SERMON OUTLINE:
Analysis of 3 John.
• (a). The encouragement of Gaius (vs 1-8)
• (B). The criticism of Diotrephes (vs 9-10)
• (c). The testimony of Demetrius (vs 11-12)
Ill:
A grandmother was looking after her two little grandchildren;
• A 7-year-old girl, and a 5-year-old boy.
• And both these children had been very, very naughty.
• As the time drew near for their mother to pick them up,
• The little girl said, "Are you going to tell Mummy how we behaved?"
• The grandmother replied, "No, I’m not. But if she asks me, I can’t tell a lie."
• The little boy looked up to her and said, "Why not? I’m only five, and I can lie great."
• In 2 John the letter you look at last week;
• The problem was the woman had love but at the expense of truth!
• In 3 John the letter we are looking at this week;
• The problem was a man had truth but at the expense of love!
In the Greek text this is the shortest letter in the New Testament:
• Both 2 John and 3 John focuses on the basic issue of hospitality;
• But they come from, different angles.
• While 2 John warns against showing hospitality to false teachers;
• 3 John condemns the lack of hospitality shown to faithful teachers of God’s word.
(1). Comparison with 2 John.
(a).
• 2 John was written to a lady and her children,
• 3 John is written to a man and his acquaintances.
(b).
• The problem John addressed in his second letter;
• Was a lady entertaining the wrong kind of travellers, visitors.
• The problem in 3 John;
• Is a man who refused to entertain the right kind of travellers, visitors.
(c).
• In 2 John hospitality is misplaced.
• In 3 John hospitality is missing completely.
(d).
• It’s kind of ironic that in 2 John a lady said yes, to a person she should have said no too.
• In 3 John a man said no, to a person she should have said yes too.
(e).
• The message of 2 John is:
• Truth was needed to bring love back into balance.
• The message of 3 John is:
• Love was needed to bring truth back into balance.
(f). Finally...
• In 2 John no personal names are mentioned.
• In 3 John a number of specific names are mentioned.
• i.e. Gaius (vs 1-8), Diotrephes (vs 9-10), Demetrius (vs 11-12)
(2). Analysis of 3 John.
• An outline of this letter naturally forms around the three men that are mentioned:
• First in verses 1-8 we meet Gaius.
• Second in verses 9-10 we meet Diotrephes.
• Third in verses 11-12 we meet Demetrius.
(a). The encouragement of Gaius (vs 1-8)
• As you scan the letter it becomes clear that Gaius was very close to John.
• Just look at the affectionate way he refers to him.
• i.e. verse 1: “To my dear friend” or “Beloved Gaius”.
• i.e. verse 2: “Dear friend” or “Beloved Gaius”.
• i.e. verse 5: “Dear friend” or “Beloved Gaius”.
• i.e. verse 11: “Dear friend” or “Beloved Gaius”.
Note:
• We don’t know for sure who this particular Gaius was:
• We do know that there are there are three people called Gaius;
• Who get a name check in the New Testament.
• (a). Gaius the Macedonian – he is mentioned in Acts chapter 19.
• (b).Gaius of Derbe – he is mentioned in Acts chapter 20.
• (c). Gaius of Corinth – he actually gets a double mention;
• In 1 Corinthin’s chapter 1verse 4 and Romans chapter 16 verse 23.
• (d). Of course it might have been someone completely different;
• ill: The name Gaius was as popular in the Roman empire;
• As the names John or Richard are today.
• ill: The Romans had 18 names that they usually chose from;
• Gaius was in that list of 18!
• Now although we cannot tell with certainty who this Gaius was;
• We do know a number of things about him.
(1st). He was a sick man (vs 2).
• Those words “You may enjoy good health”,
• Suggest that Gaius may not have been a well man.
• In most New Testament greetings & prayers the focus is on spiritual health, not physical;
• So that mention of physical health would suggest he was or had been an unwell man.
(2). He was spiritually healthy (vs 2).
• “...even as your soul is getting along well”.
• Gaius may have failed his physical medical;
• But he ‘passed with flying colours’ his spiritual check up!
• It is amazing how many Christian folk who suffer very poor physical health;
• Enjoy very good spiritual health!
Ill:
• Physical health is the result of nutrition, exercise, cleanliness, proper rest,
• And the disciplined order of a balanced life.
• Spiritual health is the result of similar factors.
• We must nourish ourselves with the Word of God.
• Then ‘work out’ that nourishment in godly exercise – our service for the Lord.
• We too must keep ourselves clean (i.e. avoid contamination with the world).
