[0:00] Would you open your Bibles and look at 2 Corinthians chapter number 8 with us for a little bit tonight. 2 Corinthians chapter number 8, the beginning part of that chapter.
[0:12] Many of you who have been around church and missions would know it to be a passage that speaks about giving in missions. Financially giving the missions, an important passage. But later on, verse number 16 through 24, we're going to look at.
[0:24] We're going to see about God setting apart some people for an assignment that he has for them. Because that is the work that we have as a church to do as well. Apostle Paul some 51 times speaks about the Lord as our Lord.
[0:38] And one time he says, my Lord. He is most certainly Paul's Lord as he is my Lord. But the mission in which God's given us is one that we get to do together. And I love that aspect of ordination service.
[0:51] This should mean something to every one of you. Those of you that know Andy and Lily well, it should certainly mean something to you. Because these are your friends and you know the desire God's placed in their heart.
[1:01] And you're excited for them. Those that may be newer to the church and you haven't had this opportunity. You should be excited because you're part of a church that is moving forward. There's people around the world that do not know that we're meeting right now for their good.
[1:16] And that's why we exist as a church. We meet for the good of some Chinese speaking people around the world right now. As we are ordaining and setting aside a family for such a worthy cause.
[1:28] And I love the gatherness of it. You may not know this is when ordination happens. So Andy was in China 14 years.
[1:39] He spent the first two years learning Chinese. And then he learned a whole lot. And then he got married and he learned even more. Right? Learned about everything. What he didn't know he now knows.
[1:50] Right? That's what marriage does for you. He was there eight years and then he got married. And he was there for the last six years. Him and Lily. And while he was there and visiting different churches.
[2:00] God really put in his heart to want to see more churches started. And he wanted to see more people that would get to be trained for the ministry. He wasn't seeing that but God had placed that desire in his heart.
[2:12] So he reached out some missionary friends of ours. And then he went and spent two years with Mark Tolson and Dahlian Chinam and serving there. And while he was there he said I want to be involved in that work which brought him to us.
[2:26] And he went through the training center. He had been part of this church. And then this is just the next step in his life. That is one that not only he takes individually. But it's a step that we get to take together with him.
[2:39] So in this chapter we have a description. A defining characteristic about people. Somebody suggested one time we should have a Sunday where we all have name tags. That way the person you forgot their name a long time ago.
[2:52] Amnesty Day. Right? You're like I don't really know your name. I've never known your name. And at some point I should probably learn it. Right? And you would have a name tag. How many of you would be in a favor? My name's Trent. All right? And so yeah we should do that sometime.
[3:04] But we jokingly say well the good thing is in church if you don't know somebody's name you can just say brother. Right? You can say. But then we'll describe somebody. You know the real tall brother. The one that's the brother that sits on the right side of the room.
[3:16] Or the goofy brother or whatever. We all have our own descriptions. Andy certainly has some descriptions. All right? About Andy. You know the brother who gives the funny updates. All right? You know Mary the Lily.
[3:27] He has a little cute baby Julie. He has these descriptions about him. And we'd say that the word brother is like the most basic way that we would describe somebody. But even that description is just so full of detail.
[3:40] Right? I am saying this is in Christ. This is my brother. I said that because when we read through this passage you're going to recognize the name Titus. But it's going to mention somebody the brother.
[3:53] And as we go through this you're going to get a description about the brother. And our brother. And I want you to look at it. Because of the descriptions that we could give for Andy tonight. These are descriptions I believe that are true about him.
[4:06] And I believe they should be true about all of us. As people that are following Jesus. But in a work that was being done. They go at great length to describe the people that are doing the work.
[4:19] And it isn't just because. It isn't not because. Or it isn't at all to puff up somebody. And to try to make these people as unique. And make them stand out. We're all called in the Bible to this holy living.
[4:31] We're all called to live in this mission. But all the surrounding descriptions of the messenger here. Of the brother or our brother. Is to remind us not how special the people are. But how important the work is.
[4:43] Right? What do we see in Acts 6? They're having a problem with tables and administration. What kind of people do they need? They need Jesus loving people. They need God fearing people.
[4:54] Because the work that we do requires that God would work in and through us. And so as I read verses 16 through 24. I want you to notice some of the descriptions that are given for the brother here.
[5:06] Our brother. And then I want to walk through the passage with you. And looking at those. Verse 16. But thanks be to God. Which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus.
[5:17] For you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more forward of his own accord. He went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother. Whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches.
[5:31] And not that only. But who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us. With us with this grace. Which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord.
[5:43] And declaration of your ready mind. Avoiding this. That no man should blame us in this abundance. Which is administered by us. Providing the honest things.
[5:53] Not only in the sight of the Lord. But also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother. Whom we have often times proved diligent in many things. But now much more diligent.
[6:04] Upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do you inquire of Titus. He is my partner and my fellow helper. For concerning you or our brother be inquired of. There are the messengers of the churches.
[6:16] And the glory of Christ. Wherefore show ye to them and before the churches. The proof of your love. And of our boasting on your behalf. There is an unidentified brother here. That is going to accompany Titus.
