WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church. It is a joy to get to preach here. If you guys will take your copy of God, God's word. We're going to be in the book of third John. We're going to preach through the whole book, all 15 verses. But as you're turning there, I want to ask you guys a few questions.

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 Who do you imitate? Who do you look up to and desire to be like? And don't say nobody, because we all look up to someone. We are all influenced by someone. But are those who influence us influenced by Christ?

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 This text will call us to imitate good and not evil. And if we are not careful, we will slowly be shaped and molded by those who do not walk according to the example we have in Christ.

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 So let's read our text today from third John verses one through 15.

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 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

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 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health as it goes well with your soul.

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 For I rejoice greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.

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

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 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church.

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 You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

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 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

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 Therefore, we ought to support people like these that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

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 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

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 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us and not content with that.

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 He refuses to welcome the brothers and also stops those who wants to and puts them out of the church.

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 Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good.

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 Whoever does good is from God and whoever does evil has not seen God.

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 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself.

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 We also add our testimony and you know that our testimony is true.

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 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.

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 I hope to see you soon and we will talk face to face.

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 Peace be to you.

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 The friends greet you.

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 Greet the friends each by name.

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 Amen.

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 So here we have a letter from the elder John and he is writing a personal letter to a man named Gaius,

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 who most likely came to faith through John's witness.

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 And Gaius is a member of a church along with this man named Diotrephes.

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 And we don't really know much information about Diotrephes.

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 We don't know if he was a pastor or just a regular church member with way too much influence.

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 But one thing is clear about Diotrephes is that he was a man of evil character.

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 So I'm going to break up today's sermon into four parts.

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 Part one is going to be the love and joy of John.

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 Part two, the good example of Gaius.

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 Part three, the evil example of Diotrephes.

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 And then part four, the conclusion, who do you imitate?

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 So part one, the love and joy of John.

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 So I want you to look closely at the way that John talks to Gaius.

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 In verse one, he calls him beloved.

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 And then he says, whom I love in the truth.

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 In verse two, he refers to him again as beloved and mentioned how he is praying for him.

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 And what is the content of his prayer?

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 John prays that Gaius would be in good health as it goes well with his soul.

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 So what is John saying here?

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 He is saying that Gaius is spiritually healthy.

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 And his desires that Gaius would be in good physical health as well.

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 We don't know exactly the context.

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 But it is very possible that Gaius suffered from some kind of physical ailment that constantly plagued him.

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 We don't really know.

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 But here is a lesson for us.

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 It is good for us to pray for the physical health of others.

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 But may this not be our primary concern.

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 May their spiritual health be our fervent prayer.

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 Good health is a blessing, but it is not promised to us.

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 And I would rather see someone with a broken body heading to the celestial kingdom

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 than a man or woman of excellent physical health heading to the place of eternal torment.

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 There it will not matter whether your body is healthy, strong, or fit

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 because the flames do not show partiality to those they will burn without consuming.

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 So how is your spiritual health?

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 Would John be able to say the same of you?

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 And I'm thankful that there are many here at church who are concerned about physical health.

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 But do not make physical health your idol.

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 If it were stripped away from you, could you still rejoice in the Lord?

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 Would someone still look at you and say,

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 My heart really aches for that brother and sister, for the pain that they are feeling.

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 But I rejoice because they are spiritually well.

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 So be diligent in taking care of your physical body.

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 But of far more importance is the diligent care of your soul.

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 So next, let's look how he rejoices in verse 3.

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 He says,

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 I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth,

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 as indeed you are walking in the truth.

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 It brought John great joy to see how Gaius was not just talking,

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 but was actually walking in the truth.

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 And he demonstrated this through the way that he treated these traveling gospel workers.

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 And we will touch on this more when we look at the example of Gaius.

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 But in verse 4, John proclaims,

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

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 It was his greatest joy to know that those he shared the gospel with

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 and discipled were faithfully walking in the truth.

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 Gaius might have been physically ill,

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 but John rejoiced that Gaius was spiritually well.

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 As followers of Christ, this should be the same for those who we've had the opportunity

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 to share the gospel with or disciple.

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 And for pastors, this should be your greatest joy to see the members under your care

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 faithfully walking in the truth.

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 And so while this text is referring to spiritual children,

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 it can also apply to physical children.

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 Charles Spurgeon, he used to use this text not only to challenge ministers of the word,

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 but also parents.

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 He used to walk into the home and look parents straight in the eyes,

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 and he challenged them to make spiritual children in their own families.

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 He said,

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 It is a very grievous thing to see how some professedly Christian parents are satisfied

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 so as long as their children display cleverness in learning or sharpness in business,

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 although they show no signs of a renewed nature.

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 If they pass their examinations with credit and promise to be well fitted for the world's battle,

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 their parents forget that there is a superior calling involving a higher crown

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 for which their child will need to be fitted by divine grace and armed with the whole armor of God.

