A Study of 3 John
To Know Him is to Love Him
“God's Love in a Nutshell"
Review:
In this third letter from John
(the shortest if you go by the original Greek translation), John gives us one
last look at the heart of the body of Christ as he saw it in its early stages.
And just as we started back in 1 John, and then in 2nd John, we will
see here, too, that it all boils down to the one important thing for the
Christian. To KNOW HIM…To LOVE HIM and To LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
In this letter, John, the
Beloved, is writing to his beloved friend, the elder, Gaius.
Romans 16:23a
Gaius, my host, who is also the
host of the whole Church, greets you…Weymouth New Testament
We begin this letter with the evidence of why hospitality is
intended to be an integral part of a Christian's service to God.
I.
In All Things Pray
3 John 1-2 NKJ
The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray
that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul
prospers.
The salutation (greeting) to
John's treasured friend, who he calls Elder. We learned the details about the
qualifications of church elders in one of Paul's letters to Timothy (men of God
who show themselves mature in their faith, serious, forthright in their
relationship with God as they take on the role of any leadership position in
the church, and also why it is so important that hands should not be laid on
anyone too soon). Though we won't discuss this here, we can also read of the
qualifications of a mature woman of God (which is not the same in every way as
the man) but these are listed in Paul's letter to Titus.
Every one of us will be judged by
what we know, and what we do with what we know.
John, when he pens this letter to
Gaius, brings out first his love for the brother, then he notes to him what he
is praying for him
·
For Gaius to have prosperity
·
For Gaius to be of good health
·
For Gaius to stay strong in faith
When you and I pray for one
another and for other sisters we would call our beloved friends, and our loved
ones in the body and in our families, we are praying similar prayers.
- That in
God they would prosper: that HE would meet their financial needs and
materialistically according to His will.
- That
God would give them good health, and help them through their difficult
times
- That
God would bless them spiritually -- that they would grow in steadfastness,
stability, and assurance of their faith
II.
The Truth Testified
3 John 3 - 4 NKJ
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth
that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to
hear that my children walk in truth.
Another blessing John received
and then returned to Gaius here is how John received word from the brethren of
Gaius's testimony, of how he walked justly.
Gaius had a proven walk. He was a
man of good report. His life had become a testimony. He was showing his love
for God's truth more than his own thoughts of what the truth was. His faith was
evident. Others saw it. Others reported this to John (the spiritual father of
this particular church) Knowing God's
truth gave Gaius the strength he needed to walk in obedience. How did he know
he walked in truth? By knowing God's Word; He was a man well-studied.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJ
For this reason we also thank God
without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you
heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe
- Received
the Word
- Welcomed
it from GOD not man
- Showing
how effective God's Word becomes your witness not by your works and deeds but by your
evident faith in Him
This was what John saw in his
friend the Elder Gaius
For any Christian there should be
no greater joy than to see another child of God -- any beloved member of the
church walking in truth. And just as John brings out in verse 4.
As we will see in the next two
verses, another character trait of Gaius was in how he opened his home to
ministers and to other leaders in the body. He was known as an encourager or
someone who gave confidence, who emboldens another to stay strong in faith, who
reassures while at the same time showing and teaching people to look to God and
His Word and not to people.
Another thing that impresses me
so much about Gaius's witness was how he not only walked in obedience -- his
entire life was wrapped around his love for the LORD. How he opened his hands
to be a good minister. He wrapped himself in God's love.
III.
Your Witness to Others
3 John 5-6
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for
strangers, 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.
The Lost Art: True Hospitality.
We learned the true meaning of hospitality as we studied 2nd John.
Michelle brought it out so well…what it REALLY means. So much more than a
simple opening of your home to those you care about.
The Greek word for hospitality is
philoxenos,
and this means loving strangers. As
was discussed in the last lesson it is so much more than setting a beautiful
table and creating ambiance and atmosphere. (music, candlelight, white glove
perfection). It's about expressing a sense of acceptance towards those who are
not like us. It is entertaining strangers one of which could be an angel
unaware.
How willing are we to show that
true hospitality? How will are we to show any kind of hospitality, which, in
truth, can often mean we have to put ourselves out a little.
Gaius had no problem showing
hospitality. He not only opened his home to others, he met their needs while
they were with him, and he sent them on their way, not only filled, but with
extra. (The love of church, a sense of
community)
Sometimes we need to ask
ourselves, what if God was like us (at times) too busy to sit down in our home
to have a time of fellowship? Too busy doing all that He does to invite us into
HIS home?
Revelations 3 tells us Jesus is
at the door knocking all the time (to the church) He wants to come into have
fellowship with us, to dine with us, to draw close to us.
True and sincere fellowship and
that sense of hospitality is so important in this self-centered society in
which we live.
John called Gaius FAITHFUL (in
what he did for the brethren and for strangers)
John commended Gaius for his
witness of love and how the church took note of it
John saw how Gaius sent his
guests on their way "in a manner worthy of God"
I know when my home is open,
whether it be Tom and I on a Thursday night or when I have Koinonia fellowship
there, what he and I have to send with our guests, might not be food for the
belly, but instead it at least would be food for the soul. Our purpose is to do
this in a manner worthy of God.
IV.
Fellow Workers for the Truth
3 John 7-8
Because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the
Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers
for the truth.
Those who Gaius took in, he
prepared for their needs (as we just mentioned), so they would not go out empty
handed. What was so special about this, especially from the leadership and even
from those in the body Gaius took in, they did not once ask for anything. They
weren’t greedy or preaching for money. They were expressing to God their
devotion and faithfulness. He simply gave it because he saw the need.
