Christian Examples The Bible is filled with examples for us to learn from. We often talk about those Old Testament examples of men like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Esther and many others. These men and women are great examples of living by faith no matter their physical circumstances. They should be a source of encouragement to us when it comes to obeying God especially when we face difficult circumstances. We also have many examples in the New Testament of men and women of great Faith. The examples of these Christians should especially be a source of great encouragement to us. Those Old Testament examples show us that we can obey God and that we should obey Him The New Testament examples show us that we can and should obey God but also show us how to obey Him. We learn from them what is pleasing to God today! Normally, we may think of the examples of men like Paul, Peter and Barnabas but there others we can learn from as well. Christians who may not be as well known. I believe to be one of these. Some of us, maybe even most of us have heard the name but what do you know about him? Very little. That s to be expected because the scriptures don t say much about him. However, what they do say about him sets forth a great example of how Christians should conduct themselves. Although the name was a common Roman name it is only mentioned 5 times in the New Testament. In Acts 19:29 There is a man name mentioned who was a travel companion of Paul and was from Macedonia In Acts 20:4 another man named is mentioned. He was also a traveling companion of Paul but was from the city of Derbe. In Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14 another man named is mentioned who was from Corinth. This man was the Apostle Paul s host while he stayed in Corinth during the time he wrote the epistle to the Romans. In these 4 verses we see 3 different men named and we know almost nothing about them. There is one final time a man named is mentioned in the New Testament and that is by the Apostle John. 1
In the book of 3 John we have a brief description of a very good man named. Let s take a look at what the Apostle John has to say about and to him. 3Jo 1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 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, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. What wonderful things to be recorded about for the rest of time. Not just in some book that a man wrote but in the inspired Word of God! I want us to go back thru the things the Apostle John has to say about and look at them individually. We will try to determine what they mean and then we will be able to examine ourselves to determine whether or not these same things could be said about us. Let s go back now an look at verse 1 3Jo 1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved, whom I love in truth: The first thing we notice is how John refers to himself. As the Elder. I do not believe this is referring to an office that John held in the Church but rather to his advanced age. If he was referring to the office of an elder it would seem to me that he possibly was violating a couple of biblical principles. If he were referring to himself as the Elder because he held that position in a local congregation it would seem to me that he would be very close to violating Jesus commands about not wearing religious titles. Secondly, if he were referring to the office of an elder it seems he would have called himself an Elder instead of the Elder To me the Elder sounds very singular where an Elder leaves room for others to hold the same office. 2
We notice the very first thing John says about is that he is beloved. was loved by the Apostle John and many other Christians and as we go thru the rest of this text I believe the reasons why will become clearer. Have we conducted ourselves in such a way that other Christians would refer to us as someone who is greatly loved? The best way to earn the respect and love of others is to love others in actions and not in word only. It s kind of like what the wise man says in Proverbs. Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. If we are going to have friends that love us then we must love our friends. That thought leads us to the next thing John says about. John says is a person whom I love in truth Now that sounds like John is saying I m not lying about this I truly love my friend The idea that John really did love is certainly included in this thought but I think it includes much more. The word Truth is mentioned 5 times in these 8 verses we read about. The other 4 times Truth is mentioned it is undoubtedly talking about the Gospel. I believe when John says he love in the Truth in verse one he is saying he loves him in accordance with the Gospel. He loves him the way the Gospel tells us to love others The love demanded by the Gospel is not phony Ro 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. The love demanded by the Gospel is kind Ro 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; The love demanded by the Gospel is willing to sacrifice Joh 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. The love demanded by the Gospel cannot be hidden Joh 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. The love demanded by the Gospel looks out for the best interest of others. 1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; These are just a few of the things the love of the Gospel demands of us. This is the type love John had for! 3
Listen to what John tells in verse 2 3Jo 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. John is so impressed by how well is doing spiritually that he prays that he would be able to do just as well with his physical health and other endeavors. He wants him to do as well in physical things as he is doing in spiritual things. What would we look like if we applied that principle to ourselves? How would we look if our physical health matched our spiritual health? I m afraid far too many of us would look something like this. But not, he had his priorities in the right order We need to be like and make our spiritual well being our first priority. Serving God should come before anything else in our life! Even before food, clothing and shelter! Mt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. These things should not be the first priority for the Christian Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Our spiritual well being and service to God must take priority over our physical relationships. Lu 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Simply put, God must come first! Not only did John have good things to say about he had also heard good things about him from other Christians 3Jo 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. John took great joy in hearing that was walking in the Truth! This meant he was living his life according to the Word of God! The Truth is the Word of God Joh 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. A lot of people today believe the truth is relative. In other words your truth and my truth may be two different things. But the Truth of the Word of God or the Gospel is rock solid and unchangeable. There are not 2 versions of it! 4
If anyone tries to teach us anything different than the one truth of the Gospel then we are to emphatically reject them and their false teaching! No matter who it is. Ga 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. There is only one Truth It was the Truth that guided the steps of life It must be the Truth that guides the steps of our life if we want to go to Heaven! John certainly was happy to hear that was living the life of a Christian. In the next verse he explains just how happy he was. 3Jo 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. John refers to as one of his children. Showing the tender love and concern he had for him. John knew about all of the temptations, trials and tribulations many Christians were facing. He knew how easy it is for a Christian to stray from the right path. To hear that someone he loved dearly was holding on to God in the face of all the problems of this life brought him more joy than anything else! What wonderful news it should be to any of us to hear that those we love are living like God wants them to in spite of all the wickedness that is going on around us. One of the reasons I believe John loved him so much is because of the way treated other Christians. Especially those involved in spreading the Gospel of Christ. 3Jo 1:5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 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, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. had shown love and hospitality by helping Christians he knew (brethren) and Christians he did not know (strangers) when he had the opportunity. He had done this so often that it was being talked about in other local congregations of the Lord s Church. Some of these he had helped were missionaries involved in taking the Gospel to the lost. 5
I believe they went forth for His name s sake means that they were missionaries. This is certainly what the that lived in Corinth did for the Apostle Paul. Ro 16:23, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. This had taken the Apostle Paul into his own house and provided for him most likely at his own expense. Not only had he done this with Paul but also he was the host of the whole Church This may mean that the local congregation met at his home. Some commentators seem to think Paul meant that took in any and all Christians who traveled thru his city like he did the Apostle Paul. We don t know if this is the one John is writing to but there is certainly a similarity in their love of the brethren that was demonstrated by their hospitality. This may be one of the areas we fall short in today. Showing hospitality to other Christians We sometimes get wrapped up in our own lives and don t take time to help others when we should. We may never know how much just a simple phone call, message or a meal may mean to another Christian who is struggling with the things of this life. Just knowing someone else is aware of our problems and cares enough to check on us sometimes helps a great deal. This was the type person was. His love for other Christians was demonstrated at every opportunity he had. He was the fulfillment of what Jesus said about loving one another. Joh 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Conclusion Many people knew that was a Christian because of the love he had for other Christians. Has our love for others proved that we are a Christian to anybody? If it hasn t then we need to get busy demonstrating our love for the brethren before it is everlastingly too late! Let s all try to be like. People who live according to the Truth and don t just love in word but in deed as well. 6