Walking in the Truth - 3 John 1:4

READ (3 John 1:1-4)

Helen Smallbone - “Unsung Hero”

“My passion is the family, is motherhood. I know that the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that holds the world of tomorrow. I want to encourage mums in this season of life to keep on keeping on, and continue to be strong, and serve knowing that you’re making a difference.” - Helen Smallbone

Parent’s what gives us joy in the raising of our children?

I love to see when they come together.

1. Complete Joy

“I have told you these things so that my joy may be in your and your joy may be complete.” - (John 15:11)

“No greater joy”

The apostle John was a spiritual parent to this church in Asia Minor.

Gaius was a leader who invited and finanically provided for teachers to come and preach for this church.

“great joy that this I have not”

Fatherly affection. His joy as a spiritual parent was bound up in their welfare.

Dad can spend $$$ on a gift for mom. All kids have to do is draw a picture.

What gives God joy?

“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people, he adorns the humble with salvation.” - Psalm 149:4.

God is joyful in his children.

2. Walking in the Truth

“Walking” (peripateo) - Walk up and down the road. Clustered.

“Living” - (Rightly Walking, Habitually)

“in the truth” - Assist people on their journey toward Heaven by reminded them of God’s faithfulness and his nearness.

More than agreeing to the truth but to walk in it.

Conforming to the truth brought John greater joy than anything else.

Correspondence between creed and conduct.

Remember when we could play together in the neighborhood? Right upbringing+ Right friends + Right places = Community “The good old days...”

What do we combine?

Salvation + Spiritual Disciplines + Biblical Community = Kingdom Living

God’s joy expressed through the church are the good old days.