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3 John 7-25-99
“Hospitality vs. Hautiness!”
1. Intro:
1.1. Here we have one of the best glimpses into a 1st century Church.
1.1.1. And we get to peer into the lives of 3 of the church members.
1.2. John writes this to a friend to encourage him in a difficult situation in
his local church.
1.2.1. Churches run into problems & will, as long as saved sinners inhabit
them.
1.2.2. In dealing with the church problems John again shines the spotlight
of “Truth” on the issue!
1.3. Outline: Gaius, Walking in Truth; Fellow Workers, Supporting the
Truth; Diotrephes, Rejecting the Truth; Demetrius, a Witness to the
Truth; & John, Greets his Friends in the Truth.
2. GAIUS, WALKING IN TRUTH! (1-4)
2.1. (2) “(physical)prosperity, health, & your souls prosperity”
2.1.1. The bible does talk about material & earthly prosperity.
2.1.2. I often would be quick to jump on our Health & Wealth friends for
over-pressing this verse.
2.1.3. Instead we should realize that it was inevitable an “extremist
movement” would arise in the church because of such “weakness”
within the “faith” of the orthodox!
2.1.4. Often times we have too much “unbelief” in such matters, we have
too much “consulting of doctors” before we consult God at all!
2.1.5. No, we should not press this verse too far (not all Christians are
promised material prosperity & good health)
2.1.5.1. Note: This is a prayer of blessings upon a friend.
2.1.6. However, we should not immediately gravitate to “thy will be done”
passages, & leave off “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”!
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2.2. (3) “Came” – (Pres. Tense) Not on one occasion/several reports.
2.3. Truth was in Gaius - so, Gaius walked in Truth.
2.3.1. If it is not in you, it can’t be lived out of you –
If it is not lived out of you, then you couldn’t claim it is in you!
2.3.2. “Truth must enter into your soul, penetrate it, or else it is no value.”1
2.3.2.1. Illustration: Hold bread in hand – Doctrine(creed/truth) is like this bread
in my hand…it gives NO nourishment to my body.
2.3.2.1.1.Yet digested, it sustains me & builds up my body!
2.3.2.2. “In us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an
indwelling reality, a part of the woof & warp of our being!”2
2.3.2.2.1.“Woof & Warp” = threads in a fabric running cross-wise.
2.3.2.3. Illustration #2 – Did you know food of certain worms color the cocoons of
silk which they spin?
2.3.2.3.1.So, the spiritual food on which we feed will tint every word that
proceeds from our mouth & color or discolor every step of our
Christian walk!
2.4. (4) Here is every parents prayer!
3. FELLOW WORKERS, SUPPORTING THE TRUTH! (5-8)
3.1. (5) We have nothing to do with how much ability we've got, or how
little, but with what we do with what we have!
3.1.1. The man with great talent is apt to be puffed up, and the man with
little [talent] to belittle the little.
3.1.2. God gives it, much or little. "Our part is to be faithful," doing the
best with every bit and scrap.3
3.2. Hospitality…A Christians Duty!
3.2.1. Benjamin Franklin said, “Fish and visitors smell in three days.”
3.2.1.1. Not the Christian perspective on Hospitality!
3.2.1.2. Jewish Proverb, “Hospitality is one form of worship.”
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Spurgeon; Morn & Eve.
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Spurgeon; Morn & Eve.
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S.D. Gordon in The Bent-Knee Time. Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 6.
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3.2.1.3. A Danish Proverb says, “When there is room in the heart
there is room in the house.”
3.2.2. The writer of Hebrews tells us, ”Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2
3.2.3. Paul says we should be, “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to
hospitality.” Rom.12:13
3.2.4. Peter tells us, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” 1 Pet.4:9
3.2.5. Twice we’re told an emblem of an elder is Hospitality (1 Tim3:2;
Titus 1:8)
3.2.6. At Christmas, why do we blame the Innkeeper for having a full Inn
& putting the family out in the stable. Why not the 1000’s of homes
in Bethlehem at the time, which were not full of guests?
3.2.7. Singer John Charles Thomas, at age sixty-six wrote to syndicated
columnist Abigail Van Buren: "I am presently completing the
second year of a three-year survey on the hospitality or lack of it in
churches. To date, of the 195 churches I have visited, I was
spoken to in only one by someone other than an official greeter and
that was to ask me to move my feet."
3.2.7.1. Hospitality must be revived today!
3.3. (5) Hospitality Rewarded!
3.3.1. Any good done for the brethren will surely be rewarded! (Rev.14:13
“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from
their labors, and their works follow them.")
3.3.2. Hospitality has its rewards (“inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Mt.25:40)
3.4. (6) Hospitality Reported!
3.4.1. Those who saw Gaius’ hospitality testified of it to the Ephesus
church.
3.4.2. Continue this work!
3.5. (7,8) Hospitality’s Reason!
3.5.1. 3 reasons for hospitality:
3.5.1.1. [1] For His names sake.
3.5.1.2. [2] Because they weren’t supported by the unconverted.
3.5.1.3. [3] We are “bound to”(ought) become a fellow worker.
