3rd John 6 THE REPORT s6 It is not stated as to whether the brother named Gaius in this epistle was Gaius of Derbe, Gaius of Macedonia or Gaius of Corinth, but what is stated clearly is he was a man of "charity." His love was that special "agape" kind of love that sees value in others and what they do. Travelers who were likely involved in the work of preaching the Gospel and teaching the saints were impressed by the hospitality of Gaius. When these itinerant workers returned to their home assembly (likely to Ephesus where John was) to give a report of their labors the ministry of Gaius was mentioned in their comments.
The assembly Gaius was in might have not been very big but his support personally, financially, practically and spiritually was so important to them, they talked about it in their report meeting. It is a scriptural practice for those who labor in the Gospel to let the Lord's people know what they have been doing and where. Paul and Barnabas told their commending assembly of Antioch of their labors for the Lord and the results. The saints of God in an assembly often mention the names of those they know in their prayer meeting and private prayers. The Lord's people have a right to know what is happening.
Those who gave the report were witnesses of Gaius' love and hospitality because they had personally experienced it. They we simply declaring what they had seen, experienced and knew personally. A witness does that. Statements he gives are supported by evidence to establish proof of the facts. It is a privilege for us to give personal witness to the power of the Gospel, the progress of a work and to make a presentation of the facts for the purpose of edifying and encouraging the Lord's people.
The "report meeting" is a scripturally recognized meeting of an assembly that included some of the characteristics we learn here in 3rd John. There are factual reports of events and the results of preaching. There are also testimonies given about specific people that have had an impact on the work of the Lord. Both the good testimony of one who is believer and a help, as well as the bad report of those who hinder the work are given. In the biblical accounts of reports given, more is said about the positive aspects of the work in which the Lord's servants have been involved than in the difficulties and opposition.
To "bring forward on their journey" indicates that hospitality does not end when the door is closed after a person leaves our home. It means they are sent forth with the provisions they need to take them where they are going and to assist them in their work. "A godly sort" is a way of saying that they deserve our financial support and any other kind of support necessary for their work to be successful. Some are able to go and help temporarily in a building or labor project that has to be done. Any way we can assist personally is the Christian system of supporting a work.
Trusting the Lord to meet needs is one of the ways we "walk by faith." A salary or guaranteed annual income is not seen practiced in the scriptures. On the other hand; "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn" is a scriptural principle that puts the onus of support on those who "stay by the stuff," rather than on the laborer to get financial commitments before going out in the field to work. The amount of financial support we need is determined by the "Owner of the vineyard" who determines whether a day's wages be paid for a day's work or an hour's work.
It is our privilege to serve the saints in whatever way we can. Whether recognition is ever given for our labor, or if it is never known is not up to us. The travelers who stayed with Gaius made it known to others, not Gaius making it known himself. If the Master thinks it should or should not be reported is up to Him. We are to do whatever we do as to the Lord, not just unto men. Whatever we are privileged to do in His service, all glory belongs to Him.
They have come from afar to rest awhile, and to tell what God has done. Some words bring tears to us, others a smile, as they report that there are some Who have hearts full of appreciation, and want to do the best they can, To make to God's work a full application, to meet the needs of their fellow man.
Some will look for ways, to effective minster to other people's needs. They listen carefully to what one says, and to the Spirit within give heed. They count carefully their financial store so they can help what others do. If possible, they will get some more, in finances and labor too.
There are various ways we may labor, some away and some at home. It is a gracious God-given favor, to welcome visitors when they come. Each act, each spiritual conversation, adds to the blessings we receive. With daily and earnest consecration, we all serve Him in whom we believe.
s7 The visitors are leaving, their distant calling beckons them on. From our hand they are receiving, support for them when they are gone. Food, shelter, fellowship, money; all are what they do deserve. Joy, grace, faith and maturity; are some of what they to us leave.
We don't know, but far away, extended grace may be reported. Others learn that giving does pay, and through you God's work is supported. The "extra mile," the "coat" that is given, all these things pay dividends. We may never know here but up in heaven, a "Well done" is how it all ends.
"Father of love, mercy and grace: I thank Thee for Thy people who care enough for one another to learn what needs the others have and how to meet them. May all of us be consistent in our giving, helping and labor for Thee and Thy people. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
3rd John 7-8 HIS NAME'S SAKE The servants of the Lord who have been called by Him to duty beyond the area of their assembly's activities have needs that are to be met only by fellow believers. It is true they have been called by God, commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ and are led by the Holy Spirit. But there is also a sense in which they "went forth" - they chose to go and were glad to have the privilege of going and doing this special work. False teachers also go forth but with different motives. Some seek a following of people over which they can exercise authority. Often there is a percentage of income they demand of their followers. Others have "fund raisers, " for either people or events in their efforts to raise money for their projects and purposes, and they are willing to get money from every possible source. It is not uncommon for false teachers to become wealthy from the solicited funds they get.
For those who go out for "the sake of the Name," they do not solicit money. This is one of the most obvious contrasts between that which is scriptural and that which is carnal. Some unbelievers contribute money to religious causes as a means of seeking favor with God. Some Christian groups promote giving and will ask for money from anyone who will contribute to their "mission" and/or other projects. Those who follow scriptural teaching and practices, give what they give "as unto the Lord." They go forth in faith in our Lord, knowing He is "able to supply all your need." They labor in His name and for His glory. They give what they have been given to further the work in their hands to which they have been called. They will accept unsolicited gifts from believers who give what they can as partners in the work. It is often called "fellowship in the work of the Lord." As partners we share in common what we have for the work God gives us to do for Him.
