Privilege of Fellow Workers
Notes
Transcript
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
**Turn to 3 John...v5…**
!! Open in Prayer !!
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II. Introduction
II. Introduction
We’ve all probably experienced the CHALLENGE of ASSEMBLING SOMETHING that DIDN’T COME W/ PICTURES
TELLING ME = OKAY
SHOWING ME = BETTER…
Illustration: VIDEO is BEST— YOUTUBE MECHANIC
IF YOU SHOW ME—I CAN TURN a WRENCH…
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Focus: HELPFUL WHEN YOU CAN SEE WHAT SOMETHING is SUPPOSED to LOOK LIKE...
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GOD DIDN’T PRESERVE a PICTURE BOOK for US…
VIDEOS WEREN’T HANDED DOWN
✨Great Blessing: SCRIPTURE = NOT JUST COMMANDS—BUT ALSO EXAMPLES✨
“THIS is WHAT THIS SHOULD/SHOULDN’T LOOK LIKE”
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Focus: TODAY’S TEXT— WE’RE GOING to BE INTRODUCED to 3 CHARACTERS…
2 GOOD EXAMPLES
1 BAD EXAMPLE to AVOID…
=> ALL of THEM WE CAN LEARN FROM
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Transition: INVITE YOU to LOOK W/ ME @ PASSAGE...
V5-15
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III. Passage Reading:
III. Passage Reading:
3 John 5–15 (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.
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.
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.
Church this is God’s word for us this morning...
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IV. Context Recap
IV. Context Recap
3 John Recap:
FINAL of JOHN’S LETTERS
PERSONAL— to GAIUS
SOLID BELIEVER—WALKING in TRUTH
Last Week: JOHN’S PASTORAL WISH—THINGS GO WELL for GAIUS—BOTH BODY & SOUL—
I FOLLOWED SUIT…
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Transition: NOW, WE’RE GOING to GET INTO REAL REASON JOHN is WRITING…
& WE’LL SEE WHY GAIUS STOOD OUT…
LOOK W/ ME AGAIN @ VS. 5-6
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V. Passage Exposition
V. Passage Exposition
1. Gaius’ Faithful Work (vv. 5–8)
1. Gaius’ Faithful Work (vv. 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.
1. Gaius didn’t just talk truth—he walked it.
Christianity is not merely belief, but action.
Exhort: LIVING as CHRISTIANS—MEANS REPRESENTING CHRIST in OUR DAILY DOINGS… 👣
Focus: GAIUS WAS HOSPITABLE to ITINERANT TEACHERS…
LOVE = ACTION,,
— NOT DISPOSITION.
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Background: 2 JOHN— DON’T WELCOME DECEIVERS—YOU PARTAKE in THEIR WORKS
Today: OPPOSITE—HELPING GOOD GUYS!
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Historical Background: TRAVELING WAS TOUGH—INNS COMMONLY UNRELIABLE, UNCLEAN, UNSAFE
HOSPITALITY WAS an ESSENTIAL for SPREAD of CHRISTIANITY
NOT JUST DINNER FELLOWSHIP—BUT PUTTING SOMEONE UP!
👉👉 RISKY!!
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Gaius’ Distinguishing Characteristic: PUTTING UP STRANGERS!
having CHRIST in COMMON WAS ENOUGH…
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(v6a) THESE GUYS TESTIFIED to GAIUS’ LOVE & GOOD WORKS B4 JOHN’S CHURCH
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(v6b) John’s Request: SEND THEM on THEIR WAY—WORTHY of GOD
TREAT THEM LIKE JESUS
Meant: GIVE THEM SUPPLIES/RESOURCES for THEIR JOURNEY—FUND THEM!
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Transition: THERE’S a REASON JOHN URGES HIM to DO THIS...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 7
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3 JOHN 7:
3 JOHN 7:
7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
✨EQUIP THEM… FOR/BECAUSE— THEIR MINISTRY = FOR JESUS’ NAMESAKE✨
MISSION WAS CHRIST-FOCUSED,, NOT SELF-FOCUSED…
Background: REMEMBER DETRACTORS SPREADING FALSEHOOD— COMBAT THIS W/ TRUTH!
THESE GUYS WERE FUNDED BY BELIEVERS ALONE!
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Transition: AS SUCH—WE SHOULD HELP THEM:
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 8
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3 JOHN 8
3 JOHN 8
8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
✨Powerful Claim: SUPPORT THESE GUYS— SO THAT,, WE’D BE FELLOW-WORKERS.
Exhort: ONE KING in the KINGDOM—
— BUT YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS!
NOTHING DONE FOR GOD...:
NO EFFORT EXPENDED...
NO PERSON REACHED ....
NO GIFT GIVEN...
