Together in the Truth (Part Two) (3 John 1:1-15)
I met Chris during my university days abroad. I was a new Christian and attended the church where Chris was an elder. He led the church’s ministry to college students. Being far from home, I appreciated how Chris and his wife took good care of students like me. They had a real heart for us. Every Sunday before the evening service, they would provide a simple dinner for students starved of home-cooked meals. During the Christmas holidays, when there was limited public transport, Chris would arrange rides to help us get to church. He also opened his home to us. Thanks to his generosity, I enjoyed one of my earliest experiences of Christian hospitality. I saw how the gospel had the power to bring people together, cutting across national, ethnic or cultural lines. For a new believer like me, Chris portrayed a compelling picture of the Christian life. Not only was he hospitable, but he was also gentle and humble. My friends and I gave Chris a nickname: We called him “the lamb” behind his back. We never told him.
Learning about life and how we ought to live is as much caught, as it is taught. This is why most of us prefer watching a “how-to” video on YouTube than reading an instructional manual. We are copycats. We learn by seeing how others do it, and by imitating them. Budding footballers try to imitate Lionel Messi, or one of their football heroes. When we find someone worth watching, we emulate them. Hence, the saying: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It’s no different for the Christian life. For me, Chris was an example to follow. What about you? Whose example are you following now? What sort of example are you for others?
Last week, we heard from 2 John about how we are to keep walking in the truth. This means loving one another and guarding the gospel. But what does this actually look like? This is where the letter of 3 John comes in. Compared with 1 John and 2 John, 3 John is the most personal of these letters. It is addressed to John’s dear friend, the “beloved Gaius”. Who is he? Besides what we can glean from 3 John, we don’t know much else about Gaius. There are other individuals named “Gaius” mentioned in the New Testament, but nothing indicates that any of them is the same person mentioned in 3 John. What we can say about Gaius is that he was John’s good friend — a dear brother-in-Christ whom John “loves in truth” (3 John 1:1). Truth and love go together. Knowing the truth about Jesus will move us to love one another. Our love for one another shows that we know the truth about Jesus. John’s love for Gaius was rooted in the truth of the gospel. A common belief in the truth united them in the bond of brotherly love.
Walk in the truth by being a fellow worker for the truth.
Gaius was probably a leader in his local church, perhaps an elder. John writes the letter to encourage a fellow servant of the gospel. He exhorts Gaius to continue being faithful, especially amid challenges that have arisen in his church. This is the big idea of 3 John: Walk in the truth by being a fellow worker for the truth. What does this look like? The letter presents us with a bad example to avoid, and a good example to imitate. These are also the two points of the sermon.
An example to avoid (3 John 1:9-11)
We will consider the bad example first, because this helps us understand the situation that led John to write this letter. John calls out the conduct of a man named Diotrephes, who was probably also a leader in Gaius’ church. Look at 3 John 1:9-10. John had written an earlier letter to the church, requesting that hospitality be shown to some visiting Christians. This earlier letter is not 2 John and is no longer in existence. But Diotrephes rejected the request and refused to welcome the brothers. Worse, he even prohibited other church members from being hospitable, going so far as to put those who disagreed with him out of the church.
This made it hard for Gaius to keep walking in the truth and love. How would he continue to show hospitality to others in the face of such opposition from within his own church? It must have been terribly discouraging for Gaius. Therefore, John writes a pastoral letter encouraging his dear friend to press on. Persevering in good works is tough. We will face opposition, sometimes even from within the church. But God is able to provide faithful brothers and sisters to spur us on.
John assures Gaius that Diotrephes will be dealt with. He says: “So if I come, I will bring up what (Diotrephes) is doing.” (3 John 1:10). When sin, especially that of the leaders, is not addressed in a church, it will discourage the members and harm the church. Therefore, John plans to bring up Diotrephes’ sin before the rest of the church. The aim is to bring sin into the light that the offender might be led to repentance. Biblical church discipline is redemptive. It is for the offender’s good, for the church’s good, and for the good of the gospel’s witness in the world.
Pray for me and the rest of the elders, that we will keep a close watch on our life and teaching. Pray that we as a church will grow in holiness. Also, that we grow in our ability to address one another’s sins honestly and lovingly. Are we given to being critical, harsh, or self-righteous towards others? Or, are we inclined to ignore sin and be indifferent to it? Neither of these responses is truthful or loving. As we heard from 2 John last week, biblical truth and love are inseparable. Therefore, help one another fight sin by speaking the truth in love to one another, and loving one another in the truth.
