Postcards: 3 John
Pastor Jefferson M. Williams
Chenoa Baptist Church
11-26-2023
Reputation
Each of us walked in here with something extremely valuable. You can’t see it but it’s real and follows us wherever we go. It can take years to build it and only moments to destroy it.
Taylor Swift wrote a whole album about it and Joan Jett had a hit singing about the fact she doesn’t care about hers.
Oxford defines it as “beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.”
Do you know what is it yet? It’s your reputation.
Do you have a good reputation? Are you thought of as kind, generous, thoughtful, or wise? Do people smile when you walk into a room or when your name is mentioned in a conversation?
Do you have a bad reputation? Are you known as a gossip, a liar, a cheat, and mean-spirited? Do people want to leave when you walk into a room?
Anyone who has waited tables will tell you that the worst day of the week to work is Sundays. Christians have a reputation for being rude, demanding, and cheap.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, knew this and wrote these words to his sons:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Prov 22:1)
Overview
John was Jesus’s closest friend during His earthly ministry. After the resurrection, John was a leader in the early church. He was the only apostle not murdered for his faith. He was eventually exiled to the island of Patmos.
He wrote five books of the Bible - John, I John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.
He wrote 2 and 3 John as attachments to the letter of I John.
By the time of writing, 85 AD to 95 AD, he had been freed from Patmos and now was in Ephesus.
This morning, we are going to study the little letter of 3 John. It’s the last book written in the New Testament. It’s the shortest book in the Bible at about 200 words in English but, in it, we will meet three men whose reputations preceded them.
Turn with me to 3 John. (1907 in the pew Bible)
Gaius
“The elder,
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
* Living Spiritually
John identifies himself as “the elder.” He was the last of the apostles still alive and was, by now, an old man. By virtue of his walking with Jesus and his leadership in the church, he commended tremendous respect and authority.
He writes this short postcard to a man named Gaius. This was a very common Roman name so we really don’t know who he is. But John tells us that he had an incredible reputation.
Four times in this letter, John calls Gaius his “dear friend” which also means “beloved friend.” And he makes it personal by telling him that he loves him in the truth.
Men in our culture are often afraid to express their emotions to other men. John didn’t hesitate to say how much he loved Gaius.
And what drives that love? The truth of the Gospel had saved both of them and made them spiritual brothers.
John then does something that expresses his love. He prays for Gaius. And what does he pray?
That he would prosper and have good health, just as his soul was getting along well.
Prosperity Gospel false teachers quote this verse to prove that John wanted Gaius to “prosper.” But that’s not what John is saying.
In Greek, when he prays for Gaius to “prosper physically” the actual word is a combination of two words - good and road.
He is praying, continually, that Gaius’ life would be like a good journey and that all may go continually well for him.
Maybe Gaius had some health problems and John knew that so he prayed for him daily.
It is important that we pray for people when they go through physical problems but when is the last time you prayed for that person’s soul?
Gaius was alive spiritually even if his body wasn’t 100%.
Point to Ponder: How is your soul? Is it thriving? Is it dry? What if God answered the prayer that you would be blessed physically in accordance with the spiritual health of your soul?
* Walking the Walk
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Gaius’s reputation preceded him! John has heard how others talk about him. They “testified” (bore witness) to his faithfulness.
Gaius didn’t just talk the talk but he consistently and faithfully walked the walk. His creed and conduct matched up. His beliefs and behaviors were in sync.
Point to Ponder: Would part of your reputation be that of faithfulness to Jesus and His mission?
John writes that he has “no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” From this, we can infer that John led Gaius to Christ! Gaius is one of his spiritual children.
Thirty-two years ago, I invited my friend Genie to our college ministry. Several weeks later, I looked back and saw that she was on her knees surrounded by girls praying for her and I knew that God had saved her that night.
Today, I have great joy as I watch her continue to walk in the truth. Now she’s Dr. Genie Burnett-Krenistky, a clinical psychologist and the founder and CEO of Manna Ministries, a Christian non-profit that ministers to teenage girls dealing with eating disorders and their families.
Point to Ponder: Who has God given you the opportunity to be a part of their salvation story? Do you know the joy of watching them walk faithfully with Jesus?
What was Gaius doing that gave him such a good reputation? It’s the exact opposite of what John warned about in 2 John!
* Serving Faithfully
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 honors God.
John had sent out traveling missionaries and Gaius provided them lodging, food and care when they visited Ephesus.
