Be a Gaius (3 John 1 - 8)
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Sermon notes
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Explore the text
2 beloved, (agapate) in the Greco-Roman world letters normally opened with status-laden greetings. Christian correspondence replaced social stratification with familial language. Masters (Philemon), slaves (Onesimus), Jews (Peter), Gentiles (Paul’s converts), men and women alike are embraced as “beloved.” This lexical choice formed communities whose cohesion baffled contemporaries and attracted seekers (John 13:35).
3 walking in the truth. (parpateo, alethia) The metaphor underscores continuity: Christian life is not a single step but a journey of daily choices shaped by redemption. Every occurrence f the Christian walk, invites disciples to place one foot of belief before the other in obedient progress until they stroll in white beside the Lord.
(From The 1689 BCOF) Key doctrine: Good Works
Paragraph 3:
Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ;10 and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure;11 yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.12
10 John 15:4–5
11 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:13
12 Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11–12; Isa. 64:7
Apologetics: “is the prosperity gospel heresy? Doesn’t it seek to see people well in body and soul like John?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fellowship discussion points
Is there a danger in bequeathing a large inheritance to your children, especially if they’re not walking in the truth? Discuss.
Why is the “health and wealth gospel” a serious error? How would you refute it biblically?
Does your physical health match your spiritual health? If not, how can you correct this situation?
How can we grow in knowledge of the truth and yet avoid spiritual pride? What are the marks of such pride?
Thoughts for Personal / Family Worship
The way to that eternal prosperity is to walk in the truth and in love, to submit to apostolic authority as revealed in the New Testament, and to imitate godly examples. Then it may be said of you, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” And your pastors will have great joy to hear that you are walking in the truth.
How can we be discerning with my own walk?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