Diotrephes is an example of someone who did not walk in truth or love. He refused to be hospitable to other believers, which reflects deeper sin issues. It shows his pride. Diotrephes refused to acknowledge John’s apostolic authority (3 John 1:9). He wanted to do what he wanted to do. But to lead well, we must submit well. Whether we exercise authority in the church, in the home, or in the workplace, we must first be willing to submit to God and His word. Our authority is not absolute, for we are answerable and accountable to God for how we steward the authority he has entrusted to us. Elders, husbands, fathers, and bosses, how are we submitting to God in our exercise of authority? How are we helping or hindering those under our authority?
To justify his unwillingness to submit, Diotrephes tried to make authority look bad. So, he talked wicked nonsense against John and others (3 John 1:10). He turned away from the truth by telling lies about John, portraying him as the “bad guy”. Because we don’t want to submit, we slander those in authority over us. We assassinate a leader’s character, malign his motives, and criticise his actions. All to justify our refusal to follow. Will earthly authority always get things right? No. Can authority be abused? Yes. Should submission be blind? By no means. But we would do well to examine whether our distrust of authority has more to do with our pride in wanting to go our own way.
Good authority blesses those under it. King Jesus invites us to submit to His perfect rule, to enjoy His love, joy, and peace.
Our rebellious rejection of authority goes all the way back to humanity’s fall into sin. The devil tempted the woman by sowing doubt about God’s goodness. If you are not a Christian, I wonder if you have justified your unbelief by saying God is not good. Do not fall for the devil’s old lie. Instead, consider Jesus, who is the clearest evidence of God’s goodness to undeserving sinners like us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Jesus laid down His life to save sinners. He took on himself God’s judgement against sinners, so that we can be forgiven and brought back to God if we trust in Christ alone. Good authority blesses those under it. King Jesus invites us to submit to His perfect rule, to enjoy His love, joy, and peace.
Diotrephes’ failure to walk in the truth and love stemmed from his self-centredness. Look at 3 John 1:9. He likes to put himself first. Diotrephes made it all about himself. Instead of serving God’s people for their good and God’s glory, he used the church to get what he wanted. He craved power and prominence to satisfy his selfish ambition. Diotrephes wanted to make a name for himself. Well, his name is remembered in Scripture, but for the wrong reasons. In his pride and selfishness, he refused to welcome visiting Christians. Perhaps because he did not want John and others to threaten his position and influence. Even in the early church, worldly politics rears its ugly head. It is painfully ironic that while Diotrephes was trying to make John look bad, he was actually the one abusing his authority and harming the church.
Beware of making the church or a particular ministry all about us. … This is not “my” church or “your” church.
Beware of making the church or a particular ministry all about us. Pastors are certainly not immune from such a temptation. In fact, we may be especially susceptible to it. For this reason, I am grateful to serve with a team of elders. Having a plurality of elders helps me avoid turning things into a one-man show. Hearing different views and ideas, having other elders lead on different issues, and losing votes in elders’ meetings is good for my soul. God is teaching me to submit to His authority, as He works through my fellow elders. It is good for us to share authority and responsibility, to encourage others to step up to serve. And, to be gracious and patient with one another when we make mistakes.
This is not “my” church or “your” church. Regardless of how long we have been here or how much we have done, GBC is still Christ’s church. We have one Head, and we are His body. So, let us guard against selfishness and ego that threaten our unity. Ask ourselves: Why am I here? For whose sake am I serving? If we are to be together in the truth, then we must not be like Diotrephes. Listen to 3 John 1:11: “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” How do we see God? By believing the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ. If we know the truth about Jesus, we will love others as He has loved us. Diotrephes claimed to know God, but his lack of love called into question the genuineness of his faith. Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit” (Lk 6:43-44a). Truth and love are inseparable.
An example to imitate (3 John 1:1-8, 12-15)
Gaius stands in sharp contrast to Diotrephes. John writes with a dual purpose in mind: He wants to encourage Gaius, a beloved brother facing a thorny church situation. John also wants to encourage the rest of the church, by highlighting Gaius as an example to imitate. He shows us what it looks like to walk in the truth. So, although 3 John was a personal letter, it was also meant to be read publicly for the whole church’s benefit.
We care for one another by meeting one another’s physical needs, and by building one another up in Christ.