[6:28] From Corinth. On Paul's behalf. It speaks about the description of this brother. Tells us about who is traveling with him. And there is some information given. And some things that are withheld.
[6:39] But Paul in the first part of this chapter. They are sending to bring an offering. And he is saying. I have spoken highly of you people. And I want to do things in such a decent and orderly fashion.
[6:49] That we would be above reproach. And honest. So we are going to pick some people. We are going to choose some people. For this assignment. The church said there is an assignment that needs to be done. And we are choosing the brother.
[7:01] Our brother. To join Titus. To go and accomplish this assignment. The first thing we would see in verse number 16. Is this. But thanks be to God. Which has put the same earnest care.
[7:12] In the heart of Titus. For you. I said this in the meeting before. To spend time with Andy Smith. Makes you want to spend more time with Andy Smith. And I mean that. With so much.
[7:24] I really do. To hear him speak about. What God had placed in his heart. I love speaking to Christians. When they talk about God placing. Something in their heart. The God of heaven.
[7:35] Then intervenes in this world. And sets desires in the hearts of his people. To change the course of history. And so to hear Andy speak about his love. And his desire to get back.
[7:45] To that part of the world. And share the gospel. I first of all. I just want to thank God. I want to thank God. For putting an earnest care. And desire. In our heart. To do the work.
[7:56] And I recognize that. In Andy's life. I recognize that. In your life. The work of the Lord. Begins with the work. In the heart. Of his people. So when we first met Andy.
[8:07] All we really knew. About him. Is that he aspired. To be in the ministry. That he had a desire. And that is a good thing. The Bible says. He that desires. The office of a bishop.
[8:17] He desires a good thing. But that by itself. Would only. Always. Only be. A good thing. But during the same amount of time. As he had that desire.
[8:27] In his heart. He followed the word. And as he followed the word. We as a church. Get to affirm. That calling. That this desire that he had. Wasn't for selfish game.
[8:38] It wasn't for an ungodly ambition. But the desire that he was placed. In his heart. Was the care. Of other people. And as we saw that. And he's motivated us. And speak about that.
[8:48] That also grows. In our heart. So first of all. We thank God today. For placing the. A desire. In the hearts of people. To do the work. In which he has called us to do.
[8:58] As a church. Verse number 18. It says. And he sent with him. The brother. Whose praise is in the gospel. Throughout all the churches. This is a wonderful thing.
[9:09] To be known for. The churches knew. That this person. Was capable. Of sharing. The gospel. What an incredible testimony. To be known for.
[9:20] Of all the things. That a person. Could be known for. This is of the utmost importance. No matter what job. That's going to be given. The Titus. And the brother. The other brother. That goes with them. They're going to need people.
[9:31] That are capable. And able. To give. The gospel. So the highest. The priorities. That can never be. Overstated. When it comes. Leading up to the time.
[9:41] Of ordination. Is those. Our brother here. Know. And love. The gospel. And can he communicate it. And I want to say. Yes and amen. To that.
[9:52] And that should be true. Of every one of us. In here. This is the praise. It's great. Isn't it. It's like one of the greatest compliments. In the world. This person is known. For the preaching of the gospel.
[10:03] Among all the churches. And what is his name. The brother. Because it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. What his name is. What matters is. Is that the gospel. Is going forth.
[10:13] And so they were chosen. For the task. But not only. But who was also chosen. Of the churches. To travel with us. By the grace. This requires a church. That is being aware.
[10:23] Of the needs. That are there. And then. Identifying. People in the congregation. That are capable. And able. To help meet. All of those needs. I just came back.
[10:35] From flushing. New York. And from the Bronx. Or Boronks. They said. I never said it right. All right. They said. You're not from here. Are you? I'm like. I haven't even said anything yet. They're like. You just don't look like. You belong here.
[10:46] All right. And when I was there. I had so much fun. And I look forward. To telling you some about it. Sunday. The Canutvans. Will be in the service with us. They're traveling right now. And they'll come through. But there's this one moment.
[10:57] That was just so special for us. I was already sharing. With some of you. Brother Eric. And others. Tonight. If I saw you. It's at the end of the service. In the Chinese church there. Truth Baptist Church.
[11:08] I had spoken about Cain and Abel. There's about 12. 13 people. Sitting around. After the service. Unbelievers. New believers. Some that have been around church. A little bit more. And they're just debating.
[11:18] And talking about Cain. And Abel. This one lady. Who had come for the first time. Said. I think Abel's sacrifice. Was fine. Who's God to say. That it was wrong. And everybody's like. Well God. You know.
[11:29] Like. He's God. Like. He's the one that defines these things. But just. He was. She was speaking this. Somebody was translating it. And then Cain was going on. And Cain and Nancy. Were just in the middle of it.
[11:40] With the biggest smile. In all of the world. They were just exactly. Where God had placed them to be. That they had been prepared for. Church. You would have loved it. In church. If we would have. If I could have shown you that scenario.
[11:51] And I would have pulled a cannon. And a Nancy out of that picture. You would have said. What do we do to get somebody in those seats. Where can we find some people. There's more rooms like that. Flushing.
