Bible Study PH

III John 1:1-8

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Study Guide (HL)
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Overview of III John…

  • Introduction…
    • Having finished II John – we pick up our study through the Bible today in III John
    • III John is the 25th book of the NEW Testament – the FINAL of his THREE letters…
    • It has ONE chapter – and ONLY has 14 verses – it will take us TWO weeks to finish…
    • There are SIX things we want to look as an INTRODUCTION to the Book!
  • 1ST – THE AUTHOR…
    • 1st – John the APOSTLE…
      • Not the same as John the Baptist – wrote MANY books in the NT…
      • He wrote the Gospel of John – as well as I – II – III John – and the book of Revelation!
    • 2nd – ELDER…
      • III John 1:1 – “The Elder…”
      • ELDER [πρεσβύτερος] – speaking of someone who is OLDER – spiritually WISE…
      • Not just any ELDER – John was THE [Ὁ] ELDER…
      • As the LAST surviving APOSTLE of Jesus [the other TEN had been martyred]
      • John had become the ELDER in the church – establishing his ATHORITY!
  • 2ND – THE AUDIENCE…
    • GAIUS [Γάϊος] – the name means Lord…
    • There are FOUR men in the NT whose name was GAIUS…
    • Gaius from Macedonian – a traveling companion of Paul – Acts 19:29
    • Gaius from the city of Derbe – who traveled to Jerusalem with Paul – Acts 20:4
    • Gaius from Corinth – where Paul stated when he was in that city – Romans 16:23
    • Gaius – the friend of John – who is ONLY mentioned here!
  • 3RD – THE THEME…
    • 1st – LOVE…
      • The word LOVE – is 62 time in – I – II – and III John
      • LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – verb – to give unconditional LOVE…
      • LOVE [ἀγάπη] – noun – to have unconditional LOVE…
      • BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – adjective – to receive unconditional LOVE!
    • 2nd – Contrasts…
      • John LOVED to teach in CONTRASTS – in the Books of I and II John…
        • He contrasted – LIGHT and DARKNESS – I John 1:5
        • He contrasted – TRUTH and LIES – I John 2:4
        • He contrasted – JESUS and the ANTICHRIST – I John 2:22
        • He contrasted – RIGHTEOUSNESS and SIN – I John 3:6-10
        • He contrasted the way of TRUTH and DECEPTION – II John 1:6-7
      • John will CONTRAST again in the Book of III John…
        • He will contrast HOSPITALITY with those who are HURTFUL…
        • III John 1:5 – “You do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.”
        • The key THEME of the book – is we are to show HOSPITALITY to other BELIEVERS…
        • But not just to those we KNOW – even to those who are STRANGERS!
  • 4TH – THE LOCATION…
    • 1st – EPHESUS…
      • As with the other two LETTERS from John – there are TWO possibilities…
      • FIRST is the city of EPHESUS – in what is now modern day Turkey…
      • A commonly held church tradition states John was the PASTOR there in his later years…
      • The assumption is he would have written FOUR of the FIVE books there!
    • 2nd – PATMOS…
      • We do KNOW – John wrote the book of Revelation from Patmos – Revelation 1:9
      • Again church tradition states John was exiled here by the Romans…
      • While on the Island he received the VISION that is the final book of the Bible…
      • It is possible he also wrote the GOSPEL and THREE letters while he was there!
  • 5TH – THE TIME…
    • Although we do NOT know the time – the best guess is between 95-100 A.D.
    • The fact John calls himself OLD in his letters – II John 1:1 – III John 1:1
    • ELDER [πρεσβύτερος] – speaking both of being MATURE in the LORD and OLD in years!
  • 6TH– THE DIVISION…
    • The Book if divided by addressing THREE people…
    • III John 1:1-8 – The encouragement for Gaius
    • III John 1:9-11 – The warning for Diotrephes
    • III John 1:12-14 – The testimony of Demetrius

Good Testimony…

  • 1ST – PROSPERITY… VS. 1-4
    • 1st – LOVED… vs. 1
      • The Elder – to the beloved Gaius – whom I love in truth!
