THREE TYPES OF CHURCH PEOPLE IN THIRD JOHN

Church members have great potential and also can cause grave problems. Some are to be commended and others confronted. John does both in his third letter. 

Those commended serve as bookends to the one confronted. So, the Apostle commences and concludes the epistle on a positive note. The middle section pulls no punches in exposing a problem person in the congregation.

First, he describes GAIUS THE GENEROUS, (v. 1-8). Old John loved this man. He prayed for him to prosper materially and physically in measure as he did spiritually. He knew Gaius would be a good steward of his time, talent, and treasure, for Gaius had demonstrated his love for the Lord and support of the needy. John rejoiced in how Gaius was walking in the truth. He knew that when missionaries came to the church, Gaius would support them in their work. Such church people are a great joy to their pastor!  I have known many such generous souls across the years that God blessed in order for them to be a blessing. 

But, secondly, John turns to DIOTREPHES THE DOMINATOR, (v. 9-11). He was a “church boss,” a member who acted as a mobster. He sought the preeminent position of power. He wanted in the spotlight. His attitude was like that of some members I have known, “I was here when the preacher came and I will be here when he leaves—and if he doesn’t watch out, he will be gone sooner than later!”  Such are troublemakers who like to throw their weight around. They have a venomous tongue and spout “malicious words.” Such must be called out or they will do great harm to the Gospel work. Sadly, the Devil has these planted in many churches. 

Thirdly, the Apostle ends with a glowing word about DEMETRIUS THE DEVOUT, (v. 12-14). Those who knew him were quick to laud him. If you took the plumb-line of Scripture and placed it beside Demetrius, you would see how straight he was doctrinally and morally!  John was delighted in such devotion. As discouraging as a Diotrephes can be, a Demetrius is heartening. People like this fuel the pastors fire to go serve the Lord. They serve as deacons, teach Bible studies, care for children, prepare the building for the worship service, greet the newcomers, collect the offering, and on and on we might go. They are often unsung heroes who shun the spotlight, but the Lord is taking note and their reward waits in glory!

Thank God, that having pastored churches for around a half century, I have had the joy of seeing many generous and devoted souls like Gaius and Demetrius. I will admit I have been wounded by a few seeking domination, but when they demanded that I leave, so far they were the ones who eventually left!  So, preacher remember that those who are for you are usually more than those against you. Supremely, since God is for you, who can be against you?  If Diotrephes has his way and runs you off, shake the dust off your feet, and move on to your next assignment! Jesus—the only perfect Preacher was rejected, so we must not think we can please everyone!

A CHALLENGE TO THE MEMBERS

I commenced this message with a charge to the elders, and now I want to conclude with a challenge to the members.  

First stand faithful with your leaders (v.9-15). 

“Make every effort to come to me soon, because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:9-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Paul’s words are heartbreaking. There were many who abandoned him and others who abused him. I have been glad to watch people join the church, but I have grieved over those who have deserted the church.  Each is a small cut, and a pastor bleeds a slow torture each time. Other members, like Alexander the coppersmith, do great harm—and oppose the Lord’s word. Don’t be one of those!  

Stand faithful and stay focused on your Lord (v.16-18). 

“At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The ultimate focus of Paul was not the men who deserted him, but the Lord who stood with him.  He lived for another world—a pilgrim on a journey to the heavenly kingdom. His focus was on the glory of God.  Look up!

Then, seek fellowship in Christian love (v.19-22). 

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:19-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Having a focus on Christ does not negate having fellowship with Christians. The church is His body. That fellowship is essential! There is urgency, the Apostle expresses, “come before winter.”  He wanted his cloak and his Scriptures (4:13)—the cloak to warm his skin and Word to warm his soul!  

What are you doing as a member of the fellowship to show love to your pastors and the people?  Are you connected to a fellowship now, where you can receive ministry from the Body?

MEMBERS OF THE BODY

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

In a day when many are minimizing the significance of the local church—even among “Christians,” it is important to be reminded of what Scripture teaches—the local church is how God gets His work done in the world.  Through the assembly of believers, they are ministered to that they might be on mission for God.  It is there that truth is taught, where we are equipped, that accountability is provided, mission is conveyed, and supplication is offered together in a powerful way.  We are called to be members of a congregation—we are members of the body of Christ.

Of course, there is the church universal—all believers from Pentecost onward—a host dwelling in heaven and millions scattered through the earth today.  Most of the time, however, the New Testament uses the term, “church,” to describe an assembly of saints, meeting at a particular place, gathering for worship under the guidance of pastors and deacons.  That is how Paul is speaking of the body of Christ at Corinth in chapter twelve of his first epistle to them.

Before these Corinthians were born into God’s family and became members of Christ’s church, they were pagans (v.1-3).  Coming to Jesus meant that the Spirit of God had come to indwell them.  Each member had the Spirit residing in them, enabling them to confess that Jesus is Lord.  That is the joint confession which is made powerfully when we gather with others who have experienced salvation in the local church.

The Spirit imparts to the members gifts according to His sovereign will (v.4-11).  Each believer has received at least one spiritual gift, some have several, but none have them all.  These gifts are not to puff us up in pride, but to be employed for the edifying of the body.  The list of spiritual gifts here is not exhaustive, but representative.  There are other gift “lists” with variation.  The particular ones listed here were perhaps most visible in Corinth.  It is the decision of the Spirit of God as to what gifts we have, and not a matter of our desire for one or the other.

