Embodying Faithfulness, Friendliness, and Humility in Community
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the book of 3 John, a short but powerful letter written by the Apostle John. This letter, though brief, is rich with insights that are incredibly relevant to the modern church. John, the last living apostle, wrote this letter to a man named Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness and friendliness. These qualities, John argues, are essential for any church community. Faithfulness, in this context, goes beyond mere belief in Jesus; it encompasses integrity, sincerity, and the reliability to do what one says they will do. Friendliness, another key attribute, is about practicing hospitality and kindness, even to strangers, as it reflects the love of Christ.
John also highlights the importance of having a good reputation, as exemplified by another individual named Demetrius. A good reputation, John suggests, is more valuable than riches and is crucial for the church's witness to the world. Conversely, John warns against the destructive nature of pride, as seen in the behavior of Diotrephes, who sought to put himself first and caused division within the church. Pride, John warns, can destroy relationships, disrupt the work of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately harm the church's mission.
In essence, the message today is a call to embody these virtues—faithfulness, friendliness, and a good reputation—while guarding against pride. These qualities are not just superficial traits but are deeply biblical and essential for the health and growth of the church. As we move forward, let us strive to be a community that reflects these values, thereby pointing others to Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness Beyond Belief: Faithfulness in the Christian context is not just about believing in Jesus but also about being reliable and sincere. It means doing what you say you will do and being a person of integrity. This kind of faithfulness builds trust within the church community and reflects the character of Christ. [46:53]
2. The Power of Friendliness: Friendliness and hospitality are not just social niceties but biblical commands. Practicing friendliness means going out of your way to be kind and hospitable, even to strangers. This can have a profound impact, as you never know when you might be entertaining angels unaware. [51:42]
3. Value of a Good Reputation: A good reputation is more valuable than riches and is essential for the church's witness. When people think of you, they should see the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Your reputation can either draw people to Christ or push them away. [56:38]
4. The Destructive Nature of Pride: Pride can destroy relationships, disrupt the work of the Holy Spirit, and harm the church's mission. It manifests in attitudes of entitlement and self-importance. To combat pride, we must remember that church is not about us but about Jesus and reaching those far from God. [01:07:07]
5. Practical Application of Biblical Principles: The virtues of faithfulness, friendliness, and a good reputation are not just theoretical but should be actively practiced. This involves being reliable in your commitments, showing kindness to everyone, and maintaining a good reputation through your actions. These practices will not only strengthen the church but also serve as a powerful witness to the world. [01:08:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:18] - Introduction and Prayer
[34:31] - Praying for the Nation
[35:50] - Introduction to 3 John
[37:02] - Characteristics of the Church
[38:23] - Generational Differences
[39:29] - Life Before Social Media
[41:47] - The Facebook Stalker
[42:58] - Gaius: Faithfulness and Friendship
[44:13] - Faithfulness Explained
[46:53] - Integrity and Sincerity
[48:11] - Practical Faithfulness
[49:30] - The Importance of Friendliness
[50:35] - Practicing Hospitality
[51:42] - Biblical Basis for Friendliness
[52:59] - Showing Kindness to Strangers
[54:07] - Personal Story of Kindness
[55:21] - Being Friendly in Everyday Life
[56:38] - Demetrius: A Good Reputation
[57:47] - The Value of a Good Name
[59:02] - Reputation and the Fruit of the Spirit
[01:00:18] - Practical Steps for a Good Reputation
[01:01:38] - The Issue of Pride
[01:02:56] - Gossip and Its Impact
[01:04:16] - Diotrephes: The Danger of Pride
[01:05:37] - Pride in the Church
[01:07:07] - The Destructive Nature of Pride
[01:08:31] - Practical Application for Radiate Church
[01:09:54] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 3 John 1:1-4 (NIV)
> "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."
2. Romans 12:13 (NIV)
> "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
3. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
> "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
### Observation Questions
1. What qualities does John commend Gaius for in 3 John 1:1-4?
2. According to Romans 12:13, what are Christians encouraged to practice?
3. How does Proverbs 22:1 describe the value of a good reputation?
4. In the sermon, what are the two key attributes John highlights about Gaius? ([44:13])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John place such a high value on faithfulness and friendliness in his letter to Gaius? ([44:13])
2. How does practicing hospitality, as mentioned in Romans 12:13, reflect the love of Christ in a church community?
3. What might be the consequences for a church if its members do not value a good reputation as described in Proverbs 22:1?
