Truth and Hospitality - 3 John

Intro: I walk into the house one day after a ball game down in KS to find that my mom is having me move into the basement for a night.

Our unfinished, musty, spooky basement. It was the kind of place I didn’t venture to in the dark. And when you shut the lights off, you didn’t waste a moment and ran up the stairs to get out of there.

There was going to be a family was staying with us, as the father had suddenly passed away. They were a rough family. Not clean, not kind, very isolated and the younger kids had been given Noah and I’s room for the night.

They were already sitting in the living room when I walked in and dad was with them. I didn’t like this I didn’t trust them. I had money on my dresser that was missing when I walked into my bedroom to get clothes. I pulled mom aside and voiced that I was frustrated and that I didn’t like this at all. I felt that they had already stolen from me and that they shouldn’t be here.

I had assumed the worst. Mom said to me that she had grabbed the money out of there for me. She asked me, where else should they stay? If not here, then where? There was not another place for them.

Talking with her yesterday about it she said, “In the moment, they felt it was the right thing to do.” They knew it would inconvenience us, but knew God wanted them to do it. They had skipped coming to my ball game to be with this family. They knew it would be uncomfortable for me and Noah to give up our room for the night, but didn’t have a way around that. We needed to sacrifice for the sake of this family.

I was not willing to be hospitable in that moment. I resented that decision even though it was a one night gig. In that moment, I regrettably did not see God. A heart for Jesus is shown by hospitality. Jesus heart for people is demonstrated by His hospitality. He took the place of a servant, being with the rough crowds, washing the feet of the disciples, giving up his life for us. He showed the ultimate hospitality.

Turn with me to 3 John. It is mini letter all about truth and hospitality. It is written by the elder, who is beyond any reasonable doubt John, one of the 12. Author or John, 1-3 John, and Revelation. John is a face to face, personal guy. He describes himself on numerous occasions as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He refers to Gaius, the recipient of this book as beloved 4 times and as his child. He longs to see him soon and talk face to face. John has a value for personal connection. He didn’t want to communicate over letter. He wanted to talk to Gaius.

Gaius was a prominent figure in this church probably in Western Turkey. Gaius was likely an elder, he was well known for his hospitality and spiritual well being.

Two other individuals will be named. 3 John 11 “11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

The one doing evil is Diotrephes. He is selfish, prideful, a slanderer, inhospitable, prohibits good.

The one to be imitated and accepted in is Demetrius. He did good and was from God, he had a good report from everyone.

4 Individuals: John, Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. And then finally a group of people who were strangers to Gaius, but were fellow workers of the truth. They were likely traveling preachers or missionaries passing through or there to share a message.

This morning I want you to see plainly that: We are to walk in truth.

4 loving instructions that John personally writes to Gaius concerning this. These instructions help us to discerningly walk in the truth. To walk in the truth is to live according to what God’s character and Word command. We are to walk in the truth. 3 John shares with us that truth and hospitality go hand in hand.

The first loving instruction is to...

1) Personally walk in the truth. 3 John 1-4

3 John 1–4 ESV

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Personally walking in the truth means that....

The wellness of souls is of primary importance. v 2

John prayed that it would go well with Gaius health, as it did with His soul. So often our first request is for something physical. Provide for this or heal them.

Gaius spiritual health was in such a state that John felt comfortable praying that his physical health would match his spiritual health.

How would your physical health be if it matched your spiritual health? Would you get the occasional cold? Or would you struggle with chronic illness? Could someone pray for you that your physical health would match your spiritual health?

The health of souls is of primary importance. 1 Timothy 4:8

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Walking in truth is what we should be known for. v 3

The brothers who met Gaius, who experienced his hospitality knew he was walking in the truth. They told John all about it. It was a defining characteristic of Gaius.

Walking in truth is a personal decision. v 3

Many times an apostle would compliment a church family. But here the commendation is purely to Gaius. That “you are walking in the truth.” While Diotrephes was kicking out those who showed hospitality to workers of Christ. Gaius boldly decided to not stop this service and John encourages him to keep going.

There is no greater joy than to see God’s children walking in truth. v 4

When I think of those I have had the privilege of ministering to and then when I see them making decisions for Christ or serving Him faithfully. Oh man, that is exciting. That is what it is all about. I love when they get a good job, or have good health. But the most excited I get is when I get to talk to one I’ve ministered to and hear they are walking closely with the Lord.

There is no greater joy than that of leading someone to the Lord or closer to Him. Pursue these goals. Personally walk in the truth. The health of souls is more important than anything, we should be known for walking in the truth.

The first loving instruction is to personally walk in the truth, the second is to...

2) Show hospitality towards workers of the truth. 3 John 5-8

3 John 5–8 ESV

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Taking in brothers who are strangers. v 5-6

Your translation may say brothers and strangers. It seems to me that this passage in particular is speaking to showing hospitality to the traveling missionaries and pastors. We should show hospitality to all, but especially to believers.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

While Diotrephes condemned the hospitality to these individuals. John commended it. It is a faithful thing, you are doing faith, when you are showing hospitality.

Sending out brothers in Jesus name. v 6-7

These missionaries Gaius takes in, and are replenished. They share of the love that pours out of him with John and the church when they return.

While Diotrephes sent the missionaries packing, John commended Gaius to continue receiving and sending brothers.

