On page 1164 of your church Bible.
So that's 2 Corinthians chapter 8, beginning at verse 16.
!
And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering,
which we administer in order to honour the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift,
for we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of man.
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.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you.
As for our brothers, they are representatives of the church and an honour to Christ.
Therefore, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,
so that the churches can see it.
There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people,
for I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians,
telling them that since last year you and Achaea were ready to give,
and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.
But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter
should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready,
as I said you would be.
For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared,
we, not to say anything about you,
would be ashamed of having been so confident.
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance
and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.
Then it will be ready as a generous gift,
not as one grudgingly given.
Thank you so much, Chris.
Let's keep our Bibles open there at 2 Corinthians 8.
Thank you.
We've been looking at these couple of chapters, 8 and 9,
which have a theme of giving.
So I couldn't come up with another title, so I just put part 2.
And you'll get part 3 next week,
because it is generous grace, generous giving.
Let's ask for our generous Father's help
as we look at his word together.
Let's do that.
Our Father God, you are so good.
You are so kind.
We have received much from you today already.
the blessing of gathering together as your people,
being able to sing together,
to be reminded of truth
and of your love.
And we ask now that you would continue on
giving to us according to our need.
You know us individually.
You know us corporately as your people.
And we ask that you would speak to us in a way
that causes us to marvel at your grace
and respond in generosity.
Help us now, we ask.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Well, we could call them the three musketeers.
Three good men who are out to help
a life-saving, life-changing cause.
I wonder if you spotted them
as we listened to God's word being read.
In the three musketeers,
the first we have Titus.
Have a look at verse 17.
For Titus not only welcomed our appeal,
we'll come to that in a minute,
but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm
and on his own initiative.
Well, Titus isn't going to travel on his own.
Look at verse 18.
We have the second member of the team.
And we are sending along with him,
that's Titus,
the brother who is praised by all the churches.
And then to make up the team,
the third member,
verse 22.
In addition,
we are sending with them
our brother who is often proved to us
in many ways
that he is zealous.
So here we have these brothers,
this team,
and they're on a mission.
Chapter 9, verse 3.
Paul,
the writer says,
I am sending
the brothers.
And what we got to know is,
is that Paul is currently
in the north
of Greece,
and he's going to send
these three brothers
to Corinth,
to the city,
and to the church there,
which is in the south
of Greece.
So why does he have to send them?
What's their mission?
Well, we see in 9, verse 5.
He says,
I thought it necessary
to urge the brothers
to visit you
in advance
and finish the arrangements
for the generous gift
you had promised.
Then it will be ready
as a generous gift,
not as one grudgingly given.
You see,
what's going on here
is that the church
in Jerusalem
was in financial need.
They were suffering
severe persecution.
There was a famine
in the area.
People had lost their jobs
and their homes.
The church was suffering
desperately.
And so as Paul went around
visiting these churches
and writing letters to them,
he reminded them
of their need
and the plan
that he was going
to take up a collection
and bring it all together
and give it to the church
in Jerusalem.
Verse 17,
For Titus not only
welcomed our appeal,
he was on board.
Yes, this idea
of getting together
a collection
is a good idea.
Now the church in Corinth
knew all about this collection.
They had heard of the needs
and they knew the plan.
They knew their brothers
and sisters were suffering,
but they had become complacent.
In fact,
they had even promised
that they were going to give,
but so far it was all words
and not action.
All a lot of hot air.
Now I don't know about you,
but if I counted up
all the times
I have promised myself
to give to something
and fail to do so,
I would be embarrassed.
You know how it is.
A special collection
is organized
or there's an event
or something's happening
and you feel in that moment
compelled to give.
You want to give,
but it just doesn't seem
to happen.
Well, not all the time.
Well, enter into this
our three brothers.
Chapter 9, verse 5.
I thought it necessary
to urge the brothers
to visit you in advance
and finish the arrangements
for the generous gift
you had promised.
Now we need to be careful
how we understand this role.
