Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• John is writing to Gaius
• Gaius was an elder of a church probably in Ephesus
• Gaius as a church leader is under great strain
• He has been putting up itinerant preachers
• Diotrephes is very angry with these preachers and doesn't trust these men (even if they have come with Apostolic sanction)
• He makes all the decisions and loves the preeminence
• We don't know who this man is, maybe a fellow elder
• Some time ago an unbiblical pattern of church leadership with 'bishops' developed
• John wrote to Gaius as an individual but would have been read to the whole church
• Diotrephes would be exposed
• Demetrius was a man of God
• John was trying to encourage Gaius
• A letter of encouragement to a man who is discouraged
• He would have been so encouraged to have a letter from John
• Overview:
• Affirming Gaius (v1-8)
• Exposing Diotrephes (v9-10)
• Instructions to Gaius (v11-14)

Affirming Gaius (v1-8)

Affirming

• John refers to himself as an elder, not an apostle
• How did this make Gaius feel?
• 1 Peter 5:1 - a fellow elder
• They were humble and gentle - standing with God's people
• John refers to Gaius as beloved (v1, 2, 5 and 11)
• How would you feel is someone addressed a letter to you in such loving terms?
• Example from Brazil - so encouraging
• John is being very sincere
• He is happy to show his love
• British 'stiff upper lip'
• We should be able to express love in word and deed

Prayer

• John had been praying for Gaius
• When we know that people are praying for us, it encourages us
• John prayed for his health to match his soul
• Gaius was strong spiritually and John was praying his physical health would catch up
• We must not be caught up in an incorrect 'prosperity gospel'
• John was praying that Gaius would prosper and be of good health
• We should come alongside until we are able to address the situation

Joy

• John has joy because people have been reporting that the truth is in Gaius
• People can see he is a holy and humble servant
• People can see that Christ is in you
• People can see that he is obedient
• It seems that Gaius was a convert of the apostle John
• What brings you joy?  (What brings you discouragement?)
• The greatest joy for John is to see others spiritually walking
• What is our greatest joy?
• We can know joy in God - examples

Love

• John is encouraging Gaius for receiving strangers
• He says Gaius is showing love towards the brothers of God
• There is a witness within
• John encourages Gaius to send them on a way in a fitting manner
• To address whatever needs they may have
• The New Testament commends hospitality
• Rom 12:10-13
• Christians as well as elders
• Heb 13:1-2
• Gal 6:10
• 1 Tim 5:10
• The people went forth for the sake of the gospel
• They have taken nothing from the pagans
• There were traveling teachers at this time: the Epicureans, the Stoics
  • Explanation
• These traveling preachers would receive nothing from the pagans/gentiles
• Quote from Don Carson
• Example of Methodists
• That we would know such a work of God

Recap

Exposing Diotrephes (v9-10)

• Perhaps Diotrephes hadn't even passed on the letter
• Diotrephes didn't accept John as an apostle
• John was the apostle of love but he was not a weak man or a push over
• He stands for the truth
• Why was Diotrephes not allowing traveling preachers, putting people out of the church
• Maybe he was an orthodox man
• He may have been zealous for the truth
• There was truth but no grace
• He had become suspicious of even the apostle John
• 2 John 1:7-11
• Had small things become big things?
• He was a proud man - pride was dividing the situation
• John did not want to put Diotrephes out of the church
• He would call to mind the things Diotrephes had said -
  malicious words
• He would expose it
• He would expose the fact he did not receive brothers
• We must encourage all discouraged Christians

Instructions to Gaius (v11-14)

• Do not imitate what is evil
• Be careful whether you copy bad or good examples
• Don't become like Diotrephes
• Imitate Demetrius
• People speak well of him
• The truth speaks well of him
• The apostles are speaking well of him
• Should we even ask the question is Diotrephes is saved?
• John doesn't but says...
• He who does evil has not seen God (v11b)
• 1 John 2:4 - are we keeping His word
• 1 John 4:7 - are we loving the brethren
• We hope he one day repented
• John does not want to write to Gaius
• Face to face is so much better
• He hopes to see him shortly
• He wants to greet him by name
• The early apostolic church was a personal church

Closing Remarks

• Leadership needs leaders that will lead
• Leaders are called to be gracious and humble servants of God
• We are to encourage one another
• We are called to practice hospitality
• We are called to show love
• We recognise the brethren
• We embrace for the sake of the gospel