3 John 3:1-14

Review & Overview

1. Overview of 3 John

1. To Whom was it Written to Gaius Vs. 1 -It would seem there are there are 4 Gaius’ mentioned in the Bible…      of this Gaius, we only know what John writes here…                             we’ll talk more about him in a moment…

2. What is the Key Theme:   A lot like 1st & 2nd John…       Love. 

The word Love is used some 56 times in its various forms…       in these 3 letters…

John deals with different topics as it pertains to LOVE…

He deals with them typically by Contrast…               Light / Darkness…      Righteousness / Sin…              God / Satan…                Life / Death…               Love / Hate…          

2nd John, Truth / Deceivers…

3rd John  - those who are Hospitable.     /       those who are Not Hospitable.

3. Key Verse:   vs.5.   read.     The point is, as believers we’re to be Hospitable to Believers & Strangers

4. When was it Written:       95 – 100   A.D. 

Presumably after 2nd John…            around 95 - 100  AD…

John was very old at this time…      maybe 90-95 years old…            as seen in vs.1…   The Elder…

5. Why was it Written:            what’s the purpose or reason for the book…            

To bring out the Contrast:          Those who are Hospitable.     &       Those who are Not Hospitable

We’re going to see that involves 3 men,              2 of which are church leaders:   

2 who were Hospitable:  Gaius   &    Demetrius,                &          1 who was not:     Diotrephes.

At its core, 3 John reminds us that in any church, there will be those who humbly serve and those who seek power and control. John’s message is clear—stick with the truth, support those doing God’s work, and don’t let prideful people steer the church in the wrong direction.

6. How is the Book is Divided: we’ve divided the into 3 sections:   

1. John’s Commendation to Gaius:     vs.1-8.

2. John’s Condemnation to Diotrephes:   vs.9-11.

3. John’s Completion including Demetrius:    vs.12-14.

This 1st section dealing with Paul’s Commendation to Gaius:               involves 5 things…

1. John’s Commendation to Gaius Vs. 1-8

1.1   Involves Love Vs. 1

vs.1  beloved Gaius,    love in truth,           vs.2  beloved,               vs.5  beloved,              vs.11  beloved,   

5 times in this little letter John speaks of his Love for Gaius…           WHY…

He was a church leader,      who was walking in the truth…   

who gave of himself & of what he had…   who was hospitable to others…                    who set a great example for others…

APPLICATION: It’s easy to Love a person who is totally committed to the Lord    &    totally set apart for the Lord…

I think of Pastor Clark…          totally committed to the Lord…    setting a great example for us…

2.  Prayer Vs. 2 (his prayer involves 2 things:)

1. Prospering in All Things Vs. 2a: John is not advocating some kind of health and wealth doctrine…   (Maybe make a funny?)

Prosper:     compound word,           yoo:   good, well.            hodos:  journey, highway…

John is simply saying:      Gaius I pray that as you are on the highway of life your journey goes well…      

That your every endeavor is blessed…    at work,        home,      church,         relationships personally,       finances practically…                         man,   everything you do, may God bless you…

2. Prospering in Health Vs. 2b: Maybe Gaius had some health problems…       we don’t know…     

but John wanted him healthy so he could continue to be hospitable to others…

Notice his Prayer for Prosperity is based on the Spiritual,   vs.2b…

Just as you have Prospered Spiritually…      I pray that you would Prosper  Practically,  Physically,   Personally 

APPLICATION: I think this sets forth a beautiful balance in our lives…    because God is concerned for the Body & Soul

3.  Involves Joy Vs. 3-4      

vs.3  Rejoiced Greatly,          vs.4 no Greater Joy.            

his Rejoicing  & Joy…             involves Truth…          this Truth is seen in light of 2 people:

1.  Gaius:    vs.3.        so Gaius not only had the Truth         &         was walking in the Truth…  

This is not just any truth…     it is Thee Truth…   Jesus Christ   John 14:6   thee way, thee Truth, thee life.

2.  Others:   vs.4.       John is not only speaking about Gaius…       but   others too…       children, plural…

APPLICATION:

4.  Involves Faithfulness Vs. 5-7              

3 things we note about Gaius’ faithfulness:

1.  It was To Everyones Vs. 5 - Gaius was faithful in being hospitable to everyone…     brethren  &  strangers   alike…    turn Heb.13:2

Hebrews 13:2 “2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

APPLICATION: You know,    its easy to be hospitable to people we know, amen? But what about strangers…      

Notice why it’s important we are hospitable to strangers…            of coarse we need to use our brain too.

2.  it was Seen by Everyone:  vs.6 - Other people had witnessed and testified of how Gaius had housed those itinerate pastors…                       those preachers who were passing through…

Now, as we show hospitality to others…    we need to be careful not to do our charitable deeds before men to seen of men…      Matt.6:1.                     but if others find out about it that’s ok…

Matthew 6:1 “1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

3.  it involved Giving to Everyone:   vs.7 - ???

5.  It’s an Example for Us Vs. 8

Just like Gaius,       who helped others,            received others,        ministered to others…   

So too it should be with us…     that we would become fellow workers for THEE TRUTH…    Jesus Christ.