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 When a man's heart is really right with God,

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 and he himself has been saved from the wrath to come

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 and is living in the light of his heavenly father's countenance,

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 it is certain that he is anxious about his children's souls,

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 prizes their immortal natures,

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 and feels nothing could give him greater joy

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 than to hear that his children walk in the truth of God.

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 So parents, is it your greatest joy to see your children walking in the truth?

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 Mothers, on this Mother's Day,

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 may your greatest joy and prayer be to see your children walking in the truth.

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 As moms, you get to spend a special amount of time with your children,

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 instilling in them the truths.

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 And when your kids reflect on all the things that mom used to say,

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 don't let the phrases that they think of be,

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 don't forget to wash your hands,

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 or don't talk to strangers,

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 or use your manners,

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 or eat your fruits and veggies.

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 This would be a tragedy

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 if this is all you are remembered by.

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 But let your children remember

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 how mom used to say,

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 you cannot love Christ

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 and hate the church.

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 Or,

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 if God cares for the birds, little one,

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 do you not think that he will care for you?

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 Or,

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 remember, my child,

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 that in Christ,

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 all your sins can be forgiven.

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 Fathers,

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 fathers,

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 lead your wives and kids

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 in a way that instills these truths

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 deep into their soul.

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 Love your spiritual children

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 and physical children

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 as John loved Gaius.

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 So lastly, in part one,

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 let's actually skip down

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 to verses 13 through 15.

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 Most of you guys won't have to turn your page,

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 but some of you may.

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 And let's read what John says here.

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 He says,

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 I had much to write to you,

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 but I would rather not write

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 with pen and ink.

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 I hope to see you soon,

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 and we will talk face to face.

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 Peace be to you.

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 The friends greet you.

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 Greet the friends,

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 each by name.

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 We can see here

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 John's deep longing

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 to be face to face with Gaius.

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 It wasn't enough for John

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 to just communicate it

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 with pen and ink.

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 He loved him too much.

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 He wanted to see him soon.

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 He wanted to be face to face.

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 This was indeed his spiritual child,

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 and what parent

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 who truly loves their child

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 would be content

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 only see them over a computer screen

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 or hearing from them

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 in an email or text

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 every once in a while.

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 It would be heartbreaking

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 because there is a deep longing

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 to be together,

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 to be in the presence

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 of one another.

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 So in this letter,

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 we see John's immense love

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 and joy

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 to see his spiritual child,

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 Gaius,

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 walking in the truth.

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 And honestly,

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 this reminds me of last Sunday,

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 seeing one of our own elders,

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 Clay,

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 tearing up as Jake Hughes

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 and his wife were moving away

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 and would no longer be gathering

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 with Christ Family Church.

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 Why such tears

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 from a tough Irishman?

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 Because Clay was experiencing

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 the immense joy and love

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 to see his child

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 walking in the truth

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 and the pain

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 of no longer

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 being face to face with him.

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 So now we're going to move

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 to part two,

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 the good example

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 of Gaius.

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 So let's return back

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 to verses one through four.

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 And I want you to notice

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 how many times

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 the word truth

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 is used here.

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 Verse one,

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 it says,

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 whom I love

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 in the truth.

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 And in verse three,

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 he says,

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 testify to your truth

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 as indeed you are walking

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 in the truth.

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 And verse four,

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 my children

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 walking

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 in the truth.

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 So Gaius

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 was walking

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 in the truth.

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 But what does this mean

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 that he is walking

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 in the truth?

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 Well,

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 if we actually go back

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 to John's first letter,

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 we will get a clearer picture

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 of what he means here.

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 So let's go to

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 first John

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 chapter two

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 and we're going to read

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 verses three through six.

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 First John chapter two

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 verses three through six.

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 it says,

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 and by this,

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 we know that we have

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 come to know him.

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 If we keep his commandments,

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 whoever says,

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 I know him,

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 but does not keep his commandments

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 is a liar

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 and the truth

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 is not in him.

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 but whoever keeps his word

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 in him,

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 truly the love of God

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 is perfected.

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 By this,

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 we may know

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 that we are in him.

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 Whoever says he abides

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 in him

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 ought to walk

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 in the same way

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 in which he

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 walked.

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 Notice how

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 if someone says

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 they know him,

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 but does not keep

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 his commandments,

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 the text calls him

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 a liar

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 and says the truth

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 is not in him.

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 So the one who

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 knows him

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 obeys his commands

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 and thus walks

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 in the truth.

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 And notice the last part

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 of verse six.

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 It says,

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 whoever says he abides

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 in him

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 ought to walk

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 in the same way

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 in which he

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 walked.

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 In other words,

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 Jesus

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 is the example

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 in which we should

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 be striving

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 to imitate.

00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.800
 We should

00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:15.860
 love the way

00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.620
 that he loved.

