The Brother [Andy Smith Ordination]

Chapter often referenced in regard to our financial giving.

This is an important aspect of discipleship, obedience from a church, and missions

As a church we are ask to give more “than dead presidents” but to also sending living people. The money and the messengers.

We have a passage that I believe is very fitting for a time of ordination.

We all have defining characteristics people use to when they don’t know our names. This is true of Andy. (the brother that is so funny). The family headed to Taiwan.

Being call “brother” is not a bad thing and it does not lack description.

2 Corinthians 8:16–24 (KJV 1900)

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

The Unidentified Brother

This brother accompanied Titus when he went to Corinth on Paul's behalf.

This brother was well known and praised in the gospel in all the churches.

This brother was also chosen by the churches to travel with Paul, carrying the gospel.  Beyond these things we know nothing.

They were men with a sincere desire for the work of the Lord

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

Andy has aspired to be in this ministry. Tonight we affirm that he has more than a desire

He has desired a good thing. The desire is good but alone it does not bring us to this moment.

Andys story of following the Word

They were gifted in sharing the Gospel

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

what a wonderful thing to be known for

no matter the task given this is of the utmost importance

They are chosen for the task

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace,

This requires a church being aware of the needs

Do Chinese speaker need the Gospel? How about a couple that loves the Lord like Andy and Lily

They we’re diligent

2 Cor 8:22 “And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.”

They were partners and fellowhelpers in the Gospel

23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

Our workers need reenfircements

story from Cain and Abel

They are our messengers from the church with the Gospel

23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

They are living according to the responsibility and privilege we have as the church to share good news

They were unnamed.

As you might expect, Bible commentators have been ready to say whom they believe the brother to be.  Some of the candidates have been Luke, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Apollos, and a variety of others. 

But no one really knows.  And it doesn't really matter, or else God would have made it clear!

The brother, is our brother. v.22 22 And we have sent with them our brother

So today we recognize that Andy, is our brother, he has sincere, earnest care for others is gifted in sharing the Gospel, has been chosen for a specific task, and is being sent as a messenger of this church. He is not unnamed but wouldn’t mind if he was because simply being called “brother” by us implies that he is to be part of the mission of the church. It defines him well.