In that culture, hospitality was very important. There were very few inns or places to stay and offering strangers a safe, comfortable place to lay their head was just part of their way of life.
This was even more important in the Christian community.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Rom 12:13)
The writer of Hebrews encouraged hospitality for an interesting reason:
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Heb 13:2)
In 2 John, John warned against being hospitable to false teachers and taking part in spreading false doctrine.
In this little letter, he is encouraging the opposite. These true teachers needed places to stay and Gaius was faithful to open his home to them as they traveled through.
These teachers told everyone about his kindness and it had gotten back to John. John must have smiled as he encouraged Gaius to keep on being faithful in this way.
An old Jewish proverb states:
“Hospitality is a form of worship.”
Maxine grew up with missionaries staying in her home and she wanted that experience for our children.
We hosted Dan Wilson, a missionary to Africa, and I found him and Joshua one morning talking about Africa and elephants. Dan blessed us as much as we blessed him.
A Danish proverb states:
“Where there is room in the heart there is room in the house.”
Point to Ponder: Are you known as someone who opens their home to bless others?
* Giving Generously
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.” (v. 1-8)
These traveling preachers were representing the Name of Jesus and the Gentiles weren’t going to support them.
Gaius supported these brothers generously.
Not everyone is called to be a missionary. But John Piper has said that we have three choices:
Go…Send…or Sin.
Gaius was a man known for his generosity toward God’s work and His workers.
Point to Ponder: What are you currently doing to support and encourage our missionaries?
John was known as a “son of thunder.” In the next section of the letter, he will prove that he still has some thunderbolts left!
Diotrephes
* Arrogance
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
It seems that Diotrphes was a leader, maybe even an elder, in the church. Gaius was known as a humble, faithful, encouraging leader.
Diotrephes was nothing like Gaius. John writes that he “loves to be first” and, unlike Gaius, he wouldn’t welcome the teachers that John had sent.
His reputation preceded him as well but not in a good way.
Paul wrote that only Jesus is first in the church:
And [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Col 1:18)
But Diotrophes was arrogant, a bully, a control freak. Aren’t we glad that those kind of people don’t exist in today’s church culture?
Jesus made it clear to His disciples what He wanted their reputations to be about:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:25-28)
Somehow Diotrephes missed this verse. He loved the authority that he had in the church and he wielded it with an iron fist.
* Accusation
So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.
John isn’t about to let this attitude slide and plans to confront Diotrephes on his next visit to this house church.
The phrase “malicious nonsense” is a word picture in Greek of a boiling pot with bubbles spilling over the sides.
Diotrephes is spreading rumors, and lies, and slandering John and the traveling missionaries.
* Actions
He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Arrogance leads to accusations which, ultimately, lead to pompous action toward people In the church like Gaius who showed love and care to John.
He even went so far as to excommunicate the people who were supporting these traveling preachers.
In my many churches today, there are leaders who are just like Diotrephes. They bully others, spread rumors, and demand their way.
Several well-known pastors have been reprimanded or even fired for this kind of behavior - creating a culture of fear and intimidation.
One pastor said to his church leadership, “Either get on the bus going the way I want it to go, or the bus will run you over.”
Diotrephes was like the Pharisees. Jesus described them this way:
“…they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” (Matt 23:6)
But as we studied in Sunday school a few weeks ago, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
James wrote that God “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Nicolaus Zinzendorf, a German religious leader, had this motto:
“Preach the Gospel. Die. Be Forgotten.”
Point to Ponder: Would you want to be part of a church where your attitude was the norm?
* Godly Example
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (v.9-11)
Here we come to the only command in the letter. He again calls Gaius his dear friend and encourages him to imitate what is good.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to “imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (I Cor 11:1)
We need to pursue Godly role models in our lives.
My dear friend Dale Petre, who lost his youngest daughter this past week, has been one of my spiritual heroes for over 25 years.
He has shown me how to lead in a church with passion and humility. He has modeled being a selfless husband and caring father. And he has continually reminded me “to be God’s man.”
My dear friend Milt Hanson has taught me to be a rebel in the best way and never judge a book by its cover.
I look up to these guys. I want to be like them when I grow up.
My friend Brian Bill taught me that the Word is what changes hearts and how to care for people.
Maxine and I will celebrate 31 years this Tuesday. She has taught me the value of selfless love and intentional generosity over these years. I truly married above my station.
