Three Men of Third John

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Three Men of Third John
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Background to First John

• What about the epistle?
• A private letter to a member (c. A.D. 90)
• A private letter giving us a glimpse of a local
  church
• What about the three men?
• Gaius is a common Roman name (Acts 1929 204
  Rom. 1623 1 Cor. 114)
• Diotrephes is mentioned only here
• Demetrius is mentioned only here (Acts 1924,38
  ?)
• What about the local church?
• A local church with good and bad members
• A local church with lessons for today

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Gaius The Man Who Would Prosper

• John prayed that Gaius would prosper both
  physically and spiritually (v. 2 Josh. 18 Psa.
  13)
• John rejoiced for Gaius walking in truth
  (vv. 3-4 2 Jn. 2,4)
• John commended Gaius for his hospitality and
  support of truthful teachers (vv. 5-8 Mt.
  2534ff Rom. 1213 Gal. 66 1 Tim.
  32 510 Heb. 132 1 Pet. 49)

4
Diotrephes The Man Who Would Be Preeminent

• Self-promoter (v. 9 Mt. 2027 Mk. 935 1044)
• Insubordinate (v. 9 Lk. 730)
• Slanderous (v. 10 1 Tim. 513)
• Vindictive (v. 10 Lk. 622)

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Demetrius The Man Who Would Be A Pattern

• A good report from the brethren (Acts 63)
• A good report from the truth (Jn. 539 1526
  1 Jn. 57)
• A good report from the Apostles (Jn. 1935 2124)

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Three Lessons from Three Men

• Members in a local church are often different (v.
  9). Will you allow this to negatively affect your
  service or your salvation?
• Members in a local church often imitate other
  members (v. 11). What example are we setting?
  Whose example are we imitating?
• Members in a local church need to address problem
  members (vv. 1,9,13-14). Will you love truth
  enough to correct error?

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Three Lessons from Three Men

• Are you prospering in what counts in the local
  church?
• Are you seeking preeminence over others in the
  local church?
• Are you setting a good example for all in the
  local church?