A Call to Active Faith

3 John

V1 - John now the Elder, using the title as Peter did.

V2 - Hear his prayer, that he would prosper in every way.

- How prospers your soul?

V3 - The Truth is in Him, in Action.

V4 - A Pastor, Elder, Bishop, Overseer has not a greater joy than to see those instructed listen, learning and employing what is taught.

- These children where begotten in the Lord as Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 4:15.

V5 - Gaius is faithful in whatever he does for the brethren and stranger. Kindness to all men is the mark of faithfulness in Christian hospitality and kindness.

V6 - The brethren have born witness to John of this concerning Gaius.

- John is urging him to send them ahead, forward on their Journey. For those sent are sent forth, brought on their way by the church (Acts 15:3).

- How shall other testify of you?

V7 - These were missionaries of the Gospel supported by Gaius apparently and doubtlessly others as well.

v7 - They took nothing from the Gentiles so as not to hinder the Gospel 1 Corinthians 9:12.

V8 - Our first Exhortation - to receive such good ministers.

- In 2 John those who bid God Speed to false ministers were partakers of their evil deeds. Here if we partner with faithful men we are fellow helpers to the truth.

V9-10 - Example - Diotrephes is an example of how not to be. Prideful, arrogant, wanted to be preeminent in the church. He sought to be in charge, in control. He exercises his office in a domineering way, lording position over others.

- He does not except the true ministers, and any who would receive them he casts out of the church.

V11 - Our second Exhortation - Not to follow evil examples such as Diotrephes, but good examples. 1 John 2:29, 3:6.

V12 - Example - Demetrius here is the right and godly example. Having a good report of all men, and the truth of the Gospel and even by the Elder and those with him.

V13-14 - He has further instruction but would rather deliver that face to face as he hoped to see his beloved friend soon.

Thematic Reinforcements

As I preach through 3 John under the theme A Call to Active Faith, I want to reinforce the text with supporting Scriptures that echo and deepen its exhortations. This epistle is rich with pastoral insight—truth in action, hospitality, discernment, and spiritual legacy. Here’s how this looks as we consider other passages to strengthen the message:

1. Faith in Action & Soul Prosperity (vv. 2–3)

John prays that Gaius would prosper even as his soul prospers. That prompts me to ask: How prospers your soul? I’m tying in James 2:17–18, which reminds us that faith without works is dead. Psalm 1:1–3 paints the soul that delights in God’s Word as a tree planted by rivers. And Philippians 1:9–11 shows Paul praying for love to abound in knowledge and discernment—leading to fruitfulness.

2. Spiritual Fatherhood & Joy in Discipleship (v. 4)

John’s joy in seeing his children walk in truth mirrors Paul’s language in 1 Corinthians 4:15. I’m also bringing in Philippians 4:1, where Paul calls the faithful his “joy and crown,” and Hebrews 13:17, which speaks of leaders rejoicing when their flock walks in obedience.

3. Hospitality & Support of Gospel Workers (vv. 5–8)

Gaius’s faithfulness in caring for brethren and strangers is a mark of active faith. I’m tying in Romans 12:13—“given to hospitality”—and Matthew 10:40–42, which promises reward for receiving a prophet or righteous man. Titus 3:13–14 also shows Paul urging support for traveling ministers like Zenas and Apollos.

4. Discernment in Partnership (v. 8)

John exhorts us to receive faithful ministers. In 2 John, those who bid Godspeed to false teachers are partakers in their evil deeds. I’m pairing this with Philippians 1:5–7, which celebrates partnership in the Gospel, and Galatians 6:6–10, which urges us to support those who teach the Word and sow to the Spirit.

5. Warning Against Prideful Leadership (vv. 9–10)

Diotrephes is a cautionary tale—prideful, domineering, rejecting true ministers. I’m tying this to Matthew 23:6–12, where Jesus rebukes those who love preeminence and titles. Ezekiel 34:1–10 rebukes shepherds who feed themselves and neglect the flock. And 1 Peter 5:2–3 calls leaders to serve willingly, not as lords over God’s heritage.

6. Imitating Good, Not Evil (vv. 11–12)

John exhorts us to follow godly examples like Demetrius. I’m bringing in Hebrews 13:7, which tells us to consider the outcome of godly leaders’ lives and imitate their faith. 1 Timothy 4:12 urges us to be examples in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity. And Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that walking with wise men makes us wise.

7. Face-to-Face Fellowship (vv. 13–14)

John longs to speak face to face. I’m echoing this with 2 John 12, where he says the same. Acts 20:36–38 shows Paul’s tearful farewell to the Ephesian elders. And Hebrews 10:24–25 exhorts us not to forsake assembling together, but to stir one another to love and good works.

These texts help me build a sermon that moves from doctrinal clarity to practical exhortation—from soul prosperity to faithful partnership, from discernment to imitation. I’m calling our church to active faith, and I want you to see it modeled in Scripture, lived out in hospitality, guarded by discernment, and passed on through godly example.

Application

Let your soul prosper by walking daily in the truth and letting it shape your decisions.

Support faithful ministers and missionaries with generosity, knowing you are a fellow helper to the truth.

Practice hospitality toward both brethren and strangers, for kindness is the mark of active faith.

Reject prideful leadership and follow godly examples who serve with humility and bear a good report.

Live in such a way that others can testify of your faithfulness and love for the Gospel.