00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:18.100
 We should obey God

00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.200
 the way that he did.

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.860
 But first John

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.580
 is clear

00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:23.100
 that we will not

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.019
 do this perfectly.

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.879
 But this should be

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.879
 our heart's desire

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.040
 and aim

00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:29.120
 to be more

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.399
 like Christ's.

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.879
 Like the words

00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.980
 of a good old hymn,

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.759
 O to be more,

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.379
 O to be like thee,

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.080
 blessed Redeemer.

00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:39.779
 This is my

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.180
 constant longing

00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.160
 and prayer.

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.699
 gladly

00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:44.819
 I'll forfeit

00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:45.600
 all of

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.679
 earth's treasures

00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:48.100
 for thy

00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.199
 perfect likeness

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.759
 to wear.

00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.360
 And so it was

00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.019
 with Gaius.

00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:54.159
 He not only

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.319
 confessed the truth,

00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.639
 but he actually

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.199
 walked in the truth.

00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.439
 He not only

00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.219
 said he had

00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:01.159
 fellowship with God,

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.299
 but he showed

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:02.839
 the truth

00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:03.879
 that he believed

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.759
 by the way

00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.459
 he lived.

00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.839
 And this is

00:16:06.839 --> 00:16:07.439
 contrary

00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:08.799
 to the way

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.220
 of

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.240
 diatrophies.

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:12.600
 he probably

00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.600
 confessed the truth.

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:14.779
 He was a member

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.519
 of this church.

00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.700
 But it seems

00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.519
 as if he lived

00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.180
 contrary

00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:20.560
 to his

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.340
 confession.

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.580
 And this is

00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.240
 a great place,

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:24.960
 brothers and sisters,

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.919
 to remind you

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.259
 that you are only

00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.379
 saved by grace

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.860
 alone,

00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.060
 through faith

00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.560
 alone,

00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:32.180
 in Christ alone.

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.940
 Walking in the

00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.980
 truth does

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.960
 not save you.

00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.899
 But let me

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.460
 be clear.

00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.060
 If you

00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:39.700
 genuinely

00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.620
 believe that

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.520
 Jesus Christ

00:16:41.520 --> 00:16:42.780
 died as a

00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.320
 perfectly

00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:43.800
 righteous

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.340
 substitute

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.600
 on your

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.160
 behalf

00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.500
 to save

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:47.940
 you from

00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.340
 the wrath

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.900
 of God

00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.680
 and that

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.140
 he gives

00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:50.680
 you his

00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.160
 righteousness

00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:52.020
 so that

00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:52.440
 you can

00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.120
 stand before

00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:53.580
 God

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.360
 righteous

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.759
 and justified,

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.140
 out of

00:16:58.140 --> 00:16:58.560
 love for

00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:58.820
 God,

00:16:58.920 --> 00:16:59.580
 you will

00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.280
 walk in

00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:00.759
 the truth.

00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.020
 You will

00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:02.420
 walk in

00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.120
 the truth

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.480
 because you

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.019
 have been

00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.460
 saved,

00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:06.980
 not in

00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.860
 order to

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.440
 be saved.

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.080
 we are

00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:10.880
 too quick

00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.360
 to forget

00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.039
 the gospel

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.039
 and try

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.640
 to earn

00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.259
 right standing

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.080
 before God.

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.920
 By faith

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.820
 you have

00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:18.360
 right standing

00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.140
 before God.

00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.160
 So live

00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.640
 for him

00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.820
 and walk

00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:22.700
 in the

00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.240
 truth.

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.320
 And if

00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:24.580
 you are

00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:25.259
 trying to

00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.120
 earn

00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.400
 right standing

00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.059
 before God

00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.700
 by being a

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.140
 good enough

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.640
 person,

00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:31.440
 then repent

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:33.059
 and believe

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.880
 the gospel.

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:33.960
 people,

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.380
 I've had

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:35.760
 too many

00:17:35.760 --> 00:17:36.320
 conversations

00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:36.900
 with people

00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.200
 where they

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.580
 say they're

00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:38.980
 Christians,

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.600
 so then I'll

00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:40.000
 ask them,

00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:40.280
 I was like,

00:17:40.340 --> 00:17:41.540
 so why do

00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:41.880
 you think you

00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.140
 should get

00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.500
 into heaven?

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.080
 And the

00:17:44.080 --> 00:17:44.880
 most common

00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.380
 answer I've

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:46.880
 heard from

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.480
 these supposed

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.320
 Christians is,

00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:50.180
 well, I think

00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.500
 I'm a good

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.100
 enough person.

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.140
 And to that

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.860
 I tell you,

00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:56.580
 no, you

00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:57.420
 are not

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.020
 good enough.

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.200
 Only Christ

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.620
 is good

00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.520
 enough and

00:18:01.520 --> 00:18:02.600
 he died

00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.099
 for you.