It's not like Paul
is sending the three heavies
down into Corinth,
you know,
to sort them out.
You know,
you promised to give,
we're coming,
to apply a little arm twisting.
No, it's not that.
Their planned visit
was to help the church
to be generous givers.
So the first thing
we want to see this morning
is that gospel partnerships
encourages our giving.
Gospel partnerships
encourages our giving.
The brothers are sent
to encourage the partnership
that existed.
So look at Titus, verse 16.
Thanks be to God
who put into the heart of Titus
the same concern
I have for you.
Well, Paul's heart
for the church
was deep
and it was extraordinarily wide.
And so it was for Titus.
Titus had come to love
the people in Corinth.
And so when he thought
of the church
he was compelled
into action.
He was moved
by compassion.
His heart
was for them.
But look at the other brother,
verse 18.
We're sending along
with Titus,
the brother who is
praised by all the churches
for his service
to the gospel.
We're not given his name
but all the churches
know him.
He's the gospel guy.
The one who's always
talking to his friends
and neighbours
about Jesus.
Don't you remember him?
His constant longing
and desire
to see the gospel
proclaimed.
And then there's
the third brother,
verse 22.
We're sending him
with 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.
This guy is passionate
for Christ
and he's eager
for the church
to know
more
of Christ.
Christ.
What a great team.
Wouldn't you love
if these three characters
turned up in
Carigoline Baptist Church?
Wow, you'd sure know
they were in the congregation,
wouldn't you?
Here are three men
who have a concern
for the church,
a love
for the gospel,
and are zealous
for Jesus.
Look at the end
of verse 23.
They are representatives
of the church
and an honour
to Christ.
You see,
these three brothers
were travelling
not to be heavy-handed
but to express
their gospel partnership.
They want to remind
the church in Corinth
of what truly matters
because gospel partnerships
encourages giving.
Verse 24.
Paul writes
in the light of their visit
and going down
to encourage them.
Verse 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.
Go on.
Welcome the three brothers
who are coming to you,
who love you,
who are devoted to you,
who pray for you.
Show them
their love
and give.
Make sure
the gift is ready.
You see,
gospel partnerships
are so precious
in the means
of giving.
Now,
as a church here,
Karagaline Baptist Church,
we have chosen people
and specific churches
and mission organisations
to support financially.
We prayed for some of them
just now.
People like Amy
in Sheffield
working amongst
the Pakistani community
and Leticia
who's down in Marseille
in the south of France
working amongst students,
many of whom
who have come
from North Africa.
Mickey and Kennet
in a country
where no Westerner
can go,
but yet they're there
working away,
seeking to plant
churches.
We support mission organisations
like Asia Link
who supply resources
and Bibles
to people
who don't have it.
Pastors,
churches
that don't have
the word of God.
They are smuggling
and bringing
God's word to them.
Radstock.
Churches
helping other churches
to plant churches
in some of the most
difficult places
in the world.
And Christian Unions Ireland.
students
on campus
seeking to reach
their fellow students
with the good news
of Christ.
And churches
like Kinsale
where they persevere
and keep on
holding out
the light
of the good news
of Christ.
And other churches
in the Cork Kerry project.
Not to mention
the ministries
of this church.
Sunday school
happening right now.
Polo on Thursday.
The Rock and Rooted
on Friday.
Core on Sunday evening.
And of course
our gathering here
now.
All these great
ministries.
And why do we
support them?
Why do people give?
Because together
they have a deep
concern for the church.
A great love
for the gospel.
And they're
passionately
zealous
for Christ.
They long
to see the church
grow and mature.
They desire
that the gospel
will be spread.
They're unashamed
in their longing
for Christ
to be honoured.
Who wouldn't
want to give
to gospel
partnerships
like this?
These are the things
that truly
matter
most.
These gospel
partnerships
are what cause us
to open our wallets
and set up
that direct
debit
and reduce
our own
personal spending.
You might
like to consider
giving to
Christian Unions
Ireland today.
