Hospital-ity: The Opportunity of Partnership with God 3 John 1-15
Notes
Transcript
Handout
In the midst of the last days, in a time of tribulation, in the midst of a pandemic. In a time when the church has become isolated, separated, scattered. In a time when like we saw in 2 John huge obstacle to you and I really walking in the truth and love of Christ - is false teaching. We saw that the great danger is that n our discouragement, in our itching for something better and new - that we no longer ABIDE in the didache, the teaching - both great news of who Jesus is and how it transforms our inner and outer lives! I hope you see why I believe these Christian in Asia Minor, just before our during time of Roman Emperor throwing down the hammer not of lock down, but of active persecution, John himself exiled in it. Hope you see, in receiving book of Revelation, in ministering to church as last living apostle - deep concern like Paul’s last pastoral letters after Nero let him out and then new last communications - don’t need to know ins and outs of very lasts days, more than you need to know and abide in gospel teaching! And the greatest danger you and I are facing right now, and those in Ephesus then, is not suffering, or isolation, persecution, or division within the the church it is - to be deceived by false teacher,s lose reward, though truly saved, and have the work of Christ - the church community snuffed out. Following example lifestyle and teaching of false teachers!
But this morning I get to bring you the big positive, the opportunity that these times open to every believer, in these last days. Opportunity that I hope you’ve experienced a bit here. You know the greatest complement I’ve heard paid to this congregation: visiting pastor - sense they are really the People of God. Well, with that gift - I hope you see you have opportunity to partner with God here, and you and I must pursue. I hope as read book of Revelation also see how vital being engaged in this activity with God’s people and even among those who don’t really see or get God is. This opportunity is an action, that God is all about and asks you to be about in how you live life and do church. The action is hospitality! In English root word is hospital - to care, tend to needs of another. See Christ doing this in story of Good Samaritan, not only all those wounds with oil, remember where he takes him - an inn - couches and pays for - take care. God always at work in this manner, whole creation is formless and voids, makes not just a beautiful world, but Eden, a habitation - provides not only food, pleasing to the eye, but aromatic resins, Isaiah says created the world to be a house, inhabited. God is the host taking care, we pure recipients of His good provision and care to make our lives flourish. And John says that's what a church that’s what a Christian ought to be engaged in, especially with God people. But in our text, and in Greek NT the word as opposed to love our selves like Diotrpehes, is loving the stranger, we are to be a people not of self-centered, serve me religion, that push others away; xeno-phobia, welcome others, stranger in - xeno-philia!
So how do we hospital with God and His people? How are we to exercise hospitality together and individually in these days of trial? John gives us three aspects of the hospitality, we have opportunity to give with God in these last days!
Key Truth: Christians partner with God in a hospitality of friendship, missionary-support, and of mentorship.
Key Truth: Christians partner with God in a hospitality of friendship, missionary-support, and of mentorship.
A. Name, Pray for, & Serve Particular Christians (1-4)
A. Name, Pray for, & Serve Particular Christians (1-4)
Right in the greeting and closing of this shortest NT book, we have something quite unusual. John who addressed the former letter to the elect lady, to the whole church, all of God’s elect, and who just jumped into his big letter, he addresses this to one particular Christian. Remarkable that this aged apostle having to write to a neighbouring church with urgent business about this urgent crisis of a trouble maker Diotrephes wrecking the church, John you can tell really knows this Gaius and has developed actual friendship with him as an individual. Not fellowship in general , not I love humanity but its people I can’t stand. No, just like when some of you take out a card, or some letter paper, and you start writing Dear __________. Just like when you see someone here, look in there eye - and actually name them. Even someone new - habit of asking even to point of embarrassment - and as because your name is so important to me.
Simple first step in offering hospitality of friendship - you register in my life - God himself - your name is graven on my heart, like priest before God with 12 names… Like Jesus saying My Sheep know my voice, I know my sheep won’t lose one. Do you name anyone like that.
Look at 3 John 2. normally when we see that word beloved, think of big gathering - you Gaius who is receiving a letter from last living apostle, even in the middle of great turmoil, took time to write a letter and send real concern for you. Who are the ones in this congregation, God has written on your heart - registered, and you greet them, you name them, and you even dare say Beloved in the Lord Jesus.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Now we are like Lego Blocks, only so many connectors, should always leave space in our life for the stranger, but who here interacting with like John and Gaius. That’s the starting point of a Christian fellowship. Look at the conclusion of the letters: John says all of us who know each of you by name, we pray the greatest blessing from Christ on you - His peace 3 John 15. Pretty simple starting point for us all, like on Reuben’s birthday get a call totally surprised us - hardly know him - greeted in Christ… who are we calling seeing writing like that?
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
Each by name, a congregation should be small enough that this is happening then plant a new one. But size isn’t the issue, hospitality of friendship in the body of Christ relies on that word John uses for fellow believers. FRIENDS.