It’s important to surround yourself with role models who will inspire you to love God and His Word more, to serve your family faithfully, and to give yourself grace when you fail.
Identify these people, take a risk, ask them to lunch, and learn and listen.
John actually makes the point that the choices you make can show others the reality of God in your life.
Point to Ponder: Who are your spiritual role models? Who currently looks to you as a role model? Who are you actively mentoring?
John has one more example to give us. ?
Before we look at Demetrius, let me share something that I learned a long time ago from Gordon McDonald’s book, “Renewing Your Spiritual Passion.”
Dr. McDonald makes the case that there are five types of people in the church:
Very Resourceful People (VRPs): They ignite your spiritual passion. These are mentors, coaches, and trusted advocates who inspire you in ministry and help you grow in your skills and wisdom. These people always make a positive contribution to your world.
Very Important People (VIPs): They share your spiritual passion. These are teammates, close friends, and disciple-makers who labor in ministry alongside you. Together you stir one another up to faithful and fruitful ministry
Very Trainable People (VTPs): They catch your spiritual passion. These people want to grow and serve, and they have a teachable spirit that’s willing to learn.
Very Nice People (VNPs): They enjoy your spiritual passion. These people don’t want to share your ministry; they want to benefit from it. They are wonderful to be with and are often encouraging, but they are not always on the serving and growing edge.
Very Draining People (VDPs): McDonald writes:
They sap your spiritual passion. “I do not wish to write of VDP’s unkindly, but they exist in all of our worlds and must be carefully identified. Until we understand who they are and how they touch our lives, we will not fully understand why we experience weariness and passionlessness at times.”
Three realities about VDP’s: 1) they are drawn to any healthy group of people; 2) A healthy group can lose its vitality if there are simply too many VDP’s to sustain; 3) VDP’s who are permitted to relentlessly drain leaders of their passion will create a climate in which no one wants to serve as a leader.
Which one of these are you? Which one of these do you want to be?
Demetrius
* Godly Reputation
"Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.” (v. 12)
Demetrius was probably the person that John entrusted to carry the letter to Gaius.
His reputation is stellar. The church at Ephesus loved and respected him. John and the traveling preachers admired his godliness.
The light of truth shines out of Demetrius for all to see. He practices what he preaches. What you see is what you get.
I recently listened to the new Tim Keller biography by Colin Hansen. What came through loud and clear was that the Tim Keller you saw preaching on a stage to thousands was the same person you would encounter at a coffee shop.
At his memorial service, he was remembered as being brilliant but also incredibly humble. Story after story was told of small kindnesses that Tim showed to friends and strangers. He had a love for the Gospel and for those who were far from God. He disagreed without being disagreeable. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
What stories will they tell at your funeral? Will people talk about your Godliness and love or will people be forced to lie and pretend you were a better man or woman than you actually were?
John
“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face-to-face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” (V 13)
John misses his dear friend Gaius and is looking forward to seeing him soon so they can talk face-to-face. He knew the people in this little church by name. Relationships were important to John.
Last week was such a beautiful time of feasting and fellowship as a church family! Thank you to those who brought food and to those who stayed and feasted with us.
Let me end by asking you this question - what legacy are you leaving?
Oxford defines legacy as “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”
In June of 1999, just months before my mother died, I wrote my dad a song about the legacy he was passing on to us by taking care of Mom.
I wrote:
“We don’t leave, we don’t lie, we don’t cheat and we don’t cry
And we keep our promises to our wives…for life.
And we serve and we love, giving glory to the Lord above
It’s a blanket of love and legacy we weave
Because Williams’s don’t leave.”
Near the end of his life, Bill Graham wrote:
“The greatest legacy that one can pass on to your children and grandchildren is not money or material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
Shanon Alder wrote:
“Carve your name of hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”
It’s never too late to change your legacy. In 1888, when his brother Ludvig died, the newspapers reported that Alfred had died.
Alfred was shocked and amused to read his obituary in the paper until he read what the writer considered his legacy.
“The merchant of death is dead…he becomes rich by finding more ways to kill more people faster than ever before,” it read. It went on to condemn him for his most famous invention - dynamite.
Alfred decided that was not what he wanted his legacy to be and upon his real death in 1895, he used his vast fortune to set up what would come to be known as the Nobel Prize.
Nicole Nordeman, a Christian artist, sings it this way,
“I want to leave a legacy,
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough?
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.”
Ending Video: Legacy by Nicole Nordeman
