exude.
The sermon addresses the "stinking problem" of sin, using analogies like the prodigal son returning from the pigpen and the smell of decomposing food. It explains that sin can make our sacrifices and lives offensive to God, citing examples from Exodus and Isaiah. The speaker then offers solutions for dealing with this "stink," distinguishing between merely covering it up (like deodorant) and true cleansing. Justification and sanctification are presented as processes that eliminate the odor of sin. A practical recipe for neutralizing skunk spray is offered as an analogy for God's cleansing power.
Finally, the sermon concludes by emphasizing that through Christ, believers can have a new, pure essence. Noah's offering after the flood and the subsequent rainbow are presented as signs of God's covenant and purification. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, who emerged without the smell of fire on them, symbolizes being saved from the smell of sin. The sermon asserts that believers are the "fragrance of Christ" to the world, drawing people in, and that applying the blood of Christ removes the devil's ability to track us, allowing us to live a life that gives off a positive fragrance for Christ.
