August 20, 2023
Morning Service

Last week we were able to complete our study of 1^st John in a series of nine messages.  Love and relationship were the main recurring themes as John wrote to bring us to a place of close fellowship with Jesus.  Love is the key to our relationship with Him as our love for Him comes from the fact that He loved us first (4:19).  That love chases away fear and perfects us in our relationship (4:18).  That love for Jesus then naturally spills over to our relationship with those around us.  John did not suggest it to be a good idea to love our neighbors, but commanded it (3:23).  John’s 2^nd and 3^rd letters are short reminders of many of these same points we focused in on in this letter.  Today, I want to go through both of those letters and hit the highlights before we move on to a new study next week.

2Jn 1:1-4 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, (2) because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: (3) Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.  (4)  I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

            John continues to write in his grandfatherly tone full of love and wisdom stressing the importance of truth for his readers.  In verse 4, he “rejoiced greatly” that he has lived long enough to see the second generation of believers (children) “walking in the truth.”  We too, my generation, are also rejoicing as we see our children, the next generation, also walking in the truth.  The Lord has blessed us with a very solid base of young men and women who are stepping up in our Fellowship and are already playing a big part of the ministries we offer.  Know that you are seen by us, the elders, and by the Lord and may you begin to train the next generation the same truths and be blessed to see them walk in them; if the Lord tarries.

 

2Jn 1:5-6 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.  (6)  This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

            John again takes the time to emphasize the importance of loving one another as we are commanded to do so.  There is effort and sacrifice involved in that process and he reminds us to keep on “doing what we do.”  There is no place to quit, we must continue to walk with Jesus and love those around us.  He now warns us about being deceived.

 

2Jn 1:7-11 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.  (9)  Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; (11) for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

            John also first encourages us to “abide in the doctrine of Christ” as knowing the truth is our first and best defense against deception.  He then reminds us to be on guard as there are “deceivers” out there who are denying that doctrine and even denying Jesus as Lord.  He is very clear that we need to have nothing to do with them because any gift or hospitality given in a way shows that we condone what they are doing and we do not.  We love them, but we must not give the impression that we support the untruth they are presenting.  Be careful in any donations you give to organizations and be certain that they are not supporting causes that we as Jesus followers would disapprove of.   Now let’s move into 3^rd John’s highlights.

 

 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.

 

 

 

            Any leader/teacher/parent/coach would agree that it gives great joy to see those you are investing in to succeed.  Here John mentions Gaius whom he is very proud of.  A coach is never prouder that to see a player finally do something in a game that they have spent hours perfecting in practice.  The same is true for us a Christian leaders/parents/teachers when we see one of the people we have invested in step up by faith and do something for Jesus; it brings us great joy!

 

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.

            John applauds Gaius’ love for strangers and support for those within the ministry.  “Faithfully” is an adverb that refers to a constant and persistent action.  Gaius worked continually to be consistent in doing the “right things the right way;” a man of integrity.  He was committed for the long run to do whatever it takes for however long it takes.  We need to imitate Gaius and follow Paul’s advice to the Galatians:

 

Gal 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  (10)  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

            There is no place to quit along our journey with Jesus.  Time changes what we can do, but doesn’t change the fact of what we should do.  Be on the lookout for opportunities for something you are able to do and pray for the energy to do it. Love God by serving others.  Be like Gaius and be found “faithful in whatever you do for the brethren.”

 

3Jn 1:9-12 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.  (12)  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.

            Just as John commends Gaius for his actions, he calls out Diotrephes for his.  Diotrephes loved to be the center of attention and put down anyone who disagreed with him, as he not only did not welcome John, but spoke “against him with malicious words.”  That sounds strangely familiar doesn’t it?  In today’s society we can no longer “agree to disagree,” but it becomes if you don’t agree with me, I will “cancel you and your opinion.”  Their purpose is to encourage us to simply be quiet and keep our opinion to ourselves allowing them to set the agenda for all that happens.   John calls him out for these actions and encourages us to “not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”  To know evil, we must not be afraid to call it out within the church as John does here.  If there is a false doctrine being taught, we need to call it just that and not try to “conform” the truth to keep others from being offended.  See something, say something; but be sure it violates the Word and not your opinion.  Our enemy is scheming a way to “cancel our beliefs” and silence us from speaking up.  If we are silent, who will speak the truth to this generation.  To stand against evil takes courage.  Paul encouraged the Corinthians in this way:

 

1Co 16:13-14 NLT Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe.  Be courageous.  Be strong.  And everything you do must be done with love.

            We must continue to walk faithfully as times get tougher against us.  We must stand true with what we believe and be uncompromising with the truth.  This will not be easy as it will take courage that the Holy Spirit will provide if we ask.  But always, always speak and act with love never hate or condemnation.  Love wins!

 

Heavenly Father thank You for these words of encouragement.  Set within in us a determination to follow faithfully even when we encounter those who wish to silence us.  Grant us the courage to lovingly stand true to what we believe.