• We too need to rest in the Lord – a balanced life is a healthy, happy life”.
(3rd). He was one of John’s converts (vs 4).
“I have no greater joy than to hear that MY CHILDREN are walking in the truth”.
• There is no greater thrill than to see a convert;
• Someone who has discovered the Lord through your ministry going on with the Lord.
• Note: “Walking”, that is making progress;
• Not standing or sitting but ‘walking in the truth.’
ill:
• Always a thrill when folks respond to an appeal at the end of a meeting;
• But the real test and the real thrill is when years later you meet that person again;
• And learn about how they are going on with the Lord.
ill:
• I was saved on a wet, windy camp in Dyffrin Wales.
• I was the only person who responded during that week of Camp,
• They would not admit it publicly but I know those leaders were disappointed;
• They probably viewed that week as a failure.
• Yet God called me to be an evangelist and I have seen many folks not only come to faith,
• But to go on and serve God in Christian ministry.
ill:
• In contrast I have been on Camps;
• Were over half the Camp have responded to the message and claims of Christ.
• But a few years later there appears to be no visible fruit abiding,
• There is no evidence that anything actually happened.
• As sadly to many have just drifted away!
• The point is this:
• Beware of counting numbers! More is not always better!
• There is no greater joy than to see your spiritual children going on with the Lord!
• It is always the ‘going on’ that is most important!
Quote: John Stott:
“To walk in the truth is more than to give accent to it,
it means to apply it, to ones behaviour,
he who walks in the truth is an integrated Christian, in whom there is no dichotomy between profession and practice,
on the contrary, there is in him an exact correspondence between his creed and his conduct.
Such conformity of life to the truth on the part of his children, bought John greater joy than anything else, to him truth mattered”.
Quote: H.A. Ironside:
“God forbid that we should traffic in unlived truth”.
If we are honest tonight;
• That is my biggest problem as a Christian and it is probably yours!
• We don’t really need more truth;
• We could do with just applying what we already know.
(4th). Gaius was faithful and friendly (vs 5).
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you”.
An example of how Gaius translated truth into shoe-leather can be seen in verses 5-8.
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honours God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
In New Testament times there was like today two types of ministers (full time workers).
• ONE: Itinerant (pioneers).
• These folks would move into an area for a short period of time;
• They would help people come to faith;
• Or build up the Church with Bible teaching and then move on to another place.
• SECOND: There were Church based workers.
• Those who stayed in one place for long periods of time;
• These folks feed, nurtured and shepherded God’s people.
Now here is how it links up with Gaius:
• There were some itinerant workers, strangers who Gaius had never met;
• But when they arrived in his area;
• He welcomed them and invited them into his home;
• And he also gave them opportunity to teach in the Church.
• ill: This still happens today when I was visiting Bulgaria & Turkey etc.
• I did not know them, they do not know me but have invited me to preach!
Notice: Gaius was extremely supportive towards these travelling preachers;
• As well as giving them hospitality (food and lodgings);
• According to verses 6-8 he even supported them financially.
• It is not the job of the pagans to support the ministry of God;
• It is the responsibility of the Church!
• The Bible makes it very clear (i.e. 2 Corinthians chapters 8-9);
• That those who preach the gospel for a living should be supported by the gospel.
• Ill: in 2 Corinthians chapters 9 Paul gives three illustrations to back this up:
• ill: No soldier has to provide his own rations,
• So why should a soldier of Christ be different?
• ill: A man who plants a vineyard will share in its fruit.
• Why should a man who plants churches be different?
• ill: A shepherd of the flock will get his food from the flock.
• Why should a Christian shepherd (pastor/elder) be different?
Notice: Verse 8 is a great verse regarding supporting Christian workers:
• “So that we may work TOGETHER for the truth”.
• John says we are fellow workers in the gospel.
ill:
William Carey the ‘Father of Modern Missions’ had a great way of putting it:
• “I will go down the mine”
• That is how he referred to the mission field i.e. India.
• “I will go down the mine if you will hold the ropes”.
• Some believers are called to go ‘down the mines’;
• Other Christians are called to ‘hold the ropes’.
• Question: What if you let go?
• Answer: (Bang the platform) they are in big trouble!
Verse 8 is a reminder that God’s work is a partnership;
• As an evangelist I cannot survive without the practical & financial support of God’s people!
• That is always how God provides – through his people!
• We (the Church) need each other;
• In return for the support I receive I am able to spread the truth and build up the Church.
(B). The criticism of Diotrephes (vs 9-10).