"As laborers together," believers are able to participate in the outreach of the Gospel and the building up of God's people when they give of their resources and substance to a work in which they have interest. They are in the work but in a different way than those who are the public voice and public representatives of that part of the Lord's work. The believers in the assembly at Philippi supported Paul and his fellow-laborers "concerning giving and receiving." Their gifts were "fruit that abounded to your account." They were also "an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." Those who give in a scriptural way, for scriptural reasons from glad hearts ("hilarious giving"), will find themselves receiving from God's hands abundance that surpasses what they need.
Behind this giving is a superior and supreme motive. "For His name's sake," the servants went forth and it is for his name's sake we support them. One asked the wise man who wrote the Proverbs, "What is His name, and what is His Son's name?" We know His name as the only name "whereby we must be saved. We know "That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." There are a number of scriptures that emphasize His name as the motivation for our labor for the Lord whether going forth or supporting those who do so.
When we first heard His name, perhaps it didn't mean too much. But Gospel preaching came, and His name our hearts did touch. The only name that's given, is His alone by which we're saved. In the identity of baptism, we testified to His life He gave.
We are set apart to Him, by the authority of His name.
s8 In spiritual songs and hymns, we praise the One who came. And in His name, we pray, when we intercede for others Who for His name hazard lives each day, that the lost may be our brothers.
By the preaching of the Gospel, the Lord's name is magnified. It was for the name of Jesus, martyrs suffered and they died. We call upon His name, when in fellowship we meet. His presence we do claim; in His name we each do greet.
Believers are one in Christ, in His name is our gathering center. In Him we put our trust, when into the holiest of all we enter. We are in that name justified, cleansed of every guilt and stain. In His name we are sanctified; we give thanks in Jesus' name.
All we do is in His name; faith, works - even discipline. Disorder - any blame; it is in His name we deal with sin. In His name wrongs are made right, bringing joy to the justified. After darkness comes the light, and His name is glorified.
"Father, at the end of almost all of my prayers to Thee is the authority of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very grateful to Thee for hearing and answering my prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know this is possible because of Him who "Does all things well" and has always brought pleasure to Thee. Thanks so much for accepting me in the Beloved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
HIS NAME: Acts 2:20; Rom.10:13. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 4:12. We are saved by His name. Acts 2:38. (baptized) identified by His name. Mat.18:20. We are separated by His name. Acts 4:18. We are to speak in His name. Acts 9:27-29. We are to preach in His name. Jn.14:12-13. We are to pray in His name. Acts 15:26. Hazard lives for the name of the Lord. Acts 19:17. Name of the Lord was magnified. Acts 21:13. Die for the name of the Lord Jesus. 1Cor.1:2. Call upon His name in fellowship. 1Cor.1:9-10. Appealed for oneness (no divisions) in His name. 1Cor.5:4. Grounds for assembly discipline in His name. 1Cor.6:11. Sanctified, justified in His name. Eph.5:20. Giving thanks in the name of the Lord Jesus. Col.3:17. Everything to be done in His name. 2Thes.1:12. His name glorified. 2Thes.3:6. In His name withdrawal from disorderly walk commanded.
Because of "His name's sake" we receive those who come to us and support them while they are with us and as they go forth to their areas of service, we supply their needs so they can give themselves to their work. When we help those laborers in this way, we are partners with them in that service. Not everyone is called to go into a mission field in a physical, personal way. However, we become "fellow-helpers to the truth" right where we are by providing for them in tangible ways. Our money, our prayers, our interest, our hospitality and our time are all ways in which we came support the work they do and be meaningfully involved in that work for the Lord.
The words, "the truth" in this place, is more than just the written words of scripture. "The Truth" here is personified as God. It means that we are not merely pointing to the truth but are with the truth as we would be with a person - in this case, our Lord Himself who is "The Truth." His word, "sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth;" His Person, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life," and the body of truth revealed in "the faith," are all that with which we are participants. Gaius, and those who are engaged in these various ways of furthering the truth are working with God. This is indeed a high privilege.
3rd John 8. "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth." s9 RECEIVE SUCH. The soul of the brother beloved by John, Was the part that concerned him most. The work of the Lord was important to him; He was known as, "Gaius, mine host."
When the brethren came by on their journeys for God, He received with a glad heart, these men. He knew the truth that they preached from God's Word; He could show fellowship with when he took them in.
He walked in the truth himself every day. It's what he lived for, and he wanted to share With others the truth of God's Gospel, that they Where they went, would truth openly declare.
We are not all able to go where we want, Or do what we have wanted to do. But when we support others, we can have a part, And like them are fellows-laborers too.
The name's sake of the Lord, is incentive enough, To give of our bounty for Him. We don't want the lost to think that their stuff Will help pay the price of their sin.
Those who God called to far distant lands Have a right to expect much from me. After all, what I have has been placed in my hands From God, and was entirely free.
May I never hold back or not use what I have To further the work of the Lord. In the hands of the workers, I place what I give; Giving to God all the glory and reward.
"I have been extremely blessed, Father, by knowing many who have been called by Thee to take the Gospel to all the world. In my home area, in my country, in North America, I have been privileged to participate with them in the work of the Gospel. Young men and women, we have prayed for and worked with, are now going to other parts of the world. May I never forget these wonderful people that are using their time, talents and lives to further the work of the Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."