Show Proof of your Love

Thursday, August 28, 2014
2 Corinthians 8:16-24  

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 enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired 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.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is the Apostle Paul thanking God for in these verses? (v.16-17)
2) Who went with Titus to the Church at Corinth? (v.18a)
3) What was this person who was chosen by the churches to accompany Titus like?  (v.18b)
4) Who else was he chosen to accompany as they took an offering to Jerusalem? (v.19)
5) What did the Apostle Paul and his traveling companions attempt to avoid, and to provide, as they delivered the offering to Christians in Jerusalem? (v.20-21)
6) What was the second brother like who accompanied the apostles to Jerusalem? (v.22)
7) How was the church at Corinth to respond if asked about Titus or the brothers who went to Jerusalem with the Apostle Paul? (v.23)
8) What would their response to the churches, concerning their brethren, prove? (v.24)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Have you ever been responsible for collecting and delivering a large sum of money to another believer, church, or ministry outside your own local church? If so, what if anything did you do to ensure that what you did was not called into question?
10) When placed in a position that could potentially tempt, or cause, you to sin what safeguards have (would) you put in place to "avoid the very appearance of evil"?
11) When dealing with sensitive issues, that could cast dispersion on you, or your church, what type of people would (do) you surround yourself with?

PRINCIPLES
12) Bad company corrupts good morals.
13) God is glorified when His people handle His business in ways that are above reproach.
14) Our love for the Lord is proven through our conduct, our conversation, and our character.