3 John: Faith and Fellowship Lesson Scripture: 3 John

Transcription

1 November 23, John: Faith and Fellowship Lesson Scripture: 3 John Memory Verse Dear friend, you are showing faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. 3 John 5 Dig Deeper? You can do additional reading and research on 3 John using the Intervarsity Commentary at and Step by Step through the Week Monday: Begin your week of study by praying that the Holy Spirit would reveal God s truth to you and provide the wisdom you will need to obey God s word. Read and meditate on 3 John. What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you? What truth(s) could the Lord be revealing to you? Reread the passage. What is God teaching you about fellowship with Him and/or other believers? Reread the passage. What do you need to be praying for based on the truth God has revealed to you? Tuesday: Read 3 John If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 3 John 1-14 What words and phrases does John use to describe Gaius, the recipient of the letter?

2 In contrast, how does John describe another church leader, Diotrephes? In one or two sentences, summarize the theme of the John s letter. Examine: 3 John 1-4 PROSPERITY GOSPEL: These health and wealth gospel teachers see 3 John 2 as a guarantee of earthly blessings for the faith-filled believer. The name it and claim it or prosperity gospel is not biblical and is in many ways antithetical to the true gospel message and the clear teaching of Scripture. While there are many different versions of the name it and claim it philosophy preached today, they all have similar characteristics. At its best, this teaching comes from the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of some Scriptures and, at its worst, it is a completely heretical teaching. In his recent book, one popular health and wealth gospel preacher says that the key to a more rewarding life, a better home, a stronger marriage and a better job is found in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what is truly important. How different that is from the biblical truth that this life now is nothing compared to the life to come. The message of the prosperity gospel is focused around the treasures or good things we want and can have now. Jesus did not come to give us health, wealth and happiness now. He came to save us from our sins so that we can have an eternity with Him. Following Christ is not a ticket to all the material things men desire in this life but a ticket to eternal life. Our desire should not be to have our best life now but should be that of the Apostle Paul who had learned to be content in whatever state I am (Phlp 4:11). (adapted from Michael Houdmann, gotquestions.org) Some groups use 3 John, verse 2 to promote the idea that faithful Christians deserve to be consistently healthy and wealthy. Find at least two Scripture passages that refute this idea?

3 Apply: 3 John 1-4 Name a person you know who consistently walks in the truth of the Gospel; what can you do this week to encourage this person to continue their faithful walk? Wednesday: Read 3 John 5-8. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 3 John 5-8 What is Gaius doing for the brothers? What is unusual about his actions? What is the mission of the brothers? What does this passage tell us about Christian cooperation? Examine: 3 John 5-8 HOSPITALITY: To entertain or receive a stranger (sojourner) into one's home as an honored guest and to provide the guest with food, shelter, and protection. This was not merely an oriental custom or good manners but a sacred duty that everyone was expected to observe. Only the depraved would violate this obligation. Hospitality probably grew out of the needs of nomadic life. Since public inns were rare, a traveler had to depend on the kindness of others and had a right to expect it. This practice was extended to every sojourner, even a runaway slave (Deuteronomy 23:16-17 ) or one's arch enemy. The Pentateuch (first five Old Testament books) contains specific commands for the Israelites to love the strangers as themselves (Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:18-19 ), and to look after their welfare (Deuteronomy 24:17-22 ). The reason for practicing hospitality was that the Israelites themselves were once

