A Tale of Three Church Members
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
The Third Epistle of John is the shortest book in the New Testament, consisting of only 14 verses.
We find three people as the subject of this epistle, four if you count John, who wrote it.
In verse 1, we are introduced to Gaius - the man to whom John wrote this letter.
In verse 9, we are introduced to Diotrophes - he was an opponent of John.
In verse 12, we are introduced to Demetrius - he was a good and faithful man.
The Third Epistle of John is a valuable source of information about the early church, and we see this through the personalities of these three men I just mentioned to you.
It shows us that, the early Church was not without it’s problems, and what we find in these verses are three types of Church members, and I want to look into this thought for a little while tonight: “A Tale of Three Church Members”
1-Gaius; The Loving Church Member
1-Gaius; The Loving Church Member
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
We can tell by how John addresses Gaius here, that he had a heartfelt love for this man. John loved him, and told him. He also knew his spiritual life was in good health, and he told him that as well.
Notice that John is praying for Gaius, that his physical health, be as prosperous as his spiritual health. That says a lot! - 3 John 2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Let me ask you tonight, and this cut me deep, I’m just being honest, but listen, it’ll help you.
What if I were to pray for you and ask God to bless you physically to the same degree you are healthy spiritually, and then, what if He answered that prayer?
What would happen? Would you be healthy, or would you be sick in bed, or even nearly dead?
Would we have to rush you to the Emergency Room and then be placed into the ICU?
Or would you be healthier than you’ve ever been?
John wrote that Gaius had a soul that prospered! And if he was physically in the same shape as he was spiritually, he’d be doing real good.
Notice with me, this man Gaius, he was a loving church member…
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
John was told by other believers of the faithfulness of Gaius. It was reported that John’s dear friend Gaius was faithful to the truth and living out the truth.
The apostle was thrilled to hear what God was doing in Gaius’ life and the fact that Gaius was serving the Lord and walking with God. Gaius had a good report that blessed John’s heart.
He is a challenge to all of us to have a good report for the Lord.
It is clear that Gaius’ entire life was wrapped up in the truth.
True living comes from the living truth.
Jesus Christ, the truth (John 14:6), is revealed in the Word, which is God’s truth (John 17:17).
The Holy Spirit is also truth (1 John 5:6), and He teaches us the truth.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reveal the Son of God, and then to enable us to obey the will of God and “walk in truth.”
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
John commended Gaius for his faithfulness to the Lord as he cared for the traveling missionaries that passed through the area, especially for those who were strangers to Gaius. Those who were cared for by Gaius gave testimony about his love and concern for them.
7 because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
These people refused to take any support from those who did not know the Lord.
They did not want to do anything that would hurt the cause of Christ, diminish His name, and hinder them from reaching the lost for the Lord.
God’s work is to be supported by God’s people through their tithes and offerings to the Lord Jesus Christ. That is God’s way and it works.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Look on, at verse 8...
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Gaius not only received the truth and walked in the truth, but he was a worker who helped to further the truth. We do not know what his spiritual gifts were or how he served in the congregation, but we do know that Gaius helped extend and defend the truth by assisting those who taught and preached it.
Gaius was a loving church member, and his walk actions showed it…
2-Diotrephes; The Lost Church Member
2-Diotrephes; The Lost Church Member
In the next verses, we see the problem that motivated John’s writing of this letter to Gaius in the first place...
John publicly rebuked Diotrephes, and he rebuked him by name.
In rebuking him by name the apostle of love did not act outside of love. Instead, he followed the clear command of the Scriptures:
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Diotrephes was a roadblock for the furtherance of Christ…What made him a roadblock, why is he and example of the lost Church member?
Diotrephes’ action was causing a serious division within the church that had to be addressed.
Just like we did with Gaius, let’s look at his actions:
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Diotrephes loved to have the preeminence. This phrase is from the Greek word meaning “the desire to be first or number one.” This is the only place it is used in the New Testament.
It is in the present tense which indicates continual action. He constantly wanted to be number one or be the top dog.
His attitude was totally opposite of such men like John the Baptist who said of Jesus, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
Diotrephes was motivated by pride. Whenever there is a church member like this, there are bound to be problems…
He also had another problem in that he would not receive John and others…What this means is that Diotrephes would not have fellowship with one of our Lord’s own Apostles! Pride gets in the way of anything that would help us!
He didn’t stop there...
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
John says here that if he comes, and it looks like according to verse 14, he planned to, he would confront Diotrephes, beginning with the slandering he was doing against John.
I want you to notice something here. There is a digression to his behavior:
Ambition led to arrogance, which led to accusations, which ended up in actions.
Diotrephes was the polar opposite of Gaius.
He slandered John, gave a cold shoulder to these missionaries from John, stopped others who would have received them, and kicked out of the church anyone who attempted to help them—all because he loved himself and loved his agenda, and he had to have his own way no matter what...
John gave us two clear examples so far, one good (Gaius) and one bad (Diotrephes), and he now applies the point:
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Follow the good, for we serve a good God and those who follow Him will likewise do good.
John didn’t excommunicate Diotrephes, though as an apostle he had every authority to do so. Instead, he simply exposed him – and he trusted that discerning Christians would avoid Diotrephes as they should.
3-Demetrius; The Loyal Church Member
3-Demetrius; The Loyal Church Member
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
It would not be necessary for Gaius to stand alone. John was sending him a like-minded colleague, Demetrius, doubtless John’s messenger, the man who carried this brief letter to its destination.
John gives a threefold testimony to the character of Demetrius.
First, he “hath good report of all men.” - that is, he is well spoken of by everyone who knew him...
Second, by way of personification, he has received a good testimony “of the truth itself.” This means Demetrius lives in a manner consistent with the truth.
Third, John adds his own personal testimony concerning Demetrius with an added motivation to Gaius: “ye know that our record is true.” - that is, John himself personnaly testified to the worth of Demetrius.
Demetrius was a Church member that could be counted on.
A loyal church member like Demetrius is important because they are a source of strength and support for the church, they don’t hurt the Church, and because of this, they are also a witness to the world of the love and grace of God.
A loyal church member is someone who is committed to the church, its mission, and its people. They are someone who is willing to serve and sacrifice for the good of the church.
Demetrius was loyal to the cause of Christ.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We’ve seen three types of Church members right here...
The Loving Member, The Lost Member, and the Loyal Member.
We have two members that edify the body, that encourage the other members of the Church, and we have one that is extremely dangerous to the Church…My question for you is this:
What type of Church member are you?