[12:02] Taiwan. China. All over the place. There's more rooms. Like that. And will be rooms like that. So as a church. Who can we love. Who can we get behind. Who can we sin.
[12:12] Hey how about Andy and Lily. How about some people that know the gospel. How about some people have a desire in their heart. How about some people that speak Chinese. You know. That's a bonus. They didn't even have to know Chinese. But they do. All right.
[12:22] And we identify that there's needs in this world. As a church. We have the privilege. And the responsibility to meet. And it brings us to moments like this. His desire. Is matched by our desire.
[12:34] God placed the desire in him. As an individual in Lily. But he's also put a desire in our hearts. Say God. Allow us to affirm. And to help get behind. As many people that are aspiring for this ministry.
[12:46] As possible. Verse 22. It says. Oftentimes. Prove diligent in many things. They were trustworthy people. They were diligent. In the work that they were given to do.
[12:57] Whatever is put to your hand. Every one of you were given a work. This week to do. And were you diligent about it. It's the characteristics that we want. Of people we send out as messengers.
[13:08] Are you going to be diligent about the work. And I can say sincerely. I believe this to be true about them. They have been diligent about the work. That God has given them to do.
[13:18] They've done it in a way that is unto the Lord. And they were partners and fellow helpers of the truth. Verse 23. Wherefore any do inquire of Titus. He is my partner and fellow helper concerning you.
[13:31] And so our workers need reinforcements. And that's what I was just speaking of. People like Ken and Nancy. And people like Mark and Natasha. And people in cities that we don't already have.
[13:43] People. They need reinforcements. They need fellow helpers. They need partners in the work. Jim Sr. told us. We can now plant churches in America. All right. And I thought that was so great.
[13:54] And there's parts of this world. That need some help. Fellow helpers of the gospel. And partners in the ministry. And we get to be part of that. And see more to come. And they are messengers from the church of the gospel.
[14:07] It's interesting the way that it's said. Does the gospel to the glory of Christ? Certainly. Is the gospel of God? Well certainly. We would never take that away from him.
[14:18] That's a good description. But he allows us to say that they are messengers of the church. Because this gospel of Christ was given to us to distribute. It was given to us as a responsibility.
[14:31] So does Andy belong to the gospel? Does Andy belong as a messenger of the gospel? Most certainly. But is Andy a representative of the work that we've been given to do? Yes. The same.
[14:41] It's one and the same. We have been given this. He's a messenger sent out of here. And then this lastly. As I've already made reference to. Many people would guess who this is.
[14:52] The brother. Some candidates might say it's Luke. Or Barnabas. Or Silas. Or Timothy. I always guess Apollos when I don't know the answer. And so I would say. We don't know who the man's name is.
[15:05] But it doesn't matter. And if it did. God would have made it clear. An unintentional fact. To give us a description. Of a person. Who was famous among the churches for preaching the gospel.
[15:17] But he's not going to be mentioned. Because our names just don't mention. It's about the furtherance of the gospel. It's about what we can do together. In this generation. To get the gospel around the world.
[15:30] And then this is a description that I like so much. Verse number 22. It says. The brother. And we have sent them. With them.
[15:41] Our brother. That description. Our brother. Andy Smith is our brother. We get the opportunity. To send him out. We get the opportunity.
[15:52] To hold the rope for him. We get the opportunity. The night. To say. In times past. That have an ordination service. I reference this often. Because I can't get over this. Because we now live in.
[16:04] We live in a time. Where we can talk to people on zoom. And skype. You get on airplane. You can come back. But in days gone by. And an ordination service. We would have shaken hands. Maybe hugged a person.
[16:14] And sent them out. And said. If I never see you again. Our church is trusting you. With the most important message. In the world. Which is the gospel message. We believe that you know it.
[16:25] We believe that you love it. And we believe that you can communicate it. And from a church. To a person. There's not a greater compliment. Nor is there a greater calling. That we could give to somebody.
[16:36] Which is to say. Would you please take this message. To the place in which God. Is directing your steps. And so it's a great honor. For the night. That we get to see. Andy. Smith.
[16:48] Ordained. Into the gospel message. So today we recognize. That Andy. He is our brother. We recognize. That he has a sincere. And earnest care.
[16:59] For other people. That he's not in this. Of his own personal ambition. But the God of heaven. Has placed something in his heart. And God did that. To reach people. In which he loves.
[17:10] We recognize. That Andy. Is gifted. In sharing the gospel. And that he has been chosen. For this specific task. That we are calling. And asking him.
[17:20] To do. And being sent. As a messenger. Of this church. He is not unnamed. But it wouldn't matter. To him. Because he simply. Just wants to be called. A brother.
[17:31] Because it is part of our mission. As a church. And it defines him. So well. He is our brother. And so church. We get to send out. Another brother. To take the gospel.
[17:43] To the ends. Of the earth. And we are so honored. And... He is a witness. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you happy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[17:54] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Viewers. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And the fucking展 X. Thank you. graves ta. relacionad of my mind. Thank you. Take you. Thank, you. Bye.
[18:06] Welcome. Please. Oh, good. Bye. Take a new benefit of your mind. Bye. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Bye-bye.