Hospitality, 3 November 2024, 3 John
03 11 24 Filed in: Sermons | Little Letters
Hospitality
Little Letters: 3 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 3, 2024
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil.
When is the last time you were socially in a new place? Maybe it was a restaurant, a new country, the first day of class, or starting a new job. How did it feel to be a stranger?
We’re in a pre-holiday series called Little Letters. Last week we examined the book of 2 John and today we’re looking at another letter attributed to John the Apostle…3 John. Let’s dive in!
The elder,
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. (3 John 1)
If you were here last week, there were two words John used repeatedly—love and truth. You’ll see them in this letter, too.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 2)
This is a common prayer, even today. Notice John is not only concerned with the spiritual condition of his friend, Gaius, but also his physical body. Jesus set a great example of this by feeding large crowds while teaching them spiritual truths. Our bodies matter. They are God’s temple. Caring for our bodies is important since we can’t do much without them!
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 3-4)
There he goes again, talking about truth…twice. John’s speaking of spiritual children, not necessarily biological sons and daughters. As a dad and papa, I can tell you there really is no greater joy than seeing my kids and g-kids doing well, in every sense of the word. Many of you can relate…and others of you will someday!
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. (3 John 5)
This is the definition of hospitality: welcoming the stranger. Gaius is being commended for loving these strangers, missionaries who were traveling through, delivering the good news of the gospel about Jesus. Gaius is a good, faithful friend serving strangers for God’s glory. This is arguably the key verse in this little letter.
They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. (3 John 6)
Gaius is filled with love, the hallmark of the Christian, the follower of Jesus, especially toward traveling missionaries.
As the gospel was spreading from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), it required men and women to travel to unreached places with the good news, the message of Jesus Christ. Back then, you couldn’t check into an Airbnb, VRBO, or Holiday Inn! You relied on the help from others.
It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. (3 John 7)
The Name…Jesus. Even today, some Jews refer to God as Ha-Shem, “The Name.” These missionaries would travel to tell people about Jesus. Their audience was not helping them, obviously, so they needed fellow Christians to provide encouragement, food, money, lodging, prayer…hospitality.
We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. (3 John 8)
In the previous letter, John says don’t welcome wicked deceivers. In contrast, here he encourages hospitality to those proclaiming the truth.
Go back to my question. How did it feel to be a stranger in a new place? Maybe it was your first Sunday at College First. Perhaps you recently checked into a hotel or visited a new restaurant. Hospitality is a lost art in our culture today. Have you noticed? There’s one big exception, and it’s going to get me in trouble because it’s the one business that should never mentioned on a Sunday…Chick Fil-A. I’m sorry! Many of you have Chick Fil-A stories. Here’s mine.
On March 22, 2016, Heather and I wanted to throw an engagement party for our daughter, Rachel, and her fiancée Mark. After discovering Mark had never been to Chick Fil-A, we decided it was in our budget to throw them an engagement party—just the four of us—at a Chick Fil-A in Toledo.
Mark enjoyed the food very much, but about midway through the meal, Heather was about to get another order of fries. An employee came by and insisted he get them for her, during which we explained this was not only Mark’s first time at Chick Fil-A, but also their engagement party to which he said, “free milkshakes on the house. What flavor do you want?”
Mark’s jaw nearly hit the ground. Free fries with delivery to our table was one thing, but a round of milkshakes, too? He couldn’t believe the service, the generosity, the love. That’s hospitality…welcoming the stranger.
Family, that’s how Gaius was treating traveling missionaries, and it’s how we are to treat the stranger.
Hospitality is a big deal in the Bible. It is a requirement for church leaders according to 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8. Peter wrote,
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)
In one of the most fascinating verses in the Bible, we’re told,
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
Wow! I wonder…!!!
This is a letter from John to the hospitable Gaius, but there’s two other characters to meet.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. (3 John 9)
How would you like to be remembered forever as one who loves to be first and the one who fails at hospitality? Perhaps you’ve heard Jesus’ take on this. Matthew records three such references.
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:30)
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— (Matthew 20:27)
Other gospel writers record similar quotes from Jesus. Suffice it to say, Diotrephes is not a good dude!
So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. (3 John 10)
He’s the opposite of love, hospitality, welcoming the stranger. He’s evil.
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 11)
These are strong words, but so true. Can we pause for a moment and meditate on that verse? It would be a good one to memorize.
Evil is real. People are not the enemy, but our enemy uses people, deceives people, and the sin of people is arguably the source of all of the problems in our world. It’s not God’s fault that people drive drunk, abuse children, lie, steal, and all the rest. Satan is real. Demons are real. But God is greater! Now here’s the other guy.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. (3 John 12)
How would you like to be forever remembered in the Bible for this? What an honor, Demetrius!
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
This is similar to what he wrote in 2 John. Face to face is, indeed, better than a letter.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. (3 John 13-14)
So What?
Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil. It’s simple, but not always easy. Can I offer two simple applications?
First, we can assist missionaries by praying for them, supporting them financially, welcoming them into our homes when they are here on furlough or home assignment, writing them letters of encouragement, or even taking a trip to serve alongside them in their community. Our church website has a page devoted to our local and global partners.
Second, let’s welcome the strangers around us. This might be an international student, a family from Haiti, a new neighbor, or simply someone looking for the bathroom in the lobby! One of my dreams for College First is we would be more welcoming then Chick Fil-A. People have told me we’re a friendly church—and they like the donuts!—but people aren’t looking for a friendly church. They’re looking for friends. I urge you to go out of your way today—and every day—and smile, say hello, and make everyone feel like they’re home…because they are!