We prayed
about it
starting on the
9th of February
this month.
They're going to
have a mission
week.
Reaching students
through different
activities.
for their
costs to cover
or to cover
their costs
it'll take
450 euro.
So maybe
today
right now
you want to
give
to that.
Click on the
QR code
talk to our
treasurer
Joy
this morning
and give
to the work
of CUI
as you are
able.
But maybe
you're thinking
wider and
broader
and the
things that
we're doing
together as
a church
helping support
those in the
different places
we just
mentioned.
Maybe you
haven't given.
Maybe you
want to start
giving with a
direct debit.
Seeking to
give ways
so that the
gospel continues
to go around
the world.
You see
gospel partnerships
encourage our
giving.
gospel
integrity
strengthens
our giving.
Gospel
integrity
strengthens
our giving.
Gospel
integrity
strengthens
our giving.
You see
sadly and
all too
often we
hear about
financial
corruption
in the
local church.
Maybe you've
heard of it.
People claim
to have a
concern for
the church,
a love
for the
gospel and
a passion
for Christ
but in
reality
they're only
stuffing their
own wallet.
We see it
in extreme
cases with
what we
call prosperity
teachers.
You've maybe
seen them or
heard of them
on television.
Benny Hinn,
Joe Lustine,
Creeflo Dollar.
I mean the
names just
give it away.
What about
Johnny Euro
or something
like that?
Paula
White,
Joyce
Meyer.
Between them
they've earned
hundreds of
millions
taking money
from people
when they're
saying it's
for Christ.
And this
was something
that could be
common in
Corinth.
Have a look
back to
chapter 2
verse 17.
Chapter 2
verse 17.
Paul wants
to make it
abundantly
clear that
he's above
board in
the work
that he's
doing.
Chapter 2
verse 17.
Unlike so
many we
do not
peddle the
word of
God for
profit.
On the
contrary
in Christ
we speak
before God
with sincerity
as those
sent from
God.
We're not
peddling
the word,
we're not
trying to
make money
out of it
for ourselves,
rather we're
wanting to
see Christ
proclaimed.
Let's go
back to
chapter 8
and 9.
You see
these so
called
preachers
were coming
into town
but rather
than serve
God's
glory
they saw
it as a
way to
get
wealthy.
So you
could imagine
when Paul
was saying
I'm taking
up a
collection
for the
church in
Jerusalem.
Oh I?
Really?
You see
Paul had a
concern for
the church,
a love for
the gospel.
He was
zealous for
Christ and
he was
concerned for
gospel
integrity.
That people
knew where
the finances
were going
and how it
was being
conducted.
Look at
verse 20.
chapter 8
verse 20.
We want
to avoid
any
criticism
of the
way we
administer
this
generous
gift
for we
are taking
pains to
do what
is right
not only
in the
eyes of
the Lord
but also
in the
eyes
of man.
You see
a preacher
of the
gospel
who lines
his own
pocket
brings the
gospel
into
disrepute.
How can
we expect
anybody
to listen
to the
word of
God
to trust
Christ
if they
can't
trust
the
preacher?
So Paul
sends these
brothers
to make
sure there's
complete
transparency.
Paul is
putting himself
at distance
between
himself
and the
gift
and sending
others on
his behalf
to gather
it together.
He's
ensuring
that the
gospel he
preaches
is for
God's
glory
not for
his own
means.
Now this
is extremely
practical
for us
and I
think there's
lessons we
can learn.
Here's three
that I could
come up
with
as we
think about
gospel
integrity.
Here's the
first one.
Ensure
the
pastor
keeps
away
from the
church's
finances.
So the
practice of
this church
is that the
pastor
which presently
is me
I do
not collect
gifts from
people.
I don't have
access to
the church's
account.
I don't
set or have
any input
on salary
or wage.
In fact we
don't even
call it a
salary.
It's
support to
enable me
to do
what I'm
doing.
The members
of the
church are
the ones
that set
the wage
or the
support.
