Christ's Triumphant Procession

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 14:17

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 01 October 1995

Introduction: Many Christians fail to serve God. Most Christians fail to serve God in the Gospel ministry. They realize that man's heart is extremely proud and hardened against God. They realize that Satan has effectively deceived men. They realize that the world is a very strong attraction. They are also aware of their own cowardice, their lack of persuasive power, and their lack of knowledge of God's Word. Because of these realities most Christians feel totally inadequate to serve God in the Gospel ministry.

Today we will learn that in the battle for souls, Christians do not need to fight for victory because Jesus Christ has already won salvation's battle at Calvary. Christians must realize that they "fight" from Jesus Christ's victory at Calvary. We are already a part of Christ's triumphal procession.

Roman Triumphal Procession: Roman generals who won complete victories on foreign soil, captured over five thousand enemy soldiers, and obtained additional territory for the Roman Empire were entitled to a triumphal procession through the streets of Rome. The Emperor and thousands of grateful Romans cheered as the procession passed. At the head of the procession came the magistrates and senators (representing the ruler). Behind these the booty (eg. gold, jewelry) was carried. Behind them came the prisoners. The conquering general rode on a gold-gilded chariot drawn by four horses. His face was painted red and he was clothed like a king. In his hands he carried a sceptre and an olive branch. His sons followed behind his chariot. Behind them were his soldiers wearing laurel wreaths and shouting "Behold the triumph." Roman pagan priests carried incense burners which filled Rome with a sweet fragrance. This fragrance symbolized the sweetness of the victory. The procession made its way to the Circus Maximus, where the chief prisoner was executed and the other soldiers thrown into an arena of hungry wild beasts. The Romans cheered as the beasts ate up the "fools" who dared to resist the Roman Emperor. Though the sweet fragrance of incense was a sign of victory to the Romans, it was also a sign of doom to the enemy soldiers.

Jesus Christ's Triumphal Procession: The Bible is a "picture-book" where symbols, types, biographies, actual events and parables depict great biblical truths. The Roman triumphal procession depicts Christ's triumphal procession in many ways. God the Father sent His only begotten Son to this earth to conquer God's greatest enemy, Satan (IJO 3:8). Jesus Christ won a complete victory over Satan and sin through His perfectly righteous life, and His perfect atonement for His people at Calvary. In ISA 9:6 Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace (with a olive branch in His hand). Souls that are saved are like precious jewels (MAL 3:17). Christians are victorious soldiers of the Lord (2TI 2:4) crowned with crowns (I PE 5:4) singing salvation's triumphant song (REV 5:9,10) Christians are also sons and heirs of the Father (ROM 8:17). Those who reject Christ will, like the enemy soldiers, suffer (in hell). The focus of today's text is the savour of the incense which was carried by the priests. This depicts the Gospel that Christians preach. The Gospel, like the incense of the Roman procession, evokes two opposing responses. The good news of Jesus' death and resurrection is received by His people as the "savour of life unto life." But to others it is like the "savour of death unto death." Since Jesus has already won the victory at Calvary, our mission is simply to announce the good news of His victory over Satan, sin and death. We are like the priests bearing the sweet incense announcing the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we realise that this is the essence of the Gospel ministry, we will not feel inadequate to do it. Neither will we be tempted to deceive and "corrupt the word of God" in our attempts to see souls saved.

Conclusion: We are already marching in Jesus' triumphal procession. We are bearers of His victory message. We can rest assured that all God's children will rejoice when they hear this good news of His victory.