What kind of example are you?

The Early Church, ever wonder what the early church was really like? We know much about the leadership from the scripture. People like, Peter, Paul, and John we can know much.

What about the average Christian, what were they like?

Were they more spiritual than the Christians today?

Did they have same type of problems then that we face today in the church?

We can know about the average Christian from this personal letter written to Gaius, and about some of the problems they faced from within. So, let’s now turn to the scripture together tonight as we finish off this series.

Gaius: The Encourager

A prayer, a praise a commendation from the elder to a intimate friend.

3 John 1–2 NASB95

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

Question: How does John feel about Gaius (v.1); and what is John’s hope in his prayer (v.2)?

3 John 3–4 NASB95

3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Question: What brought John joy (v.4)?

3 John 5–6 NASB95

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

Question: What is John’s commendation of Gaius in (v.5)?

3 John 7–8 NASB95

7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

Question: how were they to be fellow workers with the truth (v.8)?

We cannot know exact what Gaius this is. This is a common Roman name that appears several times in the N.T. but we can know he was well known by John and when he heard an update on him.

He prayed that he would prosper and be in good health. Just as much as your soul is in good health. (vv.1-3)

Health, wealth preachers use (v.2) often.

He had a good reputation for the truth not just knowing it, but walking in it (vv.3-4)

How did he walk in the truth? by acting faithfully in his work for the brethren (kingdom). Especially for the strangers (missionaries?) (v.5)

How we treat others matters (v.6) see how it went forth from them.

We see they (missionaries) would not accept outside support from Gentiles (representing the world) and because of that, John encourages the church through Gaius to support the mission work (vv.7-8)

(Transition) Gaius was a great example of an ordinary Christian who stepped up in helping others in the ministry. Do you know someone like that, thank them, pray for them, just as John was praying for Gaius!

Diothrephes - Egotist

Wonder what an egotist is? It is (N): a person who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed; self-seeker. Let’s look at the example given and see why an egotist.

3 John 9–10 NASB95

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Question: What qualities does John state about Diotrephes (vv.9-10)?

loves to be first, does not accept the word of the apostles, unmerited accusations, refuses the brethren, puts people out of the church

Question: What is John’s intention if he comes there regarding Diotrephes (v.10)?

To call to attention his deeds.

Do you think we have a responsibility to correct the misguided, misleading?

Consider

Galatians 6:1 NASB95

1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

or even

James 5:19–20 NASB95

19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Then there is biblical example of this.

Galatians 2:11–12 NASB95

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

(Other scriptures used or referenced: Gal6:1; Jm5:19-20; Gal2:11-12)

3 John 11 NASB95

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Question: What is the instructions given to Gaius in (v.11)?

Do not imitate evil, do what is good, for the good one is of God.

So, what we can see in Diotrephes character is

One who is a self-promoter (v.9)

He wanted to be first; Jesus said first would be last and last would be first (Mt20:16)

One who is insubordinate (v.9)

He did not acknowledge, recognize the authority of the Apostles

One who is slanderous (v.10)

Made false accusations against the apostles

One who is vindictive (v.10)

Put people out of the church that did not align with him

Don’t do what he does!

(transition) now time to move to an example worth noting, and hopefully emulating.

Demetrius - Example worth noting

John has given us an encourager, and the egotist, now to one who is worth noting and emulating. Grab your bible for we will journey a few other places too.

3 John 12 NASB95

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Question: What did Demetrius receive (there are two things)?

Good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself.

Question: what is the weight of John adding his (their) testimony to every ones?

Their testimony is known to be true, so they would attest that the testimony regarding Demetrius would be true.

You may note down Jn19:35 and check out about truthful, truth verifying testimony there regarding Jesus.

When it came to Demetrius it was more than words wasn’t it? He was a good example to everyone. He words were backed up by his deeds. James said it like this.

James 2:14–15 NASB95

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

James 2:16–17 NASB95

16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

So let you faith be shown by your works

And, may your love be demonstrated by your works

Be a Demetrius!

When you think of bible examples of encourager who do you think of? An egotist? Or an example worth emulating?

I will offer up to you:

Barnabas (Act4:36; Act9:27)

Acts 4:36 NASB95

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

Why did they call him Barnabas?

Acts 9:27 NASB95

27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

What did Barnabas do? Brought Paul to the apostles and vouched for him. - do you think his testimony added or helped?

As for the egotist let’s look together at the Pharisee with the tax collector

Luke 18:9–10 NASB95

9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Luke 18:11–12 NASB95

11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’

Luke 18:13–14 NASB95

13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

who walked away justified? - sure was not the egotist!

How about this one Paul? - - - - too many scriptures to put here that would show he was worth emulating, including his own words.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB95

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

and one more

1 Corinthians 4:16 NASB95

16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

Do you think that Demetrius had the same spirit about him as Paul? and Gaius of Barnabas? I think so, so there is much we have seen in this small personal letter to an intimate friend of John’s.

So, summing up this letter itself may we also glean a few things.

Christians are not always what they should be.

There may be opposition from within as we serve and we should be prepared for it with much grace but also the word too!

If others do not serve as you do, don’t let it stop you from serving as God would have you serve.

If others are not Christ like, don’t let that take you out from the church, be a Demetrius!

Christians often imitate other Christians

John says to imitate those who do good for they are of God.

Those who do evil do not know God.

Watch out for a Diotrephes spirit

The Diotrephes spirit wants to control, wants to dominate, you can overcome it by being firm in your faith, your conviction and your walk, not swayed by every wind of doctrine but holding to the truth of the word.

Be grounded and rooted in the truth, ready to defend the truth!

(Insert Summing up John’s Epistles PowerPoint here)

Summing up John’s Epistles

The message from the beginning has not changed, so, walk in the light (1Jn1:7)

Know that when you walk in the light your sins are forgiven and you overcome the evil one (1Jn2:12-13)

While walking in the light you will be transformed, one day to be like Him (1Jn3:2)

Remember He came to destroy the works of the devil (1Jn3:8)

God’s purpose was fulfilled in Jesus who became the propitiation for our sin (1Jn4:10)

And that by that love poured out, the great love poured out casts out fear (1Jn3:1, 4:18)

The purpose of 1John was Christian assurance (1Jn5:13)

Know the truth and the truth does not change (2Jn) so walk in it!

(Insert Be a Demetrius PowerPoint Here)

Be an example, be a Demetrius (3Jn).

(Prayer) (Exit)

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