Dedicate Paul Jr. and Jessica Renee. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Savas- Mr. and Mrs. Don Beeman.
Jim O'Neill and I will promo Wednesday night with Marty Frisk in Pate Chapel. World Impact Conf.- Sept. 21-28.
TRBC audience- Almost Born- take it home and watch it. If God speaks to your heart, send a gift to help me air it.
TV audience- send a gift of $29 plus $4.95 S&H- $33.95 total- payable to OTGH- address to: Jerry Falwell, Lynchburg, VA 24514.
THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN
TEXT: III John 1:1-14 from the King James Version: "The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. (3 John 1:2) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:3) For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. (3 John 1:4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:5) Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; (3 John 1:6) Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: (3 John 1:7) Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (3 John 1:8) We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. (3 John 1:9) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (3 John 1:10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (3 John 1:11) Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
(3 John 1:12) Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. (3 John 1:13) I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: (3 John 1:14) But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name."
TEXT: III John 1:1-4 from the The Living Bible: "From: John, the Elder. To: Dear Gaius, whom I truly love. (3 John 1:2) Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is. (3 John 1:3) Some of the brothers traveling by have made me very happy by telling me that your life stays clean and true and that you are living by the standards of the Gospel. (3 John 1:4) I could have no greater joy than to hear such things about my children. (3 John 1:5) Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God in taking care of the traveling teachers and missionaries who are passing through. (3 John 1:6) They have told the church here of your friendship and your loving deeds. I am glad when you send them on their way with a generous gift. (3 John 1:7) For they are traveling for the Lord and take neither food, clothing, shelter, nor money from those who are not Christians, even though they have preached to them. (3 John 1:8) So we ourselves should take care of them in order that we may become partners with them in the Lord's work. (3 John 1:9) I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but proud Diotrephes, who loves to push himself forward as the leader of the Christians there, does not admit my authority over him and refuses to listen to me. (3 John 1:10) When I come I will tell you some of the things he is doing and what wicked things he is saying about me and what insulting language he is using. He not only refuses to welcome the missionary travelers himself but tells others not to, and when they do he tries to put them out of the church.
(3 John 1:11) Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do what is right prove that they are God's children; and those who continue in evil prove that they are far from God. (3 John 1:12) But everyone, including Truth itself, speaks highly of Demetrius. I myself can say the same for him, and you know I speak the truth. (3 John 1:13) I have much to say, but I don't want to write it, (3 John 1:14) for I hope to see you soon and then we will have much to talk about together. So good-bye for now. Friends here send their love, and please give each of the folks there a special greeting from me. Sincerely, John."
INTRODUCTION: John wrote three epistles: the first one to Christians in general; the second one to an individual, an unnamed lady; and this third one to a Christian gentleman, Gaius. In his first two letters, John instructed: "Love one another". In this third letter, he demonstrates in the person of Gaius how it should be done.
This third epistle contains 14 verses, one verse more than in Second John, but four words less. The first verse is the introduction and the last two verses are the conclusion.
This third letter is built around three men. The first is Gaius in verse 1; the second is Diotrephes in verse 9; and the third is Demetrius in verse 12. These three men are found in virtually every true Christian church in the world.
There are three men in the New Testament called Gaius. Two of them are found in Acts 19 and 20. In Acts 19:29, we read: "The whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia." Macedonia was a province or state in Europe, so this is Gaius of Macedonia.
In Acts 20:4, we find the second Gaius, who was one of the men who accompanied Paul from Europe to Asia: "These accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe." Derbe was a city in Asia in the province of Lycaonia (Acts 14:6). So these two men named Gaius are not the same man.
In I Corinthians 1:14, we meet the third Gaius: "I thank God that I baptized none of you (Corinthians), but Crispus and Gaius." The Epistle to the Romans was written from Corinth where this Gaius lived.
In Romans 16:23, we read: "Gaius, mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you". The whole church? Yes, Paul said, we all meet at Gaius' house. His house is always open. He is the hospitable one. This is the Gaius of III John.
(1) GRACIOUS AND GODLY GAIUS. vs. 1-8.
A. GAIUS WAS DEARLY LOVED. VS 1.
"The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
B. GAIUS WAS PRAYED FOR. VS 2.
(3 John 1:2) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
C. GAIUS WAS RESPECTED. VS. 3-4.
(3 John 1:3) For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. (3 John 1:4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
D. GAIUS WAS GENEROUS. VS. 5-8.
(3 John 1:5) Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
(3 John 1:6) Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: (3 John 1:7) Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
E. GAIUS WAS A ROLE MODEL. VS. 8.
(3 John 1:8) We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
(2) DICTATORIAL DIOTREPHES. VS. 9-11.
A. DIOTREPHES WAS A CARNAL CHRISTIAN. VS. 9.
(3 John 1:9) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
B. DIOTREPHES WAS DEVILISH. VS. 10.
(3 John 1:10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
C. DIOTREPHES WAS A BAD ROLE MODEL. VS. 11.
(3 John 1:11) Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
(3) DEPENDABLE DEMETRIUS. VS. 12-14.
A. DEMETRIUS HAD A GOOD TESTIMONY. VS. 12.
(3 John 1:12) Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
CONCLUSION: VS. 13-14.
(3 John 1:13) I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: (3 John 1:14) But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name."
As I discussed at the conclusion of the Second Epistle of John, there are two kinds of spiritual (and otherwise) communication:
Paper and ink communication is important. Today, this would include E-mail, faxes, letters, UPS, FedEx, telephone calls, shortwave radio, audio and videocassettes etc and etc. John knew nothing about all of this. A letter for John was a big deal, both in writing and delivery.
Face to face communication is even more important. We all need the face to face ministry of others. We are not called to be hermits. We are called to be communicators... witnesses. The local church is God's answer to this need. Every believer should be an actively-participating member of a Bible-believing and preaching church... and in that local church should invest time, talents and tithes.