Strategic Partnership – 3 John
1. Open Your
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 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 John 1-2
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. —3 John 3–4
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. —John 15:16
I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name. —3 John 13–15
2. Open Your
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. —3 John 5-6a
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality —Romans 12:13.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. —1 Peter 4:9
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. —Hebrews 13:2
You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. —3 John 6b
For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. —3 John 7
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. —3 John 8
I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 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. —3 John 9–10
S.A.D.
S -
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. —Philippians 2:3–4
- Selfish - “I
A -
- Arrogant - “I
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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. —3 John 10
- Damaging – “You better not get in my
3. Open Your
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. —3 John 11
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. —Hebrews 13:7
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. —3 John 12
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. —Proverbs 22:1
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness they do not know over what they stumble. —Proverbs 4:18–19