Author: missionspaul

To those who don’t feel they’re home. They know pain. The heartache has become part of who they are. They live in a hostile environment. They don’t know who they can trust. They are not where they want to be. Here is a letter.

It is either in the mid-60’s AD prior to the Nero persecution or it is post that era under Domitian’s reign. It doesn’t matter when for the content is appropriate for either and it still is for us today. Here it is:-

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:1-2)

He uses his nickname given by Jesus. But it wasn’t his name that was important it was his role within the Church. He was an apostle of Jesus Christ. After the death of Judas, Peter gathered the believers together and said, “It is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)

It was a must. The Resurrection of Jesus. It was everything. The central message was from the beginning “Christ is alive! I have seen Him!”
When they were asked, “Were you there?” They had to be able to say “Yes”.
They couldn’t say “No but I was told Jesus had risen”. It had to be personally experienced.

It still is everything. It still has to be personally experienced.
Your testimony has to be about you and it is unique to you. No one has your story. Your story that says Jesus is alive and my changed life proves it.

The resurrection is central to everything. If we lose that then we have nothing. Our message continues to be in every high and low, mountain and valley …Jesus is alive! To those who need a miracle today … Jesus is alive! If He is alive then anything is possible! The Apostle Peter tells us this.

His letter is addressed to the Christians in modern day Turkey. They have been scattered and are living as strangers in a strange world. Peter brings encouragement to persevere and how much we need that even today in 2023.

It isn’t what we look like in our eyes or from the world’s viewpoint that will encourage us. We all need to see ourselves from the viewpoint of God. Peter tells us:

You are meant to be here. This is our moment. We have been chosen (chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father).

You are not alone. We are in partnership. He is working through us (through the sanctifying work of the Spirit)

You are called to do His work. When we make mistakes He cleanses us and we start again (to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood).

This apostle is calling for the followers of Jesus not to give up.

Something we all need to hear.

22^nd December 2019 I began to read and write thoughts from this old man and last remaining of the 12 apostles, John. This morning having written through his gospel, the Revelation and now his letters, over 3 years later, I am closing with his final few words. What are they? Someone may just need these words this morning.

The peace of Christ.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” (v13-14)

Peace to you.

John had written those words of Jesus when He suddenly appeared behind the locked doors to the disciples as the resurrected Lord: Peace to you!!

John is reminding Gaius that their friendship is founded on this truth of the resurrection. This would be fitting as John has tirelessly written in his letters to uphold the authenticity of the risen Jesus Christ.

As we close off from John’s writing, peace to you also.

You may be in fear behind locked doors; you may think your life is impossible; remember these words of Jesus: Peace to you.

Christ is peace. Nothing else. No one else. Don’t look to the world. You can gain the whole world and you won’t have peace if you don’t have Christ. Your friends may want the very best for you. They want you married, they want you to have children, they want you to have a great job, a house, a car, they want you to be happy, to travel, to experience, to be well. They are good friends. But they don’t understand that the best wish they could ever have for you is that you have Christ. To have Christ is to have peace.

Peace to you.

I attended the funeral of my friend’s father yesterday and enjoyed listening to the eulogies and hear of people speaking well of this man even though I didn’t know him myself. He sounded like a man I would have enjoyed meeting.

Also this week I went to speak at a meeting where I was introduced in a way I have not heard before. Usually the focus of the introduction is on what I have done or the things I am involved with now. But I was refreshingly introduced as ‘he is a nice man’. Now some would have wanted a far more elaborate introduction but not me. I felt honoured actually.

Often we wait till someone has died to speak well of them. It is of course the right thing to do in order to honour their life. But let us use life-giving words in life as much as we can and let those we are speaking of hear them.

This is something of what is happening in these next 2 verses as we come to a close of John’s letter. Writing to Gaius who is holding on to the orthodox teaching of Christ, John is sending another friend, Demetrius, probably to deliver the letter. John is appealing for Gaius to continue to do good which we have seen is to offer hospitality to these missionaries he keeps sending to the churches. As opposed to Diotrophes who rejects them, Gaius welcomes them into his home.