The Apostle uses the illustration of a human body to explain how the church should operate (v.12-31).  Just as our various organs have a specific function in relation to the health of our physical being, so the different members of Christ’s body have particular purposes—and diverse ones—cooperating together in a healthy church.  Every member is essential.  These differences, however, can become a source of strife—and it had in the Corinthian church.  Members were comparing the nature and number of their gifts with one another and what God meant for good, the Devil was using for evil.  It is like an auto-immune disease that some have today—where the body’s defense system starts attacking healthy cells and organs, thinking them to be a virus.  Just as this is harmful, and potentially deadly to our physical being, it will be to the church.

Let us discover, develop, and deploy our gifts for the good of the entire church.  This happens when love is the dominant force in our lives.  It is the, “more excellent way,” Paul refers to in verse thirty-one, and that he will describe in the great love chapter that follows.

The church is headquarters for God’s work.  Let’s plug in and get busy!

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH MEMBER ARE YOU?

 

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 11)

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being an embarrassment to the cause of Christ and 10 being a maximum impact Christian, how would you rate yourself as a church member?  Should someone ask your pastor, “What kind of member is (fill in the blank with your name)?” what would he say?  Let me help crystallize your thinking with a few more questions.

ARE YOU A DELIGHTFUL MEMBER?  Gaius was a member who brought joy to the heart of an old pastor, John the Apostle (3 John v.1-8).  Four times John refers to Gaius as “beloved.”  The obvious strong connection—the warmth and affection—they shared should be the goal of every pastor and member.  John wanted the best for Gaius—that he would prosper in every way.  His spiritual prosperity was evident.  John’s prayer is that his financial and physical well-being would be as healthy as that of his soul.  Would you want your pastor to pray that for you?  If he did, would you be bankrupt financially because you are destitute spiritually?  Would you be hospitalized in critical care because your soul is sin-sick?  Gaius was seeking God’s kingdom first, and then trusting God to care of the rest (Matt.6:33).  No wonder he brought delight to the heart of John.  Twice he is commended for walking in the truth.  The truth was in him, transformed him, and fleshed out in obedience.  He was not only marked by truth, but by his love.  Gaius was generous—willing to help anyone in need, but especially supportive of missions (v.5-8).

ARE YOU A DESTRUCTIVE MEMBER?  Diotrepehes was a destroyer (v.9-11).  Great damage has been done to the church because of church members like this.  He was a man ruled by ego. He would not yield to authority, but exerted his autonomy.  Diotrephes desired to be the dominator—a church boss, greedy of position and gorged with pride.  He rejected new people because they might prove to be a threat to his status.  He refused the Apostle John’s teaching.  He wouldn’t receive instruction.  You can’t teach a know-it-all anything, and that was Diotrephes.  Unlike Gaius who was a helper in spreading the Gospel, Diotrephes was a hindrance.  He had an agenda.  His attitude was, “My way or the highway!”  His tongue was a sword to hurt others.  We look at a member like this and question if they are even saved (v.11).  They may not be.

ARE YOU A DEDICATED MEMBER?  Demetrius was a dedicated disciple (v.11-14).  His testimony was credible because his lifestyle was consistent.  If someone mentioned his name in or out of the church, the reaction would be, “I know him!  He’s a good man!”  Is that what people say when your name is spoken?  It was more than reputation—for some can wear a religious mask that hides the reality—Demetrius’ life was in alignment with the truth of God’s Word.  Belief and behavior; character and confession—both matched up.  John knew he could count on Demetrius.  Can the church count on you?

Here are some examples of church members—two good and one bad—which one will you seek to be like?  Maybe you would say, “I’m not as good as the best, but not as bad as the worst.  I’m somewhere in the middle.”  That makes Christ sick!  Read Rev.3:16.

CONNECTED IN CHRIST

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14, emphasis added)

 
When we are born physically into this world, the umbilical cord is cut and our existence is severed from that of our mother.  This illustrates the spiritual condition in which we enter this earthly existence also.  Sin is the scalpel that severs us from Holy God.  We are born into this world, no longer in Him, but apart from Him.  To die physically in that condition is to be forever in that state of separation.

Jesus came to restore the connection.  Through faith in Him, we are connected to Him and back to God.  Paul repeatedly in these opening verses of Ephesians drives home the reality of redemption—we are “in Christ” and uses the phrase, “in Him” or something related to it again and again.  I have noted eight such expressions in only twelve verses.  Paul’s point is obvious:  we are connected in Christ.

As we examine what it means to be a member of the church and be connected with each other, we must begin with the fact that such a connection is only possible because of that connection with Christ.  We are joined together as members of His Body, because we are joined to Him as our Head.  Just as sin separates us from God, it also separates us from one another.  The sin barrier is broken in Christ and a bridge of grace spans the gulf by His cross. 

The wonderful blessings that we have—all of them and there are many—flow from this connection.  We praise our Triune God from whom all blessings flow; we praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  All three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned in these verses as bringing our salvation.  The Father has chosen us.  Christ has redeemed us.  The Spirit has sealed us.  It is all to the praise of His glory!  May our hearts be filled with wonder and our lips with worship as we meditate on God’s marvelous grace!