Provoking Thoughts From (3 John)

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.”