KASUMIGAOKA
2017/05/21
SERMON: “Advice for Becoming a Happy Church”「幸せな教会になるための助言」
TEXT: III John 1-14
I. INTRODUCTION
John begins this letter as he did his previous letter, introducing himself simply as “the elder.” But unlike John’s other writings, this third letter is addressed to a person whose name is given. It is written to a close friend, “my beloved Gaius.” The name is a very common Roman name, and there is one “Gaius of Derbe,” another Gaius from Macedonia, and yet another Gaius who lived in Corinth–all mentioned in Acts and in Paul’s letters. John’s friend is probably a different Gaius. Even though we know so little about this Gaius, John’s very brief personal letter to him was received by the church as one of the books of the New Testament. Like the apostle Paul’s letters to individuals (Timothy, Titus, and Philemon), John’s letter was recognized as an inspired apostolic writing of great value for the entire church. It has been helpful to the Christian church down through the ages, because in this letter John deals with issues and tensions that are experienced by all true churches. The early church faced internal conflicts, just as churches do today. In the midst of these tensions the apostle John offers encouragement that can help every Christian church grow spiritually in peace, truth, and love. If faithfully followed, John’s advice can guide any church to fruitful service and happiness in Christ. Let’s look more closely at what John writes to Gaius.
II. JOHN’S ADVICE FOR GAIUS (AND HIS CHURCH)
John’s advice to Gaius includes both personal encouragement for Gaius and instruction about the proper treatment of others in the church. Besides Gaius, two other people are mentioned by name in John’s letter: Diotrephes and Demetrius. It is not clear if either of them holds any “office” in the church. Nor is there any indication that Gaius himself is a church leader such as pastor or elder, although he may be. Diotrephes may be a recognized church leader, since John says in v. 10 that there are some whom Diotrephes “puts out of the church.” He certainly exercises great influence, if he can personally “excommunicate” members from the church. But if Diotrephes is a pastor or elder, he is a very bad one. The other man, Demetrius, is a true Christian brother whom John recommends to Gaius. He may be a travelling Christian teacher or missionary whom John has urged Gaius to welcome warmly and to help in his ministry. What John says to Gaius in this little letter provides the church with a useful guide for mutual encouragement and correction. Following the apostle’s guidance will help the church to overcome conflicts that threaten her happiness and harmony.
Let’s consider, first, the apostle’s words of encouragement John gives to Gaius. The first 8 verses are filled with warm greetings and praise for the recipient of this letter. Notice what a close bond of Christian brotherhood exists between these two men. John calls Gaius his “dear friend” (“beloved”) in vv. 1, 2, 5, and 11. His love for Gaius is based upon their common commitment to the “truth.” Gaius is a man, John says, “whom I love in truth.” Their love for the truth—that is, for Jesus Christ Himself and for His gospel of salvation—is the basis for their bond of brotherly affection. John’s love for this fellow-believer leads him to pray for Gaius. He prays for his physical health and general success–that he might “prosper and be in good health”–just as he prays for the Lord’s blessing of a healthy soul (v. 2). Their love for the truth binds these two men together as brothers and causes them to seek each other’s happiness and prosperity. The necessity of Christian love rooted in truth is a theme John repeatedly emphasizes in all of his writings.
Notice also what John says to Gaius about joy. “It gave me great joy,” John says, “when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth” (v. 3). How did John know that Gaius was faithful to the truth they both professed? By the testimony of others! In the darkness of this fallen world, a faithful witness to the truth shines brightly and will not be overlooked by others. Fellow Christians will rejoice to see another Christian holding faithfully to the truth. A faithful witness to the truth is shown most clearly when a Christian—like Gaius—really lives by it. That is what the other brothers told John: “Gaius continues to walk in the truth.” No matter what his circumstances might be, Gaius tried to apply the teaching of Christ to his own life. He did not do it “for show” or to please men. Gaius wanted to live by the truth in order to please his Lord Jesus Christ. That is what gave John so much joy and delight! “I have no greater joy,” John says, “than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (v. 4). This is what brings joy to real Christians—not just becoming “popular” church; not just attracting greater numbers of people to worship services; not just increased financial stability; not just achieving more influence in society! It is evidence that the church’s spiritual children are “walking in the truth” that makes us rejoice! This is the miracle of the new spiritual life God that gives us in Christ: ordinary men, women, and children begin to live in the world as citizens of Christ’s heavenly kingdom. Following the word of Christ makes them different. They walk in the truth and they shine in the darkness with the light of Christ Himself! Non-believers will see this and be perplexed; some will be angry; many will be opposed. But when Christians see their brothers and sisters walking in the truth, they rejoice! Rejoicing in the truth is one of the signs of a happy church.
Of course, in order to walk in the truth, one must first be able to recognize the truth. In this letter John commends Gaius for discerning those who speak the truth and welcoming them into the church fellowship. In vv. 5-8 John mentions “brothers” who are “strangers”—that is, unknown to Gaius and the other members of his church. Most scholars think John is referring to itinerant Christian “missionaries” who have gone out into the world to spread the truth of Jesus Christ. In v. 7 John says, “they went out for the sake of the Name”—that is, the Name of Jesus Christ. So these “strangers” are Christians who go about preaching the truth about who Jesus is. He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In 1 John and 2 John, this expression “gone out into the world” is used only to describe the activity of “deceivers” or “false prophets” (e.g., 1 Jn. 2:19; 4:1; 2 Jn. 7). Those deceivers have left the church in order to spread false teaching about the gospel and about Jesus Christ Himself. But now John is talking about true believers who have “gone out into the world” to proclaim the truth, to correct the errors being spread by deceivers. It is possible that John himself has sent these brothers. In vv. 5-8 John praises Gaius for his faithfulness in welcoming these travelling brothers (v. 5). “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.” In 2 John, John had urged his readers to beware of deceivers. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this [true] teaching,” John had written, “do not take them into your house or welcome them” (2 Jn. 10). John urges churches to carefully discern the content of what these visitors teach. Those who profess truth must be received; but those who teach error and falsehood must be rejected. Friendship among Christians must be based on what people believe and what they teach. True Christian fellowship depends on our ability to discern the difference between truth and error. This is why we must study the Scriptures diligently. Gaius recognized the truth that these visitors believed, and he had welcomed them warmly. As John says in v. 8, “Therefore we ought to show hospitality to such people, so that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.” A happy church is one that studies God’s word diligently, welcomes and supports those who teach truth, but rejects those who teach error. By doing this faithfully—as Gaius had done—a church is able to share in the great work of spreading the gospel truth throughout the world.
