Embracing Biblical Hospitality and Leadership Accountability

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing True Hospitality

True hospitality goes beyond merely inviting people into our homes; it involves inviting them into our lives and showing genuine care and love. This means loving strangers as well as those close to us, recognizing that everyone is made in the image of God. Hospitality is a powerful tool for ministry and can have a lasting impact on people's lives. John commends Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality, highlighting the importance of this virtue in the church community. By opening our hearts and lives to others, we reflect the love of Christ and build a supportive and nurturing environment.

Hospitality in the biblical sense is not just about providing food and shelter but about creating a space where people feel valued and loved. It is about seeing the image of God in every person and treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve. This kind of hospitality can transform lives and strengthen the bonds within the church community. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and extend love and care to those who may be different from us or who are in need. [10:31]

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may feel like a stranger or outsider. How can you extend genuine hospitality to them this week, inviting them into your life and showing them the love of Christ?

Day 2: Celebrating the Faithfulness of Others

As a church, we should celebrate the successes and faithfulness of other believers. John expresses great joy in hearing that Gaius is walking in the truth. This kind of encouragement fosters a supportive and uplifting community, helping each other to stay faithful and motivated in our walk with Christ. Celebrating the faithfulness of others not only uplifts them but also inspires us to continue in our own journey of faith. It creates a culture of mutual support and recognition, where everyone feels valued and encouraged.

When we take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the faithfulness of others, we build a stronger and more united church community. It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey and that we have a community that supports and uplifts us. This celebration of faithfulness can take many forms, from a simple word of encouragement to public recognition of someone's contributions. It is a powerful way to build a culture of love and support within the church. [15:05]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church or community who has been faithful in their walk with Christ. How can you celebrate and encourage them this week, letting them know that their faithfulness is seen and appreciated?

Day 3: Holding Leaders Accountable

It is essential to hold church leaders accountable to biblical standards. John calls out Diotrephes for his selfish and rebellious behavior, showing that no one is above reproach. Accountability should be done lovingly and biblically, following the guidelines in Matthew 18, to maintain the integrity and health of the church. Holding leaders accountable is crucial for the well-being of the church community, ensuring that those in positions of authority are leading in a manner that reflects Christ's teachings and values.

Accountability in leadership is not about judgment or condemnation but about maintaining the integrity and health of the church. It involves addressing shortcomings in a loving and biblical manner, with the goal of restoration and growth. By holding leaders accountable, we ensure that the church remains a place of truth and love, where everyone is held to the same standards of conduct and character. This accountability is essential for building trust and maintaining the integrity of the church community. [24:24]

Galatians 6:1 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

Reflection: Reflect on the leaders in your church. How can you lovingly and biblically hold them accountable to ensure they are leading in a manner that reflects Christ's teachings and values?

Day 4: Clinging to Jesus Christ

Our actions and the church's foundation must be rooted in Jesus Christ. Without Him, all efforts are meaningless. John emphasizes the importance of imitating what is good, as defined by Christ, and loving God and our neighbors wholeheartedly. This is the cornerstone of a thriving and faithful church community. Clinging to Jesus means making Him the center of our lives and actions, ensuring that everything we do is guided by His teachings and love.

When we cling to Jesus, we find the strength and guidance we need to navigate the challenges of life and ministry. It is through our relationship with Him that we find the true meaning and purpose of our actions. By imitating what is good, as defined by Christ, we reflect His love and truth in all we do. This commitment to Christ is the foundation of a thriving and faithful church community, where love for God and neighbor is at the heart of everything. [31:52]

John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 5: Resisting Spiritual Corruption

Just as the Untouchables stood firm against Al Capone's corruption, we must stand firm against spiritual corruption. This means being untouchable by the world's temptations and clinging to biblical values, even if it costs us dearly. Our commitment to Christ should be unwavering, reflecting His truth and love in all we do. Resisting spiritual corruption requires a steadfast commitment to biblical principles and a willingness to stand firm in the face of opposition and temptation.

In a world filled with temptations and challenges, it is essential to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and His teachings. This means resisting the allure of worldly values and staying true to the principles of the Bible. By doing so, we reflect the truth and love of Christ in all we do, standing as a beacon of integrity and faithfulness in a world that often strays from these values. Our unwavering commitment to Christ is a powerful testimony to His transformative power in our lives. [36:52]

Ephesians 6:13 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Reflection: Think of a specific temptation or challenge you are facing. How can you stand firm against it, clinging to biblical values and reflecting Christ's truth and love in your response?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the book of 3 John, focusing on the themes of hospitality and church leadership. The Apostle John writes to Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness and hospitality, while also addressing the problematic behavior of Diotrephes, a church leader who has failed in his duties. Diotrephes is described as selfish, rebellious, slanderous, ungracious, and an abuser of power. John contrasts this with the commendable actions of Demetrius, who is praised for his good testimony.

The core message revolves around the importance of biblical hospitality, which means loving strangers and supporting one another within the church. John emphasizes that hospitality is not just about inviting people into our homes but also into our lives, showing genuine care and love. This is a challenging task, but it is essential for the health and growth of the church community.

John also highlights the need for accountability within the church. He calls out Diotrephes for his failures, demonstrating that it is crucial to address shortcomings in leadership to maintain the integrity of the church. This accountability should be done in a loving and biblical manner, following the guidelines set out in Matthew 18.