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.159
 Believe in

00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:05.619
 him alone

00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.319
 for salvation.

00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.599
 Trust that

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.279
 his sacrifice

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.939
 is enough

00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:09.679
 and let

00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.619
 him change

00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.659
 you as

00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.099
 you keep

00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.779
 your eyes

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.799
 fixated upon

00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.959
 him and

00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:15.480
 his word.

00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.879
 So Gaius

00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.259
 was not

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.199
 merely talking,

00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:21.179
 but he

00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.859
 was also

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.159
 walking in

00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:23.740
 the truth.

00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.139
 And verses

00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:25.699
 five through

00:18:25.699 --> 00:18:26.119
 six, so

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.279
 we're going

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.579
 to go back

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.899
 to third

00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.240
 John.

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:32.740
 And we're

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:32.900
 going to

00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.279
 read verses

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.900
 five through

00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:34.500
 six, which

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.359
 give us a

00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.579
 tangible example

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:38.480
 of how he

00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.039
 walked in

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.559
 the truth.

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.460
 So let's

00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.940
 read verses

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.759
 five through

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.220
 six.

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.180
 Beloved,

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.440
 it is a

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.240
 faithful thing

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.079
 you do in

00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.539
 all your

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.279
 efforts for

00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.019
 these brothers,

00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.400
 strangers as

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:53.880
 they are,

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.880
 who testified

00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.740
 to your love

00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.220
 before the

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.539
 church.

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.539
 you would

00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.119
 do well to

00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.539
 send them on

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.059
 their journey

00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.899
 in a manner

00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.059
 worthy of

00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.440
 God.

00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.319
 So back

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.619
 then, those

00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.099
 who would do

00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:06.159
 traveling ministry

00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.539
 depended upon

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.200
 the hospitality

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.220
 of others.

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.619
 And here's an

00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.259
 example of a

00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.899
 church that

00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:12.799
 should be

00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.639
 receiving these

00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.420
 gospel workers,

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.940
 but because of

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.839
 deatrophies,

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.740
 they are

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.899
 unwelcomed.

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.519
 And deatrophies

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.759
 tries to put

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.680
 out of the

00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.299
 church anyone

00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.200
 who would dare

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.720
 to welcome

00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.019
 them.

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.860
 But Gaius

00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:31.240
 boldly welcomes

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.840
 these brothers

00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:33.279
 and shows them

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.920
 an extreme

00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.600
 amount of

00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.240
 hospitality,

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.720
 even though he

00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.279
 barely knows

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.539
 them.

00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.460
 To Gaius,

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:38.779
 they are

00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.799
 strangers in

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.259
 one sense,

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.779
 as the text

00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.200
 says,

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.380
 but they are

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.259
 beloved brothers

00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.059
 in another

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.539
 sense.

00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.180
 Gaius shows

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.400
 his faith in

00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.140
 action by the

00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:50.340
 way he receives

00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:51.120
 these brothers,

00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.140
 risking getting

00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.660
 maligned and

00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.460
 wrongly put out

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.039
 of the church.

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.000
 His faith was

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.620
 evident in

00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.319
 his actions.

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.840
 So let's

00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.220
 read verses

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.160
 seven and

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.620
 eight,

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.880
 which say,

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.700
 for they have

00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.600
 gone out for

00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:10.180
 the sake of

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.740
 the name,

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.100
 accepting nothing

00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.519
 from the

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.120
 Gentiles.

00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.740
 Therefore,

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.640
 we ought to

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.240
 support people

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.980
 like these,

00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.620
 that we may be

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.519
 fellow workers

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:21.160
 for the truth.

00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:24.060
 here we have

00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:25.240
 these gospel

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.840
 workers,

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.660
 or we could

00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.000
 even say

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.540
 missionaries,

00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:28.620
 who have gone

00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.320
 out for the

00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:29.860
 sake of the

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.279
 gospel.

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.360
 And John is

00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:31.880
 saying that we

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.680
 ought to support

00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.240
 people like

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.640
 these.

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.180
 They aren't

00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.740
 receiving their

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.160
 support from

00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.759
 the Gentiles,

00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.140
 that is,

00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.000
 the non-believers,

00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.920
 because their

00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.940
 work is for

00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.720
 the building up

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.700
 of the church.

00:20:42.040 --> 00:20:42.680
 And since it

00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.540
 is for the

00:20:43.540 --> 00:20:43.960
 building of

00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.460
 the church,

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.480
 it should be

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.040
 from those

00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.720
 within the

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.040
 church.

00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:51.779
 And so,

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.779
 John says we

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.500
 ought to support

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.099
 workers like

00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.599
 these,

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.740
 who are going

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.240
 out for the

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.619
 sake of the

00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:56.980
 name,

00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.139
 but he doesn't

00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:58.680
 leave it at

00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.039
 that.