4. How can pride, as illustrated by Diotrephes in the sermon, disrupt the work of the Holy Spirit and harm the church's mission? ([01:07:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle with being reliable and sincere? How can you improve your faithfulness in your commitments this week? ([46:53])
2. Think of a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to show friendliness but didn’t. How can you practice hospitality and kindness in your daily life, even to strangers? ([51:42])
3. What steps can you take to ensure that your reputation reflects the fruit of the Spirit? Identify one specific action you can take this week to improve your reputation. ([56:38])
4. Pride can be subtle. Can you identify a situation where pride might be affecting your relationships or your role in the church? What practical steps can you take to combat pride in your life? ([01:07:07])
5. How can you be more intentional about showing friendliness and hospitality in your church community? Think of one person you can reach out to this week to make them feel welcomed.
6. In what ways can you support your church leaders and fellow volunteers to foster a culture of faithfulness and reliability? ([49:30])
7. Reflect on a time when you let pride get in the way of serving others. How can you shift your focus from yourself to Jesus and the mission of the church? ([01:08:31])
Devotional
### Day 1: Faithfulness Beyond Belief
Faithfulness in the Christian context is not just about believing in Jesus but also about being reliable and sincere. It means doing what you say you will do and being a person of integrity. This kind of faithfulness builds trust within the church community and reflects the character of Christ. John commends Gaius for his faithfulness, highlighting that it goes beyond mere belief and encompasses integrity, sincerity, and reliability. This type of faithfulness is essential for any church community as it fosters trust and unity among its members.
In today's world, where promises are often broken and commitments are not always honored, being a person of integrity stands out. It means that your word is your bond, and people can rely on you to follow through on your commitments. This kind of faithfulness not only strengthens relationships within the church but also serves as a powerful witness to those outside the church. When people see that you are reliable and sincere, they are more likely to be drawn to the message of Christ that you represent. [46:53]
Bible Passage: "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent commitment you made. Have you followed through on it? If not, what steps can you take today to honor that commitment and demonstrate your faithfulness?
### Day 2: The Power of Friendliness
Friendliness and hospitality are not just social niceties but biblical commands. Practicing friendliness means going out of your way to be kind and hospitable, even to strangers. This can have a profound impact, as you never know when you might be entertaining angels unaware. John praises Gaius for his friendliness and hospitality, emphasizing that these qualities are essential for reflecting the love of Christ.
In a world that often feels cold and disconnected, acts of kindness and hospitality can make a significant difference. Being friendly and hospitable means more than just being polite; it involves actively seeking to make others feel welcome and valued. This can be as simple as greeting someone with a smile, offering a helping hand, or inviting someone to share a meal. These small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact and can open doors for deeper relationships and opportunities to share the love of Christ. [51:42]
Bible Passage: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your community or church who might feel isolated or lonely. How can you show them friendliness and hospitality today?
### Day 3: Value of a Good Reputation
A good reputation is more valuable than riches and is essential for the church's witness. When people think of you, they should see the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Your reputation can either draw people to Christ or push them away. John highlights the example of Demetrius, who had a good reputation, suggesting that this is crucial for the church's witness to the world.
In today's society, where character and reputation are often overlooked in favor of success and wealth, maintaining a good reputation is more important than ever. A good reputation is built over time through consistent actions that reflect the character of Christ. It involves being honest, kind, and reliable in all your dealings. When people see these qualities in you, they are more likely to be drawn to the message of Christ that you represent. [56:38]
Bible Passage: "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current reputation. What are some specific actions you can take to ensure that your reputation reflects the fruit of the Spirit?
### Day 4: The Destructive Nature of Pride
Pride can destroy relationships, disrupt the work of the Holy Spirit, and harm the church's mission. It manifests in attitudes of entitlement and self-importance. To combat pride, we must remember that church is not about us but about Jesus and reaching those far from God. John warns against the behavior of Diotrephes, who sought to put himself first and caused division within the church.
