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Home , Diotrephes, Gaius (biblical figure)

No Darkness At All Studies from the of John

JoLynn Gower 493-6151 [email protected]

LESSON 9 VERSE FOR THE JOURNEY • 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light , and in Him there is no darkness at all . If we say that we have fellow- ship with Him and y et walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of His Son cleanses us from all sin. • 3 John 1:1 The elder to the beloved , whom I love in truth. Who is Gaius? • :14-15 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. • :29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia THE SAME GAIUS? • :2-4 When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. And therehe spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. And he was accompanied by of Berea, the sonof Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of , and Timothy, and and of Asia. • :23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and , the brother. • 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. HIS CHILD • 3 John 1:3-4 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. • 1 Timothy 1:18-20 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and , whom I have handed over to , so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. • 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ABOUT HOSPITALITY • 3 John 1:5-6 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they arestrangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. • Strangers: xenos: foreigners; unknown persons • Romans 12:9-13 Let love bewithout hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. • Hospitality: philoxenia: love toward strangers • No hospitality/fellowship for false teachers SAKE OF THE NAME • 3 John 1:7-8 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to sup- port such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth • :11-14 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the of . Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the foodof the temple, andthose who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. • 2 Thessalonians 3:8 …nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; WHAT ABOUT CONFLICT? • 3 John 1:9-10 I wrote something to the church; but , who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do soand puts themout of the church. • First: philoproteuo: love of being preeminent and important; selfish ambition • Unjust accusations: phluareo: to berate or accuse with information that isn’t true or fair or taken out of context • Diotrephes apparently ran the church, ignored apostolic teaching, accused the apostles of being wrong, would not offer hospitality to visiting teachers and “churched” those who did offer hospitality ABOUT CONFLICT • If someone wants conflict it is very hard to make amends • Proverbs 17:14-15 The beginning of strife is likeletting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. • Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them • Dissensions: dichostasia: disunity, sedition, divisions • Both Paul and John caution the church offer hospitality to true teachers but to turn away false ones • 2 Corinthians 12:19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. DEMETRIUS IS COMING • 3 John 1:11-12 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. • Often travelling teachers carried “letters of recommendation” • Philippians 2:19-23 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one elseof kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child servinghis father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things gowith me; PEOPLE WHO DRAG YOU DOWN • 2 Timothy 2:23-26 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentle- ness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escapefrom the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. • Refuse: paraeteomai: reject; don’t seek excuses for • Speculations: zetesis: controversial questions • Quarrelsome: machomai: seeking controversy • Psalm 55:21 His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. CONSIDER THE SOURCE • James 3:14-18 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. • There are only two teams; play for the right one! • 3 John 1:13-14 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write themto you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. SUMMARY • John felt close to Gaius; he could entrust important things to him. We all need a Gaius (or more than one) to whom we can entrust ministry • Hospitality should be extended to true teachers; false teachers should not be welcome • John wanted Gaius to extend hospitality to a true • Our lives will have a Diotrephes or two – people who take charge but aren’t listening to good counsel and exercise church discipline from their skewed perspective • We must avoid selfish ambition, especially when choosing church leaders • Some arguments posed or debates postured are better left unanswered; other times we should try to respond in truth • We can recognize truth by its fruit