4 strangers in the land of Egypt. Some acts of hospitality were rewarded, the most notable of which was Rahab's (Joshua 6:22-25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25 ). Breaches of hospitality were condemned and punished, such as those of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-11) and Gibeah (Judges 19:10-25 ). The only exception was Jael who was praised for killing Sisera (Judges 4:18-24 ). Hospitality seemed to form the background of many details in the life of Jesus and the early church (Matthew 8:20; Luke 7:36; Luke 9:2-5; Luke 10:4-11 ). It was to be a characteristic of bishops and widows (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 1:8 ) and a duty of Christians (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9 ). It was a natural expression of brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:8-9 ) and a necessary tool of evangelism. Furthermore, one might even entertain angels or the Lord unawares (Hebrews 13:2; Matthew 25:31-46 ). Both the Didache, which contained early Christian instructions, and rabbinic literature provided guidelines for guests' behavior and their duration of stay. Guests were enjoined to act appropriately, to observe the rules of etiquette, and to avoid presuming upon their hosts. (adapted from Holman Bible Dictionary) Based on the above description, what is the role of hospitality in Christian fellowship? Apply: 3 John 5-8 Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of Christian hospitality? Describe that experience. Thursday: Read 3 John If possible, read the passage from a different version of the Bible. Observe: 3 John 9-14 According to John, what are Diotrephes works? What is the statement in this passage describing Diotrephes motivation?

5 Why does John point out the example of Demetrius? Examine: 3 John 9-14 PRIDE: The phrase pride of life is found only once in the Bible, in 1 John 2:16, but the concept of the pride of life, especially as it is linked with the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh, appears in two more significant passages of Scripture the temptation of Eve in the Garden and the temptation of Christ in the wilderness (Matt 4:8-10). The pride of life can be defined as anything that is of the world, meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). Here is the essence of the pride of life anything that exalts us above our station and offers the illusion of God-like qualities, wherein we boast in arrogance and worldly wisdom. Eve wanted to be like God in her knowledge, not content to live in a perfect world under His perfect grace and care for her. Satan tried these same three temptations on Christ during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11). But Jesus, though He was tempted in every way, just as we are (Heb 4:15), resisted the devil and used the Word of God to ensure victory over him. But perhaps his most evil temptation is the pride of life, the very sin that resulted in Satan s expulsion from heaven. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God (Isa 14:12-15). The arrogant boasting which constitutes the pride of life motivates the other two lusts as it seeks to elevate itself above all others and fulfill all personal desires. It is the root cause of strife in families, churches and nations. It exalts the self in direct contradiction to Jesus statement that those who would follow Him must take up their cross (an instrument of death) and deny themselves. The pride of life comes not from the Father, but from the world. And, as such, it is passing away with the world, but those who resist and overcome the temptation of the pride of life do the will of God and the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17). (adapted from Michael Houdmann, gotquestions.org) Diotrephes is displaying sinful pride through actions that are contrary to true fellowship. Describe what he should be doing, according to Scripture. Apply: 3 John 9-14 What can you do this week to imitate the person you identified in Tuesday s Apply question? Which of his or her character qualities or actions would you most like to

6 incorporate in your life? Friday: Read 3 John and the following devotional by Vance Havner: In the New Testament family album three men whose names begin with the same letter stand out as typical of three kinds of Christians today. The Scripture account of them all is very brief, but a little window lets in much light and from the meager record we immediately recognize that their kind has not yet disappeared from the earth. 1. There was Demas, who forsook Paul, having loved this present world (2 Tim 4:10). Doubtless he had started out in dead earnest, maybe with plenty of fire, but the pull of the old life and the charm of the world were too much for him. 2. Then, there was Diotrephes, who loved the preeminence (3 John 9)... His sort is still with us in the minister who bosses instead of shepherds his flock; in ecclesiastical overlords who reject all visiting brethren who do not measure up to their private yardstick; in any and all who want to rule instead of serve. 3. How refreshing it is to move from these two troublesome souls to Demetrius, who loved the truth (3 John 12). Whether or not he was the Ephesian silversmith, now converted, he had good report of all and of the truth and of John; and his sort is altogether too rare today. He was no celebrity, but we could profitably exchange some of our striking personalities for more of his kind. What would the church do today without his quiet, faithful, steadying testimony? God help us in such a time to choose the Demetrius way of good report and not the Diotrephes way of loud report!