The Basics of Christian Community 2 & 3 John

Scripture

Intro:

The Elect Lady is most likely a wealthy lady who probably hosted the church in her house

She is a good metaphor of the church and the community it creates

This letter speaks directly to our culture's confusion about truth and tolerance. 

John shows us that real love sometimes means saying "no"—to false teaching, to compromised doctrine, to anything that undermines the gospel. 

True love protects what matters most: the truth that saves souls.

There are three basics that every church needs to create community

The Behavior of Community vs. 1-6

The first basic of Christian community is its behavior

If the church doesn’t monitor its behavior it can turn toxic

False teachers and domineering members were wreaking havoc in the churches so John sends a letter to set it straight

Two behaviors should mark behavior of the church community

Walking in the Truth

The first behavior is that they walk in truth

John's emphasis on "truth" appears five times in the first three verses alone, establishing the foundation for everything that follows

I rejoiced greatly: This is a pastor’s heart – to know that his people are walking in truth.

While truth is not the only concern of a pastor, it is a great concern; and it is a great comfort for a pastor to see those he loves and cares for walking in truth.

The truth of God’s Word is a compass

John rejoiced when he found some of the people walking in the truth

Nothing gave John greater joy

3 John 4 ESV

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

What does it mean to walk in the truth?

First, you are submitted under biblical teaching

Second, you are committed to a daily diet of God’s Word

You can’t walk in the if you don’t know the truth

Many Christians reject the truth because the sermons they get on Sunday are self-help motivational pep talks or they are lifeless lectures

They also reject the truth because the diet they consume is mainly the news and hollywood’s morals

Less than 20% of all Christians read their Bible or pray on a weekly basis

Finally, you are living out the truth by obeying God’s commandments

Truth brings freedom, not bondage

Loving One Another

The second basic John tells us isn’t something new, but something repeated

John knew this was nothing new to his readers (he repeated the theme all through 1 John and his gospel).

Yet because it was so essential, it had to be repeated and used as a reminder.

He tells the lady I am not bringing a new commandment, but one we have had since the beginning

John is quoting Jesus

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

That love is a selfless unconditional love that springs from our heart

The integrity of our Christian life can be measured by our love for one another 

This is love, that we walk according to His commandments:

If we love God, we will obey His commandments.

We do this not because we think His commandments are heavy burdens, but because we see that they are best for us. They are guides and gifts to us from God.

The Boundaries of Community vs. 7-11

The second basic of Christian community is that we set up boundaries

Wolves in sheep clothing were trying to infiltrate the church and cause division

John was aware false teachers were a danger to the church in his day.

False Teachers

For a church to preserve its community it must put up boundaries against false teachers

The phrase “goes on ahead” vs. 9 means transgresses and has the idea of “going beyond a boundary.”

We never go “beyond” the teaching of Jesus, of who He is and what He has done for us.

Anyone who thinks we have or should go beyond what the Bible plainly says about Jesus transgresses

1 John 2:19 ESV

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

To combat this, John made a plain declaration: we must confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.

This means Jesus came as a real man in His first coming, but also means He will come as a human being – although glorified humanity, and that added to His eternal deity – a real flesh and blood Jesus will come again to the earth

We need to be like the Bereans and measure the teaching against the Scriptures

We need to know the word so well that when a counterfeit comes our radar goes off

Domineering Members

A second group of people that need to be dealt with are domineering members

For this I want you to turn to 3 John

There is a character I want to introduce you named Diotrephes

3 John 9 ESV

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

Diotrephes was a prominent member in one of the churches under John’s care

He had refused hospitality to traveling ministers, kicks out those who do show hospitality, and has spoken against John

People like Diotrephes love prominence in the church

The Greek suggests he craves first place, the spotlight, the final word. 

He is threatened by people who may outshine him so he prevents them from ministering in the church

Anyone who goes outside of his expectations, he punishes

If a church is going to thrive it needs to deal with and discipline domineering members

vs. 10 Do not receive them

In that culture, it meant to show hospitality and give aid.

Yet, for the weak or unskilled believer, it is best if they do not even greet (in the sense of speaking to) those who promote a false Jesus

The Blessings of Community vs. 12-13

The final basic of Christian community is the presence of Joy

A christian community should bring blessings to each of its ministers

John enjoyed being in the presence of the people

In a world that celebrates individualism which only produces isolation, loneliness, and depression, the church is differen

Complete Joy

John 17:13 ESV

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Hospitality

Gaius: was someone who was ignoring Diotrephes

He was receiving all of the saints and caring for them

He was walking in truth

3 John 5–6 ESV

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

The word "faithfully" here means reliable, trustworthy service regardless of recognition

When is a church is full of people walking in the truth there is joy and people are blessed by it