^“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. 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 v 11-12)

Clearly not everyone speaks well of Demetrius because Diotrophes opposed everyone from John. Literally if your whole world speaks well of you then perhaps you are not fulfilling the calling God has laid on your life. However, the people who really know you, are you a nice person? Do people speak well of you?

There are moments when I respond in a way that isn’t something I am proud of. I will say, “I’m not bothered what people think about me” but not only is this not helpful it isn’t correct. I am bothered. In my life and in my death I do want to be known as ‘a nice man’ without compromising God’s call on my life and the difficult decisions that this means, I do think that the description given is an honour greater than other awards.

What are we known for? How would people introduce you now and how would they say good-bye to you when you part this world? “A nice man” is a great achievement!

All leaders are obviously human and make mistakes. If we put them on a pedestal when they fall off we will be disappointed. In saying that, it is a high calling to be a Church leader and the privilege of being so means there are higher expectations and rightly so.

In John’s day there was a particular church leader who had been giving him great concern and now he calls him out. It is helpful to us all in that what John sees we should all see and give a wide-berth to such leadership and to call it out as John does.

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 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 9-10)

Here are 5 things to look out for.

The Diotrophes leader:-

1. Loves to be number one. They love to have the authority over people. They love to be in charge. They love to dominate. There is a huge difference between being gifted and willing and loving the position. Good leaders love Jesus more than they love their position and it is obvious that they do.
2. Gossips. They spread rumours about their own leader (John) and even the community they lead. They seem to love the politics of situations. They come alive with information.
3. Is egocentric. They refuse to see any other point of view other than their own. They refuse to welcome into their circle others who will not say YES to their ideas.
4. Is an enforcer. They create rules in order to create the culture that they want to build which is centred on their own opinion. “I did it my way” is their theme song.
5. Is a narcissist. They lead through the tactic of divide and conquer. They create fear of separation/isolation with their victims in order to control them.

We are thankful that the Bible teaches against such leadership, highlights them and warns us all to run away from such bad leadership.

Over the last few years my team have done a lot of work on the well-being of the Pastor. We have ventured into new ground for many of us with terms such as Spiritual Directors and Peer Supervision. It is early days for us but our goal is to create a culture where the soul of the Minister is healthy.

“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 v 2)

How is your soul?

Gaius was enjoying good health. I’m not asking how you are physically though I hope you are well and if you are not then you will get better soon.

But how is your soul?

Gaius’ life looked good. John wanted more for his friend, “I pray that in all respects you may prosper” (NASB) I’m not asking if God is blessing you though I hope He is.

How is your soul? Is it well? Is it content?

What is going on in your mind? What is coming out of your mouth? What are you doing? These will indicate how your soul is. Answer those 3 questions honestly.

Is your soul well? If you are still unsure then ask a friend tell you what they see. John could see the evidence of a good soul in Gaius. But be ready to hear something that you might not like.

The move in to the power of the Spirit comes from a well soul. Those of us who desire more of the Spirit need to focus more on having souls that are healthy.

I don’t think there is anything more special at a funeral than hearing of how the person who lived a long life did so whilst remaining a Christian all their life.

“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. 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. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

3 John 1:2-4

Gaius was known for his ‘faithfulness to the truth’.

Today let’s stay in the truth of what we have been taught about Jesus Christ. Let’s ‘continue to walk in it’ Through the struggles and trials of life they are still continuing in the walk. They are reliable. They are there. When others have walked away they have stayed.

Maybe you’re thinking of walking away? Certainly walk away from the Diotrophes people (the disloyal) but not the truth of Jesus Christ.

I know a man who sits on the back row of a church who continually makes life difficult for the Pastor. He is influential as he used to be a leader himself. He looks very spiritual and holy, charismatic and he knows the Bible more than most. But he seems to reject everything that is presented, he opposes all the initiatives that the Pastor beings, he talks through the sermons correcting things he does t agree with. I know a few like him. And here in this the start of our reading of the 3rd letter of John I call them Diotrephes people. Let’s read 10 verses which we will explore over the next few days.

