3rd JOHN
FELLOWHELPERS TO THE TRUTH
3rd John 1-14
Memory Verse: 3rd John 11
Introduction:
This little epistle was written to a faithful member of a Church. We do not know where this Church was located. There are at least four men in the New Testament. by the name of Gaius. This Gaius cannot positively be identified with any of the others. His name means, “I am glad.”
This epistle reveals the responsibility of the individual in the Church to so walk in the truth that they “might be fellowhelpers, to the truth.” 3rd John 8. Error in the church is the most dangerous kind of error.
I. GAIUSA MAN WALKING IN THE TRUTH. vs. 1-8
A. The Apostle’s Greetings. vs. 1-4
1. The Apostle’s love. v. 1. His love was rooted in truth and on account of the truth. It does not relate to the sentimental love today which is so often contrary to the truth.
2. The Apostle’s wish. v. 2
a. His wish or prayer was that Gaius’ health might prosper.
b. He desired that his physical health might equal his spiritual health. Many today are concerned about their physical health, but pay little attention to their spiritual condition. II Corinthians 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
c. The same principles that make us healthy can be applied to our spiritual health.
(1) Proper diet of the Word of God. I Timothy 4:6, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
(2) Proper exercise. I Timothy 4:7, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
(3) Proper cleanliness. II Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
(4) Avoid the pollution of the world. II Pet. 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
3. The Apostle’s rejoicing. vs. 3-4
a. He rejoiced because of inward truth. v. 3a. Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
b. He rejoiced because of outward walk in the truth. v. 3b. I Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
c. His greatest joy. v. 4
d. Remember the source of all truth.
(1) Jesus is the truth. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
(2) God’s Word is the truth. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
(3) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. I John 5:6, “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”
(4) The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. I Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
B. Demonstration Of Walking In Truth And Love. vs. 5-8
1. The reward of hospitality. v. 5. Faithful service will, always bring reward. Matt. 26:10, “When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.” Rev. 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
2. Strangers here are brethren not previously known. Heb. 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
3. This does not mean that we are to take just anyone in our home. In the N.T. times Christians carried letters of recommendation. Rom. 16:1, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.”
4. The report of hospitality. v. 6
a. The missionaries testified of Gaius’ charity. v. 6a
b. Gaius urged to continue this work. v. 6b
5. The reasons for hospitality. v. 7-8
a. The missionaries were in this work for “His name’s sake.” v. 7a. The were witnesses to the lost.
b. The missionaries took nothing from the Gentiles. v. 7b. The did not ask the unsaved to finance the work they were doing.
c. By hospitality Gaius became a fellowhelper to the truth. v. 8. Gal. 6:6- 10, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” I Cor. 9:7-11, “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
II. DIOTREPHESA MAN WHO WALKED AS A TROUBLEMAKER. vs. 9-11
Diotrephes was a “church boss,” of that we are certain, though we know not what office he held, if any. A. T. Robertson wrote an article on Diotrephes the church boss, which was published in a Christian magazine. As a result 20 deacons, wrote to the editor canceling their subscriptions because of, the personal attack made on them. It is tragic today that missionaries are not received with hospitality in many churches. Too many churches have one or more Diotrephes’ in them!!
A. An Example Of A Contrary Walk. vs. 9-10
1. He loved the preeminence which belongs to Christ alone. v. 9a. Col.1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
a. Many churches are cursed by mens like Diotrephes.
b. We need men like John the Baptist. John 3:30, “He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.”
2. He refused or destroyed John’s letter to the Church. v. 9b
3. He had spoken malicious words against John. v. 10a. John promised to deal with him when he arrived. Somebody has to stop such people. God’s people should be careful and not believe lies.
4. He received not the brethren. v. 10b. These were the missionaries, traveling evangelists.
5. He had forbidden others to receive them. v. 10c.
6. He had cast those out of the Church who did receive them. v. 10d.
7. I have known men like Diotrephes, and the devil used them to ruin churches. Some churches and pastors just let them rule until they die. When they are put out of the church, some people with no spiritual discernment will follow them.
B. An Exhortation And Warning. v. 11
1. Diotrephes is not to be followed. v. 11a.
2. Good is of God, but evil is not. v. 1lb
III. DEMETRIUSA MAN WHO WALKED AS A TESTIMONY. v. 12-14
A. The Apostle’s Commendation. v. 12
1. He had a good report of all men. v. 12a.
2. He was noted for his stand for the truth. v. 12b.
3. He was personally endorsed by John. v. 12c.
4. Such people are to be followed. Phil. 3:17, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” I Cor. 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Heb. 10:24, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
B. The Apostle’s Explanation. v. 13-14
1. He explains why his letter is short. v. 13.
2. He explains his plans for a soon appearance. v. 14a.
3. He pronounces peace. v. 14b.
4. He exchanges greetings. v. 14c
—by E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. To whom was the epistle written ?
2. What was John’s desire for him?
3. How did John know that Gaius was walking in the truth?
4. What gave John great joy?
5. Why had the missionaries gone forth?
6 . How was Gaius a fellowhelper to the truth?
7. What did Diotrephes love?
8. What had he done?
9. What did John say about Demetrius?
10. Quote the memory verse.