You and I recently had a discussion concerning missionaries speaking in churches and receiving a small honorarium for doing so. I think you felt it was an inefficient way to support a ministry. So, I have decided to write about why missionaries choose to speak in churches. This will probably be a two or three devotional series on missionary giving. Be ready to be blessed with Truth from God’s holy love letter. You will be blessed because through these few lessons you will learn/or be reminded, how one is able to become a fellow-worker for the Truth:-)
3John 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
John is writing to an individual named Gaius, who evidently has a church in his home (verses 10-12, 15).
3 John2 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.
What causes John his greatest joy?
3 John5 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.
John is praising Gauis for doing something for a group of men, whom he refers to as brothers and strangers. Evidently, they were Christians (brothers) who were not know by Gaius, had visited Gaius, and afterwards spoken highly of Gaius before some 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.
What does John mean when he instructs Gaius to send these men on their journey in a manner worthy of God?
What two reasons does John give in verse 7 for supporting these men financially?
What reason does John give in verse 8 for supporting missionaries?
3 John 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
What does John do about brothers who hurt the church?
3 John11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
What does John do for those who are good testimonies for the truth?
3 John13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Is texting, emailing or writing letters as good as a face to face visit?
3 John15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
Although, this letter is written to Gaius, John asks him to greet others, who must have been part of a small church.