3 John

Helping or Hindering

In 3 John, he speaks of Gaius and Diotrephes. Gaius is helping the Kingdom. Diotrephes is hindering the cause. Are you helping or hindering in the service of God? We are called to be fellow workers for Truth.

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Walk in Truth

"The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His Name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such that we may become fellow workers for the truth. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness and you know that our testimony is true. I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name." 3 John 1-14

Love Truth and Stand Up for The Truth

2 and 3 John are two of the shortest letters in the Bible with the simplest of messages, to love the truth, walk in the truth and stand up for the truth.

Bibliography

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Before Jerusalem Fell - Dating the Book of Revelation, by Ken Gentry

Explore the Book, by J. Sidlow Baxter, 1960, Zondervan.

Halley's Bible Handbook, by Henry H. Halley, 1927, Zondervan.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Survey of the Bible, by William Hendriksen, 1947, Baker.

The Annals of the World, by Bishop James Usher, 1658.

The Complete Who's Who in the Bible, by Paul D. Gardner, 1995, Zondervan.

The Oxford Companion to the Bible, by Bruce M. Metyger and Michael D. Coogan, 1993, Oxford University Press.

Ungers Bible Dictionary, by Merrill F. Unger, 1957, Moody.

Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, 1985, Nelson.

When Critics Ask, by Norman Geisler and Thomas Have, 1992, Victor.