      • It was TRUE [ἀλήθεια] – John LOVED [ἀγαπάω] Gaius…
      • John did not LOVE [present] Gaius because of anything he had done…
      • He LOVED him because of who he was – he was BELOVED…
      • BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – someone who has received the unconditional LOVE of God!
      • We LOVE our FAMILY – not because of what they done – but because of WHO they are…
      • They are FAMILY – and that means to unconditionally LOVE them!
      • We are likewise called to LOVE each other in the Church…
      • Not because of what they do for us – it is not dependent on their actions…
      • We love them because of WHO they are – they are BELOVED – they are the FAMILY of God!
    • 2nd – Key to PROSPERITY… vs. 2
      • Beloved – I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health!
        • John CONTINYALLY [present] PRAYER for GAIUS…
        • PRAY [εὔχομαι] – to have a DESIRE and ask God to ANSWER it…
        • The DESIRE of John was for GAIUS to PROSPER in ALL [πᾶς] things…
        • PROSER [εὐοδόω] to be SUCCESSFUL – in LIFE – and in HEALTH [ὑγιαίνω]!
        • John is NOT praying for what we would call today – the PROSPERITY Gospel…
        • Teaching that if we have enough FAITH – God will make us WEALTHY and HEALTH!
        • The Gospel is NOT about getting rich – having a better life here and now…
        • Following Jesus means we will face TRIALS in life – John 16:33
        • The reward for serving Jesus is eternal – it is about heaven!
      • Just as your soul prospers!
        • JUST [καθώς] – ties the SUCCESS of things in this life – to our SPIRITUAL life [soul]
        • If we are BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – connected to Jesus…
        • Then we have the CONFIDENCE He will take care of ALL [πᾶς] our needs – Luke 12:31
        • Often – we get caught up in the CHOICES and CONCERNS of this life…
        • Places where we have to make decisions – and we do NOT know what to do…
        • We want to know which way we should go – BUT does that really matter!
        • Psalm 1:2-3 – “[Blessed is the man whose] delight is in the law of the LORD – and in His law he meditates day and night… whatever he does shall prosper.”
        • When we are connected to Jesus – BELVOED – everything [ֹכל ְו] we do will PROSPER…
        • Do not MISS this – being SUCCESSFUL is NOT about what we do…
        • Being SUCCESSFUL – is about WHO we are connected to…
        • Rather than worry about decisions – all that matters is who we are trusting in…
        • When we are ABIDING in Jesus – in His WORD – whatever we do will PROSPER…
    • 3rd – Good TESTIMONY… vs. 3
      • For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you!
        • John was overflowing [λίαν] with JOY [χαίρω] when he heard about GAIUS…
        • He may NOT have known GAIUS personally – other BROTHERS told John about him…
        • Their TESTIMONY [μαρτυρέω] – was that THE [ὁ] TRUTH [ἀλήθεια] was in Him…
        • Who was in GAIUS – Jesus Christ – who is the TRUTH!
        • John 14:6 – “Jesus said… I am the way – the truth [ἀλήθεια] – and the life.”
      • Just as you walk in the truth!
        • JUST [καθώς] – ties our TESTIMONY for Jesus to our WALK with Jesus…
        • The BRETEHEN did not tell John what Gaius SAID…
        • They told John about his WALK – it was TRUE that he WALKED daily [present] with Jesus!
        • If people were to MEET us – what would they say about us…
        • Just from observing how we live our lives – how we WALK…
        • If we NEVER said a WORD – would they know we have Jesus in us!
        • Having a good TESTIMONY is far more than being able to quote Bible verses…
        • If what people see in our WALK – does not show them Jesus – they are NOT going to listen…
        • We want to make sure our WORDS line up with our ACTIONS – live what we preach…
        • Then people are going to what the HEAR about the TRUTH that is in us!
    • 4th – Great JOY… vs. 4
      • I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth!
        • Because Gaius was PROSPEROUS and had a good TESTIMONY – John had JOY [χαρά]
        • For him – there could be no GREATER [from the root μέγας] JOY…
        • Then to HEAR [subjunctive] about CHILDREN [τέκνον] – other Christians…
        • Who were truly [ἀλήθεια] WALKING daily [present] with Jesus!