What a great example for us to follow…

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We mentioned that we divided the book into 3 simple sections:

1. John’s Commendation to Gaius:     vs.1-8.           

2. John’s Condemnation to Diotrephes:   vs.9-11.

3.  John’s Conclusion including Demetrius:    vs.12-14.

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1. John’s Condemnation to Diotrephes,  vs.9-11…  what a sharp contrast to Gaius…   We learn 8 things about Diotrephes

1.  He Did Not Receive the Authority of John Vs. 9a & 9c

He did not Receive or Submit to the Authority of John… turn to 1 Corinthians 16:15–16

John was in a place of leadership…  he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ… 

he was very close to Jesus Christ.                in fact, in              Gal.2:9,   he was a Pillar of the Church…           a                 Leader in Church …     

There is leadership or hierarchy in the church today…   Eph.4:11 apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor teachers

So there are offices that men hold in a place of leadership       &    we are to submit to them,        Read.

1 Corinthians 16:15–16 “15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.”

Heb 13:17   Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, 

Now obviously, when church leaders stray from the Word of God…         we don’t submit…           we flee…

2.  He Desired a Position of Preeminence Vs. 9b       

turn    Matthew 20:25–28 “25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

‘Loves to have the Preeminence’:      is a single word,     and only used here…            

to desire to be first…         to be above others…    

over others…  to be in charge   or    in control of others…

This is exact the opposite of what a leader is to be…    a true leader is not to over others    but    under others

That is the example Christ set for us in washing the feet of the disciples…      

John 13:15 “15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

3.  His Deeds will be Exposed Vs. 10a

turn 1 Tim.5:19-21

John was going to call to mind his deeds…       he was going to bring them to light…      expose them…

This speaks of Church Discipline…         but not for a person in the congregation,    that is Matt.18:15-20…         

this is for a Church Leader…       a Pastor…      an Elder…     read.

1 Timothy 5:19–21 “19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.”

Rebuke:   elegcho,         to expose,        bring to light,          to show ones fault…          

So, if an Elder is sinning,   bring a couple of witnessed and rebuke him in the presents of all the Elders       (not the congregation)            so all the other Elders may fear…

4.  He Drummed up False Charges Vs. 10b

Prating:     only here…       to bring forth false charges…        empty accusations…       and it’s done with 

                        malicious     or      evil words…

False charges are usually brought up against someone because of a desire for preeminence…  

Because they want to be in charge…      and they are willing to say or do anything to get it…

Eph. 4:31   Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice   

5.  He Did Not Have Contentment Vs. 10c

One who is always striving for a position is never content with where they are at…  or  with what they have

1 Tim 6:6     godliness with contentment is great gain.       Phil.4:11    I have learned to be content…

6. He Did Not Receive the Brethren Vs. 10d

He didn’t receive those who were traveling from town to town…      itinerate speakers,    missionaries,   etc.       And he denied those who wanted to take them in and lodge them…

His philosophy was…   We don’t need any more churches in this town…   I can take care of it…  I’m in charge…

He was no doubt fearful of losing his position…               losing his popularity…           losing his power…

When this fellowship began,     I had a couple of pastors tell me we don’t any more churches… 

We should always raising up others to take our place…      those who are more gifted…    more suited…

7.  He Dismissed Some from the Church Vs. 10e

When people didn’t do what Diotrephes said to do…      he kicked them out of the church…     wow…

Talk about a dictator…   an overlord…      I heard a pastor say, its my why or the highway…  its my show…

8.  He Displayed a Bad Example Vs. 11

Diotrephes was displaying evil…              don’t imitate him…           he is a bad example…

Imitate God…      because God is Good…         We are all an example to someone, what kind are we

Let’s come to the 3rd and final thing we want to look at today:               John’s Completion or conclusion including Demetrious:   vs.12-14

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In the conclusion of John’s letter we would simply mention 4 things:

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1.  the Witness that John Gave Vs. 12        

John gave a good report or a good testimonial about Demetrious

Demetrious has a good testimony:    there are good reports about him,       about his standing in the church,          his character…        his faithfulness…      his hospitality…      &          these good reports are seen in 3 ways

From All:        not just those in church…          but         those outside the church…

1 Tim.3:7  must have a good testimony among those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

From the Truth:      in other words,   if the truth could speak…        it too would give a good report…

From Other Church Leaders:        we, our…        no doubt pointing to other church leaders…

Oh, that that it would be said about each and every one of us…

2.  the Hope that John Had Vs. 13-14a

Just like with the Elect Lady in 2 John 12…         John had much to say…               no doubt regarding those who are hospitable               &              regarding those who are not hospitable…

But John knew that there would be many questions about this issue, so wanted to speak to them face to face.

He wanted to ward off any miscommunication…    any problems & conflicts that might arise…

That is one reason I’m not big on this e-mail thing…      I like to hear a voice, see a face…

3.  the Peace that John Gives Vs. 14b

Peace was the very thing that church needed…       

With all the problems…           posturing…           &           power plays that were going on…  

Jockeying for a position will always bring strife and division…

Eph 4:3-6   Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.      There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

We all are different parts of the Body of Christ, 1 Cor.12:,        and we need to be ok with what part we are.

Vs.14c     4.  the Greeting that John Desires:

What a contrast to those who do not have the doctrine of Christ…         look at    2 John 10-11,  

We are to receive others…    welcome others…      greet others, …      not turn them away like Diotrephes

What a simple yet powerful little epistle…         and a great encouragement for us to be hospitable to all…