WILL BE WASTED—IT’S for the CAUSE of CHRIST
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Illustration: “SPORTS W/ ASSISTS”
SOCCER, HOCKEY, BASKETBALL
ALL RECORD “ASSISTS” of SOME KIND
DIDN’T SCORE—BUT YOUR CONTRIBUTION to the TEAM—MADE a DIFFERENCE
THIS = “FELLOW-WORKER”
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Apostle Paul Echoed:
Apostle Paul Echoed:
Prisca and Aquilla,
Urbanus,
Timothy,
Titus,
Epaphroditus,
Euodia,
Syntyche,
Clement,
Justus,
Philemon,
Mark,
Aristarchus,
Demas,
and Luke
=> => ALL CALLED “FELLOW WORKERS!”
MANY WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT!
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Encourage: YOU DON’T HAVE — “BE in MINISTRY” to BE in MINISTRY👀
MINISTRY is FUNDAMENTALLY SERVICE
The Kingdom is filled with names not written in lights, but written in glory. 🌟
JESUS AFFIRMED: CUP of COLD WATER to DISCIPLE WOULDN’T LOSE its REWARD!
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Application: MAYBE NOT HOSPITALITY—BUT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS FUND MY MINISTRY & OUR MISSIONARIES, ETC. 👣
WHEREVER YOU CONTRIBUTE—SERVING, GIVING, etc.
=> KINGDOM-CONTRIBUTIONS MATTER! <=
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Transition: GAIUS = GREAT EXAMPLE— FAITHFUL in SERVICE…
NEXT WE’LL SEE an EXAMPLE NOT to FOLLOW...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 9-10
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2. Diotrephes’ Opposition (vv. 9–10)
2. Diotrephes’ Opposition (vv. 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.
Problem: DIOTREPHES’ PRIDE
Background: PROBABLY MEMBER of SAME/ADJOINING CHURCH of GAIUS...
Shocking: DIOTREPHES REJECTED JOHN’S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY!
Who John was:
Who John was:
JESUS’ INNER CIRCLE— MTN. of TRANSFIGURATION, GETHSEMANE
SAW EMPTY TOMB
ATE W/ RESURRECTED CHRIST
ENTRUSTED W/ CARE of JESUS’ MOTHER...
Conclusion: PRIDE CAUSED HIM to REJECT APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY!
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Problem: Pride
Problem: Pride
C.C. PRIDE = GREAT DANGER,,, STILL a PROBLEM TODAY…
PEOPLE THROW WEIGHT AROUND in CHURCH
BIG SERVANT— CHURCH DEPENDS on THEM
BIG GIVER—CHURCH DEPENDS on THEM
ESSENTIAL BOARD MEMBER— THEY’RE #1
PASTOR—THINKING HE’S “GOOD SHEPHERD”
Conclusion: NO ONE = IRREPLACEABLE
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Solution: Contrast w/ Example & Teaching of Christ
Solution: Contrast w/ Example & Teaching of Christ
Philippians 2:6–7 (ESV)
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Recap Philippians Study: CHRIST DESCENDED the LADDER—THOUGH BEING @ TOP!
CHRIST ALONE = PREEMINENT — EXALTED on HIGH
😬😬WANTING to BE FIRST = COMPETING W/ CHRIST… 😬😬
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Jesus said to His Disciples:
Jesus said to His Disciples:
Mark 10:42–45 (ESV)
42 ...“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
BE GREAT = BE a SERVANT
BE FIRST = BE SLAVE.
CHRIST HUMBLED HIMSELF—TO POINT of WASHING BETRAYER’S FEET!
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Application: HOW COULD WE NOT HUMBLE OURSELVES?
1 Peter 5:6 (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,👣
Illustration: KINGDOM of GOD—YOU DON’T CLIMB the LADDER
ELEVATOR—ONLY GOD CONTROLS the UP BUTTON...
S.S.: HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD HAS TO — NEBUCHADNEZZAR…
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Conclusion: GOD DOESN’T “NEED” US…ANY of US… 💡
IT’S a PRIVILEGE—to BE a FELLOW-WORKER…
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Transition: HUMILITY = ESSENTIAL to KINGDOM-SERVANT...
IT’S HOW WE ENTER the KINGDOM!
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Gospel Invitation
Gospel Invitation
CHRISTIAN —ACKNOWLEDGES “APART from JESUS” — HOPELESS SINNER…
Quote, Luther: I’M JUST a BEGGAR TELLING OTHER BEGGARS WHERE to GET BREAD
NO ONE = PREEMINENT in KINGDOM BUT CHRIST.
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Exhort: I’M NO BETTER—I JUST FOUND BREAD
NO ONE HERE = BETTER…
APART from JESUS WE’RE HOPELESS—HE’S the SAVIOR & TRANSFORMER
Challenge: IT’S a PRIVILEGE to BE a PART of WHAT GOD is DOING.
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Invitation: PERHAPS YOU’RE HERE—LONGING for SIGNIFICANCE…
YOU CAN BE a PART of the GREATEST MISSION…
BUT it REQUIRES HUMILITY
I’M NOT the SAVIOR—I’M in NEED of SAVING
=> THERE’S ONLY ONE HERO in THIS STORY & HIS NAME is JESUS CHRIST.