3.6. Support (receive)!
3.6.1. Q: To whom right now are you a “Fellow Worker”, helping them to
spread the truth? – Which missionary(s) do you support?
3.6.2. Support Rosmarino project! – Room(s) addition needed.
3.6.2.1. Approx. $10,000 needed {extending kitchen, play room, bathroom}
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4. DIOTREPHES, REJECTING THE TRUTH! (9,11)
4.1. (9a) We don’t have this letter! – Why not in the Canon?
4.1.1. Canon = measuring rod, standard.
4.1.2. Q: Are we missing books?
4.1.3. Some say, “we didn’t have the bible till the beg. of the 5th cent.”
4.1.3.1. A distortion of the whole process of canonical development.
4.1.4. The church met on several occasions in the early cent. to settle
disputes about which books properly belonged in the cannon.
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4.1.5. The 1 formal canon for the N.T. was created by the heretic
Marcion – so the church found it nec. to declare the exact content
of the N.T.
4.1.6. The vast majority of books that are now included in the N.T. clearly
functioned w/canonical authority from the time they were written.
4.1.6.1. There are few books who’s inclusion was disputed (Heb; James; 2 Pet.; 2
& 3 John; Jude; & Rev.) 7 out of 27)
4.1.7. There were several vying for a spot that weren’t included.
4.1.7.1. Most were written by 2nd cent. Gnostic heretics.
4.1.8. “Critics forget 2000 contenders yielded a list of 27” Sproul
4.1.9. There were only a few that were real contenders:
4.1.9.1. 1st Clement; The Shepherd of Hermas; & The Didache.
4.1.9.2. They were not included because they were not written by apostles.
4.1.9.3. 2nd their authors themselves acknowledged their authority was
subordinate to the apostles.
4.1.10. Roman Catholics appeal to the “infallibility of the church” who
“created” the canon, thereby having authority equal to Scripture
itslef.
4.1.11. Classical Protestants denies both the churches infallibility, & that
the church “created” the canon.
4.1.11.1. The church has shown herself very fallible! - & the church never “created”
the canon. Only recognized, acknowledged, received, & submitted to the
canon of scripture.
4.1.11.2. The term the church used in council was “recipimus” “we receive”.
4.1.11.3. We believe God gave special providential care to insure that the proper
books be included.
4.1.11.4. How can His word “never pass away” if He never gave it to us to begin
with?
4.1.11.5. Criteria for canon: [1] Apostolic authorship [2] received as authoritative
by the early church [3] Must be in harmony w/the books about which there
is no doubt.
4.2. (9b) “Loves the pre-eminence” – Here’s a problem not w/Doctrinal
Defection, but Proud Ambition!
4.2.1. Maybe he was seeking autonomy for his own glorification.
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4.3. (9c) Diotrephes rejects a message from the Apostle John!…Wow!…
how separated he had become…“He does not receive us.”
4.3.1. Maybe Diotrephes was seeking to make his church independent?
4.4. (10) When I come I will deal with this (not sweep under carpet!).
4.4.1. He was “talking non-sense”/prating.
4.4.2. He was using “malicious words”.
4.4.2.1. So, his words were senseless & malicious.
4.5. (10b) His actions include:
4.5.1. [1] He wasn’t hospitable himself [2] He forbid others to be
hospitable [3] He excommunicated those who did.
4.6. (11) He moves from specific (hospitable), to General (evil/good).
4.6.1. “He who does good is of God“ - as it is the habit of one’s life!
4.6.2. Verse 11 is a toggle switch from the Catastrophes of Diotrephes, to
the Virtuous Demetrius!
5. DEMETRIUS, A WITNESS OF THE TRUTH! (12)
5.1. His witness shines with 3 rays of sunshine: [1] Everyone speaks well of
him [2] Truth speaks well of him [3] John & the boys speak well of him.
5.1.1. The church needs more Demetrious’. Ths will make the local
church healthy(2).
5.2. Leopold V of Austria was called “Leopold the Virtuous”. The last of
Leopold's family to rule was Frederich II who was called “Frederich
the Quarrelsome”.
5.2.1. Q: What would we be called if we were given nicknames based on
our conduct or character?
5.2.2. Q: Would we be called the Virtuous or the Quarrelsome? What
would you be called based on this last week, or yesterday?
5.2.2.1. “Brian the Bomb”(explain/cool meaning); or “Brian the Bozo”?
6. JOHN, GREETS HIS FRIENDS IN THE TRUTH! (13,14)
6.1. Pen – () a reed used for writing.
6.2. Ink – () black ink.
6.2.1. Its chief ingredient was “soot or black carbon”(show lamp). It was also
mixed w/gum or oil for use on parchments(sheep or goat skins).
Or, it was mixed w/a metallic substance for use on papyrus.
6.3. “by name” – The salutation was to be given to individuals separately.
6.4. (end) William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania said, “Be humble and
gentle in your conversation; and of few words, I charge you; but
always pertinent when you speak.” – I think the Apostle John sure
fulfilled these wise words!