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.559
 He gives us

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.579
 the reason

00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.639
 why we

00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:02.980
 should.

00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.639
 He says

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:06.180
 that we may

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.759
 be fellow

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.480
 workers for

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.579
 the truth.

00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.180
 As you support

00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.659
 workers who

00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.240
 have gone out

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.759
 for the sake

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.680
 of the gospel,

00:21:14.159 --> 00:21:15.240
 you are actually

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.059
 joining,

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.500
 partnering,

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.619
 in their

00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.039
 work.

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.119
 And as my

00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.559
 wife and I

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.079
 were just

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.960
 starting to

00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.000
 raise support,

00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:23.879
 I remember

00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:25.000
 complaining about

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.879
 having to raise

00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.420
 support to a

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.619
 good friend who

00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.200
 was actually

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.799
 already supporting

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.159
 us.

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.779
 And I was

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.619
 complaining just

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.379
 kind of about

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.920
 the process.

00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.779
 And he

00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.519
 looked at me

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.619
 and sternly

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.440
 but lovingly

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.220
 rebuked me,

00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.039
 saying,

00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.960
 I work really

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.599
 hard to make

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.379
 extra money

00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:44.220
 so that I can

00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.879
 support those

00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.359
 taking the

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.019
 gospel to the

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.359
 nations.

00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:48.619
 this is my

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.839
 way of

00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.339
 getting to

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.959
 be a part

00:21:50.959 --> 00:21:51.339
 of the

00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.579
 great

00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.059
 commission.

00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.099
 In other

00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.319
 words,

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:54.539
 what he

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.079
 was saying

00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.939
 was,

00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.039
 shut your

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.319
 mouth and

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.819
 see it for

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.119
 what it

00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.779
 truly is.

00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.259
 You are

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.359
 inviting

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:04.240
 people in

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.759
 to be a

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.339
 part of

00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:05.899
 the gospel

00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:07.619
 going to

00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.000
 the ends

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.219
 of the

00:22:08.219 --> 00:22:08.500
 earth.

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.579
 And this

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:09.939
 totally

00:22:09.939 --> 00:22:10.399
 changed my

00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:10.879
 perspective

00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.859
 and made

00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.819
 raising support

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.439
 actually a

00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:14.539
 joy because

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.339
 we realized

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.680
 we were

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.079
 inviting

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.379
 others to

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.099
 take part

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.960
 in the

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.159
 great

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:19.579
 commission.

00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.180
 And is

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.720
 this not

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.279
 what John

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.740
 is talking

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.220
 about here

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.579
 in verse

00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.000
 eight?

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.000
 Is he not

00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.539
 saying that

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.019
 those who

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.079
 support people

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.680
 like these

00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.480
 are fellow

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.940
 workers for

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.619
 the truth?

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.359
 So praise

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.539
 God that

00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.019
 though you

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.440
 may not

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:34.879
 go,

00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.279
 you have

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.899
 the opportunity

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.980
 to go in

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.480
 your giving,

00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:39.680
 in your

00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.119
 praying,

00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.700
 and in your

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.240
 encouragement.

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.440
 commitment.

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.039
 But,

00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.400
 there's also

00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:45.900
 a warning

00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.299
 here.

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.920
 If your

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.799
 support means

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.140
 that you

00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.839
 are partnering

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.819
 in that

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.240
 work,

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.339
 should you

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.980
 not know

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.299
 what you

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.799
 are partnering

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.200
 in?

00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.700
 Should you

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.160
 not be

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.500
 careful and

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.579
 intentional in

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.000
 the work you

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.579
 are supporting?

00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:02.200
 I've known

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.900
 too many

00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.960
 people who

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.059
 are giving

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.519
 to different

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.480
 ministries and

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.460
 I'm sure

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.839
 they have a

00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.259
 good heart,

00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:10.799
 they're giving

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.960
 and they

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.339
 just want to

00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:12.940
 be generous,

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.619
 but they

00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.299
 have no

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.159
 idea what

00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.519
 are the

00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.099
 aim,

00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.180
 what is the

00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.619
 aim and

00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.559
 mission of

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.279
 these ministries.

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.659
 Maybe they're

00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.200
 given to feel

00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.779
 good or maybe

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.180
 they're given

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.599
 because they

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.159
 like the guy

00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.399
 and they

00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.240
 couldn't say

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.559
 no,

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.279
 but for all

00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.639
 they know,

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.319
 they might be

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.960
 supporting a

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.500
 work that is

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.440
 actually contrary

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:29.980
 to the

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.339
 gospel.

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.500
 So be

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.419
 careful who

00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:33.879
 you do

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.519
 support and

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.059
 be intentional

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.919
 who you are

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.399
 supporting,

00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.680
 because in

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.319
 your support,

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.500
 you are

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.419
 also partnering

00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:42.539
 in that

00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:42.939
 work.