BUT IF YOU BOW the KNEE to KING JESUS—
— YOU CAN BE LIFTED UP & USED BY HIM for HIS GLORY...
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Romans 10:9–10 (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
YOU CAN COME—FREELY— BUT it REQUIRES HUMILITY…
PRIDE BARS the DOORS of HEAVEN📌
YOU CAN’T DO THIS ON YOUR OWN
WE NEED JESUS CHRIST…
Invitation: IF YOU’RE HERE WITHOUT CHRIST—HAVING QUESTIONS on FAITH, ASSURANCE, SALVATION—SPEAK AFTER SERVICE…
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Transition: WE’VE SEEN an EXAMPLE to EMULATE, ONE to AVOID...
WE’LL SEE the APOSTLE’S CALL to DO JUST THAT...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 11-12
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3. The Believer’s Model: Demetrius (vv. 11–12)
3. The Believer’s Model: Demetrius (vv. 11–12)
3 John 11–12 (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.
THESE EXAMPLES = RECORDED for a REASON...
Paul on the O.T.:
Paul on the O.T.:
1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
THERE’S MORE THAT COULD’VE BEEN RECORDED—BUT GOD KEPT WHAT WE NEEDED
SCRIPTURE = GOD-BREATHED & PROFITABLE—
THAT the MAN of GOD WOULD BE COMPLETE…
EQUIPPED for EVERY GOOD WORK.
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GAIUS, DIOTREPHES, DEMETRIUS, JOHN = ALL REAL GUYS
ACCOUNTS = INSPIRED BY REAL GOD— W/ REAL INTENTIONS to SHAPE US…
SCRIPTURE = NOT “TO” US… BUT “FOR” US…
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Application: IMITATE GOOD, NOT EVIL.👣
“I WANT to BE LIKE GAIUS WHEN I GROW UP”
PUT OTHERS FIRST
HUMBLY SERVED OTHERS
BUILT KINGDOM
Contrast: DIOTREPHES
WANTED to BE 1ST
THREW PEOPLE OUT WHO DISAGREED W/ HIM
WOULDN’T RECEIVE TEACHERS
HINDERED GOD’S KINGDOM
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OUR ACTIONS EITHER PROVE/DISPROVE OUR FAITH… 😬
(V11b) “EVILDOER HASN’T SEEN GOD”
WE OUGHT to EMULATE THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL
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(V12) Conclusion: DEMETRIUS—ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE
Background: PROBABLY LETTER-CARRIER
GOOD REPUTATION—PRECEDED HIM
TRUTH ITSELF—HE WAS GENUINE BELIEVER
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Transition: THESE THINGS SAID—JOHN WILL NOW CLOSE HIS FINAL LETTER...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 13-15
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4. Final Greetings (vv. 13–15)
4. Final Greetings (vv. 13–15)
3 John 13–15 (ESV)
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.
AGAIN—JOHN LONGED for FACE-to-FACE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
BENEDICTION of PEACE
**NOTE “THE FRIENDS” — SIGNIFICANCE of CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP & FAMILY...
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Transition: ALL in ALL—JOHN is SAYING:
Passage Idea
Passage Idea
As Christians we must be humble and recognize the privilege of being fellow-workers in the Kingdom.
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VI. Application — Fellow-Workers in the Kingdom
VI. Application — Fellow-Workers in the Kingdom
Reminder: Scripture gives us PEOPLE to EMULATE (Gaius, Demetrius) and PEOPLE to AVOID (Diotrephes).
GOD HATES PRIDE. — RESISTS PROUD.
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Takeaway: HUMILITY REMEMBERS “IT’S a PRIVILEGE to SERVE.”📌
MY HUMBLE CONTRIBUTION to GOD’S MISSION ISN’T DESERVED.
I’M NOT the HERO of the STORY
I’M NOT FIRST
I’M NOT THAT BIG of a DEAL
😬😬DESIRING to BE 1ST… PUTS ME in COMPETITION W/ CHRIST....SCARY THOUGHT!😬😬
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WE ALL WORK TOGETHER—for the GLORY of the KING👑
PRIDE SEEKS to DIVIDE
PRIDE CAUSES US to COMPETE
PRIDE BRINGS SLANDER
PRIDE CAUSES US to DISDAIN OTHERS…
WE’RE ALL on the SAME TEAM—WORKING for SAME KING—
— BUILDING SAME KINGDOM.
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IT’S a PRIVILEGE to be A PART.
CHRIST COULD BUILD HIS KINGDOM WITHOUT ME…YET HE CHOOSES to LET ME HELP—WHAT a GIFT!
**I’M NOT IRREPLACEABLE**
**EVEN B. SAUVE
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
LET US PURSUE HUMILITY in OUR SERVICE… 👣
LOOKING to EXAMPLES of GOOD—STRIVING to EMULATE THEM
CASTING ASIDE EXAMPLES of EVIL & PRIDE.
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OUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS—
— BUT LET’S REMEMBER THERE’S ONLY 1 KING in the KINGDOM…AMEN?
!! Close in Prayer !!