Look at 3 John 1:2. John is deeply concerned with how Gaius is doing. The letter begins with John’s prayer for his dear friend’s physical and spiritual wellbeing. We are whole persons — body and soul. Therefore, we care for one another by meeting one another’s physical needs, and by building one another up in Christ.
John is grateful it goes well with (Gaius’) soul (3 John 1:2). Look at 3 John 1:3-4. John heard about Gaius from other brothers, who “testified to (Gaius’) truth”. This means Gaius has been faithfully living according to God’s truth. The fact that Gaius is walking in the truth gives John great joy. In fact, nothing gives him more joy than to hear that other believers are doing well spiritually. John calls them “my children”, which reveals his affection for them as their father in the faith.
Where are we trying to find our joy? If we have a self-centred understanding of joy, then we tend to see other people as inconveniences or hindrances in the way of our joy. But John shows us that seeking the spiritual good of others is the pathway to joy. Why? It is because when we love one another in this way, we get a front-row seat to witness what God is doing in the lives of our brothers and sisters. We will hear of prayers answered, of faith strengthened, of grace granted, of comfort amid sorrow, and of God’s provision in tough times. Seeing how God is working all things for the good of his people will give us joy. So, don’t be content with a superficial experience of Christian community. Plug into a local church where you can commit to knowing and being known by other believers. For our joy, build spiritual friendships with one another. Share encouraging stories about how God is growing our brothers and sisters. Give thanks to God for one another. “Gossip” about how others are growing in godliness. May our church be filled with such talk that increases our joy in Christ. John wants the church to hear about Gaius’ faithfulness so that they too can rejoice with him.
Do we “love” only when it costs us nothing? Or, will we give up our comfort, convenience, and preferences in order to love one another? Committed love is the heart of what it means to be a member of a church.
How is Gaius walking in the truth? Look at 3 John 1:5-6. John has heard encouraging reports about how Gaius has been hospitable to visiting gospel workers. Upon returning to their home church, these believers testified to Gaius’ love. To walk in the truth means to put love into practice. Yes, we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. But true saving faith works through love. Gaius shows us how believing the truth about Jesus will necessarily produce the good fruit of love. And such love is shown in practical actions that seek the good of another. Notice in 3 John 1:5 how Gaius’ love involves effort and work. Do we “love” only when it costs us nothing? Or, will we give up our comfort, convenience, and preferences in order to love one another? Committed love is the heart of what it means to be a member of a church. We commit to gather regularly with the rest of the church. Seeing the same people every Sunday helps us to know and be known by one another. This, in turn, helps us to commit to serving one another, for our mutual growth in the faith. As we know others better, we learn about their needs and how we can help.
I am heartened by the many examples of sacrificial love among us. Some give up space in their home to accommodate a brother or sister in need. Some drive longer distances to give another member a ride to church. Some spend energy helping others move or clean their homes. Some forego rest after a tiring day to meet and pray with a discouraged believer. Many invest effort to care for children in our nursery and Sunday school, as well as to disciple the youth and tertiary students among us. Others spend many hours walking with another Christian through their struggles with sin and suffering. The church is where the truth of the gospel is displayed through love in action.
Gaius’ love went beyond those he was familiar with. He cared for “strangers” (3 John 1:5) — believers he had not met before. This is the literal definition of “hospitality”: to show kindness and love to strangers. Strictly speaking, hospitality goes beyond simply caring for the people we know. It also involves reaching out to people whom we do not know, who are outside our usual social circles. Gaius’ example challenges us to step outside our comfort zones to care for those who are unfamiliar to us, such as visitors, newcomers, and others we haven’t met before. Start with small steps. Stay for a while after the service and talk with someone new. The goal of hospitality is to love strangers, in the hope that they become friends- and family-in-Christ. John models this well in 3 John 1:13-15. See John’s affection for Gaius. He hopes to see his beloved brother in person. John also sends greetings to the members of Gaius’ church by name. In this, John is following Jesus, who said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own...” (Jn 10:14a). The Good Shepherd calls each one of us by name. So, getting to know the names of our brothers and sisters is a Christ-like thing to do. It is also a great way to love in action and practice hospitality. One of my goals this year is to regularly pray through GBC’s membership directory with my family, so that we can know you all by name.
Hospitality is an opportunity for us to display the gospel. We, too, were once strangers, far from God. But God loved us while we were sinners and alienated from Him. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to bring us back to God. The gospel transforms strangers into family members. Rosaria Butterfield, the author of an excellent book on hospitality, wrote, “The gospel comes with a house key, and that key unlocks the ‘hundredfold’ of God’s provision of family and community for others.” Since God has been so hospitable to join us to his family, we ought also to show hospitality to others. “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Rom. 15:7)
Hospitality is an
opportunity for us to display and support the work of the gospel.
