Monthly Archive for October, 2001

3 John 1:11

Published on October 31, 2001 in 3 John. 1 Comment
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“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
 
Beloved,
John now addresses Gaius as “beloved.”  The following is a command on how to deal with Diotrephes. 
do not imitate what is evil,
“Do not” in the Greek means to stop something already in process – “Stop copying Diotrephes’ conduct.  Don’t cave into pressure from him.” 
but what is good.
“Imitate what is intrinsically good, Gaius.”  “Good” means good of intrinsic value. 
PRINCIPLE:  Christians should be careful about their role models. 
APPLICATION:  Godly men should never be intimidated by Diotrephes types of today.  If they see leaders jockeying for the top spot because they want to build a name for themselves, recognize this for what it is – a power grab.  If they acquiesce and yield to the Diotrephes of today because he has money or influence, then they put their church and the work of God in jeopardy. 
Do you follow “good” or “bad” leadership?  Paul deemed himself adequate for others to follow, “I am following the Lord closely enough for you to follow me.”  We imitate others only to the extent that they imitate Christ. 
1 Co 11: 1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
The Thessalonians saw God in three men: Paul, Silas and Timothy.  They could see what God was like through these three men.  God can reveal Himself through regenerate men.
1 Th 1: 6 “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”
Ga 1: 15 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood…”
God exhibits His Son through our conduct.  People who watch our lives should see Jesus in us like a daughter sees what she wants to be in her mother.  A consistent testimony is a wonderful sight to behold. 
Sometimes sheep follow so far behind the Shepherd that they cannot see Him so we follow other sheep that see Him.  We must follow godly sheep if we are new sheep or out of touch sheep.  That is the next best thing to following the Shepherd.  Our ultimate aim is to follow the Shepherd. 
The Shepherd will change the entire trend of our lives.  Sin all of a sudden becomes a big issue to us.  Our orientation to please the Shepherd becomes all-important.  We have a new trust, a new tone and thrust to our lives.  We do not receive a rebuilt motor but a brand new motor for living. 
Some sheep follow wayward sheep.  Other sheep even follow goats.  When sheep follow wayward sheep or unsaved goats their lives will go far astray. 
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3 John 1:10b

Published on October 30, 2001 in 3 John. 2 Comments
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“Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”
 
And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren,
Not satisfied with undermining the authority of John and his team, he refused them hospitality on their journey making it difficult to advance the gospel. 
and forbids those who wish to,
The audacity of Diotrephes was amazing.  His pontifical impudence and effrontery was blatant.  His palpable nerve was something else.  He prevented others in the congregation from fellowshipping with a gospel team! 
putting them out of the church
The third area of his malice was to develop an intimidation policy of excommunication against the gospel team.  Against those who did not join him in not welcoming the gospel team, he personally vetoed their fellowship with the church. 
 The problem of 2nd John was doctrinal.  The problem in 3rd John is a practical problem.  John condemned Diotrephes publicly not because of his system of belief but because of his conduct of life.  He ran things with an iron hand.  He was a religious tyrant. 
PRINCIPLE:  Conduct within the local church is important to the vibrancy of the church. 
APPLICATION:  Trouble from within the local assembly is a real problem.  What cannot destroy the church from without but we can destroy it from within.  It is important what we say and do in the local church.  It is not only who we are but also the way we operate that is important to the function of the body of Christ. 
Ac 20: 29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
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3 John 1:10

Published on October 29, 2001 in 3 John. 0 Comments
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“Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”

 
 
Therefore,
 
“Therefore” refers to immediately preceding statements indicating John’s reasons for giving Diotrephes a dressing down when he comes to Ephesus. 
 
if I come,
 
The “elder” (v.1) John will deal with Diotrephes personally when he comes to Ephesus (v. 14). Diotrephes will answer the authority of an apostle at that time. 
 
I will call to mind his deeds which he does,
 
John will manifest the deeds of Diotrephes publicly to the congregation at Ephesus. He will lay the following charges against him:
 
·       Prating against us with malicious words
·       Not receive the brethren
·       Putting people out of the church
 
prating against us with malicious words.
 
Diotrephes threatened the spread of the gospel by his actions and personal intrigue. He spread unjustified charges in a malicious way about John and his team. 
 
