3 John
November Memory Verse: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me." Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
3 John
After his initial introductory encouragement in verses 1–4, John speaks into the difficult situation that the recipient, Gaius, has found in his church. John encourages Gaius in his support of traveling brothers and sisters in Christ. However, there is another leader in the church, Diotrephes, who not only refuses to support them, he kicks anybody who does out of the church.
3 John is a very short first century church letter. However, there are several principles that apply to us all.
First, in verse 4, John rejoices “to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” How often do you celebrate obedience? We treat faithfulness and steadfastness as the status quo for believers and only remark when issues arise. What would it look like for you to celebrate those who are walking in truth—those who serve at your church, those who spend time with the Lord everyday for a week, those who pray for the salvation of those in their lives?
Secondly, John calls the effort of Gaius and others “a faithful thing” (5), and “you will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God” (6). CPC is big on missions. We love missions and missionaries.
When reading this passage, verse 8 jumped off the page, “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” As we’re still buzzing from the largest missions offering EVER at CPC, over 133 thousand dollars, I am so thankful for those that gave and prayed. Participation in that offering puts verse 8 into action. It’s a great reminder that we are fellow workers for the truth.
Thirdly, don’t put yourself first, but do good and protect your testimony. Notice the contrast between Diotrephes (9–10) and Demetrius (12). The transition between the two examples is verse 11, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Your goodness doesn’t save you, but it shows the world your salvation. And, when you open your mouth to proclaim the Gospel, your witness remains unhindered.
As an encouragement around verse 8, tell us what you thought it felt when you first heard that CPC had met the missions offering goal.
By: Tyler Short
3 John
After his initial introductory encouragement in verses 1–4, John speaks into the difficult situation that the recipient, Gaius, has found in his church. John encourages Gaius in his support of traveling brothers and sisters in Christ. However, there is another leader in the church, Diotrephes, who not only refuses to support them, he kicks anybody who does out of the church.
3 John is a very short first century church letter. However, there are several principles that apply to us all.
First, in verse 4, John rejoices “to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” How often do you celebrate obedience? We treat faithfulness and steadfastness as the status quo for believers and only remark when issues arise. What would it look like for you to celebrate those who are walking in truth—those who serve at your church, those who spend time with the Lord everyday for a week, those who pray for the salvation of those in their lives?
Secondly, John calls the effort of Gaius and others “a faithful thing” (5), and “you will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God” (6). CPC is big on missions. We love missions and missionaries.
When reading this passage, verse 8 jumped off the page, “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” As we’re still buzzing from the largest missions offering EVER at CPC, over 133 thousand dollars, I am so thankful for those that gave and prayed. Participation in that offering puts verse 8 into action. It’s a great reminder that we are fellow workers for the truth.
Thirdly, don’t put yourself first, but do good and protect your testimony. Notice the contrast between Diotrephes (9–10) and Demetrius (12). The transition between the two examples is verse 11, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Your goodness doesn’t save you, but it shows the world your salvation. And, when you open your mouth to proclaim the Gospel, your witness remains unhindered.
As an encouragement around verse 8, tell us what you thought it felt when you first heard that CPC had met the missions offering goal.
By: Tyler Short
5 Comments
Verse 8, we get to be "fellow workers with the truth," when we support ministry in the various ways, "for the sake of the Name," verse 7.
This is great news!
Missions were always going to be near and dear to me whether I liked it or not; my father was and is a missionary. He told me how he and my mom sold everything, and forwent his well-paid IT job in Chile to reach the Latin population in the US. He, like so many others, were fully funded by the passionate giving of the church. I cannot tell you how many hundreds if not thousands were saved and are still coming to Christ.
But one thing people don't necessarily remember is that missionaries are people, with families. You, the church, fed and clothed my sisters and me. You encouraged my parents spirit with missions giving and allowed them to focus on the gospel. Love you all, pray we always remember the mission.
I really was not taken by surprise when I heard the October missions total. The wall pictures of church plants in other countries was the first thing that got my attention when Pat and I first visited CPC in 2019. It showed me that CPC really cared and were serious about sharing the gospel and committed for the long term in disciplining. What a blessing it is to be a part if caring and commitment
Like Ron, I was not surprised that CPC exceeded the goal. I am so blessed to be in a church that really loves to work for God and looks for every opportunity to do so. How exciting to be a part of this mission work.
Have a great day, CPC brothers and sisters!
When I heard, I knew we had been led well in the past by Tim, and it shows me that we are a strong church because of that leadership!