      • No guarantees…
        • John lived to be an OLD [πρεσβύτερος] man…
        • No doubt in his many years – he saw EVERYTHING…
        • He saw people get saved – and be excited to WALK with Jesus…
        • But no doubt he also saw people get DISTRACTED – and WALK away!
        • The hardest things to see in church – is when people STOP walking…
        • Perhaps they get caught up in trying to be PROSPEROUS…
        • Forgetting that true PROSPERITY is NOT physical – but spiritual…
        • Or they have the right WORDS – but no longer the right ACTIONS…
        • Forgetting that it is not about what we SAY – but how we LIVE…
        • Which is why when we see someone who continues to WALK in TRUTH…
        • It brings such great JOY to our hearts – there is NOTHING better…
        • Because LIFE has just one purpose – to WALK with Jesus!
  • 2ND – HOSPITALITY… VS. 5-6
    • 1st – WHAT is hospitality…
      • Having given Gaius the key to PROSPERITY and a good TESTIMONY…
      • John goes on to encourage him to be HOSPITABLE…
      • HOSPITALITY – is the desire to care for the NEEDS of others…
      • Not being SELF centered – but OTHERS centered!
      • Because a self-centered life – is an EMPTY life – that will MISS what God is doing…
      • If are only focused on our NEEDS and WANTS – we are going to be miserable…
      • Because all we will see is OUR problems – and quickly become overwhelmed…
      • But when live to SERVE others – our perspective changes…
      • The LORD uses us to be a SOLUTION – rather than focus on the PROBLEM…
      • The LORD wants to REMIND us to care of OTHERS!
      • Philippians 2:4 – “Do not look out only for your own interests – take an interest in others…”
    • 2nd – WHERE does it come from… vs. 5
      • Beloved!
      • BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – the one who has the unconditional LOVE [ἀγάπη] of God…
      • Do NOT miss this – John is not given a TITLE – he is giving the SOURCE…
      • HOSPITALITY comes from – being connected to the LOVE of God!
      • It is NOT in our NATURE to put others FIRST…
      • The only way we can be truly HOSPITABLE – is when we are filled with the LOVE of God!
    • 3rd – HOW to do it… vs. 5
      • You do faithfully whatever you do!
      • We DAILY [present] WORK [ἐργάζομαι] to be HOSPITABLE – by FAITH [πιστός]
      • If this LIFE is all there is – then it does NOT make sense to be HOSPITABLE to others…
      • We should be looking out for number ONE – live for ourselves!
      • But when we by FAITH [cannot see heaven] – believe there is MORE than this life…
      • When we ACCEPT that one day we will be accountable for our actions…
      • Then it makes a LOT of sense to be HOSPITABLE to others…
      • Because we are investing in an ETERNAL reward – living for Heaven!
    • 4th – Hospitable to WHO… vs. 5
      • For the brethren!
        • We are to be HOSPITABLE to other BELIEVERS [ἀδελφός] in Jesus!
        • When we come to church – do we look for others to MINISTRY to us…
        • Then there is a GOOD chance – we will leave DISAPPOINTED [expectation not met]
        • Or do we come to church – so we can MINISTER to others…
        • Then there is a GOOD chance – we will leave BLESSED [because God uses us]
        • Romans 12:10 – “With brotherly love [φιλαδελφία] and kindly affection [φιλόστοργος] to one another – in honor giving preference to one another.”
      • And for strangers!
        • We are to be HOSPITABLE to people we do NOT know!
        • I Peter 4:9 – “Be HOSPITABLE to one another – without grumbling.”
        • HOSPITABLE [φιλόξενος] – we must LOVE [φίλος] even STRANGERS…
        • STRANGERS [ξένος] – meaning those who are NOT part of the CHURCH – unbelievers…
        • Without GRUMBLING – to COMPLAIN under our breath!
        • We must be HOSPITABLE – practically showing LOVE – even to STRANGERS…
        • Not out of OBLIGATION – no GRUMBLING [I have to do this] – but out of genuine LOVE!
    • 5th – WHY we are Hospitable… vs. 6
      • Who have borne witness of your love before the church!
      • These [strangers] bear WITNESS of our LOVE [ἀγάπη] in the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία]
      • When we take the time to give food the hungry and drink to the thirsty…
      • By doing so we show the LOVE of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
      • Through which we now have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus – Romans 2:4
      • More than that – we when we care for strangers we are actually ministering to Jesus!