Genesis 14:21-24 (NKJV)
Now the king of Sodom said to
Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said
to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the
Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I
will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take
anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’— 24 except only what the young men have eaten,
and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them
take their portion.”
We also minister of what we have
as a gesture of our obedience to God, don't we.
Galatians 6:9
Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to
the family of believers.
Philippians 4:15-19 says it perfectly:
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your
acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church
shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even
when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in
need.
Not that I am looking for a gift,
but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full
payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from
Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable
sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to
his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
What happened here? The person
who gave is commended privately because it was done out of obedience. When it
is done out of obedience it is God who gets the glory. It is not the giver. The
person who has received was not looking to receive even though the need was
there. Now that it has been supplied GOD will return the blessing. God will
meet the needs of the giver above and beyond.
It should be the desire of all of
us, not to expect or wish to have praise from man (or woman) but rather that
that praise would come from God alone (who will say to us…welcome my good and
faithful servant for you have been there for the need of someone else)
V.
The Sad Truth of Some
3 John 9-10
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeimence
among them, does not receive us. 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
This is a difficult section of
John's letter that was necessary for him to write, but for us to read, it is
not so pleasant. Unfortunately it is telling of things that went on in the
early church, and things that are a part of our churches today.
In this letter, John refers to
THREE people. We have read about Gaius:
Beloved, Faithful, Hospitable and so much more. Now we read about Diotrephes.
This man was a different story.
A whole lot different.
First what does John say here.
- Diotrophes
LOVE his own preeminence above others
- Diotrophes
chooses not to RECEIVE certain people like JOHN the Beloved, like Gaius,
and others who minister
- Diotrophes
PRATES against people maliciously
- Diotrophes
FORBIDS certain people who aren’t like him to the point they leave the
church
So what does John want to show
here? He denounces the man. He wants Gaius to be aware of this Diotrophes
and what the man is doing -- How he was a control freak, how he was lifted up
in pride. How he was MOTIVATED by his pride. He was dictatorial (which means
BOSSY). How he was the opposite of a servant.
John wants to make sure Gaius can
see how Diotrophes slanders other leaders in the church (many who Gaius has
been showing hospitality to), How Diotrophes was a bad example to the
believers. How Diotrophes didn’t welcome some of the teachers in the church who
were gifted to minister. In fact the man tried to excommunicate any who opposed
him in any way. Diotrophes was clearly a jealous man.
John also wants Gaius to bring
this to the attention of others which is why John brings it up in this letter.
The Application Bible shares this. "If no one speaks up, great harm can
come to the church." And ithis is exactly what happens when nothing is
said about this type of person. The church could eventually fall or become sour
and people will continue to leave it.
Titus 3:3 At one time we too were
foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and
pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
It is so discouraging to say we
have Deotrophes-type people in the churches today. Not servants of the Lord at
all.
- Encouragers
- Tender
- Compassionate
- Like-minded
with the body
- Of the
same mind
- Not
selfish
- Not
self-ambitious
- Interested
in the interests of others more than the interest of themselves
- Filled
with love for all not just for some
Philippians 2:1 1 If you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your
own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus
Once again, I found it
interesting that John would choose to call to Gaius's mind the deeds of this person.
By doing this he is also calling this to your attention and to mine.
"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"
Back in verse 10 we saw how
Diotrophes considered John a threat to his self imposed importance or
authority. He disciplined anyone who did not agree with him. He had his own
group of followers who were for the most part, immature believers who
mistakenly became followers of him over followers first of God. In addition to
that, Diotrophes would not receive any who associated with JOHN. All of us as
Christians need to be careful of who we listen to. Why does John share all this?
Why do we share this today? Because a person like Diotrophes in the end can
destroy the church
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
For in the next verse John brings out the third person he wishes to
mention in this letter.
And that is Demetrious.
IV.
Being a Good
Testimony
3 John 11-12
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. Demetrious has a good
testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and
you that our testimony is true.
I like this part more: Here we
see the opposite of Diotrophes.
- Demeetrious
imitated that which was good
- Demetrious
was of God
- Demetrious
did not tolerate evil
- Demetrious
was a good testimony with his life
- Demetrious
lived the truth
What a difference
V. God's
Love Face to Face with Each Other
3 John 13-14
I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen
and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Pece to
you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Though John had much more he
wanted to say (to write) In verse 14, he offers his final Peace and his Greetings
from and to the others in the Christian family. Most of all his wish to see
Gaius and the others face to face soon.
FINAL WORDS
We could summarize
our studies through the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
letters to John in this way
The first letter warns of False Teachers or Prophets
could ruin the church if not
contained
The second letter warns of False Teachers
who come in to the church from
the outside who could ruin the church if fooled by them
The third letter
warns of so-called leaders in the
church,
who raise themselves up and
become controlling dictators who can
destroy the church
In the FIRST letter, though the letter is not titled (no
salutation)
it was not written to one
particular church (remember there were seven listed) but it was basically a
letter to all the Gentile churches then and now and to believers everywhere.
The SECOND letter did have a salutation which gives us the name
"TO THE LADY" (A Godly
woman and her family / the Bride the Church and the body which is a part of
her.
The THIRD letter also has a salutation which gives us the name of
GAIUS (a godly man and his church
family / an elder in the church and other leaders he ministers with)
The first letter
was about FAITH, FELLOWSHIP,
LOVE, KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING
The second letter
was about TRUE HOSPITALITY
The third letter
about ENCOURAGEMENT
With all these letters, our
beloved John leaves nothing and no one out.
What better way to end a series.
