Peter Barnes | 3 John 11-15
SERMON NOTES
THE BLESSING OF A GOOD EXAMPLE
(3 John 11-15)
– John is contrasting Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius in 3 John.
1. We ought to imitate what is good.
– vv.11-12; see 1 John 3:7-10; usually he writes in terms of obeying the commandments (1 John 2:3), but all lawful motives are good
– we all imitate people – hence 1 Cor.15:33; see also 1 Cor.11:1; 2 Thess.3:7; Heb.6:2; 13:7; our heroes ought not to be movie stars and the like
– probably not the Demetrius of Acts 19:24-29
2. A good example is seen by all.
– v.12; by everyone (e.g. 1 Tim.3:7); by the truth (maybe Christ or the Spirit but probably the gospel itself); and by John and the apostles
– worth more than the world’s acclaim
3. It is important to maintain personal fellowship.
– vv.13-14 (or v.15 in the Greek text)
– see Rom.16:1-6 for how personal Paul is, even with a church he had yet to visit!
– John 10:3