Follow
Griffith Baptist Church – 8/31/08
A.M. Service
Text: 3 John
Key verse: 3 John 1:10 - 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.
The Introduction
Some believe that leading is easier than following. The one’s who believe that have never truly led.
We are given two instructions in verse 10 – Do not follow evil and follow that which is good. We are told however to be followers in two different ways in Scripture:
1. We are told to follow God
A. Ephesians 5:1 – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
B. He is our ultimate leader
C. When we follow Him, this is our act of worship and obedience to Him
2. We are told to follow others
A. The example of Paul - 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
B. The example of pastors - Hebrews 13:7 – Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
C. This kind of following is NOT worship
D. This word “follow” has the idea of example and following that example
E. It is not designed to lift up the leader but to lift up the one who leads the leader, Jesus Christ.
We all need Christian examples.
We are not an inland unto ourselves.
God provides people in our path in life to be an example for us. We need to be wise, on our end, to follow those who live for the truth of God.
Here, in this passage, it is given in the context of the local church and three individuals who were influential in the lives of others.
There are three noticeable nuggets of wisdom that we can glean from this short letter that will lead us to follow the right examples for our Christian lives.
Transition Statement: First, we need to understand that we will be known and influenced by the company we keep.
Body
1. The Company We Keep
A. Gaius and Demetrius
i. Strength of character (3b – thou walkest in the truth; 5a - thou doest faithfully )
a. A man took his daughter to the carnival, and she immediately ran over to a booth and asked for cotton candy. As the attendant handed her a huge ball of it, the father asked, “Sweetheart, are you sure you can eat all of that?” “Don’t worry, Dad,” she answered, “I’m a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside.” That’s what real character is – being bigger on the inside.
b. We ought to walk in the company of those who have good character
c. You are know by the company you keep
d. You will be influenced by the company you keep
ii. Faithfulness to the truth (3-4 ; 8 – fellow helpers to the truth.; 12a - Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself)
a. The world crowns success but God crowns faithfulness
b. We ought to keep to the task
c. The truth of God’s Word is the greatest reality in our lives
B. Diotrephes
i. Self-centered (9b - who loveth to have the preeminence among them)
a. Aesop tells a story of an aging king bird who made a proclamation that on a certain day they should all present themselves before him, when he would himself choose the most beautiful among them to be their next king. The Crow, knowing his own ugliness, searched through the woods and fields, and collected the feathers which had fallen from the wings of his companions, and stuck them in all parts of his body, hoping thereby to make himself the most beautiful of all. When the appointed day arrived, and the birds had assembled before the aging king, the Crow also made his appearance in his many feathered finery. But when the aging king proposed to make him king because of the beauty of his plumage, the birds indignantly protested, and each plucked from him his own feathers, leaving the Crow nothing but a Crow.
b. He had a big ego
c. He had to be number one and no one else was to share the spotlight
d. This is not how Scripture tells us to act - Philippians 2:4 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
ii. Stained by political ambition (10b-c - 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.)
a. There is good and bad politics
b. Good politics includes statesmanship – a politician thinks of his next election; a statesman thinks of his next generation.
c. This type of ambition seeks to look after its own power and desires
iii. Unsubmissive (9c - receiveth us not.)
a. Where self is there is no room for submission
b. Submission is surrender
c. It is placing oneself under the authority of another
d. What does the Bible tell us (Eph. 5:21-22; Col. 3:18; Heb. 13:17; Jms. 4:7; 1st Pet. 2:13; 5:5)
Transition Statement: Second, whoever influences us will lead us to the actions we take.
2. The Actions We Take
A. Gaius and Demetrius
i. God’s truth is authoritative and vital - (3c - thou walkest in the truth.; 12a - Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself)
a. Every thing they did was concerned with making sure it was loyal to the truth
b. They served faithfully and joyfully because God’s truth motivated them in their walk
c. It influenced their decisions, behavior, and attitude – Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
ii. Concern for other Christians (5-6)
a. They followed Christ and the example of the Apostle John
b. Care for one another tells us something about ourselves
c. Praying, helping, sheltering, encouraging, and the list goes on – 1 Peter 1:22 - Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
B. Diotrephes
i. Superior control is important (9b - who loveth to have the preeminence among them)
a. Control is not always a bad thing, unless it is taken outside of God’s plan
b. When the subordinate becomes insubordinate that is wrong and is sin
c. Control is disciplined power
d. Philippians 2:3-5 - 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
ii. Antagonism and criticism of leadership (10b - prating against us with malicious words:)
a. Saying unkind things about those who are his authority
b. Woe to the person who has to face God with that kind of heart
c. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
iii. Ill-treatment of others who disagree (10c - neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.)
a. Disagreement is a part of life
b. No one gets their way 100% of the time
c. This was not only ill-treatment but eliminating those from the membership of the local body who did the right thing (they were receiving the brethren)
d. Romans 12:10 - Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Transition Statement: Third, after the influence of our chosen examples that lead us to the actions we take, we will have to deal with the reputation we establish.
3. The Reputation We Establish
A. Gaius and Demetrius
i. Care for God’s truth (4; 12)
a. This was what they were know for
b. Above anything else, people could boast, in a good way, of these men living for God
c. They were above reproach; they lived for the truth
ii. Concern for God’s work (5)
a. They wanted to see God’s work carried on
b. They made provisions for missionaries and other brethren
c. They were focused on expanding the gospel of Christ
iii. Love for God’s people (5)
a. Realizing that God’s people are special
b. God’s people help to build us up and strengthen us
c. There should always provision and help for Christian brothers and sisters
iv. Good testimony of believers and godly leaders (1, 3)
a. The Apostle John gave an outstanding review of Gaius
b. There is nothing wrong with having praise and approval of men
c. This should not be our motivation, but it will be the natural outcome when we are serving as we ought to serve, for Christ – Colossians 3:22-23 - 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
B. Diotrephes
i. Addicted to power and control (9b - who loveth to have the preeminence among them)
a. This becomes what other people notice
b. It became such a problem that John was going to have to deal with it (v. 10)
c. This became an issue of an individual out of control
ii. Critical or bitter spirit (10b – prating against us with malicious words)
a. This becomes a way of life to bolster power
b. Tear others down to build yourself up – Matthew 12:35-37 - 35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
c. It gets to the point where it is so commonplace that one begins to feel justified in the criticism
• Criticism of how others lead
• Criticism of what others do
d. When this persons world feels violated, they resort to this behavior, whether it is subtle or open
iii. Prejudiced treatment of other believers (10c - neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.)
a. James 2:1-4 - 1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
b. This can be characterized by several things:
• What is said about others without their knowledge (behind their backs; gossip and backbiting)
• Evil glances
• Avoiding contact with some while gravitating to those who share your evil opinion
• Looking for and relishing others failures and frustrated over others successes
c. This often comes because this person feels let down in life and doesn’t want to be alone in their misery
iv. Uncooperative (9-10)
a. The devil knows he’s had the victory when Christians get their noses in a snit and decides to have an “I’ll show them” attitude
b. How does that glorify God?
c. Where do you find that in Scripture?
d. God is glorified when His people work together – Psalms 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
e. An uncooperative spirit does not just hurt one individual but the entire body.
f. His body should be working in peace to further God’s mission for His glory – Ephesians 4:3 - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Conclusion:
Besides Jesus Christ, who do you follow in example and behavior?
Do you go with the crowd that is critical and joyless? Or,
Do you gravitate to those who love God and His Word?
