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The Three Men
rd
Of 3 John
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3 John
• Theme of the book – Christian
hospitality
• Purpose of book – To commend
Christian faithfulness and
hospitality & to condemn those
in the church who act like
Diotrephes
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3 John
• Key word(s) – Truth;
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3 John - Brief outline:
• I. Introduction 1-4
• II. Commendation of Gaius 5-8
• III. Condemnation of Diotrephes
9-10
• IV. Recommendation of
Demetrius 11-12
• V. Conclusion 13-14
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Introduction
• 1. Third John is a neglected
epistle
• 2. It is a meaningful letter – full
of tenderness
• 3. It is a look into the lives of
early Christians – Christians like
you and me
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Introduction
• 4. It centers around the lives of
three major characters:
• Gaius
• Diotrephes
• Demetrius
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Verses 1-2
• The elder unto the wellbeloved
Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Beloved, I wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper and be
in health, even as thy soul
prospereth
I. Introduction To Letter –
Vs. 1-4
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• The elder (v. 1) – reference to the
aged John, who wrote the letter
• V. 2 – All things should be gauged by
spiritual prosperity – John prayed
that Gaius would prosper physically
as he did spiritually
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Verses 3-4
• For I rejoiced greatly, when the
brethren came and testified of
the truth that is in thee, even as
thou walkest in the truth. I have
no greater joy than to hear that
my children walk in truth.
I. Introduction To Letter –
Vs. 1-4
• Vs. 3-4 “Walk in truth” Following faithfully the word of
God
• Gaius was a beloved man and a
truth follower
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Verses 5-6
• Beloved, thou doest faithfully
whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers; Which
have borne witness of thy charity
before the church: whom if thou
bring forward on their journey after
a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
II. Gaius – Lover Of Hospitality
Vs. 5-8
• Traveling preachers needed help
– place to stay – food – support
• Gaius was hospitable toward all
men (Vs. 5-6)
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Verses 7-8
• Because that for his name's sake
they went forth, taking nothing
of the Gentiles. We therefore
ought to receive such, that we
might be fellowhelpers to the
truth.
II. Gaius – Lover Of Hospitality
Vs. 5-8
• He was encouraged to continue
supporting preachers (Vs. 7-8)
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Verses 9-10
• I wrote unto the church: but
Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them,
receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I
come, I will remember his deeds
which he doeth, prating against
us with malicious words:
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Verses 9-10
• and not content therewith,
neither doth he himself receive
the brethren, and forbiddeth
them that would, and casteth
them out of the church.
III. Diotrephes – Lover of First
Place – Vs. 9-10
• What he did:
• He had turned away traveling
preachers
• He had turned out of the church
those who were helping
traveling preachers
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III. Diotrephes – Lover of First
Place – Vs. 9-10
• Characteristics of Diotrephes:
• He put himself first
• He spoke evil of John
• These two characteristics often
go together – lovers of first place
are often critical of others
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Verses 11-12
• Beloved, follow not that which is
evil, but that which is good. He that
doeth good is of God: but he that
doeth evil hath not seen God.
Demetrius hath good report of all
men, and of the truth itself: yea,
and we also bear record; and ye
know that our record is true.
IV. Demetrius – Lover Of
Faithfulness – Vs. 11-12
• Demetrius had a good report
others, of the truth and of John
• His life showed that he followed
God’s word
• He appears to be offered as a
pattern for Gaius and others to
follow
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• Lessons For Us
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1. We are to be hospitable
• 1 Pet. 4:9
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2. We must “walk in truth”
• 2 Jn. 2, 4
3. Sinful pride can cause us to
lose our good judgment
• Proverbs 11:2
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4. Christians are not always what
they should be
• We may have to serve in the
face of opposition from others
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5. Christians often imitate other
Christians
• What example are we setting in
the local church?
• Who are we imitating?
• Gaius had Diotrephes and
Demetrius – who would you
have followed?
6. We must not allow “spirit of
Diotrephes” dominate our lives
• Micah 6:8
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7. We must follow that which is
good
• 3 Jn. 11
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Conclusion
• If John had written a letter in
which your name was
mentioned, what would he have
said about you?
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References
• The Three men of Third John, outline by
Winfred Clark (Expositions of the
Expositor)
• “The Third Epistle of John, Mark
Copeland, (executableoutlines.com. )
• The Third Epistle of John, Know Your
Bible, by Frank J. Dunn, 1997