So make
sure that
the pastor
keeps away
from the
church's
finances.
That brings
about the
right way
of thinking
of finances.
Second,
ensure that
the church
maintains
transparency.
The church's
finances should
not be a
secret.
So again
the practice
of the church
here is that
at least
four times
a year
as we
gather
together
for our
members
meeting
the accounts
are presented
to all
the church.
Full
disclosure.
Everybody
can see
where every
penny was
given and
every penny
was spent.
We want
to have
transparency.
we're not
hiding
things.
And the
third one
is this.
Ensure
that the
church
does not
build up
a reserve.
The church
is not
about saving
but about
being good
stewards.
The people
of this
church,
the members
of the
church,
those who
come and
give,
give
generously.
I know
that to be
true,
people are
faithful
in their
giving.
You
are
generous
people.
And I
know that
you give
so that
the gospel
can be
proclaimed,
that gospel
workers can
be supported,
that gospel
needs can
be met.
The church
receives in
one hand
and gives
out with
the other
hand.
We're not
to be
savers
but stewards.
Now why
is this
so important?
Well,
look at
verse 21.
For we
are taking
pains to
do what
is right,
not only
in the
eyes of
the Lord,
we want
to honour
him,
but also
in the
eyes of
man.
You see,
if I know
that what I
give to is
trustworthy
and
transparent,
if I
know that
what I
give to
is going
to be
used for
gospel work
and God's
glory,
then it's
going to
strengthen
my giving.
But if
on the
other hand
I haven't
a clue
what the
church does
with the
money,
or if
there's
some shady
dodging
dealing
going on,
then I'm
going to
keep my
money in
my pocket.
I'm not
going to
give.
So
gospel
integrity
is crucial
for the
local
church.
And it's
an encouragement
to us
all to
make sure
that the
church
behaves
rightly,
God
honouring,
with our
spending
and our
using of
it.
So
second,
gospel
integrity
strengthens
our
giving.
There's
another
reason,
our third
reason,
why these
brothers
visit.
Gospel
grace
ensures
our
giving.
Gospel
grace will
ensure
our
giving.
The
brothers are
going
ultimately
to remind
the church
in
Corinth
of
God's
grace.
Look at
chapter 9
verse 3.
Paul says,
I am
sending
the
brothers
in order
that our
boasting
about you
in this
matter
should not
prove
hollow,
but that
you may
be ready
as I
said you
would be.
You see
here he's
boasting
about the
church in
Corinth.
He's
delighting
at God's
grace in
their
life,
how God
has worked
in them.
You
received
God's
grace.
Now you
in turn
be gracious.
Make sure
that your
response to
God's
grace is
not empty
or doesn't
prove to
be hollow.
To help
us understand
this,
the same
idea is
seen in
chapter 6
verse 1.
Have a look
at that
verse with
me.
Chapter 6
verse 1.
This
business of
making sure
that it's
not empty
or hollow.
Look what
it says,
chapter 6
verse 1.
As God's
fellow workers,
we urge
you not
to receive
God's
grace in
vain.
He's
saying make
sure that
when you
receive God's
grace,
it's not
in vain.
It doesn't
prove to
be empty
or hollow.
Make sure
that when
God's
grace is
in your
life,
it actually
takes effect
in your
life.
We urge
you not
to receive
God's
grace in
vain.
Let's go
back to
chapter 9
and verse
3.
You see,
he's saying
here,
you've
experienced
God's
grace in
your life.
Now prove
it.
Show it
in your
giving.
In other
words,
make sure
that what
you promised
will be
fulfilled.
Your
readiness
to give
is the
evidence
that you
have
received
God's
grace
and that
it
hasn't
been
in
vain.
So let's
ask ourselves
the searching
questions.
Have I
received
God's
grace
in vain
or is it
taking effect
in my
life?
do I
say I
have a
concern
for the
church
but actually
do nothing
in terms
of giving
to the
church?
Do I
say,
oh,
I love
the
gospel
but actually
have no
interest in
gospel
workers?