      • Matthew 25:40 – “[Jesus] will answer and say to them – Assuredly I say to you – inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren you did it to Me.”
  • 3RD – HELPING IN MINISTRY… VS. 6-8
    • 1st – Who to HELP… vs. 6
      • Traveling PREACHERS…
        • Having given the importance of HOSPITALITY – including to STRANGERS…
        • John goes on to encourage Gaius – on helping others in MINISTRY!
        • It was common in the early church for PREACHERS to go from town to town…
        • They were STRANGERS to the church – in the sense they were not local…
        • But they were SERVING Jesus – and were worth HELPING!
      • Send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God – you will do well!
        • These PREACHERS would not STAY in one city…
        • They would come and share the WORD – then move on to the next place…
        • Gaius was to do GOOD – by SENDING them on in a WORTHY [ἀξίως] way…
        • GOOD [καλῶς] – emphasizes the outward appearance…
        • HELPING these PREACHERS would bring a GOOD witness for the CHURCH!
        • There is a tendency to be very TRIBAL within the church…
        • If someone is NOT from OUR church – then we want NOTHING to do with it…
        • But the CHURCH is not just congregation – is MANY – and they are DIVERSE…
        • And we are STRONGER when we are UNITED – and support one another…
        • Our differences – are nothing compared to what unites us in Jesus!
        • I Corinthians 12:25 – “There should be no [division] in the body… the members should have the same care one for another.”
    • 2nd – How to HELP… vs. 7
      • Because they went forth for His name sake – taking nothing from the Gentiles!
      • We are to HELP out FINANCIALLY – if TWO things are true…
      • FIRST – the PREACHER goes out for the sake of the NAME of the Lord…
        • We live in an AGE that is obsessed with the cult of personality…
        • People tend to GIVE to those who are FAMOUS – who have a NAME…
        • But we are only to GIVE to those who bring glory to the NAME of Jesus…
        • Because that is the ONLY name that has the POWER to SAVE!
        • Acts 4:12 – “There is no other name under heaven.. by which we must be saved.”
      • SECOND – they take NOTHING from the gentiles [ἔθνος]
        • A PASTOR is supported by the church – I Timothy 5:18 / Matthew 10:10
        • But an EVANGELIST – who is reaching out to the LOST [ἔθνος]
        • They are NOT to ask for anything – because the GOSPEL is FREE…
        • Jesus already paid the PRICE for our salvation – there is NOTHING we need to add!
        • Any PREACHER – televangelist – who ASKS for money is NOT to be supported…
        • Because they are mispresenting the message of the GOSPEL!
        • How then does the PREACHER then provide for his daily needs…
        • We get to come along side and HELP – when we see them glorifying the name of Jesus!
        • I Corinthians 9:18 – “That when [they] preach the gospel – [they] may present the gospel of Christ without charge.”
    • 3rd – Why we HELP… vs. 8
      • We therefore ought to receive such – that we may become fellow workers for the truth!
        • This kind of PREACHER – we should HELP [receive]
        • If we do – we become [subjunctive] fellows WORKERS with THE [ὁ] TRUTH [ἀλήθεια]
        • Fellow WORKERS [συνεργός] – we can speak right into English…
        • SYNERGY – the cooperation of two things to produce a greater combined effect!
      • Working together…
        • King David returned from a battle with the Amalekites [flesh]
        • 200 of his men had not gone out into the fight – they had not gone to war…
        • Some of his men argued – those who stayed should not share in the reward…
        • But David rebuked them – do not be selfish – they would share equally…
        • Those who stayed behind to guard the things – shared with those who went to war!
        • I Samuel 30:24 – “We share alike – those who go to battle and those who guard the [stuff].”
        • In the same way not all of us are called into full time MINISTRY…
        • That does not mean we are not part of the work – we get to encourage those who go…
        • We stay back and guard the stuff – so that others can go to fight the battle…
        • Those who help send share in the reward [eternal] with those who go…
        • God does not overlook the tiniest. act of service – small or great He remembers!
        • Mark 9:41– “If anyone gives you even a cup of water… that person will be rewarded.”

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