but to say they were insignificant would be like saying a person who is short is not significant.
We know that size does not have anything to do with significance.
However, there is a contrast between second and third John. For example,
Remember, we mentioned in the previous message that some believe John was writing to a particular lady. When these read 2 John, verses 10-11, they believe that when Mormons, or Jehovah Witnesses knock at their door, they should slam the door in their faces. Then we pointed out that to do that would conflict with other scriptures, like 1 Peter 3:15 where we read, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
If you would witness to a cult member on the street, why would you not witness to him on your front porch, or in your living room?
And, since John does not address a particular lady and her children, we come to the next view...
Many believe the “elect lady and her children,” is the church. The late Dr. J. Vernon McGee, along with many other Bible scholars, believe this refers to God’s saved people, the church.
Since, at the time of John’s writing, saved people gathered in homes instead of public buildings, it is most likely this passage is to teach that the church is to keep false teachers and preachers out of the pulpits of the places of worship.
Illus: In this ecumenical age, you might have preachers in some churches preaching salvation by grace one week, and the next week have someone preaching salvation by works.
The context seems to indicate that 2 John is written to the church.
John’s third epistle was addressed to Gaius. Gaius could have been a lay pastor in the early church who had been placed in a leadership position.
John teaches many things in this third epistle. First we will deal with, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GAIUS?
I. THE PERSON
WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS GAIUS?
Since it seems they trusted him in a leadership position, perhaps we can learn from him.
Look at John’s address to him in verse 1. We read, “The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”
Notice several things about this brother.
A. HE IS “WELLBELOVED”
John mentions “beloved” in verses 1, 2, 5, and 11. This tells us several things about him. He was...
• Probably a kind man
• Probably a generous man
• Probably a friendly man
• Probably a man with a good personality
• A godly man
People with these characteristics are going to be “WELLBELOVED”.
But, notice something else.
B. HE WAS SOUND IN HIS DOCTRINE
John says, “...whom I love in the truth.”
John had a love for the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD and GAIUS had a love for the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD.
This was the common bond that drew JOHN and GAIUS together.
C. HE WAS PROBABLY A SICKLY MAN
Why do we say that? Look at verse 2. We read, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
In other words, John was saying, “Gaius, I hope that your body ‘prospers’ physically as I know your soul prospers, spiritually.’”
It could be Gaius had some health problems that John was concerned about.
Some people take that second verse out of context and use it to teach something it was not intended to teach. They say this verse is proof that it is the will of God that we NEVER GET SICK and that we all BECOME WEALTHY.
That is not what verse 2 is teaching. It was simply a greeting directed to Gaius in which John was wishing him the best SPIRITUALLY and PHYSICALLY.
John then began to share his excitement.
Look at verses 3-4. We read, “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as THOU WALKEST IN THE TRUTH. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
John was saying that when the brethren came and told him how good they were doing, “...I rejoiced greatly...”
John wanted them to know he was THRILLED that they were OBEYING the LORD JESUS. That is, they were not just SAYING THEY WERE CHRISTIANS, THEY WERE WALKING AS CHRIST TAUGHT.
Look at verses 5-8. We read, “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
John was paying them a tremendous compliment.
Before we can fully appreciate the compliment that John was sending, we need to consider the conditions of the day when this passage was written.
They had NO MOTELS or RESTAURANTS along the roads as we have today. Missionaries and evangelists had to depend on the kindness and generosity of Christians in each town to house and feed them.
• In verse 5, he was saying they were doing an excellent work in taking care of the needs of God’s servants.
• In verse 6, Those who had received these kindnesses from the Christians had spoken of it and how they were sent on their way with a generous love offering.
• In verse 7, as they traveled they did not take food or “purse” from the “Gentiles.” They totally depended on the Lord to meet their needs.
• In verse 8, the people of God provided what they needed.
The point John was making is this: Gaius, and others in the congregation had done a wonderful job of taking care of the servants of the Lord.
We see another contrast between 2 and 3 John. His second letter warned them not to receive false teachers in the house of God. In his third letter he commended them for receiving the servants of the Lord in their personal homes.
Up to this point John has had nothing except nice things to say to Gaius and the congregation.
Now he deals with...
II. THE PROBLEM
The problem was that there was a fellow in the church who was not right with the Lord.
Gaius was such a wonderful Christian. Every pastor wishes his church was filled with men like him.
But, sad to say, it seems every church has at least one like “Diotrephes.” Notice, John calls out this troublemaker by name - Diotrephes!
Some folks think it is wrong for a pastor to call out the names of troublemakers.
Listen, any sincere pastor, who loves God’s Word and loves God’s people, is not going to allow the devil and his cohorts to deceive people. Instead, the pastor will follow the examples of the New Testament cases where deceivers came in.
As you read through the New Testament:
• The apostle Paul exposed individuals and groups.
• The Lord Jesus, Himself, was the hardest of them all. He often spoke out against the Sadducees and Pharisees by name. He even called them serpents. The liberals of our day could not take Jesus’ preaching.
The men of God in early New Testament days had the courage to stand up to Satan’s workers. They exposed their FALSE TEACHINGS and their HYPOCRISY.
WHAT WAS DIOTREPHES’ PROBLEM?
Look at 3 John, verse 9. We read, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”
The word “preeminence,” means: “To be fond of being first...”
When you have people like this in the church, the church is going to have some problems.
Instead of helping people to fix their attention on the Lord, they will do anything to draw their attention to themselves:
• Some will interrupt the worship service to get attention.
• Some will come late to church to get attention.
• Some will even use the sacred Word of God to get attention.
• Some will use the talents God gave them to get attention.
III. THE PLAN
There was a PROBLEM, but notice, John had a PLAN to deal with the problem.
Look at verse 10. He said, “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, 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.”
John did not know when he would be able to come, but he assured them that when he got there he would “remember,” the deeds of Diotrephes -- “...I will REMEMBER his deeds which he doeth...”
It was a tragedy that no one in the church had the spiritual fortitude to speak out against this man, but John said that when he got there he would REMEMBER!
WHAT WAS DIOTREPHES DOING?
Look at verse 10 again, “...prating against us with malicious words...”
John planned to expose him for using malicious words.
Words are like hand grenades. We can throw certain words out and blow someone’s Christian character out the window.
John told them he WOULD DEAL WITH DIOTREPHES, “...who loved to have the preeminence among them...”
How was Diotrephes opposing God’s work?
It was the custom of the church that its members take care of the guest evangelists and missionaries.
Diotrephes saw each and every one of them as a threat to his authority, and he would not receive any of them, and he excommunicated those in the church who did receive them.
The Bible does not tell us exactly how he went about doing this, but this fellow was out of control.
We see this same thing happening in churches today. We have too many Diotrephese’, not right with God, and the church does not have the courage to tell them to straighten up or get out.
Look what John said in verse 11. We read, “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.”
After he mentioned to follow that which was good, he gave examples of those who were opposite of Diotrephes. He pointed out one of the good men, Demetrius, as a good man to follow.
Look at verse 12. We read, “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.”
You can tell a great deal about people by observing who they follow after.
That is, a person may loudly say, “I love God and His church!” But, if they follow after people like Diotrephes, who come in the church to try to destroy it because they want to be SEEN, it is probably because they are just like them.
Conclusion:
In closing, John said (verses 13-14), “I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”
I. THE PERSON
II. THE PROBLEM
III. THE PLAN