The word “prating” means to bring false charges of tattle, to babble with gossip. This is the only occurrence of this Greek word in the New Testament. Diotrephes talk was nonsense and senseless. He deemed John as a rival to his authority and sought to undermine him by false accusations. Diotrephes was a man of little content for he was filled with empty talk. 
 
Diotrephes hurled “malicious” words that tore down the reputation of the gospel team. He spread vicious innuendos about them. 
 
PRINCIPLE: Religious tyrants do great damage to the cause of Christ.
 
APPLICATION: Power lust is a problem in church leadership today. It will cause havoc to the work of Christ. People with power lust care little about what they say or how they say it as long as they remain king of the mountain. They will pull anyone down on the way up to the top of the mountain. 
 
People with power lust will verbally run down any rival to their power. They will cut the ground out from under any Christian leader by attacking their person. They will assassinate anyone’s character or reputation as long as they deem that it reflects well on them. 
 
1 Ti 5: 13 “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”
 
2 Ti 2: 16 “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort…”
 
Ro 14: 4 “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand…. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…. 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
 
Abuse of leadership, however, does not negate balanced biblical leadership. 
 
He 13: 7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct…. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
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3 John 1:9

Published on October 28, 2001 in 3 John. 0 Comments
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“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.”
 
John now transitions to the 2nd main character of 3 John – denouncing Diotrephes.  This is the climax of 3 John.  The conflict is not between Christians and non-Christians but between different orientations to ministry.  One is interested in self-promotion and the other is interested in advancing the cause of Christ. 
I wrote to the church,
John wrote to the church, which Gaius attended. 
but Diotrephes,
Diotrephes means nourished by Zeus.  Zeus was the chief god of the pantheon.  Diotrephes may have had a pagan past.  John introduced Diotrephes’ power lust to contrast it to Gaius’ love for ministry and God’s ministers. 
who loves to have the preeminence among them,
Diotrephes was motivated by a love of preeminence in the church.  The words “loves to have the preeminence” come from one Greek word and means loves to be first in rank or position, wish to be first, to strive to be first.  Diotrephes wanted the attention of being number one in the local church. 
does not receive us
Diotrephes did not want to kowtow to the apostle John or his ambassadors so he refused to financially support these itinerant evangelists.  John’s group of leaders endangered his power base.  He was on a power trip and he did not want any competition.  His clandestine self-love exploded in the disruptive conduct of the next verse.  Diotrephes eventually excommunicated those who disagreed with him (v. 10).  He was an influential person whose power went to his head. 
James 3: 16 “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
PRINCIPLE:  Self-seeking always diminishes the work of Christ on earth. 
APPLICATION:  Love of preeminence is the plague of many churches today.  If churches neglect to deal with this issue, they are going to have difficulty advancing the gospel of Christ. 
Self-interests get in the way of Christ’s interests.  Love of place and power is unadulterated carnality.  Carnality always blunts the cause of Christ.  Carnality always pushes self to the fore and is more interested in self-advancement than advancing the gospel.  Not everyone owns the objective of world evangelism. 
Mk 10: 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’”
1 Pt 5: 2 “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
Some people do not want to kowtow to anyone.  They reject authority from anyone, anywhere.  The root problem behind this is self and self-interest. 
Jn 13: 20 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
Ambition is an archenemy to churches and to their advancing the cause of Christ.  People who put themselves first love preeminence.  They are in church work for themselves, not for the Lord.  This is a dead giveaway for carnality.  This robs Jesus Christ of His glory and detracts from the work of Christ on earth. 
Co 1: 18 “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

 

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3 John 1:8

Published on October 27, 2001 in 3 John. 0 Comments
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“We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.”
 
