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Title: Introduction to 3 John
It should come as no surprise that we are beginning 3 John today. As I said about 2 months ago when we began 2 John, there are some legitimate reasons for us to just keep moving through the series of John’s epistles.
First, we are familiar with John’s use of language, metaphor, and themes. Secondly, the books are all relatively short, especially 2nd and 3rd John. And, finally, when I sat down to work on this week’s sermon, my bookmark was already right between the end of 2nd John and the beginning of 3rd John, so, “why not?”
Now, in all seriousness, Whereas 1 and 2 John were very similar in terms of message and theme, the only major difference being that 1 John was written by the apostle to a church, and 2 John was written to an individual (The Elect Lady), 3 John actually has a few notable differences that we’d do well to understand before we begin working through the text.
- A brief overview:
Authorship: The apostle John, one of the 12, one of the “inner 3”, the same author of the Gospel of John, 1 John, and 2 John. The style and structure are so similar that no one of note has ever challenged the authorship of this epistle being attributed to John.
Date: Many scholars actually place 3 John before 1 and 2 John, sometime in the 80’s of the first century. The main reason for an earlier date is that there is absolutely no mention of Docetism or any large theological conflict that was so apparent in 1 and 2 John.
So either John wrote this letter later, when the conflict had gone away (unlikely). Or, John wrote the letter and didn’t offer any reminders to people about the dangers of Docetism (again, unlikely). Or, the letter was written earlier, before the conflict came about (fairly reasonable).
My take: Because the content and purpose of 3 John is about an entirely different subject, it doesn’t really matter where you place the date. I tend to think it was an earlier letter.
Occasion: This is actually a letter of conflict resolution involving four characters:
- John: The author, writing to to commend give a good recommendation to Gaius about John’s friend Demetrius.
- Gaius: The recipient of the letter who John knows, and commends for his generosity and hospitality.
- Demetrius: John’s friend who is most likely traveling toward Gaius’ church, and is in need of Christian hospitality and lodging.
- Diotrephes: “The Bad Guy” He is an elder in Gaius’ church, and has had a sharp conflict with the rest of the congregation over hospitality shown toward traveling Christians.
We will get into detail the sides of the conflict and John’s position on the matter in the coming weeks, but for now, it will help you to understand who these main characters are as we move forward.
- The Greeting:
(read 1-4)
Briefly, I want to cover three things that we can learn right off the bat about John and Gaius:
- John begins his letter with a prayer of well being, a common practice. He asks that as Gaius’ sole is prospering, so would his physical health. The undertone of the letter is that Gaius is most likely considerably younger than John, one of John’s former disciples, and he has a lot of “good years” left to do the work of a missionary. So John is praying for him continual health that he may be able to walk the road that is laid before him.
Application: I know we spend countless hours in prayer for the health of those who are sick. If you look at our prayer list, the majority of those names are about health issues that we want to be fixed by God, and that’s fine. But how often do we acknowledge and thank God for current health, and then (here’s the key) ask that God would continue our health, so that we may prosper and continue in Kingdom work?
- John has received good reports concerning Gaius. Though John doesn’t offer the specific names of the reporters, “the brethren” have testified to John that the Truth is in Gaius. The proof of this “good walk” is that there is no hypocrisy in Gaius life. John says the Truth is in Gaius and that he is also walking in the truth.
Application: Many of us are not like Gaius. We have the Truth. We’re saved. We know what is right and what it holy. But our walks paint us as hypocrites. We have lots of nice terms to dress this up with. We say, “backslidden” or “going through a rough time” or “wandering from the truth”. My question is this: Which do you think speaks a louder volume to others, both those saved and those not saved:
- That which you say, that which you profess?
- Or that which others see you do?
People don’t always hear your sermon. They do always see it.
- John is a Pastoral figure in Gaius’ life. John addresses Gaius as “one of my children” and, if we return to the familliar refrain of I John, we remember how often, (I think five or six times) John calls that congregation “My Little Children.” Apparently Gaius is someone who spend some time under the watch care of John’s hand.
Application: Is there a greater joy then when one of your little ones walk in the truth? Parents, is there any more touching moment in your life when you see one of your little ones emulating you and you emulate Christ. When you see a three year old forgive another’s wrongs? When you see a child atone for a mistake, without being asked? When you see a child pray without being prompted? I’ve been a parent for almost four years, nothing comes close to seeing the presence of God in my child’s life.
Disciplers, is there any greater sense of joy, then watching someone you’ve poured your life into for months, maybe years, then make Godly choices? Is there any greater sense of purpose then when you watch one of your disciples pick up their own disciple in due time. Is there any greater joy when you watch your disciple teach and think, “They are a better teacher than I am!” There is no greater joy.
Pray
Q/A