00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.700
 So we

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.279
 see in the

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.799
 example of

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.899
 Gaius that

00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.679
 he believed

00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:49.059
 the truth and

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.960
 thus walked

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.639
 in the truth.

00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.980
 And one

00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.659
 example that

00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.639
 evidenced his

00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.259
 walking in the

00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.519
 truth was the

00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.220
 way that he

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.599
 cared for and

00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:59.000
 supported these

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.919
 gospel workers.

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.220
 Maybe you look

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.339
 to Gaius as a

00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.079
 good and

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.119
 faithful example

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.659
 of someone

00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.759
 walking in

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.279
 the truth.

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:09.279
 part three,

00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.160
 the bad

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.480
 example of

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.339
 diatrophies.

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.440
 So verses

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.720
 9 through 10

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.920
 in 3 John

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.059
 turn our

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.779
 attention to a

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.299
 man named

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.240
 diatrophies.

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.220
 And as I said

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.740
 earlier, it

00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.599
 seems as if he

00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.420
 was a leader in

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.859
 the church, but

00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.619
 we don't actually

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.139
 have too much

00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.519
 information about

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.180
 his position.

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.519
 One thing is

00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.339
 clear, though.

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.819
 It says he

00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:33.059
 was a man who

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.639
 liked to put

00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.259
 himself first.

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.440
 first.

00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.359
 And in his

00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:38.900
 putting himself

00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.740
 first, the text

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.680
 says he does

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.599
 not acknowledge

00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.259
 our authority.

00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.539
 It says that he

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.640
 is talking wicked

00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.539
 nonsense against

00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.579
 us and not

00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.339
 content with that.

00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.700
 He refuses to

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.099
 welcome the

00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.779
 brothers and

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.819
 also stops those

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.559
 who wants to

00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.980
 and puts them

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.660
 out of the

00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.099
 church.

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.460
 He does all

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.299
 of these evil

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.799
 deeds because

00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.579
 his self-idolatry

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.940
 was under

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.420
 attack.

00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:05.600
 But does he

00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.279
 not contradict

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:08.060
 the very life

00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.700
 and words of

00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.880
 Jesus when

00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.720
 Jesus said in

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.300
 Matthew chapter

00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:12.560
 20 verses 27

00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:13.759
 through 28, and

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.600
 whoever would be

00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:16.440
 first among you

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.220
 must be your

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.840
 slave, even as

00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:19.660
 the son of man

00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:21.580
 came not to be

00:25:21.580 --> 00:25:22.560
 served, but to

00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:23.940
 serve and to

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.680
 give his life as

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.259
 a ransom for

00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.600
 many.

00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:27.140
 Or Paul's

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.620
 teaching in

00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.360
 Philippians chapter

00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:28.920
 two, verse

00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.860
 three, when he

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.900
 says do nothing

00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:32.240
 out of selfish

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.120
 ambition or

00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.720
 conceit, but in

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.560
 humility count

00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:37.440
 others more

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.660
 significant than

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.220
 yourselves.

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.060
 We must be

00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:43.480
 like Gaius, who

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.140
 though he was

00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.960
 probably ill,

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.120
 though he could

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.620
 have been put

00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.060
 out of the

00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.620
 church and

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.880
 maligned, he

00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:50.019
 did not put

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.320
 himself first,

00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:53.460
 but cared for

00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.080
 these traveling

00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:55.000
 gospel workers.

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.960
 He put them

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.600
 first.

00:25:58.280 --> 00:25:59.759
 Do not be like

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.839
 diatrophies, who

00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.819
 put himself first.

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.460
 And this is so

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.819
 easy to do.

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.059
 I think about

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.839
 this past week as

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.339
 I was preparing

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.379
 for this sermon,

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.079
 how many times I

00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.759
 had don't be like

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.960
 diatrophies playing

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.519
 in the back of my

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:15.480
 brain, especially

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:15.940
 with everything

00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.259
 going on where I

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.039
 was tempted to

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.000
 put myself first.

00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.940
 But we must not

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.680
 be like diatrophies.

00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:26.480
 we need to deny

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:28.600
 ourselves, take up

00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:30.019
 our cross, and

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.720
 follow him.

00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.539
 So fathers and

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:34.460
 husbands, putting

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:36.140
 yourself first will

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.980
 cause you to be

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.500
 unkind to your

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.820
 wife and kids.

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.380
 It will cause you

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.980
 to be short

00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.620
 tempered, easily

00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:45.259
 irritated, slow

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.660
 to listen, and

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.440
 quick to speak.

00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:48.920
 Mothers and

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:50.160
 wives, putting

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.100
 yourself first will

00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.680
 cause you to

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.660
 neglect your kids

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.200
 when they need

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.620
 you the most, to

00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.560
 see your kids as

00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:57.100
 a burden rather

00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:58.779
 than a blessing, to

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.620
 see them as getting

00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.620
 in the way of what

00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.340
 you really want to

00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:01.560
 do.

