2 Corinthians “The Heart of an Apostle” Part Corinthians 8:16-24 “Unknown Men of Integrity”

Not Again! FederalStateLocalSales 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 2 April 9 - Tax Freedom Day

Generosity is Non-negotiable “Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ should joyfully look at generosity as a natural outgrowth of the work of grace in their lives, even if economically impoverished” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 3

Elder’s at Ephesus “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.” (Acts 20:33–34 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 4

Accountability with Regard to Money In this morning’s passage, Paul describes for us the means of accountability that he used to assure godly integrity with regard to money. 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 5

Big Idea “ since God has called us to generosity, we are responsible to handle these funds with focused integrity ” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 6

Smitten in the Heart (8:16-17)

2 Cor 8:16–17 “ 16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 8

2 Cor 8:16–17 “ 16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 9 Paul says that Titus’ heart literally “is being smitten” by God.

2 Cor 8:16–17 “ 16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 10 When God has our hearts, there is unity of direction and purpose, and spirit motivated enthusiasm for ministry.

Search Me… “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23–24 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 11

Renowned in the Word (8:18-19)

2 Cor 8:18–19 “ 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 13

2 Cor 8:18–19 “ 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 14 ESV – “preaching of the gospel” This brother, whose name is not given, is credentialed only by his preaching of the gospel.

2 Cor 8:18–19 “ 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 15 This unknown brother added credibility to the project!

Word-ly Wise “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:20–25 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 16

Word-ly Wise “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:20–25 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 17 God’s Word and God’s Wisdom are one and the same “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

Prudent in the World (8:20-21)

2 Cor 8:20-21 “ 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 19 But why does Paul worry about criticism? After all, it’s nobody’s business but God’s what the Church of Jesus Christ does, right?

Unobstructed Ministry “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,” (2 Cor 6:2–3 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 20 Paul’s priority in everything is to proclaim the gospel in a pure, blameless, unobstructed way. This is why he takes special pains to make sure even the appearance of what is unethical is removed.

Daniel’s Example “Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”” (Dan 6:5 ESV) 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 21 “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6–7 ESV)

Proved in the Church (8:22-24)

2 Cor 8:22-24 “ 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 23

2 Cor 8:22-24 “ 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 24 ESV – “whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters” The biblical method for producing church leadership is not to bring qualified men in from the outside, but to grow them slowly and methodically from the inside.

2 Cor 8:22-24 “ 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 25 “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” (1 Timothy 3:10 ESV) “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—” (Titus 1:5 ESV)

2 Cor 8:22-24 “ 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.” 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 26 The Church was meant to be the lifeblood of Christ’s disciples from which His glory and honor is reflected.

What Is a Healthy Church ? “a group of pardoned rebels…whom God wants to use to display his glory…before all the heavenly host…because they tell the truth about him…and look increasingly just like him – holy, loving, united.” -Mark Dever -Mark Dever 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 27

So What?

God has called us to generosity. How do we handle this generosity with integrity? 1.With a heart that has been “smitten” or controlled by God. 2.With a burning desire to know and live by God’s Holy Word. 3.With a zealous desire to remove any obstacles from our lives that would impede the preaching of the gospel. 4.With a desire to be tested and qualified to go forth and be a representative of this local church and thus bring honor and glory to Christ in our circles of influence. 12/19/2015 EBFC Semon Series: 2 Corinthians 29