Yes I know we are fellow members, parts of a body organization, we are children of God, and we are brothers and sisters in God’s family. But wow, Christian hospitality is to start interacting as friends. When is the only other time John uses that word? Look at John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Not only inviting others into your life to register by name, but love them by laying down life in some way for them - Jesus been made our friend like that, and Christian friendship is you beginning to lay aside all you want out of relationship - just in pure love of the well being of the other.
And that’s the third things about the hospitality of Christian friendship. Once you name, and receive as friend, what is the action here? Look at John with Gaius. What is he praying about, and rejoicing in? Real Christian friendship involves seeing each others need. 3 John 2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
False teachers and many today say church is just about spiritual, and forget about actual material and bodily needs of those around, you. Asceticism. But God says in so many ways - body is important, temple of the Holy Spirit, material stuff created for important purposes, attend to needs of others in this way. So John wants to contribute to the health, bodily and material wellbeing - helped someone like that - dared to pray about daily bread of another - with all concern - whether work, health. But even more importantly the well-being of another’s soul - do you know the struggle of your named friend here, radar for emotionally and spiritually y how doing. Jesus said gain whole world, but lose soul big problem. How is your friends soul - And then what is the great delight we are to have in our friendship 3 John 4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
So share what learning in the truth of God’s word, do you take note of tat with others, do you see what their Christian walk - their service and habits, and witness - - sense we’re on this journey together and I want to walk with you in this enterprise! Hospitality - making a little hospital space for others in your life - triage, care, powerful work of prayer, share the truth together - just simply walk in truth along the journey. Friends from 20y ago, pandemic -instead of type - sat on couches chatted. Think of John & Anne deep friendships with cousin another close friend - ocean a away - connecting! Know people - where they are at, how they are doing!
You read the book of revelation with an eye to the type f fellowship that believers must have to overcome and serve and in the last days, see opportunity right here for this.
But there is a second type of hospitality which is the main reason John is writing to his Christian friend Gaius. And though it is Gaius himself, all those you’s are singular, it is Gaius who is showing hospitality to a certain group of Christian who came through there area, it is he who took the lead, but still this second type of hospitality is one that John says, we the whole church as a body and everyone individually needs to be part of.
B. The Hospitality of Mission - Support (5-8)
B. The Hospitality of Mission - Support (5-8)
Here is something that ought to give us pause. Do I really want to sign-up for this kind of Christian hospitality if it means not just giving int to the people in the church who are my dear friends like Gaius? That sounds like more work and inconvenience, maybe getting nothing in return, nothing out of it.
The first word you need to understand here is Stranger. Not an unbeliever in this case, but a fellow Christians. In this case these strangers coming through area were a team of brothers. They were itinerant teachers sent to various churches before last apostle is gone. John describes them as those sent out, like Jesus din with 12, then 72, then all Christians in Great Commission. In 2 John he had described how Satan at work too, sent out his false teachers into the Church, into whole world - be on guard. But as big contrast says the church of Christ also sent out Christ’s ambassadors and not only to the church’s, but look 3 John 7
For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
They aren’t pastors of one congregation they visit several congregations, but they are sent to Gentiles. In this context not just internationals, but to unbelievers in the neighbourhood with no church in their midst. And they do this not for big career job, they say good be to comfortable life in the neighborhood and careers - travel - why - for the sake of the NAME.
And look what John says to us, not as individuals but as a whole congregation: about this: 3 John 8
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
We are to have Steve Frieswicks and Gurrets - who are sent out to the un-churched in our world. When I preach about missions, not everyone called to be sent out life, that, but everyone called in the congregation to be involved in that sending mission f the church. Know their stories, inspired by their commitment and sacrifice and passion for the name of Jesus - and we are to support them - having SF come to ur classes, a team, gathering bikes, Classis hear a bit encourage - Sandy. We are to have people like Rev Uitenbush in the past, missionary couple - and what an honour to let them stay with us, kicked out of bedroom, whatever it takes, We have consistently up’d our financial giving, how do we do that with prayer support, how with friendship…
Do you see it both, financial and practical support we are to give as a congregation, but look at the personal way described in 7 that Gaius modeled for his congregation: 3 John 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.
Now there was a literal way that Gaius actually sent them on their journey, but could also be a figurative way- you find someone in missions could be in Simcoe country or half way around the world - and the journey of the Christian life - so often isolated and alone - you walk with them in their journey of the Christian life and service - and how. Ie. Mr. & Mrs Beukema S School teachers, moved away from congreg - but wrote letters, family from camp - As a family - could you be keeping up to date… friendship! Meant more than most any other support!
in a manner worthy of God! Wow, that could be we do hospitality inviting them into friendship the way God has with us, or perhaps more likely that like Jesus said, when you give a glass of water to one Jesus followers - especially the little ones in the eyes of the world you actually give that water to the Living Christ. And many faithful friends of Jesus's missionaries on the last day will say - when how - and He will say: In as much as you did it to the least of these my brethren - wrote a letter voice of martyrs, prayed, gave, - you did it unto me!