00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:03.360
 It will cause you

00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.220
 not to submit to

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.960
 your husband or to

00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:07.920
 try to subvert his

00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.460
 leadership.

00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:11.840
 Bosses, putting

00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.640
 yourself first will

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.360
 cause you to see

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:15.140
 your employees as

00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.080
 just tools of making

00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.279
 more money or

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.080
 creating more

00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.600
 leisure for

00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:20.140
 yourselves rather

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:22.020
 other than people

00:27:22.020 --> 00:27:22.800
 made in the image

00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:23.340
 of God.

00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.780
 Employees, putting

00:27:26.780 --> 00:27:27.740
 yourself first will

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.820
 cause you to not

00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:30.620
 work diligently, to

00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.640
 grumble and

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.800
 complain, to text

00:27:33.800 --> 00:27:34.640
 or be on social

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:36.140
 media or play games

00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.140
 when you probably

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:38.240
 should actually be

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.620
 working.

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:43.300
 Students, putting

00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:44.200
 yourself first will

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.980
 cause you to go for

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.600
 a career that will

00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:47.740
 benefit you the most,

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.160
 not considering your

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.319
 family, your church

00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.380
 or how it could

00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.059
 serve the Lord.

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.960
 It may cause you to

00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.299
 be focused on grades

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:57.720
 to the point that you

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:59.019
 ignore the people God

00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.900
 has put in your life

00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:01.720
 or you would rather

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:03.059
 spend time studying or

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.000
 working on projects or

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.500
 paper when you should

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.700
 probably be gathering

00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.420
 with the church on

00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:07.799
 Sunday.

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:11.220
 Children, putting

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.980
 yourselves first will

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.859
 cause you to disobey

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:15.420
 your parents, be mean

00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.339
 to your siblings, to

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.859
 grumble and complain

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.439
 and argue when they

00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:20.039
 ask you to do

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.459
 something.

00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.519
 Lastly, church

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.480
 members, putting

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:26.179
 yourself first will

00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.980
 cause you to grumble

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.720
 and complain when at

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.299
 a member meeting

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.679
 there's a decision put

00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:31.779
 forth that isn't

00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.459
 convenient or

00:28:32.459 --> 00:28:33.339
 comfortable for you.

00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:35.319
 It will cause you to

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.079
 vote in such a way

00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.240
 that benefits you the

00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:39.459
 most, not considering

00:28:39.459 --> 00:28:40.359
 your brothers or

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.819
 sisters or your

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.899
 leaders who God has

00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:44.459
 put in charge of

00:28:44.459 --> 00:28:45.459
 shepherding your soul.

00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.519
 people.

00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.660
 These are just a few

00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.559
 examples and there's

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.579
 so much more that could

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.299
 be said about this

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.980
 section, but I hope you

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.819
 see the danger of

00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:55.340
 putting yourself first.

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.519
 It does not glorify the

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.519
 Lord and walks contrary

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.860
 to the example we have

00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.420
 in Christ.

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:04.019
 Do not imitate

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:06.960
 diatrophies who like to

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.539
 put himself first, but

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:10.720
 imitate Gaius as he

00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.420
 walked in the truth.

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:15.880
 part four conclusion.

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:19.080
 Who do you imitate?

00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:21.580
 Verse 11 gives us the

00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.680
 main command in third

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.060
 John.

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.920
 It says, beloved, do

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:27.080
 not imitate evil, but

00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:28.100
 imitate good.

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.920
 Whoever does good is

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:31.060
 from God and whoever

00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:32.500
 does evil has not seen

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.920
 God.

00:29:33.800 --> 00:29:35.259
 He follows this by

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.340
 pointing to another

00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.700
 brother, Demetrius,

00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:39.279
 saying Demetrius has

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.240
 received good testimony

00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.599
 from everyone and

00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.579
 from the truth itself.

00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:44.259
 We also add our

00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.480
 testimony and you know

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.420
 that our testimony is

00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:46.759
 true.

00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.700
 Demetrius had a good

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.059
 and faithful reputation

00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.700
 and he was another one

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:54.920
 to be imitated, but we

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.819
 obviously don't have

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.880
 many details surrounding

00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.460
 his life.

00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:59.480
 But what we do have is

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.720
 an example of Gaius and

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.299
 the example of diatrophies

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:05.460
 and a call to imitate

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:08.779
 good and not evil.

00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.879
 And as I said earlier,

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.539
 we all imitate someone.

00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:14.799
 So my question is, who

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.759
 do you imitate?

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:18.980
 Who is the person that

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.379
 captures an ideal that

00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:20.960
 you desire?

00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:23.279
 Is it a famous person or

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.559
 singer?