“The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 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. 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. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 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 1:1-10

Diostrophes rejected John’s letter (v9); rejected the messengers from John (v10); and rejected the supporters of John also (v10). Diotrophes people are brilliant at rejecting!

But then there are Gaius type people. They are courageous in the circumstance of disloyalty.

I have been helping a church in Africa this year because their Elim Pastor (a Diotrophes) wanted to take his church out of the denomination, go independent and keep the building. He spent several months denouncing his roots and his own leaders and told his people they must also do the same. In confusion members began to walk away but then he publicly denounced them too telling the rest of the church not to have anything to do with those who walk away. He told them to reject them completely. In the end more walked away. In January I met this group as they came together for the first time. They had simply crossed the road and set up a make shift covering on poles and with their elders met for a worship service for the first time. They were battered and bruised spiritually. It felt like they were sheep without a shepherd, the service was filled with tears and wailing. But then came the move of God. He came with healing for their soul. It was a privilege to see God move on them. These courageous people are now under the care of a good shepherd and I am helping them the best I can. These people are Gaius people. It takes courage to stand in the face of disloyalty. Sometimes it is courageous to walk away from such people. They were once part of your life but you no longer let them ruin you anymore.

Who is coming? Jesus?

Yes!

But we are in the middle of reading a letter from the only remaining member of the 12 disciples to the Church. He is at pains that they remain true to their foundational belief about Jesus Christ. For this first century church they hear their leader and overseer is coming to them.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.” 2 John 1:12-13

He is coming for a face to face meeting. If anyone was thinking of drifting off to those charismatic antichrist leaders they would think again because their leader is on his way. No one knows when he will arrive so now is the time to stay on the straight and narrow.

Just like the parables of the wicked servant, the ten virgins, the talents and the watchful servants which Jesus told, He is also coming and we need to stay focused.

John gives a warning but with the hidden message of hope for he knows his joy will be complete if he finds them holding on to the truth.

Until Jesus comes, today and as every day we too choose to stand firm against the many loud voices attacking the person and nature of Jesus Christ. Those voices are wanting to dilute His Lordship in our lives.

Hold on to what the gospels teach us, do not be led astray, for He is coming and we will see Him face to face!

Old man John has known in his life times when God told him to write to churches. He has already written a letter and with this one he has one more to write.

However he has so much to say, within him the burden is too great, the message too important, how many letters would it take to get out of him what’s inside him?! He recognises that letters are not everything.

Here’s what he writes within this second letter …

“ I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭v12a

I write and read lots of emails and text messages in the course of a day and so do you. Often I wonder if it’s all become too much. I recognise more than most how amazing it is to connect to a global village pictures and posts that are such a blessing.

But there are times when just because you have a lot to say it doesn’t mean you have to send that text/email or sadly, for many people, vent their anger on social media.

Perhaps the message would be clearer if it wasn’t written down but spoken so that people not only see your message but also your heart.

An elderly disciple of Jesus, 2000 years ago understood that principle and here we are in our universal modern technological world needing to hear and heed that same principle.

We would all agree that hospitality is a gift and we should love even our enemies. So this is a bit difficult ….

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” (2 John 10-11)

If we consider that the houses were the places of worship and ‘teaching’ (v10) then what John is saying is ‘don’t give false leaders a welcome into the public place where they can teach their lies about Jesus Christ.’ Limit their opportunities.

In a world where it seems the Church have mastered the art of division, nevertheless, it is crucial that we know what we must never compromise on:-

1. Are we teaching the authentic orthodox position of the person of Jesus Christ?

2. Are we aligning ourselves with Christians who are not Christians and therefore approving a diluted gospel message?

How much will we not compromise?

This is a big deal for John. The protection of the truth is crucial because he had heard, seen, looked and touched the risen Jesus. (1 John 1)

This is not about rejecting those who do not hold to our teaching on any other issue but it is about our beliefs being held tightly regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Christ, the Incarnate, the Virgin birth, the cross, the resurrection, the ascension and the coming King. This is the foundation of the Christian belief and practice. We must not compromise on the teaching of Christ. There should be no welcome for such.