And what I want you to especially see here this morning is that, yes we need to look for more missionaries, and deeper ways to support existing ones, but listen to how Paul calls those who do this work of financial giving to these missionaries, those who pray regularly write letters, welcome into home, speed on way 3 John 8
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Do you get that they are not lesser workers . One of my favourite words of the NT - Paul used it often - you are my fellow, co owrkers - the word in it synergy - put to together more than combined power but apart. Remarkable that Jesus says no longer servants , but friends - we are partners - co-workers - Opportunity in time of need deeper fellowship - admit - keep it going locally round wagons, outgrow in-grown church by hosptiality to those going to unbelievers!
Think even of the story of the prodigal son, part of God's welcoming back into his home and family and enterprise, his household - was a signet ring - a partner in God’s business in society, in the world. And so too we all different roles in this mission-support hospitality called as partners - not just a calling, but privilege. Be so blessed to walk with such servants of the Lord.
And that brings us to the last aspect of hospitality to which John calls us:
C. The Hospitality of Mentoring for Moral-Improvement (9-11)
C. The Hospitality of Mentoring for Moral-Improvement (9-11)
This speaks to one of the goals for which God calls us to partner in His hospitality. And here we come to the heart of this third letter. Why did John need to write Gaius encouraging him and the whole church in this kind of hospitality?
The answer is that it is always easier to play-church than truly love as living Christian friends in the fellowship of Christ’s church. We are going to see this in Revelation. The church gets compromised and no longer lives by the testimony and teaching of Jesus. They start living just for the comfort and luxuries and pleasures of Babylon not Zion. And its’ not just by blatant false teachers of denying Christ that this happens. Like well-intention but severely misguided Lorna from JW’s called me. But just as deadly to the church and her mission is are self-centred, self-serving, trouble makers like Diotrephes.
These are people who may have there theology in line, but there character and there goal in being part of the church is so messed up and it messes up all those around them. They are like the appendix of the church. Every part great and small young and old, great gifts, few gifts all serve a purpose and God working through, but be warned of being like Diotrephes, like appendix - no apparent use in the body. Only thing he can do is explode and poison the body.
How? 3 John 9
I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
Church is an inward-focused club to this guy. He looks at those brothers who came in mission , as rivals -we don't need new enterprise, we all have our place here, and I am going do everything to make sure - I keep my seat of power - position and reputation is everything to this guy. So much so, no submission in him - power hungry . Where as John highlight s all of us called to sub-mission - to come under the authority of the Apostolic Word the Gospel the whole gospel - proclamation the wittiness - but also the teaching. Ask, what’s stronger in my life - love self-first, or love of the other?
Look how Diotrephes treats the apostle, and the whole church - 3 John 10a
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.
Do you know what that is? complete opposite of loving neighbour in the community of faith of Lev 19 - slander your neighbour - everyone is a rival to this guys position and his ideas, and so he rushes to give worst face on others in the congregation and their ideas, - slanders them. Evil of tongue wrecks churches as easily as families. Ignore if anonymous, not worth …but in the fellowship known, face to face deal with . But in the mean time look what happens, if leaders are compromised to proudly seek own position and standing. 3 John 10b They are stopping hospitality -and even kicking out anyone who crosses them. Total opposite of the leaders we need in our lives Mark 10 What is the antidote here? Its to have a hospitality with God and those who live like God in our lives. 3 John 11
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
We as a human species are incurably mimics. Child grows up - saying when I grow I want to be … I want to like… From fashion of our clothes to our hair cuts, to way we speak , to technique of our trades. Mimics all of us. Why - in our DNA, our spiritual DNA to reflect and image the living God. To shine like the Son who is the radiance of the Father. Son couldn’t do that without the Father, without the Spirit =- that kind of mimic reflecting imaging happens only in community. Mimicking in our culture has negative connotation of a lesser substitute, knock off. But the ancient knew all art is imitation, knew that mimicking is part of how we reach our human goal, destination of our lives. And the question is whom we mimic. And who does John hold up here? 3 John 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.
Appears to be one of the travelling teachers, perhaps the silversmith from Ephesus mentioned in Acts who incited a riot against Paul, but now converted from worshiping Dianna to Christ? Whatever the case, JOhn says, Diotrephes as a compromiser a dime a dozen, and that kind of evil in playing church - be so careful not to imitate that - but here is a guy in the flesh and blood, make a point of meeting with , welcome into your church , you home. Asked that question in Exeter - how many people invited into your home last 3 months, hard to do, but other ways right now. Pick up phone. email … go for walk outside. To find people who have a good testimony with others - older more mature Christian to live with … but we are to seek to be that person in each others life. Look at the end of that description .. testimony is true - his lifestyle and God’s truth aligned… MENTORING … You should give time attention, care to a Christian younger less experienced than you, and you should make time to a Christian more mature.
John’s desire is that - this hospitality in friendship in mission support, in mentoring - happen and that it happen face to face. Dinner today - three types of hospitality who is God calling you too in these ways? John says - struggle in persecution, depressing time of division … hospitality is so central to our calling!