But not all churches—and not all church leaders—have had Gaius’ ability to discern truth. John mentions one such man by name: Diotrephes. How should a church deal with a member—perhaps even a church leader—who shows little discernment or regard for the truth? Sadly, there are members in many churches who seek personal gain or convenience or influence more than they seek for truth. The apostle Paul had warned about such people in his advice to the elders of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:30-31). Paul said, “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” For this reason, John offers Gaius some very important advice about how such people should be treated. John says, “Know who these people are.” John does not hesitate to name one such member in the church. You must identify those who put personal gain ahead of the truth of God’s word. How can they be identified? John mentions 3 things about Diotrephes that show his bad character.
(1) First, John says, Diotrephes has rejected the apostolic teaching. (v. 9) “I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.” The words of the apostles, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are to be accepted as true by all the members of Christ’s church. The Spirit of Truth is the Spirit of inspiration, and the Spirit cannot lie! If anyone sets aside as untrustworthy the apostle’s teaching, and substitutes his own opinions, let that person be carefully noticed! It is the apostles’ teaching that must be accepted as the standard for the church’s faith and life. This is what the Lord Jesus Himself intended when He appointed the apostles as His personal representatives in the world. And Diotrephes not only rejects what the apostle had written to him, but John says, he also “spreads malicious nonsense about us” (v. 10, NIV). Not only rejecting the apostles’ teaching, but speaking evil of those who accept it, is evidence of a bad, unbelieving character, which should not be overlooked.
(2) Second, in v. 10 John adds that Diotrephes “refuses to welcome other believers.” Either Diotrephes lacks the ability to discern the truth, or he simply refuses to welcome anyone who might challenge his personal views. In either case, he fails to show evidence of a primary Christian virtue—love for the brothers. It seems likely that Diotrephes refuses to welcome the “other believers” because he wants to maintain and strengthen his own influence over his church. An open attitude to the wisdom and counsel of the broader church has helped to preserve true biblical doctrine down through the centuries. On the other hand, if a church becomes “narrow” and too focused on one man’s peculiar teaching, it may gradually transform into a cult. For that reason, it is imperative that churches keep their doors open to the rest of the Christian world.
(3) Third, John says at the end of v. 10 that Diotrephes “forbids those who desire [to welcome other Christians], and puts them out of the church.” Diotrephes demands that everyone in the church recognize his wisdom and authority. They must submit to his personal opinions or they are not welcome in “his” church. This is a church that needs to be reminded that it is not “Diotrephes’ church”; it is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ! Nevertheless, history shows that there have frequently been tyrants over churches, just as there have been tyrants over nations. The pride and the power of a one-man “dictatorship” is a grave danger that the church must avoid! (Maybe that is why the Scriptures have established the Presbyterian form of church government.) The only source of authority in Christ’s church is His own word, which is the Bible.
For these reasons, Diotrephes must be opposed. Therefore, John says he intends to expose his errors and challenge him face to face, if he is able to visit that church in person. Such a man should not be allowed to influence the church. It is not bad deeds, but good deeds that we should imitate, John says (v. 11). The evil done by Diotrephes does not support his claim to be a Christian; on the contrary, it shows that he is a man who has not yet “seen God” with eyes of faith (v. 11). The purpose of discipline is to remove evil, to promote the happiness and witness of Christ’s church. Sometimes, by God’s grace, it can lead to a sinner’s repentance.
The third man named in John’s letter is Demetrius. John enthusiastically recommends him to Gaius. He has “received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself” (v. 12). With the apostle’s introduction, Demetrius should be welcomed wherever Christians assemble. Demetrius may be the man who has delivered John’s third letter to Gaius. He is a trustworthy brother who believes and who bears the truth. He is probably one of those men who have gone out into the world “for the sake of the Name,” and he is worthy of receiving honor and assistance for his faithful missionary labors (cf. v. 6).
John closes his letter expressing his hope that he will soon visit Gaius’ church, so that they can talk about many things face to face. Although many important things can be written in letters like this one, it is still necessary for much pastoral ministry to be performed “in person.” This elder is a shepherd like Jesus, who knows each of his “sheep,” and he asks Gaius to “greet them by name” in his closing words.
III. CONCLUSION
Despite the presence of the man Diotrephes, who shows a deeply flawed character, John knows that real peace will come to the church of Jesus Christ, if they follow his advice. This is still true today. A healthy, happy church is one whose members welcome the truth, who can discern error, and who will not allow evil to take root among them. However, a church that rightly stresses the truth of God’s word must not forget the necessity of encouraging one another. While criticizing error, the church must remember and commend the praiseworthy, faithful deeds of her members. A truly happy church will try to maintain a balance between criticism and praise. A happy church faithfully guards the truth of the gospel, and its members are united in love and filled with joy because of the gospel truth they have received. May we be such a church!