Worthy Manner [Missions Conference]

3 John 1–14 (KJV)

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.

It is our joyful labor as a church to develop, send, and care for covenant members in a worthy manner. 2 John 6

Sermon Introduction

When is the last time you sent a postcard? First postcard was to my grandmother on a trip to PCC.

[Slide] Size of 3 John

Sending is joyful labor

I love Sundays. I make many decisions throughout this week. The decision to be with believers on the first day of the week is something that God’s Word has placed on my schedule. In the same manner I find great joy in helping get the Gospel to the world.

Sending the Gospel is living life well. 3 John 6 “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:”

There is a sense of beauty in this word well.

If the feet of those who carry the gospel are considered lovely by God, it should be no surprise that God views the people who wash those lovely feet as doing something beautiful. Isaiah 52:7 “7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

Only time singing a special in church. Raised my hand and went and sung. Go tell it on the mountain.

Considered washing their today but I believed that might serve me more than it would have truly served them. But there are other ways in which we can assist them on their journey.

The prospering soul is the soul that is walking in the truth. 3 John 3 “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.”

Gaius was apparently not doing well physically and John prayed for this.

He was doing well in all that ways that really mattered.

How are you doing today? Walking in the truth?

It is labor that we should not expect to be assisted in by the world. 3 John 7 “7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.”

Our church is built by the message that was sent and now received

Our relationships should be centered on the truth. 3 John 1 “1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.” / 6 references to truth in 14 verses

We have a shared identity as fellowhelpers of the truth. 3 John 8 “8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

This story always has a hero. It is not us. It is Jesus.

We do not own the truth but we can give our lives to helping see the message spread.

Both are equally valuable before God, the lives of both equally significant in God’s opinion — which is the only opinion that matters.

John Chrysostam said “If you knew how quickly people would forget about you after your death, you will not seek in your life to please anyone but God.”

The joyful duty of “One anothering”

3 John 6 “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:”

Bible is filled with “one another commands.

Over 150 commands in Scripture / we will look at two of the categories

Welcome one another into our lives

Romans 12:16 “16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

Romans 15:7 “7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

1 Peter 4:9 “9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

Serve one another

We often speak of volunteering. It is a helpful word.

However, the Bible does not use this word.

It speaks of those who freely serve and who recognize they have a joyful obligation to serve others in whatever manner they are capable (or gifted).

In the New Testament the four basic passages dealing with the believers’ use of their gifts are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.

In these passages we learn that Christ has sovereignly distributed His gifts to His church through her various members and that they are responsible to use these gifts (interests, talents, training, resources, opportunities) to faithfully serve others.

1 Peter 4:10-11 “10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Show the love of God

1 Thess 5:15 “15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

1 Peter 4:10 “10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Covenant commitment to one another

Our church covenant reflects these “one another” commands to one another.

It is a wonderful privilege and responsibility to belong to a church

We live in a world with its own set of one-anothers:

one-another brokenness

one-another enmity

one-another manipulation

one-another selfishness.

And local churches exist to show a different way of life — a different Lord of life.

This Lord reconciles us not only to himself, but to each other.

Sending in a worthy manner

The Holy Spirit through John exalts the importance of how we send as high as can be imagined. [Slide]

3 John 6 “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:”

Notice the logic: 3 John 7-8 “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.”

Good definition of someone we help. They go for “for His name’s sake”

Sending missionaries is one of the oughts and shoulds of the Bible.

We are provided with a good example in this man named Gaius. [Slide]

How are we to send?

This particular word for send occurs nine times in the New Testament, always in the context of helping Christian workers get to where they need to go to do the work of the kingdom.

Example: Titus 3:13 “13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.”

Practical help for them.

3 John 5 “5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;”

That word whatevers hows the breadth of what is included in sending.

Exercise: What does it me to be cared for? One man’s answer “when someone takes something from my backpack and puts it in theirs”

Aquilla and Priscillia serve as an example.

Helped Paul with employment at times.

Went on some missionary journeys.

Opened their home to those training in ministry.

This was in the eulogy of their life. Romans 16:4 “4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

Contrasting example is given as well

[Slide of Dietrephes]

3 John 9 “9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”

There has always been and will always be opposition to the mission of our church. Sometimes it sounds like this.

“God is going to save the people that will be saved whether I participate or not;”

“I’m not called to participate in missions;”

“we have no business taking the gospel overseas when there are plenty of people to reach in our city;”

“evangelism is for those who have the gift of evangelism;”

“it makes people uncomfortable when you constantly push missions;”

“you talk about missions too much.”

However, the opposition is usually not vocal. It is just found in us being too concerned with our own lives to consider the lives of others.

Though it may sound different through the years, it always looks the same. It looks like a love for ourselves over a desire to make His name known.

We must always be aware of those who selfishly self-seeking rather than selflessly serving others.

“In the end, let the call of Christ to go and the cry of the lost to come drown out the sound of Diotrepheses.”

Your lack of contentment is costing you from being involved in the greatest work in the world

3 John 10 “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.”

Gaius was not by himself

3 John 12 “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.”

We are a people who love the truth.

We love those who are carrying it.

Let us do well. 3 John 11 “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.”

This seeing of God in our lives should overflow in to care for those carrying the message.

2 Cor 8:1-5 “1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit (witness) of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

It is not because of our great abundance that we look at today.

It is what we have witnessed of the grace of God that motivates us.

We count a privilege to be “take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

Conclusion

The most rewarding experience in life is to be a fellow worker with God in making his name known.

Let us renew our commitment to one another.

Let us help one another as we carry the Gospel.

Let us thank God for the opportunities we have had to be “fellow helpers” of the truth and ask Him for more.