Verse 8 is set in contrast to verse 7.  Non-Christians do not support Christian workers but it is incumbent upon Christians to support them. 
We therefore ought to receive such,
The “therefore” implies not receiving financial support from non-Christians.  The “we” is emphatic in the Greek, that is, “we Christians as over against non-Christians — “Since evangelists do not depend on non-Christians for support, we Christians must provide that support.  We Christians are the only ones who will supply the means to make evangelism possible.” 
The word “ought” implies moral obligation.  It is a moral obligation to provide financial means to advance the gospel. 
“Receive such” relates to giving financial support to Christian workers.  The word “receive” conveys the idea to welcome, to receive as guests.  “Such” points to John’s evangelists, hosted by Gaius, who did not receive support from unbelievers — “Underwrite the expenses for this evangelistic team who totally depend on Christians for their support.” 
that we may become fellow workers for the truth
“That” indicates a result of support for itinerant evangelists.  Those who provide financial support for them become co-workers for the truth with them. 
The word “we” is emphatic in the Greek.  Since Christian workers do not rely on non-Christians for support, Christians must support them.  As Christians we must do what we do not expect non-Christians to do. 
By receiving these itinerant evangelists, Gaius became a part of the movement called “fellow workers for the truth.”  The word “become” means to become something that you were not previously.  Gaius was not a fellow worker for the truth until he started financially supporting itinerant evangelists. 
Christians work for the truth.  If it were not for Gaius, the interest of the truth would not advance.  If Gaius did not provide financially for John’s itinerant evangelists, the truth would not go forward as it does now that Gaius provides for them.  Gaius, by his financial support, is a partner with John’s evangelistic team.
The word “for” in “for the truth” conveys the idea to promote the truth.  Financial support for evangelists makes evangelism more operative in its dynamic. 
PRINCIPLE:  Those who financially support people in ministry share personally in their ministry. 
APPLICATION:  Giving financial support to Christian workers makes the giver a partner with the receiver. 
1 Co 3: 9 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”
1 Co 9: 23 “Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
Co 4: 11 “…and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
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3 John 1:7

Published on October 26, 2001 in 3 John. 0 Comments
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“…because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.”
 
because they went forth for His name’s sake,
The traveling preachers sent from John went out in Jesus’ name.  “Went forth” is a missionary idea.  It is an honor to go out in His name [This is the only New Testament book that does not mention the name of Jesus Christ]. 
taking nothing from the Gentiles
John’s traveling preachers did not solicit funds from non-Christians.  They stayed with Christians such as Gaius.  “Gentiles” is a name for non-Christians.  It does not give honor to the name of Christ to receive funds from non-Christians.  These itinerant preachers were free from greed (2 Co. 2:17; 1 Ti. 5:17,18). 
PRINCIPLE: God’s people should support God’s work. 
APPLICATION:  To represent Jesus Christ is a supreme honor.  We minister for the glory of His name, not our own. 
Ac 5: 41 “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Ro 1: 5 “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name…”
Ph 2: 9 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We should not press this point to mean that we can never receive anything from non-Christians who voluntarily offer gifts to Christians.  Jesus accepted water from the sinful Samaritan woman.  The point here is that itinerate evangelists should not as policy seek support from non-Christians.  God’s work done in God’s way will never suffer God’s blessing. 
2 Co 2: 17 “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
Generous support for those who teach about the Lord is a biblical standard. 
1 Ti 5: 17 “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor [reference in context is to salary], especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”
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3 John 1:6

Published on October 25, 2001 in 3 John. 2 Comments
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“…who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well…”
 
 who have borne witness of your love before the church.
John dispatched ministers to the church at Ephesus but Diotrephes refused to host them.  However, Gaius did graciously host them.  These itinerant travelers went back to John after visiting Gaius with a report that he exercised the love of hospitality to them at Ephesus.  His love was one of action and not mere sentiment.  John spent his later years in Ephesus. 
If you send them forward on their journey
The concept of send forward conveys the idea of providing supplies.  John did not want to blunt Gaius’ hosting of legitimate teachers of the truth so he urges Gaius to continue his hospitality (Ac 15:3; 20:38; 2:15; Ro. 15:24; 1 Co. 16:6, 11; 2 Co 1:16; Ti 3:13). 
in a manner worthy of God,
The phrase “worthy of God” is literally worthily of God.  The emphasis is on manner.  Gaius’ hospitality to servants of Christ gave praise to God by a manner consistent with his God (Co 1:10; 1 Th 2:12).  The way he showed hospitality brought praise to God.  Gaius had a high degree of comparable worth that is fitting or proper for what is expected from a spiritual leader.  John deemed that his life corresponded to God’s standard for living.
Ep 4: 1 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…”
you will do well
John now requests Gaius to give further service to itinerant teachers for the second time.  Demetrius may have been one of these itinerant teachers.  This both pleased God and is lovely in the eyes of those who benefited by Gaius’ action. 
PRINCIPLE:  We give praise to God by sharing our resources. 
APPLICATION:  Motivation for ministry should be outgoing love that is self-giving and spontaneous.  People who truly love God do not begrudge giving to the cause of Christ.  They willingly invite speakers and missionaries into their homes, serve them a good meal, and get to know their specific needs.  They also willingly help in practical ways such as driving a visiting speaker to the airport and making sure he has something to eat.
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3 John 1:5