Little Letters: 3 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 3, 2024
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil.
When is the last time you were socially in a new place? Maybe it was a restaurant, a new country, the first day of class, or starting a new job. How did it feel to be a stranger?
We’re in a pre-holiday series called Little Letters. Last week we examined the book of 2 John and today we’re looking at another letter attributed to John the Apostle…3 John. Let’s dive in!
The elder,
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. (3 John 1)
If you were here last week, there were two words John used repeatedly—love and truth. You’ll see them in this letter, too.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 2)
This is a common prayer, even today. Notice John is not only concerned with the spiritual condition of his friend, Gaius, but also his physical body. Jesus set a great example of this by feeding large crowds while teaching them spiritual truths. Our bodies matter. They are God’s temple. Caring for our bodies is important since we can’t do much without them!
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 3-4)
There he goes again, talking about truth…twice. John’s speaking of spiritual children, not necessarily biological sons and daughters. As a dad and papa, I can tell you there really is no greater joy than seeing my kids and g-kids doing well, in every sense of the word. Many of you can relate…and others of you will someday!
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. (3 John 5)
This is the definition of hospitality: welcoming the stranger. Gaius is being commended for loving these strangers, missionaries who were traveling through, delivering the good news of the gospel about Jesus. Gaius is a good, faithful friend serving strangers for God’s glory. This is arguably the key verse in this little letter.
They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. (3 John 6)
Gaius is filled with love, the hallmark of the Christian, the follower of Jesus, especially toward traveling missionaries.
As the gospel was spreading from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), it required men and women to travel to unreached places with the good news, the message of Jesus Christ. Back then, you couldn’t check into an Airbnb, VRBO, or Holiday Inn! You relied on the help from others.
It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. (3 John 7)
The Name…Jesus. Even today, some Jews refer to God as Ha-Shem, “The Name.” These missionaries would travel to tell people about Jesus. Their audience was not helping them, obviously, so they needed fellow Christians to provide encouragement, food, money, lodging, prayer…hospitality.
We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. (3 John 8)
In the previous letter, John says don’t welcome wicked deceivers. In contrast, here he encourages hospitality to those proclaiming the truth.
Go back to my question. How did it feel to be a stranger in a new place? Maybe it was your first Sunday at College First. Perhaps you recently checked into a hotel or visited a new restaurant. Hospitality is a lost art in our culture today. Have you noticed? There’s one big exception, and it’s going to get me in trouble because it’s the one business that should never mentioned on a Sunday…Chick Fil-A. I’m sorry! Many of you have Chick Fil-A stories. Here’s mine.
On March 22, 2016, Heather and I wanted to throw an engagement party for our daughter, Rachel, and her fiancée Mark. After discovering Mark had never been to Chick Fil-A, we decided it was in our budget to throw them an engagement party—just the four of us—at a Chick Fil-A in Toledo.
Mark enjoyed the food very much, but about midway through the meal, Heather was about to get another order of fries. An employee came by and insisted he get them for her, during which we explained this was not only Mark’s first time at Chick Fil-A, but also their engagement party to which he said, “free milkshakes on the house. What flavor do you want?”
Mark’s jaw nearly hit the ground. Free fries with delivery to our table was one thing, but a round of milkshakes, too? He couldn’t believe the service, the generosity, the love. That’s hospitality…welcoming the stranger.
Family, that’s how Gaius was treating traveling missionaries, and it’s how we are to treat the stranger.
Hospitality is a big deal in the Bible. It is a requirement for church leaders according to 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8. Peter wrote,
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)
In one of the most fascinating verses in the Bible, we’re told,
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
Wow! I wonder…!!!
This is a letter from John to the hospitable Gaius, but there’s two other characters to meet.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. (3 John 9)
How would you like to be remembered forever as one who loves to be first and the one who fails at hospitality? Perhaps you’ve heard Jesus’ take on this. Matthew records three such references.
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:30)
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— (Matthew 20:27)
Other gospel writers record similar quotes from Jesus. Suffice it to say, Diotrephes is not a good dude!
So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. (3 John 10)
He’s the opposite of love, hospitality, welcoming the stranger. He’s evil.
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 11)
These are strong words, but so true. Can we pause for a moment and meditate on that verse? It would be a good one to memorize.
Evil is real. People are not the enemy, but our enemy uses people, deceives people, and the sin of people is arguably the source of all of the problems in our world. It’s not God’s fault that people drive drunk, abuse children, lie, steal, and all the rest. Satan is real. Demons are real. But God is greater! Now here’s the other guy.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. (3 John 12)
How would you like to be forever remembered in the Bible for this? What an honor, Demetrius!
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
This is similar to what he wrote in 2 John. Face to face is, indeed, better than a letter.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. (3 John 13-14)
So What?
Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil. It’s simple, but not always easy. Can I offer two simple applications?
First, we can assist missionaries by praying for them, supporting them financially, welcoming them into our homes when they are here on furlough or home assignment, writing them letters of encouragement, or even taking a trip to serve alongside them in their community. Our church website has a page devoted to our local and global partners.
Second, let’s welcome the strangers around us. This might be an international student, a family from Haiti, a new neighbor, or simply someone looking for the bathroom in the lobby! One of my dreams for College First is we would be more welcoming then Chick Fil-A. People have told me we’re a friendly church—and they like the donuts!—but people aren’t looking for a friendly church. They’re looking for friends. I urge you to go out of your way today—and every day—and smile, say hello, and make everyone feel like they’re home…because they are!