3 John 12 Be Like Demetrius

Our purpose for being here today:

(1) To pay tribute in friendship and love to one who was dear to us

(2) We come to offer words of sympathy to these loved ones that are in sorrow

(3) We come to find words of comfort and strength from God's Word.

John 14:1–3 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 11:25–26 NIV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Will you bow your head with me in prayer.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we come into this sanctuary of sorrow, realizing our utter dependence upon You. We know That you do love us and can turn even the shadow of death into the light of morning. Help us now to wait before You with reverent and submissive hearts.

With the Psalmist we affirm Thou art our Refuge and Strength, O God- a very present Help in time of trouble. Grant unto us Your abundant mercy. May those who mourn today find comfort and a healing balm in Your sustaining grace. We humbly bring these petitions in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Obituary

After reading the obituary talk about the importance of the dash on the grave marker.

Many of the grave markers look alike, in size and shape. They have many things in common. Names, date of birth, date of death, descriptive phrase. But what sets them apart is the “DASH” that little line between date of birth and date of death. That “DASH” represents our memories.

I have memories and you have memories and even those who could not be here have memories.

A POEM

When I’m Gone Mrs. Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey And I travel my last weary mile, Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned And remember only the smile. Forget unkind words I have spoken; Remember some good I have done. Forget that I ever had heartache And remember I've had loads of fun. Forget that I've stumbled and blundered And sometimes fell by the way. Remember I have fought some hard battles And won, ere the close of the day. Then forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day, But in summer just gather some flowers And remember the place where I lay, And come in the shade of evening When the sun paints the sky in the west Stand for a few moments beside me And remember only my best.

When I’m Gone Mrs. Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey And I travel my last weary mile, Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned And remember only the smile.

And I travel my last weary mile, Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken; Remember some good I have done. Forget that I ever had heartache And remember I've had loads of fun. Forget that I've stumbled and blundered And sometimes fell by the way. Remember I have fought some hard battles And won, ere the close of the day. Then forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day, But in summer just gather some flowers And remember the place where I lay, And come in the shade of evening When the sun paints the sky in the west Stand for a few moments beside me And remember only my best.

MESSAGE

"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." ( ESV)

Rabbi Simon said, “There are three crowns: the crown of [the study of] the Law, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of royalty, but the crown of a good name surpasses them all” (Mishnah Avoth 4.13).[1]

Like Demetrius, ________ was well spoken of by everyone who knew him.

The story is told of four ministers discussing the pros and cons of various Bible translations and paraphrases. Eventually each stated which version, in his opinion, is the best. The first minister said he used the King James because the Old English style is beautiful and produces the most reverent picture of the Holy Scriptures. The second said he preferred the New American Standard Bible because he felt it comes nearer to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. The third minister said his favorite was the paraphrased Living Bible because his congregation was young, and it related to them in a practical way.

All three men waited while the fourth minister sat silently. Finally he said, “I guess when it comes to translations and paraphrased editions of the Bible, I like my Dad’s translation best. He put the Word of God into practice every day. It was the most convincing translation I’ve ever seen.”[2]

The Scripture never tells believers to imitate an abstraction. As here, the example is always concrete.[3]

The fact that he is “well spoken of by everyone” means that his example can be followed with confidence. An exhortation, that Gaius [this letter was written to him, he is mentioned in v. 1] should imitate the Christian life of Demetrius, is implicit in the presbyter’s words.

The perfect tense verb indicates that the testimony was given over a period of time and still has abiding validity.[4]

An exemplar is “an ideal, a model, an example worthy to be imitated.” Demetrius was that kind of a Christian. John warned his readers not to imitate Diotrephes. “If you want to imitate an example, then follow Demetrius!” [see v. 9 for why]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." ( ESV)

"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." ( ESV)

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." ( ESV)

We live in a world full of role models. Kids grow up idolizing their sports heroes, singers, etc. We need people to set up and be “heroes” of the faith. Bob was such a person. All the kids at church loved Bob.

Is it right for us to imitate human leaders? Yes, if they in turn are imitating Jesus Christ. You and I cannot see God, but we can see God at work in the lives of His children. The godly life and dedicated service of another believer is always an encouragement and a stimulus to me. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works," ( ESV)

____________ was a man worth imitating because he had a “good report” (witness) from the church fellowship. All the members knew him, loved him, and thanked God for him consistent life and ministry. It is a wonderful thing when all the believers in a local church can agree to commend your life and testimony.