Published on October 24, 2001 in 3 John. 1 Comment
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“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers…”
 
Now we begin the body of the epistle to 3rd John.  The book of 3rd John revolves around the portraits of three men: Gaius, Diotrephes (v. 9) and Demetrius (v. 12) — two good men and one not so good. 
Beloved,
 
For the third time in 5 verses John expresses his love to Gaius.  John loved Gaius for supporting his traveling missionaries so he punctuated this epistle with “beloved.” 
you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers
 
John commends Gaius for his financial service for others.  Probably this refers especially to support of food, housing and money for traveling teachers and missionaries.  Gaius even went further and supported “strangers” as well; he did not need to know them personally.  Anyone who came into town to minister found a place to stay at Gaius’ house.  Gaius invited the displeasure from a key leader in his church for doing this. 
 
Ro 15: 23 “But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.”
1 Co 16:15 “I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.”
2 Co 1: 15 “And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.” 
Tit 3: 13 “Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.”
Gaius supported Christian workers “faithfully.”  People could count on him because he was trustworthy and dependable.  When traveling missionaries came to town, John could count on him to provide for them even in the face of incurring the wrath of Diotrephes. 
1 Tim 5: 9 “Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.”
PRINCIPLE:  Financial support of those who serve Jesus Christ is essential to the advancement of the work of Christ. 
APPLICATION:  A genuine sign that God has touched a person is when he starts giving to others.  This is true in his pocketbook as well as in his time.  He becomes a generous person.  He gives with a sense of delight.
Ministry cannot advance without the help of generous believers. 
Ro 12: 13 “…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
The church cannot operate without generous Christians.  That generosity must go first to the household of faith.  Believers must always discriminate in favor of Christians. 
Ga 6: 10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
He 6: 10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
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3 John 1:4

Published on October 23, 2001 in 3 John. 1 Comment
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“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
 
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth
“Walk” is a metaphor for live.  “Walk” has to do with how we conduct our lives.  Those who are mature live in the sphere of the truth (v. 3).  The normal Christian life does not rest blithely in static doctrine.  It lives out the principles of the Word.  Christianity is more than a speculative theory; it is a supernatural life.  Belief always impacts life and applies principles to experience. 
PRINCIPLE:  There is no greater joy that a mature believer can have than to hear that his disciple is maturing in Christ as well. 
APPLICATION:  Mature believers have spiritual children.  They are always in the process of developing and helping others grow to be more like the Lord Jesus.  It always rejoices the heart of a mature believer to see one of his disciples go on with the Lord. 
Walking in the truth depends on how well our soul prospers.  Our walk will be right if our heart is right. 
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3 John 1:3

Published on October 22, 2001 in 3 John. 2 Comments
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”For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.”
 
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified
Christians from Asia Minor came to testify to John of the truth that is in Gaius.  Traveling missionaries and evangelists flowed from Christian community to Christian community. 
There were no missionary boards in the first century.  These were entities of the remote future.  Ramada Inns and MacDonald restaurants were not in vogue yet.  There was little support for missionaries and traveling teachers.  People compensated for this by providing hospitality and limited financial support for these people.
of the truth that is in you,
John commended Gaius as a man of the truth.  He was not like Diotrephes who did not walk according to the truth. 
just as you walk in the truth
Gaius’ life was consistent with truth.  His walk matched his talk.  He walked according to the reality of the Word of God.  He was a man of integrity. 
PRINCIPLE:  Testimony of living a consistent Christian life blesses many. 
APPLICATION:  It is wonderful to hear testimonies of integrity in ministry.  It seems that all we hear are stories of failure in ministry.  The few horror stories overshadow multiplied untold stories of sacrifice and blessing. 
Some people do not want to hear the good news because bad news makes them look good.  Some Christians develop a rival attitude toward those successful in ministry.   They have malicious feelings of ill will when they hear about something good in someone else.  They hear of a success in another ministry and they turn green with envy.  “Hey, tell me more.  This makes me feel good.  When it comes to gossip, I am all ears.”  The sin capacity feeds on this garbage. 
Mature Christians rejoice when they hear that someone walks “in the truth.” 
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