John, the Apostle of love as an elderly man writes two short letters to people who are dear to him, these are the words of a compassionate apostolic witness to Jesus showing Christ’s truth and grace right to the end of his earthly journey.
2 John 1: Greeting
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
Walking in Truth and Love
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
5 And now I ask you, dear lady---not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning---that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Final Greetings
12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.
3 John 1: Greeting
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 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 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support and Opposition
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,
6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
10 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.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 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.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.
14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.
Things to think about…
1. The Elder is John, but who is the ‘elect lady’ he is writing to 2Jn 1:1? Is it a woman, is it a church, is it elect Jewish Christians? It seems it is a church, 2Jn 1:8 because he says “watch yourselves” – plural. He also mentions children of “your elect sister” 2Jn 1:13 – likely another church. At the end of the day, it matters little because the words are to edify all those who are elect in Christ Jesus. Note 2Jn 1:3. John uses a similar greeting here that the Apostle Paul uses in his letters. It is full of grace and truth and immediately sets the tone of the letter, that these people are secure and loved, not only by John but by the Father in heaven. The same applies to all the elect in Christ. Rejoice!
2. 2Jn 1:4 can have two meanings. We not only want our children by physical birth to walk with the Lord, but also those who have been born of the Spirit. John’s words here echo the significance of Christ’s words when Jesus asked the crowd who His true family was in Mt 12:46-50. They are of course those who do the Father’s will, Mt 7:21. May our physical and spiritual families be united in Christ.
3. Love involves obedience, 2Jn 1:6-7. Anyone who does not follow the commandments is deceived and John says are anti-Christ. As is covered 1 and 2 Thessalonians speaking about the man of lawlessness, so here John refers to him as antichrist. How do we discern who he is? When he comes, he will deny Jesus who is God came in the flesh. He will say Jesus came no doubt, but he will deny that Jesus is God and therefore deny Christ’s true identity. This is where the Jews are also deceived. They seek a deliverer who will not proclaim to be God but will be an earthly deliverer of Israel. This spirit has been around since the time of the Apostles as John is saying in his letter. These words are not greatly tolerated in our pluralistic society but there it is. John says this is so serious that we should never accept and tolerate bad behaviour or teaching.
4. In 3John, John leaves no doubt as to its recipient – “to the beloved Gaius”, vs 1. What a tender address. May we address all those in Christ with such tender affection and grace. It is not just health, wealth and happiness John is espousing to Gaius here in 3Jn 1:2. John wants him to be well not only in body, but in soul. John’s joy is confirmed because Gaius is “walking in the truth” 3Jn 1:3,4. Lord continue to grant this grace to your people.
5. John compares Gaius’ godly character along with Demetrius in the church as those who welcome strangers and have a good testimony etc, up against the character of Diotrephes who puts himself first and is dividing the church by saying that the Apostle John and his fellow workers should not be received by the church, 3Jn 1:9. John says he is dealing with it, having written a letter to the church, 3Jn 1:9. Sometimes this is required, but never pleasant.
6. Sometime when we are confronted by a challenging figure in the church like Diotrephes, the temptation is to fight fire with fire. Never the best option. John here simply says “do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God”, vs 11. John makes the point that our response even in difficult situations is associated with our identity and therefore our destiny in Christ.
7. A face to face meeting is always the best option – John gives Gaius the same signoff as he did ‘to the elect lady’, in his second letter, “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.” 3Jn13,14. If we can do the same it is far better than a text or an email.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading for Sunday came from 1 Peter 3:8-22.
1. We know the difference between general suffering and suffering for our faith. When is a time that you have suffered most? Have you ever suffered for your faith?
2. What does it look like to suffer for righteousness’ sake, vs 14.? Peter speaks about a reason for the hope that is within us, but to do so with gentleness and respect, vs 15. That is not always easy when we are being persecuted for our faith. Ultimately so Christ is not put to shame, vs 16.
3. Did Jesus really descend into hades, vss 18 and 19? The passage says He did. Discuss.
4. Are we saved through baptism? What does Peter mean here in vs 21.
Prayer Points
1. Clarity of life and freedoms through to the end of the year.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Graham’s sermon
2. Lock down restrictions eased for Qld.
3. New visitors to the church on Sunday.
4. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details.
2. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Parents to contact Melinda for details.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
