Living A Consistent Spiritual Life

3 John 1 – 4

3 John 1–4 NLT

1 This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

INTRODUCTION:

Author:

John the Apostle

The use of the term “elder” in common with 2 John makes it likely that both writings came from the same writer. Both letters also make reference to the practice of walking in the truth (2 John 4; 3 John 3). These similar practices plus the opinion of early Christian leaders make the acceptance of apostolic authorship the wisest choice.

Date. A date in the mid-90’s seems most likely.

Recipient.

Gaius -John named the recipient of 3 John (v. 1), but we have no idea of the specific location to which he wrote.

Theme. This letter presents a contrast between the truth and service demonstrated by Gaius and the arrogance shown by Diotrephes. John emphasized that “truth” was a type of behavior that agreed with the doctrine Christians professed (3 John 8). The autocratic behavior of Diotrephes violated this behavior. John wanted to bring his domineering practices to an end.

Literary Form. This writing has the form of a typical letter. Both the author and recipient are identified. A conclusion with a collection of Christian greetings appears at the end. The misbehavior of Diotrephes provided a specific occasion for the writing of the letter.

Purpose and Theology. John wrote both to commend and rebuke. He commended Gaius for his unselfish behavior and Christian hospitality. He rebuked the domineering Diotrephes for his dictatorial practices. He also praised Demetrius (v. 12), who probably carried the letter. The length of the letter allows little opportunity for theological expression.

I. A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER GROWING BELIEVERS. (3 John 1)

3 John 1 NLT

1 This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

A. It is a special relationship that produces special bonds between people.

1. There was a special bond between Gaius and John.

a) The apostle John was a spiritual parent to Gaius.

2. There was a special bond between the apostle Paul and many of the Philippian believers.

a) The apostle Paul was the spiritual parent to many of those believers.

B. It is a bond of love that is grounded in the truth.

1. The bond between believers is one of mutual love and care that is grounded in a common commitment to the Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

a) The apostle Paul admonishes believers to have a genuine love for each other. (Romans 12:9 – 10)

Romans 12:9–10 NLT

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

(1) John's example of Christian love (Fox's Book of Martyrs pages 13 – 17)

(a) love encourages

(b) love seeks out the wayward brother

2. The bond between believers is one that is grounded in our love for and obedience to the truth of God.

a) For love to truly bond people together, requires a common commitment to the truth of God.

II. AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PRAYER (3 John 2)

3 John 2 NLT

2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

A. An unwavering commitment to pray for those whom we love. (3 John 2 a)

3 John 2a NLT

2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

1. Prayer is the greatest gift you can give the ones you love. (All other gifts will decay and are only temporary.)

a) John prayed for this, his beloved brother.

(1) “hope” translates the word “εὔχομαί,” meaning, “to speak to or to make requests of God—‘to pray, to speak to God, to ask God for, prayer. Refers more exactly to a wish or hope with prayer involved.

b) The greatest gift that my loved ones have given to me has been prayer.

(1) That alone has been the source of personal and spiritual growth and power!

c) One of Paul’s most frequent requests to fellow Christians was prayer.

Examples:

Romans 15:30

Romans 15:30 NLT

30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:11

2 Corinthians 1:11 NLT

11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Ephesians 6:19-20

Ephesians 6:19–20 NLT

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Philippians 1:19

Philippians 1:19 NLT

19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

Colossians 4:3

Colossians 4:3 NLT

3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

1 Thessalonians 5:25 NLT

25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

2 Thessalonians 3:1 NLT

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.

B. An unwavering commitment to pray for the whole life. (3 John 2 b)

3 John 2b NLT

2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

1- Praying for the whole life, that all needs are met.

a- “εὐοδοῦσθαι” = “that all is [going] well with you” literally means “that you are having a good journey.”

John is praying for the entirety of Gaius’ life.

Paul prayed for all of the Roman believers’ needs be met by God.

(Romans 1:9)

Romans 1:9 NLT

9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

2. Prayer for physical well-being and health to equal spiritual strength.

a) This prayer for many people would result in poverty and poor health; for many have neglected their spiritual lives!

b) Many people focus on the development of physical strength to the exclusion of spiritual development.

III. THE CONTINUING EMPHASIS ON BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A STRONG CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. (3 John 3-4)

3 John 3–4 NLT

3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

A. A strong Christian testimony that is bigger than the individual. (3 John 3)

3 John 3 NLT

3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.

1. It is the type of testimony that is evident to those who were nearby and far away.

a) It is the kind of testimony that others can clearly see – in the everyday walk of the believer. (Philippians 2:12)

Philippians 2:12 NLT

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

b) Some traveling teachers who had come in contact with Gaius had been impressed by his life.

(1) The two things that impressed the traveling teachers were:

(a) his faithfulness to the truth

(b) his consistency in living the truth

(Note: What made Gaius such a good testimony? God’s truth. The truth was “in him” and enabled him to walk in obedience to God’s will. Gaius read the Word, meditated on it, delighted in it, and then practiced it in his daily life

(Ps. 1:1–3)

Psalm 1:1–3 NLT

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the soul. It is not enough merely to hear the Word or read the Word. We must inwardly “digest it” and make it part of our inner persons)

(1 Thes. 2:13).

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT

13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

2. A strong Christian testimony that is bigger than self can only be built through:

a) a faithful commitment to God's truth - the Scriptures.

b) Consistency in applying the truths of Scripture to daily living.

c) These two express themselves in:

spiritual health

a good testimony

practical ministry

B. A strong Christian testimony that encourages others. (3 John 4)

3 John 4 NLT

4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

1. Gaius's testimony was evidently an encouragement to the traveling teachers who had borne testimony about his life.

2. Gaius's testimony was an encouragement to his own spiritual mentor.

a) according to Jesus, the result of this type of testimony is to bring glory to God.

3. A question that each of us must answer:

a) "Does the testimony borne in our lives cause others to rejoice?"

CONCLUSION:

Questions to Ponder:

What is the primary relationship that John emphasizes in his letter to Gaius according to 3 John 1?

What does John pray for regarding Gaius in 3 John 2?

What key theme about love is presented by John in his letter?

According to 3 John 3-4, what brings John the greatest joy about Gaius's life?