Finally, John reminds us that the foundation of all our actions should be our relationship with Jesus Christ. Without clinging to the Savior and His teachings, all our efforts will be in vain. The ultimate goal is to imitate what is good, as defined by Christ, and to love God and our neighbors wholeheartedly.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Biblical Hospitality: True hospitality goes beyond inviting people into our homes; it involves inviting them into our lives and showing genuine care and love. This means loving strangers as well as those close to us, recognizing that everyone is made in the image of God. Hospitality is a powerful tool for ministry and can have a lasting impact on people's lives. [10:31]
2. Celebrating Successes: As a church, we should celebrate the successes and faithfulness of other believers. John expresses great joy in hearing that Gaius is walking in the truth. This kind of encouragement fosters a supportive and uplifting community, helping each other to stay faithful and motivated in our walk with Christ. [15:05]
3. Accountability in Leadership: It is essential to hold church leaders accountable to biblical standards. John calls out Diotrephes for his selfish and rebellious behavior, showing that no one is above reproach. Accountability should be done lovingly and biblically, following the guidelines in Matthew 18, to maintain the integrity and health of the church. [24:24]
4. Clinging to the Savior: Our actions and the church's foundation must be rooted in Jesus Christ. Without Him, all efforts are meaningless. John emphasizes the importance of imitating what is good, as defined by Christ, and loving God and our neighbors wholeheartedly. This is the cornerstone of a thriving and faithful church community. [31:52]
5. Resisting Corruption: Just as the Untouchables stood firm against Al Capone's corruption, we must stand firm against spiritual corruption. This means being untouchable by the world's temptations and clinging to biblical values, even if it costs us dearly. Our commitment to Christ should be unwavering, reflecting His truth and love in all we do. [36:52]
### [36:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Introduction to 3 John
[02:38] - Al Capone and System Corruption
[04:03] - The Church System and Hospitality
[06:16] - Reading 3 John
[07:36] - Overview of 3 John
[09:07] - Key Players: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius
[10:31] - Biblical Hospitality
[11:58] - Hospitality in Scripture
[13:33] - Celebrating Successes
[15:05] - Walking in the Truth
[16:47] - Truth in the Gospel
[18:22] - Accountability in Leadership
[19:39] - Supporting One Another
[21:17] - Feeling Seen, Heard, and Valued
[22:49] - Calling Out Shortcomings
[24:24] - Matthew 18: Golden Standard for Accountability
[25:54] - Diotrephes' Failures
[27:33] - Importance of Accountability Partners
[28:47] - Parasocial Relationships
[30:11] - Seeking Real Relationships
[31:52] - Clinging to the Savior
[33:30] - Greatest Commandments
[35:05] - The Untouchables and Spiritual Integrity
[36:52] - Conclusion and Final Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What commendable actions does John praise Gaius for in 3 John? ([07:36])
How does John describe Diotrephes' behavior and its impact on the church? ([09:07])
What does John say about Demetrius in 3 John, and why is he mentioned? ([09:07])
According to Matthew 18:15-17, what steps should be taken when addressing a brother's sin?

Interpretation Questions

Why is biblical hospitality more than just inviting people into our homes, according to the sermon? ([10:31])
How does celebrating the successes of other believers contribute to a supportive church community? ([15:05])
What are the potential consequences of failing to hold church leaders accountable, as illustrated by Diotrephes' actions? ([24:24])
How does clinging to Jesus Christ serve as the foundation for all actions within the church? ([31:52])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own practice of hospitality. How can you go beyond inviting people into your home to genuinely inviting them into your life? ([10:31])
Think of a recent success of a fellow believer. How can you celebrate and encourage them in a way that fosters community and support? ([15:05])
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a lack of accountability in church leadership? How did it affect the church community, and what steps could have been taken to address it biblically? ([24:24])
In what ways can you ensure that your actions and decisions are rooted in your relationship with Jesus Christ? ([31:52])
How can you resist spiritual corruption and remain "untouchable" by the world's temptations, as illustrated by the story of the Untouchables? ([36:52])
Identify someone in your life who can serve as an accountability partner. How can you cultivate a relationship where you both feel comfortable calling out each other's shortcomings in a loving and biblical manner? ([27:33])
Reflect on the greatest commandments in Mark 12:28-31. What specific actions can you take this week to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself? ([33:30])

Sermon Clips

1. "The church is very much a system that God has established. It's a system that needs to run fluidly, but a lot of the time the system can fail because flawed people run the system. The church. Flawed people attend the church, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." [01:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Hospitality, when we talk about it, we often think about inviting people into our homes, inviting people into our church, inviting people to go get dinner with us. But it more importantly means inviting people into who we are, inviting people into our lives. That's harder. I can share dinner with someone, but how often do I open up and genuinely care for someone else?" [13:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We should celebrate the successes of other believers. We should celebrate what other believers are doing. He opens up, verse one, the elder to the beloved Gaius whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that it may go well with you and that you may be in good health as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoice greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you're walking in the truth." [15:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "People need to feel seen, heard, and valued before they have the desire to grow. Sometimes people are stagnant. Sometimes people get frustrated because maybe they're not, they don't feel seen. And sure, that's not why we follow Christ. We don't follow Christ to be seen. But it helps when you have a community around you that lifts you up. That's hugely important." [21:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need to know that not only should we be lifting each other up, but when we see each other failing, we need to call out the shortcomings in others. And we see John do that in verse 9. Let's jump in. It says, I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority." [22:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Do you have people in your life that are that close to you to where, hey, if Ethan isn't upholding biblical standards, can someone point to me and call that out and say where I'm failing? Do I have an accountability partner? Do I have someone that is close enough to me?" [27:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We know that we need to lift each other up, celebrate the successes. We know that we need to call each other out. But ultimately, no church is going to be founded on anything. It's not going to mean anything if we, thirdly, do not cling to the Savior. If we don't cling to who Jesus is." [31:52] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Are we willing in this modern climate, this modern world we live in, are we willing to uphold the biblical standards that God calls us to? Are we willing to stand on those and say, hey, I'm untouchable for corruption. Because the devil's going to sneak in. The devil's going to take control." [36:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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