3 John 1-4 says....
Today's verses are 3 John 1-4, which read,
v.1 - The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
We start off with John again showing his age and also his position by calling himself "the elder." John could have been the last eyewitness apostle alive at this point. He writes this letter to "the beloved Gaius." The word "beloved" is used only of Christians in the New Testament. Gaius is a common name for a man in the Roman culture and this letter will open up what we will learn about this man.
John says "whom I love in the truth." Maybe a great way to look at this is to say, "I love you in light of the truth and this way because of the truth of Jesus Christ."
v.2 - Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
John is praying for Gaius. He prays for Gaius' life, his physical health, and his soul health. I am getting a picture that John knows Gaius very well to be praying for all aspects of his life.
v.3 - For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is how you are walking in truth.
Someone was talking about Gaius and it was not about his business or his sporting ability. It was not about looks or where he had been. What was talked about was that he was walking in the truth of Jesus Christ. Gauis was living for Christ and like Christ, that it brought attention to others to communicate "that" about him. We need to live more of "that" way so that others will speak to others of us because of the transforming power of Jesus seen through our lives.
v.4 - I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
John lets you in on something that really lights up a pastor. Gaius is called one of John's children, meaning someone who John shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with personally. We share that gospel with many but some of the seed falls on the hard soil, some on the shallow soil, and some on the weedy soil. Some seed falls on the good soil and Gaius is one of them. The way that Gaius is living his life in honor of Jesus brings to John "no greater joy." I can testify to this statement.
I am really interested in learning more about this Christian named Gaius who is most likely a Roman who heard and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ through the lips of John.
"Lord, thank You for putting around me people of the faith and that our common thread is that we love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. Our friendship is beyond a common age of life or a common work experience. We gather this morning with those who lift high the name of Jesus and You are our common bond. May our lives show that to our community. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.1 - The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
We start off with John again showing his age and also his position by calling himself "the elder." John could have been the last eyewitness apostle alive at this point. He writes this letter to "the beloved Gaius." The word "beloved" is used only of Christians in the New Testament. Gaius is a common name for a man in the Roman culture and this letter will open up what we will learn about this man.
John says "whom I love in the truth." Maybe a great way to look at this is to say, "I love you in light of the truth and this way because of the truth of Jesus Christ."
v.2 - Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
John is praying for Gaius. He prays for Gaius' life, his physical health, and his soul health. I am getting a picture that John knows Gaius very well to be praying for all aspects of his life.
v.3 - For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is how you are walking in truth.
Someone was talking about Gaius and it was not about his business or his sporting ability. It was not about looks or where he had been. What was talked about was that he was walking in the truth of Jesus Christ. Gauis was living for Christ and like Christ, that it brought attention to others to communicate "that" about him. We need to live more of "that" way so that others will speak to others of us because of the transforming power of Jesus seen through our lives.
v.4 - I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
John lets you in on something that really lights up a pastor. Gaius is called one of John's children, meaning someone who John shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with personally. We share that gospel with many but some of the seed falls on the hard soil, some on the shallow soil, and some on the weedy soil. Some seed falls on the good soil and Gaius is one of them. The way that Gaius is living his life in honor of Jesus brings to John "no greater joy." I can testify to this statement.
I am really interested in learning more about this Christian named Gaius who is most likely a Roman who heard and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ through the lips of John.
"Lord, thank You for putting around me people of the faith and that our common thread is that we love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. Our friendship is beyond a common age of life or a common work experience. We gather this morning with those who lift high the name of Jesus and You are our common bond. May our lives show that to our community. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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