“Illustrations of Walking in & out of the Light”

I. Gaius – The Hospitable Believer 1-8

A. Spiritually healthy (vs 2)

B. Walked worthy of the Lord (vs 3)

C. Hospitable to all (vs 5-7), Gal. 6:10, James 1:27)

D. Fellow worker for truth ( vs 8)

II. Diotrophes – The Preeminent Dictator

A. Obsessed with preeminence (vs 9 – Gal. 1:18)

B. Malicious backbiter (vs 10)

C. Not hospitable ( vs 10)

D. Evil in God’s sight ( vs 11)

III. Demetrius – A Christian example (12)

A. Has a good reputation (vs 12)

1. From all ( Xian & Non-Xian)

2. From truth – Bible

3. From Apostles – Inspired men

IV. John - - The Concerned Encourager

A. Concerned about physical & spiritual health of brethren (vs 2)

B. Rejoices in other’s faithfulness (vs 4)

C. Was not afraid to call names (vs 9)

D. Imitator of good (vs 11)

3 John: “Illustrations of Walking in & out of the Light”

Intro:

1. In I & II John, we were instructed to walk in the light, walk in love, & walk in truth. Now, in 3 John, John is going to give us real life examples

of those who did & did not walk in the truth.

2. Many times examples & illustrations are the best way to learn (Mk. 4:34)

3. In this short epistle, John gives 3 implicit examples of men who did & did not walk in the truth. But, we have often overlooked a fourth person in 3 Jn. Who becomes a strong example of in the light – John, himself.

4. In this epistle we are given 3 characteristics of walking in the light & one characteristic of walking out of the light.

5. As we look at the lives of these men, may each of us compare ourselves to them to see if we are walking in truth.

I. Gaius – The Hospitable Believer 1-8

A. The beloved Gaius was a perfect example of walking in the light because

of his hospitality. But really, there were other things that made him faithful too.

1. Spiritual Healthy (vs 2)

a. Free from sin – (Rom. 6:12, 16; Isa. 59:1-2, Lk. 9:62)

b. Obedient to God – (Heb. 5:8-9, Jn. 15:14, I Jn.1:7, 2 Thes. 1:7-10, Lk. 6:46)

c. In knowledge of Word ( Ps. 119:105, Ps. 119:9, 11, Jer. 23:29, Jer. 22:29, Jer. 20:9, 15:16, Heb. 4:12)

d. Heaven bound – (Phil. 3:20-21, Phil. 3:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:1-2)

e. Will suffer for cause (2 Tim. 3:12, James 1:2ff, Acts 14:11 – Stephen, James

2. Walk Worthy of the Lord (vs 3-4, Col. 1:10)

a. fully pleasing Him (Rev. 22:14

b. fruitful (Jn 15:1ff, Rom. 7:4

c. Increasing in knowledge of Him (2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Tim. 1:13)

3. Hospitable to all (vs 5-7)

a. The word is “Love of a stranger: )Gal. 6:10, James 1:27

2 Cor. 4:13, Mk. 16:15, Matt. 28:18)

b. Support of missionaries & evangelists

II. Diotrophes – The Preeminent Dictator (vs 9-10

A. Obsessed with preeminence (Col. 1:18)

1. Have to have things my way.

2. Frustrates any kind of work that gets started.

3. Will not help or receive anyone from God.

4. Is really unloving (Jn. 13:34-35, Heb. 13:1)

5. Does not follow the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12)

B. Malicious Back Biter

1. Talks about you when you’re away

2. Talks evil of you (Eph. 4:29-32)

3. More harm has been done by complainers & backbiters (Rom. 1:30)

C. Not hospitable – qualification of elder. (Rom. 13:2)

D. Evil in the sight of God. (Eph. 5:11, I Cor. 15:33, I Tim. 6:11, 2 Tim. 2:22, Ps. 34:14)

III. Demetrius – A Christian example (vs 12, Acts 6:3, I Tim. 3:7)

A. From all (I Tim.4:12, Matt. 5:16, Acts 4:13) Oneisphurus, Philemon,

Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, Luke

B. From Truth (James 1:22, Gal. 3:17, I tim. 4:16, Matt. 6:33)

C. From Apostles (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

D. Could we be a good Xian example

IV. John – The Concerned Encourager

A. Concerned about physical & spiritual well being of others (james 5:16)

Will go to those sick in sin(Lk.15:10)

B. Rejoices in others faithfulness, a good encourager (Heb. 3:12, 10:25-26,

Phil. 4:4)

C. Was not afraid to call names -

False teachers

Good men

D. Imitator of good (Lk. 9:23, I Cor. 11:1, Rev. 14:4, Jn. 21:19, 22)