Three Two Amigos

Text: 3 John

Introduction:

  1. Theme of 2 John was not entertaining false brethren. The theme of 3 John is to be sure to entertain true brethren.
  2. Reader’s Digest Version of biblical biographies: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius.
  1. Characteristics of the three principle characters
    1. Gaius the Generous
      1. walks in truth
      2. practices hospitality
        1. 1 pet. 4:9, Tit. 1:8, 1 Tim. 5:9-10, Rom. 12:13
        2. Need to do it due to situation in 1st century
      3. physically not well
      4. financially well
      5. spiritually well
    2. Diotrephes the Dictator
      1. Self exalting
        1. instead of self effacing and Christ exalting
        2. John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
        3. Jer. 45:5 "Seekest thou great things for thyself, seek them not."
      2. Separating wrongly from the brethren
      3. Bad mouth, gossip, slander
      4. Inhospitable
      5. Probably done under the guise of not receiving false brethren
      6. Separation from those who do not separate
    3. Demetrius the Dependable
      1. Good reputation
        1. from others
        2. from the truth: not just a good guy, but a spiritual guy
        3. from John
      2. Changed Life (if he is the Demetrius of Acts 19:24-38)
        1. John was the Pastor at Ephesus
        2. Demetrius was from Ephesus
  2. Practical Considerations
    1. Financial Support: How do we handle gifts from "pagans?"
      1. General principle in Scripture is that God’s work should be supported by God’s people.
        1. don’t solicit funds from non-Christians
        2. Not in business
      2. Illus. The Priests carried the ark, not a cart or a commoner. We are God’s priests today. We are to carry the load for God’s work.
      3. Parallel in 1 Cor. 10:27-30. If an unbeliever sets up the giving so that you know about it, then decline it. If you do not know, then accept it.
      4. What about garage sales, etc. Do it outside the church and the money is yours to do with what you want. Give it or keep it. I prefer to stay away from selling at the church unless I know the crowd is believers who know they are supporting the work.
    2. The early church had problem people just like we do. Don’t use problem people as an excuse for "writing off" the church.
    3. Separation/Hospitality balance
      1. Where do you draw the line in receiving brethren?
      2. Is there a difference in personal separation and ecclesiastical separation?