Providing the needs of workers is necessary. 8

Supporting missionaries is part of our call as a church family. Gaius didn’t go anywhere, but he lovingly accepted strangers and provided the needs of these traveling pastors.

Back then there was no motel 6, there was no air b n b. There was no Mrs. Robinson’s cafe or Shotgun Annie’s. If you were to travel you had to depend on the hospitality of the people along your route.

Gaius was faithful in showing hospitality to the workers of the truth. And in doing so, he was a fellow worker.

I am thankful that we have the missions committee that we have. We do support several missionaries. God provides for them through us amazingly. But we should always be open to any missionary that comes in. Whether it be in opening up our home, helping with a meal, or financially. In doing these things we are fellow workers in the truth. I pray that God would give us hospitable minds. That he would open our eyes to the needs of others even further. I pray we can have an others focus, that we recognize the needs of missionaries and are discerning in what God calls us to as a church family.

Individually, is God calling you to support an missionary or family? I pray that we would prayerfully consider that.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV

2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I wonder if Gaius entertained the occasional angel. Next time a missionary is in town, how is God calling you to help them along their journey?

The first instruction is to personally walk in the truth. The second is to show hospitality toward workers of the truth. The third is to...

3) Reject those who walk apart from the truth. 3 John 9-10

3 John 9–10 ESV

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

This church has a problem. It seems like one individual, Diotrephes, is getting woefully off and no longer walking in the truth. So much so that, John is wanting to come over and talk to him and the church.

John wants them to reject this man and gives the evidence for why they should do so. Here are characteristics of the type of man that should be rejected.

They reject authority. v 9

The 12 were instrumental in laying the foundations of the church. The letters they wrote were inspired by God. They had authority given by God to go to the nations. In rejecting the apostle John, he was rejecting Jesus authority.

Today this type of person may reject God’s Word as authority. They may try to insert their ideas, or the culture’s ideas into God’s Word. This is to be rejected.

They put themselves first. v 9

They are prideful. v 9

This is the opposite of Christ’s humility! Washing feet, eating with sinners, being a servant of all.

Let us stay far away from a prideful attitude. We are nothing apart from Christ. For us to be prideful, to put ourselves on a pedestal in any way is wrong.

They spew wicked nonsense. v 10

This is in the form of slander. Telling things that were untrue against John and his friends trying to hurt their reputation. It is ironic that the only reputation he ended up hurting was his own. It is interesting that the specifics of Diotrephes charges against John were not even given the time of day. All we know is he rejected John’s letter and his authority.

They are inhospitable and punish hospitality. v 10

So Diotrephes is a church leader who does not acknowledge the authority of the apostles, spreads lies, and prohibits hospitality to any other messenger of God. In doing so he is not seeing God in the slightest. He is doing evil.

We are to walk in the truth by rejecting those not doing the same.

Do an internal check here before you start applying God’s Word to others. Is their anyway I have been behaving contrary to God’s authority? Are you putting your needs above the needs of others? Are you gossiping or slandering? It is unfortunately easy to gossip and then just call it a prayer request. Is their a way that God is calling you to be more hospitable to missionaries, or to those that are lost?

The first instruction is to personally walk in the truth. The second is to show hospitality to the workers for the truth. The third instruction is to reject those not walking in the truth. Diotrephes fruit was evidence he was not walking in Christ’s love.

The third instruction is to...

4) Imitate those walking in the truth. 3 John 11-12

3 John 11–15 ESV

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

Those from God do good; imitate them. v 11

Demetrius is a man worthy of being accepted by Gaius. His testimony is that of walking in the truth. We don’t know much about him other than his faithfulness. Do not be swayed into Diotrephes thinking.

Those who do evil have not seen God. v 11

The only indication that we have on whether Diotrephes was a sheep or a wolf is in his fruit. His fruits indicate that he was extremely self-focused and not God focused. But John does not write him off either. Just as Paul does not write off Peter in Galatians. They oppose false teachers and false thinking, but they do not discount and wholly reject the individual.

Perhaps someday we will meet Diotrephes in heaven, it is going to be full of sinners like us saved by grace. I hope that John was able to talk with him and that he turned from his pride.

What we know clearly is that evil arises from a heart that does not have a clear picture of God and His Word. If we are foggy on God’s Word and will, we are toast. Our hearts will go downhill.

Is their any way that your vision of God is unclear? Chances are, that is overflowing into sin in your life. How are you doing at keeping Jesus in the center of your vision?

Those walking in the truth are plain to see. v 12

Demetrius: It was plain to see that he was from God and should be likewise accepted and provided for. The testimony of everyone who knew him, the testimony of the truth itself, and the testimony of John himself all gave Demetrius a five star review. The consistent life of walking in the truth is what validated Demetrius. Imitate him, reject Diotrephes.

Imitate those walking in the truth. Reject those walking contrary.

As we wrap up I have a couple questions for us to take note of:

1. How is your spiritual health? I highly doubt that Diotrephes got to his prideful position over night. Kill the sin at the root, before it is a major issue like it became for Diotrephes. We should be able to pray for each other that it may go well for your health as it is with your soul.

2. How are you showing love and hospitality to the saints? To the lost? This mini letter has been miraculously preserved and is all about truth and hospitality. There is something about hospitality that is inherently servant-like. Giving up some of your freedom or possessions for the sake of others. How are you showing love and hospitality to the saints? Is He calling you to more? Things to consider.

We are called to walk in truth and to be hospitable.