Hospitality also supports the work of the gospel. In 3 John 1:6, John encourages Gaius to continue supporting gospel workers by sending them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. Caring well for those who have gone out for the gospel helps them to press on in faithfulness. Second John warned us against supporting false teachers. But here, John says to support those who are faithful to the truth. Demetrius is one such example of faithfulness. Look at 3 John 1:12. John encourages Gaius and his church to receive Demetrius because he has received a good testimony from other believers and from John himself. It is likely that Demetrius delivered this letter to Gaius. (There was no postal service then.) So, 2 John also served as his letter of commendation.
Being hospitable may seem simple, but do not underestimate how even the smallest acts of love and service can help advance the gospel. Recall what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 10: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me… Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Gospel workers represent God. Therefore, to receive them is to receive God the Father and Jesus the Son. So, be generous and kind to those who have been sent out with the gospel. Help provide for their needs. Refresh them before they return to their field of work. The work of the gospel is tough, and it can be lonely. I encourage us to connect with those who have gone out with the gospel: For example, Yanadi at Fisherman of Christ Fellowship, Mark, Megan, and Sam in East Asia, David and Gladys in Bangkok, Esther in Malaysia, Shanyl in Dubai, Ping and Heidi in Europe, Mak and Narola in Thailand, and Deborah who is back from Cambodia. Send them a word of encouragement. When they visit, share a meal or even your home with them. If you can, visit them overseas.
Sometimes, God brings gospel workers here. Pastors and missionaries have passed through here. In September last year, we hosted a Weekender conference for more than 40 church leaders from Singapore and the region. That was an opportunity for us to show hospitality to gospel workers. And it was heartening to see so many of us hosting these visitors. Lord willing, we aim to have another Weekender this September. Gaius did a faithful thing (3 John 1:5) in his efforts for the visiting Christians, although they were strangers. May we imitate Gaius’ heart for hospitality in caring well for the gospel workers God brings among us.
Why should we support gospel workers? 3 John 1:7-8 give us several reasons. Firstly, because they have gone out for the sake of the name. Unlike the false teachers mentioned in 2 John, these are faithful servants of Christ. They are not doing it for selfish gain, but for the fame of God’s name. His glory must motivate missions. God is glorified when we repent and believe in His Son. Because Jesus humbled Himself to die on a cross, God has raised Him up and given Him the name that is above every name. No other name can save; no other name is worthy of glory. Therefore, we should support those who preach the gospel for the sake of the name.
Secondly, because gospel workers have gone out “accepting nothing from the Gentiles”, which means they have made a commitment to depend on other Christians for support, not unbelievers. This was unlike false teachers, who were in it for the money. For example, prosperity preachers peddle false teaching to pay for their lavish lifestyles. We should be discerning about who we support. “We ought to support people like these” — those who faithfully preach the gospel and walk in the truth and love. Since they trust God to meet their needs through other believers, we have an obligation to support faithful gospel workers in a manner worthy of God. Our attitude towards such workers reflects our attitude towards God. Be generous to more than adequately meet their needs, which will allow them to give undivided devotion to the work of gospel. Do not impoverish them.
Thirdly, we should support gospel workers that we may be fellow workers for the truth (3 John 1:8b). To be together in the truth means to share in the work of the gospel. Not all of us are called to go as full-time gospel workers, but this does not mean the rest of us are merely spectators. We are to take part in the work of the gospel by supporting and sending well. We share in the work of the gospel by being a goer or a sender. We are to send well, so that those who go are supported well. Regardless of whether we go or send, we all have the privilege of fulfilling the mission to make disciples of all nations.
This applies to how we should think about the potential church plant. We are still in the early stages, and we do not have all the details. We are trusting God to lead and guide us. I encourage each of us to pray about how you can be a fellow worker — either by going with a team to plant or by sending a team to plant. Depending on what God lays on each of our hearts and his providence in each of our lives, some of us may decide to go while some of us may decide to stay and send. Our roles may differ, but we are all called to the same work of the gospel. We are fellow workers for the truth.
What does it mean for us to be together in the truth? Second John presents us with two contrasting examples: Do not be a Diotrephes. Copy Gaius. He shows us how we ought to walk in the truth through love and hospitality. Whose example are we following now? What sort of example are we for others?