Notes for A House Divided

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1. A House Divided
3 John


2. 1 John
2 John
3 John
Universal Epistle
Directed Epistle
Personal Epistle

3. Cast of Characters
John-the elder (Apostle)
Gaius-a godly man (Bishop)
Diotrephes-a troublemaker (unknown status)
Demetrius-a good example (Itinerate minister)

4. The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth

5. Some controversy
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

6. First
Not a proof text for prosperity gospel
Common greeting

7. KJV
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
8. Personal touch
For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

9. Truth matters
Walking in the truth
Who Jesus is
Obeying the commandments
Abiding in love
10. Heart of the letter
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church.
11. Heart of the letter (continued)
You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

12. The Brethren
Iterate teachers
Evangelists
*We would call them missionaries

13. Financial support
You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

14. Worthy of God
Spiritual service
Significant
Abundant
Loving

15. “acting faithfully”
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

16. Word Wealth
“We Ought” financially indebted
“Support such men” receive such men as guest

17. fellow workers
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

18. Open your bulletin
Scott Douglas
Name withheld
David & Rebecca Smith
Esdras & Michelle Orantes
Ray & Deborah Miller
Jason & Celeste Brown

Ben & Belu Grams
Garo & Jordania Nargiz
Norman & Cheryl Knoodle
Craig & Joy Wommack
Alex & Abby Rodriguez
Jim & Chris Robinson
19. Bad Apple
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does,
20. Bad Apple (continued)
unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
21. Quite a profile
 Loves to be first
 Rejects authority
 Lies/slanders
 Rejects traveling ministers
 Disfellowships members

22. Troublemakers need to be handled
if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does

23. WWJD
Matt 18
Ancient mosaic found near Sea of Galilee depicts Jesus' loaves and fishes miracle
ichthus
24. Step 1
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

25. Step 2
But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
26. Step 3
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
27. Biblical power
 Binding and loosening

 Where two or three are gathered



28. Role models
…do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

29. Test
 Does good
 Doesn’t practice sin
 Keeps commandments
 Shows love
30. Good example
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

31. Demetrius
• Good reputation
• Walks out the truth
• Endorsed by leadership

32. Sincerely yours
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you.
Greet the friends by name.


33. A House Divided
Let us pray



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