Pride is a subtle but dangerous sin that can creep into our lives and cause significant damage. It can lead to a sense of entitlement, self-importance, and a lack of humility. These attitudes can create division and conflict within the church, hindering its mission and the work of the Holy Spirit. To combat pride, we must continually remind ourselves that the church is not about us but about Jesus and reaching those who are far from God. This requires a posture of humility and a willingness to put others before ourselves. [01:07:07]
Bible Passage: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride might be causing division or conflict. How can you practice humility and put others before yourself in this situation?
### Day 5: Practical Application of Biblical Principles
The virtues of faithfulness, friendliness, and a good reputation are not just theoretical but should be actively practiced. This involves being reliable in your commitments, showing kindness to everyone, and maintaining a good reputation through your actions. These practices will not only strengthen the church but also serve as a powerful witness to the world. John’s letter to Gaius serves as a reminder that these virtues are deeply biblical and essential for the health and growth of the church.
Living out these virtues requires intentionality and effort. It means being mindful of your actions and their impact on others. Being reliable in your commitments builds trust and strengthens relationships. Showing kindness to everyone, including strangers, reflects the love of Christ and can open doors for deeper connections. Maintaining a good reputation through your actions serves as a powerful witness to the world and draws people to Christ. As we strive to embody these virtues, we contribute to the health and growth of the church and point others to Jesus. [01:08:31]
Bible Passage: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one practical way you can demonstrate faithfulness, friendliness, or maintain a good reputation today. How can this action serve as a witness to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to be faithful, which means this, we will do what we say we are going to do. You can count on us. In other words, you don't have to second guess whether we're going to show up. Because if we say we're going to show up, we're going to show up." [46:53] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Be friendly. Hey, when you go to dinner, when you go to lunch today, get to know the person that's serving you, that's serving you, get to know their name. Call them by their name. We, we had a lady that we were in Greenville on the way here yesterday, her name was Hannah. And I'm telling you that she, the whole day she'd probably heard, hey you, jingling that ice in the cup, you know." [55:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Your reputation should be this. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When people think about you, do they think about those nine words? Do they think about the fruit of the Spirit? Do they think about that? Can they associate it with your name?" [59:02] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Pride will absolutely destroy us. So let me just... Let me just paint the picture and hopefully set the table for an amazing fall for Radiate Church, an amazing rest of July, August, September, October. I mean, just an amazing rest of the year. Hey, listen to me, Radiate. Focus on four things. Be faithful. Do what you say you're going to do." [01:07:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Church is not about you. Church is about Jesus Christ and about reaching people that are far from God so that they can be healed just as we are. Hey, you might say this sermon is really simple and really trifle and really superficial. I would just tell you that's Bible and let's apply it to our life." [01:08:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The second thing that is said about Gaius, not only is he faithful, he's friendly. I think friendliness has gone the way of the dodo in today's culture and society. Like friendliness used to be a big attribute, attribute. Man, he's a really friendly person. She's a really friendly gal, that kind of thing. But nowadays friendliness just isn't there anymore." [50:35] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When Columbia, South Carolina thinks about Radiate Church, what do they think about you? Are we self-righteous? Are we stiff-necked? Are we hard to get involved with? Are we hard to get in the family? Is it more of a club than it is a hospital where it needs to be? Is it more of a country club or is it a hospital?" [56:38] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Hey, Christians, really got to stop cussing. Well, that's not that big of a deal. It hurts your reputation. Biblically speaking, it hurts your reputation. He says in Proverbs, chapter 8, verse 13, it says, to the Lord, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech." [01:00:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Hey, church. You've got to stop getting drunk. There's freedom. There's gray area in the Word of God as far as drinking goes, but drunkenness is inexcusable. Inexcusable. Drunkenness is a sin, and it hurts the heart of God. And here's the deal. We take the freedom the Bible gives us, and we go a little bit too far." [01:01:38] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Hey, we got to stop gossiping. We got to stop gossiping. And here's how it sounds. Hey, sister, listen, would you just pray with me about brother so-and-so? Let me tell you what's going on. Prayers between you and God, otherwise it's gossip. You got to stop. It hurts the reputation and it hurts the heart of the father." [01:02:56] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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