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:26.039
 If you would pay a lot

00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.180
 of money and drive hours

00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:28.819
 to go see this person, it

00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.920
 might be a sign that you

00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.039
 are greatly influenced by

00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.319
 them.

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.960
 And if you aren't

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:35.200
 careful, you will start

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:37.039
 to imitate their way of

00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.339
 living.

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:40.099
 Maybe you desire to

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.139
 imitate someone that

00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:43.420
 isn't evil, but who

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.299
 should not be your

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.559
 ultimate desire to

00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.339
 become like.

00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:48.200
 Maybe it is the

00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.119
 Instagram influencer

00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:49.480
 mom.

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.599
 Maybe it's a certain

00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.940
 successful businessman,

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.740
 a certain professor,

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.879
 hunter, or athlete,

00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.920
 or soldier.

00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.000
 You fill in the blank.

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:02.019
 If the person you are

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.039
 seeking to imitate

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.980
 isn't helping you grow

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.940
 in godliness and

00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:08.599
 holiness, should you

00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:10.599
 ultimately be imitating

00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:10.920
 them?

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.019
 Could you say, as Paul

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.380
 said in 1 Corinthians 11,

00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:16.900
 follow me as I follow

00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.480
 Christ?

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.680
 In other words, look at

00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:21.400
 my example in so much

00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.680
 as I am following

00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.700
 Christ.

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.860
 He also says in

00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.839
 Philippians 3 17,

00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:29.559
 join in imitating me

00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.860
 and keep your eyes on

00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:33.199
 those who walk

00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:34.039
 according to the

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:35.399
 example you have

00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:36.240
 in us.

00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:40.240
 We have the truth

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.819
 and this truth

00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.740
 teaches us how to

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:44.379
 live and we need

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.759
 human examples

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.139
 of those truths

00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:47.939
 lived out.

00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.599
 Do you have

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.399
 brothers and sisters

00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:51.379
 in the faith that you

00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.179
 could point to

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:53.179
 and say,

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:55.000
 be like so-and-so,

00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.779
 consider the way he

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.839
 follows Christ?

00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:00.720
 Parents, as your kids

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.459
 are growing up,

00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:02.759
 who can you point to

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.279
 and say,

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.919
 if you want to be a

00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.359
 businessman,

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.579
 consider this person

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.539
 and the way his faith

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.579
 is at action in his

00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:09.919
 work.

00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.939
 Or if you want to be a

00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:12.199
 mother,

00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:14.559
 don't only look to my

00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.439
 example, but consider

00:32:15.439 --> 00:32:17.740
 this mom and how she is

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:19.039
 faithfully discipling

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.379
 and training up her

00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.699
 children.

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:23.480
 We need the church

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.519
 on this journey

00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.299
 to look to one

00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:28.460
 another and to learn

00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.839
 how to live out the

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.279
 truth.

00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.500
 And parents, if your

00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.420
 children do not have

00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.519
 godly examples to

00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:36.099
 look to, they will

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:37.500
 look to the world.

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.980
 Be careful of the

00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:41.079
 role models you put

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.920
 before them.

00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.639
 Be watchful of who

00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.680
 you idolize in the

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:46.200
 home, who is on

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:48.000
 your TV, and who is

00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.759
 on your speakers.

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.359
 Your kids are

00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:52.619
 watching, they're

00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:54.500
 learning, and they're

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:54.980
 imitating.

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.559
 This is also my

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.400
 plug for reading good

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.480
 Christian biographies,

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.720
 for the sake of your

00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.259
 soul and your

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:03.220
 families, to have

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.319
 these imperfect

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:06.839
 examples of

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:08.539
 believers striving to

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:10.059
 live like the perfect

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.440
 example, Christ.

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.500
 So I'd like to end

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.519
 with the command of

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.880
 3 John verse 11.

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:19.059
 Beloved, do not

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:21.960
 imitate evil, but

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.720
 imitate good.

00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:26.200
 So ask yourself, who

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.680
 do you imitate, whether

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.339
 secretly or openly?

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.740
 And if this person

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.660
 does not point you to

00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.380
 Christ, to the

00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:34.019
 gospel, if this person

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:35.119
 is not walking in the

00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.079
 truth, ask yourself,

00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.640
 should you be

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.460
 imitating them?

00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.160
 And ask yourself, who

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.519
 should you imitate?

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:45.059
 Beware of those who

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:46.059
 walk in the way of

00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.539
 deatrophies, who

00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.859
 walk contrary to the

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.279
 truth.

00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:51.319
 But look for those

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.859
 like Gaius, who

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.879
 walk in the truth, to

00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:55.819
 those who not only

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.900
 believe the truth, but

00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.819
 live lives that

00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.980
 evidence the truth

00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.799
 that they believe.

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.859
 Let's pray, church.

00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.299


00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.299


00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.299


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00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.299