The Gospels

Acts of the Apostles

Paul’s Letters

Other Letters

Revelation

A New Testament JourneyLesson 26: III John – Model the Gospel

Hebrews – The Real Deal

James – All or nothing

1 Peter – Dimensions of Suffering

2 Peter – Darkness before Dawning

1 John – Enjoy Fellowship

2 John – Love in Truth

3 John – Model the Gospel

Jude – Keep your Position

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Introduction Objectives Emulate those who model the

gospel: ◦ Enjoy Prosperity of soul◦ Experience the walk of truth◦ Extend hospitality to them

Expose those who battle the gospel:◦ Reject external hospitality◦ Contest the truth◦ Experience leanness of soul

Recap Discussion

To

Attain and maintain prosperity of soul

Support God’s people from the global church

Walk in the truth

Be a role model within and outside the church

Discern power mongers and take action

Written by Apostle John to Gaius encouraging his hospitality.

Gaius was a wealthy man who extended hospitality to missionaries.

Traditionally appointed by John as the bishop of Pergamum

John warns of Diotrephes, a leader who opposed God’s work by not wanting to be accountable.

Diotrephes, already a leader was trying to close the church to outside influences, even positive ones.

He was creating a powerhouse where he had high control – a dangerous sign for the body of Christ.

Vs. 9 indicates John sent a letter, possibly to Diotrephes, which he apparently destroyed.

Church setting was probably in Ephesus

John recommends Demetrius (later appointed as bishop of Philadelphia), and probably sends the letter through him.

Model the Good

5-8 Dear friend, when you

extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are

strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. 3 john 1 (Message)

Enjoy Prosperity of soul

Experience the walk of truth

Extend hospitality to them

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from

everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

The Truth itself stood for Demetrius.

When you stand for the truth, the truth stands for you

Reflect on “the truth itself testifies (speaks) for him”.

In today’s age people feel they need to on occasions jog or twist the truth to get things done? Is that true?

How can we make the truth speak for us? Share experiences.

Material prosperity should follow on the heels of prosperity of soul not vice versa.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health,

just as your soul prospers.

For I was very glad when brethren came and

testified to your truth,

that is, how you are

walking in truth. 4 I

have no greater joy than

this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are

strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love

before the church. You will do well to send them on their

way in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they went out for

the sake of the Name,

accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore

we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

10 For this reason, if I

come, I will call attention to his deeds

Godly leaders should nip power centres in the bud

Diotrephes, .. loves to be first among them, v 9..

Beloved, do not imitate what

is evil, v 11..

Diotrephes, a leader in the church marked out as an egoistic evildoer.

Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them,

does not accept what

we say. V9……unjustly accusing us with

wicked words; and not satisfied with this…

..he himself does not receive the brethren,

either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. V 10 b

Diotrephes was creating a power centre for self rather than a power centre for the Spirit.

Emulate those who model the gospel:◦ Enjoy Prosperity of soul

◦ Experience the walk of truth

◦ Extend hospitality to them

Expose those who battle the gospel:◦ Taste leanness of soul

◦ Contest the truth

◦ Reject external hospitality

1. How can we ensure that our prosperity of soul is ahead of material prosperity?

2. What was Diotrephes’ motive for being a key church leader derailing the church? What challenges can it create?

3. Do we see our churches today getting similarly derailed? How do we respond in situations when such leaders take over?

4. Gaius and Demetrius had believers speak for them. How can we be good examples to others in the midst of these challenges?

If we could read people’s minds, what testimony do we have in our churches and fellowships?

While we do need to stay committed to our local churches, do we have a “global church” mindset?