SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). A Comparison with 2 John.
(2). An Overview 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)
(3). A Final Postscript (vs 13-14):
SERMON BODY:
Now a little useless information:
• 3 John is the shortest book of the Bible,
• Just 219 words long in its original Greek language.
(1). A Comparison with 2 John.
(a).
• 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.
(b).
• 2 John was written to a lady and her children,
• 3 John is written to a man and his acquaintances.
(c).
• 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.
(d).
• In 2 John hospitality is misplaced.
• In 3 John hospitality is missing completely.
(e).
• 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.
(f).
• 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.
(g).
• 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). An Overview 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 and John were good buddies.
• You only have to read the letter and you see 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 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 Corinthian’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 Andrew or Richard are today.
ill:
• The Romans at this time in history had a list of 18 names that they usually choose from.
• Gaius was the name last on that list!
• TRANSITION: Now although we cannot tell with certainty who this Gaius was,
• We do know a number of things about him.
FIRST: 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.
SECOND: 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 cultivate a good diet (feed ourselves with the Word of God).
• Then ‘work out’ that knowledge should lead to service, ministry for the Lord.
• We need also to rest, to allow the body to recover and refresh itself,
• Physical and spiritual health are the result of similar factors.
THIRD: 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.
Ill:
• An evangelist was asked, “How does it feel to lead someone to Christ?”
• The answer he gave was, “It feels like you want to do it again!”
Note: we highlighted that word ‘walking’ when we looked at 2nd Letter of John.
• “Walking”, indicates that someone is making progress.
• They are not standing or sitting but ‘walking in the truth.’
• They are the opposite of the person mentioned in Psalm 1 verse 1,
• Who deteriorates by, “walking, standing & sitting with the wicked”?
ill:
• Always a thrill when folks respond to the gospel,
• 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.
• Two examples from my own ministry,
• I share them because they illustrate this point about going on.
• “A blast from the past seeing you on Facebook Gordon. I can still remember as if it was yesterday becoming a Christian at NFCC aged 12…23 years ago! God used u to change my life – thank u” – Louisa.
“Your talks and conversations on camps helped shape me into a disciple of Jesus… And now I’m running camps!” – Tim.
Quote: John Stott:
“To walk in the truth is more than to give accent to it,
it means to apply it, to one’s 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.
• 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.
FOURTH: 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. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honours God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 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 have visited places like Bulgaria & Turkey,
• I did not know them, they do not know me, but I had 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 non-Christians to support the ministry of God.
• It is the responsibility of the Church! The responsibility of God’s people.
• God provides through his people.
• 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”
• is how he referred to the mission field (for him India)?
• “I will go down the mine if you will hold the ropes”.
• TRANSITION: 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!”
Now 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 today 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/MY way.
Note:
• I believe that is why God’s pattern for his Church is plurality of leaders (Elders).
• It is a safeguard 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.
ill:
• 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’?
• They requested to have top positions – “Sit at right hand of Jesus in the kingdom”
• (Mark chapter 10 verses 35-37)
ill:
• It was also John who recorded the words and actions of Jesus in John chapter 13.
• When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet.
• And spoke about submitting and serving others.
• So, Diotrephes was picking on the wrong apostle when he took on John.
• There was only ever going to be one winner!
Now in verses 9-10 John points out five faults of Diotrephes:
• First: He loved to be number one (top cat).
• 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’.
• So that Gaius and his readers would know exactly what he meant.
• 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.
• Note: the apostle 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 UNIVERSALLY.
• Verse 12: “Well-spoken of by EVERYONE”.
• Every evangelist, every preacher, every Christian would like that to be said about them,
• But alas there is always someone who does not like us or does not like what we do.
(2). HE RECEIVED A GOOD TESTIMONY “FROM THE TRUTH ITSELF.”
• Verse 12: “From the truth itself.”
• That means if the truth could talk then it would testify.
• That his life matched up with his teaching and practice.
• Every evangelist, every preacher, every Christian would like that to be said about them,
• “That person walks the talk” – “They practise what they preach”
(3). HE RECEIVED A GOOD TESTIMONY... FROM THE APOSTLE JOHN
• 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?"
• TRANSITION: When people looked at Demetrius.
• They saw Jesus coming out of him!
(3). A 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,
• And 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 Church will at some time have its Diotrephes.
• But be encouraged because there will also be a Demetrius and a Gaius as well.
