March 24, 2019
Evening Service

This morning in 2^nd John we received a pep talk to keep on keeping on, stay the course and to continue to believe.  John touched on three of the same main points he made in his first letter: love your brother, keep God’s command and beware of false teachers.  Tonight we will begin the 3^rd and final letter of the trilogy of letters John wrote.  This one has a slightly different tone as it is a personal letter written personally from John to Gaius.  As far as we know this is the only mention of this Gaius in the NT, as others bearing the same name don’t seem to match up with this one that was apparently from Asia.  He seems to be a member of one of the churches John is associated with and he speaks very highly of him in this letter.  The theme to this letter would be a little different in that it does not warn against associating with those who are false teachers, it embraces helping those who are called to spread the truth of the true gospel message.

  3Jn 1:1-4  The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:  (2)  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  (3)  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

            John again refers to himself as “The Elder” and addresses Gaius very much as a father would address a son.  He refers to Gaius as “whom I love in truth” so it appears that he also is a believer and possibly John may have been his spiritual father.  John wishes that his physical health would match his spiritual health which makes it clear Gaius was faithful in his walk with the Lord.  Just as we mentioned this morning, John speaks again with pride of the news he received that his son Gaius was walking in the truth as we saw in 2 John as well.

            As John says in verse 4 there is “no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”  As a parent myself, I can agree that there is a great pride in hearing someone else brag on one of your children, especially when it is regards to a trait of his or her character.  To be told that the effort you put into your child to instill these values is him or her are have become visible to others is a great joy for a parent.  I can say also I have the same joy when I hear that kind of praise for anyone who attends our fellowship.  I am elated to see my brothers or sisters being recognized for “walking in the truth.”  I love to see each of you grow in the Lord and to see that growth evident in the things you are doing in your life.  It makes growing older into a beautiful picture as I can see many of the children I taught in Sunday school now teaching, serving communion, or singing for the Lord.  I know Jerry takes great joy as well in the fact that the work he has begun here at The Bride will continue long after he leaves (if the Lord tarries).

 

3Jn 1:5-8  Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,  (6)  who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,  (7)  because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.  (8)  We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

            In the early days of the church, traveling prophets, evangelists, and teachers were helped along their way by people like Gaius.  With the gospel being relatively new, not each church would have a leader who knew and understood the gospel message well enough to teach and preach it.  Thus entered these traveling evangelists who helped build within the church a strong foundation of knowledge and truth.  Since there was not a hotel on each corner as it is now, the evangelists relied on people of the church to show them hospitality along their missionary journey.  It was a good work that Gaius practiced and did it well as those he had hosted spoke very positively about his hospitality.  He may have even hosted John at some point.

            As we compare this with what John said we are to do with the false teachers in 2 John, it all makes more sense.  He told the church there that if they ran across any false teachers “do not receive him into your house or greet him.”  But here he tells Gaius that to aid these traveling teachers is a good work to be involved with.  We can thus say that we too should stay away from the false teacher but fully support those speaking truth.  We can apply this to us now as when we find a ministry that is doing the right things the right way, we need to support it.  We as a church do that, but feel free to do that on your own as well.   However, not everyone in Gaius’ church agreed with showing this type of hospitality to others.

 

 3Jn 1:9-11  I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.  (10)  Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.  (11)  Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

            John had apparently written a letter to Diotrephes that we have no record of.  In this letter John addresses Diotrephes opposition to this ministry and how he had chosen “not to receive us.”  John said he would rebuke him on several fronts.  First was his refusal to aid these traveling evangelists in any way.  Perhaps he felt his position was threatened by their presence as John made it clear that he loved being in charge.  Next he denounced his slander (malicious words) of these men, which may have included himself.  He also rebuked him for showing poor leadership and trying to assume total control as he portrayed himself as a bad example and used threats to keep others from disobeying his word.  John encouraged us to use Diotrephes as an example of what “not to do” and not to be intimidated by the evil attitude he displayed.  We shall know a man’s heart and motivation by what he says and does. 

 

Mat 7:16  You will know them by their fruits.

 

3Jn 1:12-14  Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.  (13)  I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;  (14)  but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

            The third man mentioned in this letter is Demetrius and he was likely the one who carried this letter from John to Gaius.  He is also praised for the character he displays and that he too had a high regard for truth.  Being honest and truthful are strong character traits that we all should display in our lives that others will see them in action.  John went as far as to say that if the truth could testify itself it would praise Demetrius.  What a wonderful testimony that is for him and one we should desire for ourselves all to bring glory to our Lord and Savior.  John again closes the letter with a hope that he will see his son and friend in person soon. 

            In summary we again see the value John places on relationship.  He and Gaius were brothers in the faith and that relationship ran much deeper.  Loving our brother as Christ loved us also involves getting to know them and investing in their lives through encouragement and support.  If see a brother or sister working hard and displaying truth in his or her life, find a time to praise them for it.  Encouragement can be wind in the sails of someone so look for opportunities to write a note or tell them in person.  This also shows us the need to help support ministries that are doing things the right things the right ways.

 

Lord please help to open our eyes to our brothers and sisters who are living lives of truth and grant us opportunities to support them.