A Commendable Christian Series

Scripture

The Apostle John wrote three letters toward the end of the first century. He was responsible for the churches around Ephesus. He loved the believers in the churches for which he was responsible. Some false teachers were making the rounds of the churches, teaching that Jesus was not the Son of God. So, John’s letters were written to encourage Christians to know that they have eternal life.

The Second and Third Letters of John were each written on a single sheet of papyrus. The common theme in each of these letters is hospitality shown to traveling teachers. The Second Letter of John is concerned about withholding hospitality from false teachers, whereas the Third Letter of John is about extending hospitality to true teachers.

Today, we begin our study in the Third Letter of John. We will learn that this letter tells us about four men and their reputations. We begin by examining the reputation of the first man and learning how a commendable Christian lives.

Let’s read about a commendable Christian in 3 John 1-8:

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

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. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 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. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. (3 John 1-8)

Introduction

In February, 2007, Anna Johnson wrote a story for USA Today titled, “Three Ultra-Athletes Run Across Sahara.” She wrote that Charlie Engle, Ray Zahab, and Kevin Lin know endurance better than most. For 111 days, they ran the equivalent of two marathons a day in order to cross the entire Sahara Desert on foot. They touched the waters in Senegal and then made their way through Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Egypt to touch the waters of the Red Sea. Along the way, the trio faced blazing afternoons of over 100 degrees, jarring, freezing nights, sandstorms, tendonitis, violent sickness, and the usual aches, pains, and blisters. But the biggest challenge they faced can be summed up in one word: water. Finding pure, clean water gets to be a chore while in the middle of nowhere!

Crossing the Sahara Desert on foot is an amazing accomplishment. But, as someone noted, just as commendable are these marathon finishers:

• Christians who finish their lives still growing, still serving.

• Husbands and wives who stay faithful to each other “until death us do part.”

• Young people who preserve their purity until marriage, in spite of crushing peer pressure.

• Pastors who stay passionate about ministry until their last breath.

• Church members who weather the rougher patches and remain joyful, loving, and faithful.

John’s Third Letter is written to a man named Gaius. It is clear that John has great affection for Gaius for he has lived a life worthy of commendation.

Lesson

Third John 1-8 shows us how a commendable Christian lives.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. A Commendable Christian Lives Spiritually (1-2)

2. A Commendable Christian Walks Truthfully (3-4)

3. A Commendable Christian Serves Faithfully (5-6)

4. A Commendable Christian Ministers Generously (7-8)

I. A Commendable Christian Lives Spiritually (1-2)

First, a commendable Christian lives spiritually.

John writes in verse 1, “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.” As in his previous letter, John simply calls himself “the elder.” John writes to a man named Gaius. Gaius was a fairly common name in the first century.

When the Paul preached in Ephesus, a riot followed his preaching. Luke reports in Acts 19:29, “So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.” Could this be the same Gaius to whom John was writing?

Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with final greetings. He writes in Romans 16:23, “Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.” Could this be the same Gaius to whom John was writing?

It is likely that the Gaius to whom John was writing was a leader in a local church, and probably not the same Gaius mentioned by Luke or Paul. John calls him the “beloved” Gaius. John refers to him as “beloved” four times in this short letter (in verses 1, 2, 5, and 11).