3 John 1-4
Enjoy the Joy
Introduction
A. When is the last time you saw someone smile just for no reason?
B. When is the last time you went to the store and the clerk actually seemed happy to be working?
C. When is the last time you walk in your boss’s office and he seemed to be in a good mood?
D. What is missing in our lives far to much is joy
E. We have missed the joy
F. Today we are going to find the joy that has been missing and we are going to learn how to enjoy the joy
G. We notice that this letter is written to Gaius
H. Who is Gaius? It is the most common name in the New Testament times. It was kinds like Heather a couple of years ago, so we do not know exactly which Gaius this is
I. 3 John is again written by John, he starts the letter with a happy, dare I say joyful, introduction,
J. Next week, Lord willing, we will be looking at verses 5-8 were it gives Gaius some instructions, The after that we will be looking at 9-12 were John goes from the friendly joyous tone to the stern look out tone.
K. This week we get the Joyous introduction, yet it has a lot for us today
L. We are going to learn three different areas to enjoy
1. Enjoy Health
2. Enjoy Encouragement
3. Enjoy Growth
II. Enjoy Health (2)
A. Explanation
1. This is a very common greeting used back in the time of John
2. It was typical to use this style of writing.
3. Let us examine however, the content of this greeting
4. First of all you notice that John is praying for health, he want to make sure that Gaius is in good Health
a) After all it is hard to accomplish much when you are sick
b) Think about the time that you have been sick, think about how hard it is to just answer the phone yet alone perform all the other task during the day
5. Next thing that John is wishing for is that all may go well with you.
a) When we are talking about everything going well, we are talking about going well in the career making money
b) Prosperity in the business world
c) Enjoying pleasures, such as movies
d) Finding time to take a walk
e) Ect. . .
6. John is also concerned about Gaius spiritual life
a) However, because of the comments John has heard
b) And John has talk to Gaius himself, he know that Gaius is doing pretty well spiritually
c) And to the matter John is basically telling him to continue to run the race that God has sent forth.
B. Application
1. So an old guy writes to a younger guy telling wishing him good health. What does that have to do with us?
2. Notice how John was concern with the whole person
3. John cared about Gaius Health
4. John cared about Gaius Life
5. John cared about Gaius Spiritual life
6. He did not just care for one of them
7. That should be our same attitude
8. Yes we should be praying for good health for our friends, there is nothing wrong with that
9. Yes we should be praying for, dare I say it, prosperity. I hope you all become wealthy, just remember were the money came from
10. And must certainly be praying for the spiritual aspect of a person
11. I do not know if you are a tricotomist, believing man is made of body, soul, and spirit. Or a diconmist believing man is made of body and spirit. I don’t care.
12. The important part is that you are concerned with the whole person
13. That you are willing to lift the whole person up and pray for them completely
C. Illustration
1. When trying to explain a concept like this we need to look to Jesus. How did he minister? How many times did he offer physical healing, how many time did he offer food? Jesus understood that you have to minister to the whole person not just their spiritual side.
2. Minister to the whole person, don’t forget a part
III. Enjoy Encouragement (3)
A. Explanation
1. John has been getting reports back from people about Gaius ministry
2. These reports have come back favorably for Gaius
3. In fact if you look ahead in the book you will see that in Verse 5, Gaius has been entertaining missionaries (we will talk about that verse next week)
4. John keeps hearing this reports and is happy
5. However, John uses these reports as encouragement
6. Gaius will receive this letter and say to himself someone does notice what is going on
7. Someone does care what I am doing
8. “I am making a difference”
9. By taking that time John encourages Gaius
B. Application
1. Some old guy is encouraging and guy that both lived 2000 years ago what does that have to do with us?
2. Encouragement can go a long way
3. Too many of us have learned to only how to discourage
4. We need to be people of encouragement
5. I think one of the biggest issues in our society is not sex, drugs, and rock n roll
6. I think it is self esteem
7. Because of low self esteem the sex drugs and rock n roll occur
8. But very few drug users have a high self esteem
9. Encouragement builds self-esteem.
10. Encouragement has been missing too long,
C. Illustration
1. Mike Chizmar, sorry I don’t want to embarrass you but I have to tell you I was watching you all last week during VBS. I watched the way you were interacting with God’s children (yes there God’s children). I watched the way you were acting in love toward them. I watched how you showed them God’s love. I was impressed. Thank you for the ministry
2. We need to a lot more encouragement then that.
3. I cannot be the only one who does it. I do not see everything that goes on
4. I got a question? Who hear does not need encouraged.
5. You know what I would like to see? I would like to see this week a Plethora of phone calls to each other offering encouragement, talk to the answer machine if you get it
6. You could write a letter of encouragement. Send cookies with an encouraging note, take someone out to lunch and offer encouragement.
7. It does not matter how you do, but do it.
8. Show Encouragement, it will bring the one you tell joy and yourself (trust me on that one)
IV. Enjoy Growth (4)
A. Explanation
1. Old Rev. Zerbe is at it again, did I say Rev. Zerbe, I meant John.
2. John tells us that he is filled with Joy when he hears about someone who is walking in the truth
3. Obviously John has spend a great number of years in ministry
4. John has been living out a Godly life
5. He has ministered to countless number of people
6. What makes it all worth it is when some one that he has spent time with is walking with God
7. A selfless guy like John just wants to see people walking with Christ.
8. There is not greater Joy then that
9. There is no greater joy then seeing someone you have worked with walking with the Lord
B. Illustration
1. Let me give you an example. I am up front facing you guys most of the service. Therefore I get to see your face. While we were dedicating Hope, guess who had the biggest expressions of joy? Rich. Rich could not be happier that his precious little granddaughter is being dedicated in the Church. I don’t know what would make Rich happier.
C. Application
1. Lets apply this to our lives
2. Invest your time in the lives of people that do not know Christ
3. I wish I could tell you that it will be easy, but it wont
4. There will be many kids you spend time with that will never figure it out
5. But if just one Dan Dixon begins to make a turn around begins living for Jesus
6. Begins to get rid of that rage.
7. Begins to be a positive influence
8. Begins to demonstrate the fruits of the spirit
9. Begins to use his humor is positive way
10. Begins to say thank you
11. Begins to treat everyone better
12. It quickly becomes all worth it.
13. You will never know that joy until you experience it your self
Conclusion
A. Joy, Joy, Joy
B. This life needs to have enjoyment
C. We need to be able to show others our joy
D. Find the joy in life
E. Look for joy, you will find it I am sure of it
F. Once you found joy, I dare you to try something
G. Give all your joy away, go ahead and try
H. Use your joy up on wishing people a healthy life including, health, prosperity, and spiritual health
I. Use your joy up on encouraging people
J. Use your joy up on by involving yourself into people lives as they grow.
K. I dare you.
L. I know what will happen though
M. You will get more joy back
N. Then you will have more joy to get rid of
O. So you repeat the process
P. And sure enough you get more then you had the last time
Q. So you repeat the process….
R. You get the picture
S. We have Joy in Jesus
T. If you have never experience that joy please come up front talk to an elder…
U. If you have experienced that joy, show other that joy and enjoy the joy.
