THE SECOND
LETTER OF JOHN !!
..
The Second Letter of John was written by the Elder
to the dear Lady and to her children, probably meaning a local church and its
members. The brief message is an appeal
to love one another and a warning against false teachers and their teachings.
In this Second Epistle the apostle John (though
critics deny that it was THAT John!) writes to a married lady about matters
that are just as needful for us to heed nigh on 2000 years later.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
PROLOGUE OF THE LETTER
Note the emphasis upon the truth
in some places
it means the TRUTH
the basic doctrines of the Christian Faith.
2. THE
PURPOSE OF THE LETTER
(a) Being orthodox in doctrine
is not sufficient. We are also to live
in love (v. 6).
Here is a mathematical equation to sum up what John
is saying in these verses
That is ORTHODOXY (correct doctrine) without CHARITY (Divine Love, 1 Corinthians 13:13 K.J.V.) is FUTILITY!
(b) Not
only are we to follow the True Teaching
lovingly
but now we are
reminded that we are to avoid the False Teaching
earnestly! (vv 7-11).
(i) In
Johns day the false teachers were the Gnostics
a heresy that denied the
perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus (v. 7).
Notice in Johns First Epistle (1:1) how he commences by stressing that
he had personally seen and touched the Lord Jesus.
(ii) Today
a host of erroneous teachings have arisen concerning the Person and Work of our
Lord Jesus.
(iii) John
Newton wrote
What think ye of Christ is
the test
To try both your state and
your scheme;
You cannot be right in the
rest
Unless you think rightly of
Him.
The Bible teaches that He was God manifest in the flesh that He died for our sins and rose again bodily the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and it is by faith in Him we appropriate the salvation He has provided (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We must be careful not to encourage nor support
false teachers (v. 11!!), which makes me glad I do not belong to a church
associated with the World Council of Churches!
3. THE
POST-SCRIPT OF THE LETTER
The page of parchment has run out
besides it is
not always wise to commit things to writing (v. 12). Thats when the trouble starts
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THE THIRD
LETTER OF JOHN !!
..
Whereas 2 John was penned to a Christian lady warning her to keep the door shut against false teachers 3 John is written to a Christian gentleman commending him for opening his door to faithful preachers!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
COMMENDATION OF GAIUS
vv 1-8
Note how John describes him
four times (vv 1, 2,
5, 11).
(a) Continuing
in the Faith
vv 3-4. Converted under
Johns ministry some time previous, he is still going on with the Lord!
(b) Walking
in the Truth
v. 3. His life is in step
with Gods Word! Contrast the walk of
the false teachers
Jude 16.
(c) Growing
in Spirituality
v. 2. How would YOU like your
material health and prosperity to be proportionate to that of your soul?
(d) Caring
for the Saints
vv 5-6. Gaius was given to
hospitality (Romans 12:13).
<N.B.> Verse
7. The itinerant preachers did not collect money
from the unsaved. The Lords work
should be supported by the Lords people.
2. THE
CONDEMNATION OF DIOTREPHES
vv 9-11
(a) His
Self-Seeking
v. 9. He loved to push his
way in to first place.
(b) His
Slander
v. 10. He spoke arrogantly and
insultingly against John!
(c) His
Schism
v. 10. By refusing to greet those
whom John had sent, he was threatening to split the fellowship.
Diotrephes is not condemned for being a false
teacher, but for being unloving toward fellow believers! Mmmm!
3. THE
RECOMMENDATION OF DEMETRIUS
v. 12
(a) He was Accepted by the
Brethren
well spoken of because of his ministry.
John adds his testimony to this brothers faithfulness.
(b) His Ministry was Attested
by his Behaviour. What he said was supported by
a godly life.
* * * * * * * * * *
Three men
The
Amiable Gaius,
The
Arrogant Diotrephes,
The
Admirable Demetrius,
each with a
lesson for us nigh on 2000 years later!
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