A Lesson In Discipleship

A Lesson in Discipleship

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-15

Introduction

- Today we will examine 3 John and hopefully see a very poignant theme

-- Setup: John’s writings late in life all surround reminders for the entire church

-- The reminder is regarding discipleship/faithfulness to what we have been taught

-- This letter is written to a man named Gaius

- Read 3 John 1-15

- Pray

? Point 1 – Greetings for a Friend

- John’s opening words (v1) in this letter indicate their relationship

-- This is a close friend … someone that John treasured knowing

-- But more than that – it’s someone that he knows is living properly in Christ

- John remarks that he loves him in the truth, same truth we’ve seen before

-- RE: John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life …”

-- APP: There is a fellowship of believers which is incredibly important

-- Not only are we to love those in the faith, but literally do life together

- APP: John has a relationship with Gaius that obviously includes great affection

-- Re-read verse 4

- Perhaps this man was a convert of John’s who now walks in Christ

-- Or even … this could be a Paul-Timothy relationship (discipleship)

- Gaius is a man who has earned John’s respect and love

-- John’s joy (don’t miss this) is because he has heard Gaius is walking in the truth

-- BIG: For you and me, there is no greater joy than seeing others live in Christ

- TRANS: In John’s time, hospitality was key in getting around (ex: to minister)

-- So, when we are offered hospitality, we must approach it with right attitude …

? Point 2 – Being thankful for a friend’s hospitality brings gratefulness

- Without a Hilton or a Marriot in sight, hospitality was key

- Gaius was one such individual who willingly opened his home to others

-- His home was always an open door and John knows this (v5)

-- John praises him for his ability to take care of those traveling for the Gospel

- Gaius willingly showed people Christian love by walking in the truth

-- Hebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

-- We do not know the impact we have on one another because of our willingness

-- 1 Peter 4:9, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (expound)

- Because Gaius was willing to open his home to these, his reputation was known

-- He’s encouraged to continue doing so (v6) … why? To send others on in love!

- HUGE: The Gospel was spread through people willing to reach out to others

- Challenge: If we had to open our homes … would we do so as well?

-- RE: It is for the sake of the name (Jesus) that these people went out (v7)

-- And notice, they received no help from the “world” (a.k.a. pagans)

-- So v8 becomes a command for us (esp. when it comes to living for God)

-- We ought to show hospitality … willingly walking together #doinglifetogether

- Even Jesus taught that welcoming a prophet is a good thing

-- Matthew 10:41, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.”

-- APP: We ought to be in the business of welcoming those in the faith; willingly

-- TALK: We’ve become experts at tearing one another apart … needs to stop!

- TRANS: This brings us to two men who John compares specifically

? Point 3 – Let’s examine a tale of two men …

- Diotrephes (dio-tre-phes) is missing this command (v9)

- It is likely that this man and Gaius were in the same church or the same town

-- He obviously has an issue with pride; he desires to be first in everything

-- More than likely, he favored himself to be above all & would not serve others

- Diotrephes may not have refused John, but he’s certainly refusing others

-- This action leads John to call him out, and promises to do so later as well (v10)

-- Even more than that, look what this man is doing to those in the church (see it)

1) Spreading malicious gossip about the church

2) Refusing to welcome others who are in the church

3) He even stopped those who were welcoming others

- APP: I really believe this is (sadly) still alive and well today

-- Break it down (pause): He didn’t want outsiders to come to his church!

-- He only wanted those he approved of, or liked, or knew he could control