Gaius: “Love For Strangers” Text: III John Scripture Reading: Rom. 12:9-13

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Intro We know from Jn. 13:34-35 that we are to love one another the way Christ loved us This love for one another is manifested in various ways, but one of the most overlooked ways is hospitality  G5382 is from G5384 philos (“fond, love”) & G3581 xenos (“foreign, alien, stranger”)  The Greek noun philoxenia (G5382), translated “hospitality,” is literally “the love of strangers,” and refers to a welcoming attitude toward people, both known and unknown (Rom. 12:9-13; Heb. 13:1-2; I Pet. 4:8-9).  Hospitality should be characteristic of elders (I Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:7-8), widows indeed (I Tim. 5:9-10), and disciples in general (I Pet. 4:7-11). The apostle John talks about love more than any other NT writer (Jn. 21:20-25: He was called the apostle whom Jesus loved)

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Intro The name Gaius (Roman name) is used with reference to four persons in the NT:  Acts 19:29: A Macedonian companion of Paul.  Acts 20:4: A man of Derbe traveled with Paul.  I Cor. 1:14; Rom. 16:23: A Corinthian whom Paul baptized.  III Jn. 1: The man addressed by John in his third letter. III John: There is one recorded who was known for his “love for strangers” Gaius is commended for his hospitality and for showing love for the brethren and for strangers! Gaius is commended for his hospitality and for showing love for the brethren and for strangers! Many heroes of faith recorded in Scripture, and in N.T. we read of preachers, elders, and “pillars of truth” (Gal. 2:9: James, Peter, and John) in the church!

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Beloved Gaius III Jn The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. III Jn The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. “Beloved”  Beloved – agapetos (G27) = beloved, very dear.  Means greatly loved; deservedly loved; loved by many.  Four times the writer applies the term beloved to Gaius (III Jn. 1, 2, 5, 11). Who loved Gaius?  John, the writer of this book, who calls himself “the elder” (III Jn. 1)  Other brethren loved Gaius (III Jn. 3-6: Reported of his love!) Do visitors report our love to their home congregations? Something to think about!

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Beloved Gaius III Jn For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. III Jn For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Why was Gaius loved?  He continued to walk in truth – III Jn. 3-4  He was a lover of the truth, the brethren, and God (for he walked in His truth – I Jn. 4:7-12)  He let his love show – III Jn. 5-6 (I Jn. 3:18; I Tim. 5:9-10; Heb. 13:1-2) 5. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6. and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 5. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6. and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. Others can see many things in us individually and as a group…but do they see love? Others can see many things in us individually and as a group…but do they see love?

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Love for Strangers III Jn For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. III Jn For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. The “Strangers” or visitors were preaching the gospel  They went out for the “sake of the Name.”  Notice where their support came from:  III Jn. 7: They accepted nothing from the Gentiles.  III Jn. 8: The church supports it’s own. The world should not pay for the church or the gospel preached; God pays the bill  I Cor. 16:1, 3: Churches at Corinth & Galatia were sending funds to saints in Jerusalem.  Phil. 4:15-19: The brethren at Philippi funded Paul’s ministry.  Titus 3:13-14: Two individuals were mentioned that needed help, and Titus was to see that they lacked nothing. The church supports its own!

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Love for Strangers III Jn For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. III Jn For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. When we support men who preach the gospel we are “fellow workers with the truth”  Because we share in what is taught with our support, we must also make sure they are preaching soundly, lest we be “fellow workers with error.”  The truth is important – When we walk in it, we will love the brethren (I Jn. 5:2). I Jn. 5:2 2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. I Jn. 5:2 2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. Do “strangers” see our love for them when they come in our midst? Do “strangers” see our love for them when they come in our midst?

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Selfish Love III Jn I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. III Jn I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. While Gaius was displaying love to “strangers” and supporting them in their mission, there was one who opposed truth and love  Diotrephes let power and greed go to his head and he wounded many.  He loved self. True love is selfless, and he was selfish.  The “we” and “us” of v.9-10 meant John the apostle and others (v.12).  Did not receive the brethren  Not only did he not receive the brethren, he forbade others to do so.  If anyone did, he put them out of the church.  John was planning to confront him if he was able to get there.

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Selfish Love III Jn Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. III Jn Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Gaius was warned not to imitate evil, meaning to not follow in the footsteps of Diotrephes While Diotrephes was the opposite of Gaius, there was one who was like-minded  Demetrius had a good report from everyone, inlcuding the apostle John! A lesson for us as well! III Jn Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. III Jn Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. Love is commendable while selfish love and conceit is condemned! Love is commendable while selfish love and conceit is condemned!

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Conclusion Gaius loved the brethren at a time and place that another was making that difficult to do Something all of us can and should do! (I Pet. 4:8-9) Gaius not only walked in truth, he helped the truth  Gaius helped the truth by helping those who preached it. (Not told if he was a preacher)  He was a member of the church whose hospitality reached out to those who needed it I Pet. 4: Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. I Pet. 4: Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Conclusion John gives us a practical look at how we are to love one another and show others we love them  III Jn. 11: “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”  We are to sincerely love, not be hypocritical, to be devoted to one another, preferring one another. (Rom. 12:9-13: “…abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”) Rom. 12: Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11. not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13. contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Rom. 12: Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11. not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13. contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. When we do this, others take notice! (Positive: Gaius – Negative: Diotrephes) When we do this, others take notice! (Positive: Gaius – Negative: Diotrephes)

Gaius: "Love For Strangers" Conclusion It is the way Jesus wanted it to be when others see our love  Jn. 13:34-35: Love one another the way Christ loved us, and we will be known. Can others see our love for them? Let us love in word and deed and show love for one another and for “strangers!” Let us love in word and deed and show love for one another and for “strangers!”

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)