Do we
express on
the outside
a passion
for Christ
but keep
my bank
account
far from
Christ?
If you
were to
cut me
open right
now,
would I
be hollow
and empty
or would I
be filled
with generous
grace?
You see,
the evidence
that we
have received
grace is
that we
are generous
givers.
Look at
verse 5.
So I
thought it
necessary to
urge the
brothers to
visit you
in advance
to finish
the
arrangements
for the
generous
gift you
had promised.
Then it
would be
ready as
a generous
gift,
not one
grudgingly
given.
Literally,
it won't
become a
stingy
gift,
the few
coppers that
we find in
the bottom
of our
pocket.
Rather,
it will be
free and
generous.
for
haven't we
received
freely
so that
we can
freely
give?
Remember
the verse
that we
looked at
in Romans
8?
That God
did not
spare his
son but
gave him
up for
us all?
How will
he not
also along
with him
graciously
give us
all things?
We have
the very
best gift
in Christ
and he
has given
to us
so much
more on
top of
that.
And that's
why the
brothers were
ultimately
sent to
remind the
church of
gospel grace,
of God's
kindness and
goodness.
And isn't
that what we
are to do
with each
other?
To remind
each other
of God's
grace to
each one
of us.
I need
you to
take me
back to
the cross
and I
need to
bring us
back to
the cross.
Don't we
see it in
chapter 8
verse 9?
Let's read
it there
together.
Do you
see it?
Chapter 8
verse 9
For you
know the
grace of
our Lord
Jesus Christ
that though
he was
rich yet
for your
sake he
became poor
so that
you through
his poverty
might become
rich?
You see
it's as we
come back
to the
cross
and see
Christ
taking our
sin on
himself
and giving
us forgiveness
and his
righteousness
how rich
we truly
are.
You see
without God's
grace we're
empty and
hollow but
as we
come to
Jesus again
and again
so we are
filled afresh
with his
grace.
Do not
receive God's
grace in
vain.
Make sure
it takes
effect.
Make sure
it gets
worked out
in our
life so
that we
like the
church in
Corinth would
become
generous
givers.
I'm sure
you all
remember and
know the
story of
Zacchaeus in
Luke's
gospel.
Do you
remember
Zacchaeus?
The one
who was the
tax collector?
The one
who kept
scooping off
the top for
his own
pocket?
And there
he encountered
Jesus.
And Jesus
said to
Zacchaeus,
today I'm
coming to
your house.
And what
was Zacchaeus'
response to
the welcome,
to the
grace that
Jesus showed
to him?
He says
right now I
give half
of all that
I have,
50% right
now to
the poor,
done and
dusted.
And I
will give
four times
back to
anyone I
have cheated.
Jesus
said today
salvation
has come
to this
man's
house.
he had
received
grace and
it wasn't
in vain.
He generously
gave and
it was
evidence that
salvation had
become his
experience.
How good
and kind
our God
is to us.
Let us
pray that
God will
work in
each of our
lives and
as us as
a church.
Let's pray
together.
Amen.
Father, thank
you for all
that you have
done for us
and all that
you have
given.
Thank you for
the kindness
of your
grace to
us as a
church family,
for faithfully
providing for
us in all
of our
needs,
in giving
to us the
finances so
that we can
support and
encourage workers
across the
world and
at home.
Thank you for
those who give
generously so
that the
ministries of
this church
can continue.
Father, we
pray that you
would fill us
afresh with a
concern for
your church,
a love for
the gospel,
that we would
be passionately
zealous for
Jesus.
Father, thank
you for all
that you are
doing amongst
us and we
ask that you
would kindly
and generously
give to us
that we may
be good
stewards of
all that we
have and
that it may
be all for
your good
and for your
glory.
In Jesus'
name we
pray.
Amen.
We're going to
sing about the
grace of the
Lord and the
effect that it
has in us
that it calls
us to follow
him.
And as we
follow him
it's to give
us a
love.
Amen.