Like Demetrius, _____________’s life is verified by the truth itself.

How the truth could speak well of Bob- the truth of the gospel in Bob's life. Like Gaius, Demetrius is "walking in the truth." his life matches his confession. he lived his life “a life in accordance with God’s will.”

"I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father" ( ESV)

"For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth." ( ESV)

here the truth is personified as a “witness” and John no doubt meant that Demetrius’ character and doctrine were in such conformity with that truth that the truth itself virtually spoke on his behalf.

“Testimony of the truth” to Demetrius and for Bob was an acknowledgment that his whole way of life expressed a commitment to the truth of Christ which constantly resulted in “good” (loving) conduct. No further testimony to

his character was needed; for the truth shone “by its own light in all his actions”.

Consistent in their lives, seeking to honor the Lord. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." ( ESV)

“Truth” could simply mean that his life and integrity speak for themselves. Some today would say that this is not all that important.

“Traveling on a train from Perth to Edinburgh, all of a sudden we came to a dead stop because a very small screw in one of the engines had been broken, and when we started again we were obliged to crawl along with one piston rod at work instead of two. Only a small screw was gone. If that had been right the train would have rushed along its iron road, but the absence of that insignificant piece of iron disarranged the whole. The analogy is perfect; a man in all other respects fitted to be useful may by some small defect be exceedingly hindered, or even rendered utterly useless in the ministry” (C. H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980], p. 1954).[5]

Like Demetrius, _________, as a third line of testimony, John wrote, we also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

John himself could personally attest the worth of this man. Thus Gaius had no reason to hesitate showing Demetrius the kind of hospitality he had shown others (The Demetrius of this letter is not to be confused with the Demetrius of , an enemy of the gospel.)

Summary of what we all can learn from the life __________ lived:

1. We need to understand that we will be known and influenced by the company we keep.

2. Whoever influences us will lead us to the actions we take.

3. After the influence of our chosen examples, will lead us to the actions we take, and thus are reputation will be established

_________’s life measured up to the teaching of Scripture and Christ’s commands. him conduct matched him theology. A life of holiness can be produced only by the life of God within.

My Life shall touch a dozen lives

Before this day is done,

Leave countless marks of good or ill,

E’er sets the evening sun.

This, the wish I always wish,

The prayer I always pray;

Lord, may my life help other lives,

It touches by the way.

—Author Unknown[6]

Let us Pray

Lord of all, we praise you for all who have entered into their rest and reached the promised land where you are seen face to face.

Give us grace to follow in their footsteps as they followed in the way of your Son.

Thank you for the memory of those you have called to yourself: by each memory, turn our hearts from things seen to things unseen, and lead us till we come to the eternal rest you have prepared for your people, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

AT THE GRAVESIDE

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes— I, and not another” ().

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. . . . Then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. From

Before we pray a prayer of committal, I want you to notice what is all around us, grave markers. Each marker is similar, yet very different. They are similar, in that they contain names, names of those who have passed away. They contain some type of short descriptive statement, and they contain dates. A date for a birth and a date for death, but the differences come in the dash between these two dates. That dash represents our memories and thoughts that comes to our minds.

The Committal Prayer

We have come now to commit the body of our departed friend to its kindred dust. The spirit we leave with God, for we know the merciful Judge of all the earth will do right. Let us who remain dedicate ourselves anew to live in the fear and love of God, so that we may obtain an abundant entrance into the heavenly Kingdom.

Concluding Prayer At Graveside

Our Heavenly Father, God of all mercy, we look to Thee in this moment of sorrow and bereavement. Comfort these dear ones whose hearts are heavy and sad. Wilt Thou be with them, sustain and guide them in the days to come. Grant, O Lord, that they may love and serve Thee and obtain the fullness of Thy promises in the world to come.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (, niv).

[1]Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively, Revised edition of: The expositor's illustration file (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989).

[2]Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively, Revised edition of: The expositor's illustration file (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989).

[3]The Master's Seminary, Master's Seminary Journal Volume 4 (Master's Seminary, 1993; 2002). 4:185.

[4]Dallas Theological Seminary, Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 144 (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1987; 2002). 144:297.

[5]Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively, Revised edition of: The expositor's illustration file (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989).

[6]Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).