• Now so far in this small letter it has been positive and good;
• In verse 9-10 that’s all about to change, the picture is spoiled!
• We are introduced to a man called Diotrephes;
• And his negative trait of criticism.
ill:
• Billy Graham tells of how during one of his missions a man came up to him and said;
• “Dr Graham, God has given me the gift of criticism’.
• Billy Graham replied;
• “You may have that gift but it did not come from God!”
So in contrast to Gaius where the picture was healthy and positive.
• John now gives us another portrait of a Christian called Diotrephes;
• Only this time the sketch we have is not favourable.
• Verse 9 literally reads:
• “I wrote something to the Church,
• but the one who is fond of being first, Diotrephes, will have nothing to do with us”
• So the emphasis of the verse is on that particular bent in him:
• Diotrephes was fond of being first, he loved to be preeminent.
• And although Diotrephes is no longer in the Church;
• Sadly Diotrephes disease is!
• Diotrephes disease is simply a desire to be first;
• Or a desire to have things done THEIR way.
ill:
• I believe that is why God’s pattern for his Church id plurality of leaders (Elders);
• It is a safeguards that prevents Diotrephes disease being practiced.
• It means or it should do that one man does not rule over the fellowship,
• Plurality of leadership should guard against Diotrephes disease;
• And allow for a fuller, broader range of opinions and input.
Note:
• Diotrephes was picking on the wrong apostle when he took on John;
• Remember that it was John and his brother James;
• Who learnt the hard way regarding being ‘first’.
• ill: They requested to have top positions – “Sit at right hand of Jesus in the kingdom”
• (Mark chapter 10 :35-37)
• ill: Also it was John who recorded the words and actions of Jesus in John chapter 13.
• When Jesus washed the disciples feet;
• And spoke about submitting and serving others.
Unfortunately Diotrephes has an upside perspective of himself;
• He wants to be the one served,
• When he should be the one serving.
Notice: In verses 9-10 John points out five faults of Diotrephes:
• First: He loved to be first.
• Second: He rejected John the apostles teaching.
• Third: He was a gossip and derogatory towards the apostle.
• Fourth: He refuses to welcome any brothers (itinerant workers).
• Fifth: He also forbade others to welcome them, even expelling them from the Assembly.
(c). The testimony of Demetrius.
• In verse 11 John exhorts Gaius not to:
• “Imitate what is evil but what is good”.
• He then gives Gaius a living example of ‘the good’;
• He turns his attention from the evil portrait of Diotrephes;
• To the good portrait of Demetrius.
• Question: who was Demetrius?
• Answer: He may well have been the delivery boy who brought the letter to Gaius;
• And John the apostle decides not only to introduce;
• But to use him as an example.
Notice:
• John says three things concerning him:
• All three things have to do with his testimony/witness/life before others.
(1). He received a good testimony...
• He received a good testimony...Universally.
• Verse 12: “Well spoken of by EVERYONE”.
(2). He received a good testimony...
• He received a good testimony...“From the truth itself.”
• verse 12.
• That means if the truth could talk then it would testify;
• That his life matched up with his teaching and practice.
(3). He received a good testimony...
• He received a good testimony...from the apostle John and his close circle of friends;
• Verse 12: “WE also speak well of him”.
Ill:
A young girl is walking home from church on Sunday and says to her mother:
• "Mummy, didn’t you tell me that God was so big that the world can’t contain,
• that the earth is like His footstool, and that you can’t see the end of Him."
• The mum replied: "That’s right."
• We worship and serve a great big God.”
• The little girl then said:
• "Well today we learned that God lives inside of me… but I’m confused.
• If God is so big that He can’t even fit in the world,
• And He also lives inside of me,
• Shouldn’t people see Him coming out of me?"
• When people looked at Demetrius;
• They saw Jesus coming out of him!
(d). Final postscript (vs 13-14):
• The conclusion of the letter (vs 13-14);
• Is similar to the conclusion of 2 John.
• John the apostle was eager to come and visit this friend & this Church.
• That statement would be a warning to Diotrephes & an encouragement to Gaius & Demetrius.
• These three people mentioned Gaius, Demetrius and Diotrephes;
• Represent the peaks and valleys in the early Church landscape.
Let’s be realistic as we apply this:
• Wherever there are people, there are problems!
• There is also the potential for solving or enlarging those problems.
• Each of us must ask the question:
• ‘Am I part of the problem or a part of the answer?’
• Every Assembly will have its Diotrephes.
• But be encouraged because there will also be a Demetrius and a Gaius as well.
