The Study Of I

& Ii & Iii John Essay, Research Paper

The Study of I & II & III John

by

Vincent Lo

I & II & III Book of JOHN – Introduction

1. John is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

2. He had an intimate relationship with Jesus.

3. He was the last apostle who died around 100 years old.

4. He resided in Ephesus before his death.

5. The style of writing of I John is accepted as a letter

even though it does not contain salutation or greeting

at the end.

6. John appeared to have a very intimate relationship with

the receivers. There was no introduction of himself,

greetings, or description of the receivers in I John.

7. Initially, there was debate over the canonicity of II and

III John. By the 4th century, they were fully accepted

into the NT canon.

I JOHN

Key words: If, how, light, love, abide, anti-Christ, spirit.

Key verses: 1:7;5:20

Motives:

1. We write this to make our or your joy complete. 1:4.

2. I write this to you so that you will not sin. 2:1.

3. I am writing these things to you about those who are

trying to lead you astray. 2:26.

4. I write these things to you who believe in the name of

the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal

life.5:13.

Theme:

1.The test of a true fellowship with God.

2.Jesus Christ, the true God and eternal life.

Outlines:

I. The gospel is the word of life. 1:1-4.

a. Its origin: From the beginning; that is before the

creation of the world and man. Vs 1.

The word of life or the eternal life was

with the Father from the beginning.

John 1:1-2.

He is equal with the Father and also the

co-author of His creation. Co 1:15-17.

John 1: 3.

b. Its manifestation:

The life has appeared to us. Vs 2.

John 1: 14, 17-18. He has make God known to

us. John 17:3, Eternal life is knowledge of

God which is a personal relationship with

Him.

Thus, the life appeared to us so that we may

have a personal relationship with God. It is

indeed God’s love and grace that cause Him

to reach out to us.

c. Its testimony:

The apostles are the eyewitnesses. They

have a personal relationship with Jesus.

i. They have heard.

ii. They have seen with their eyes.

iii. They have looked at.

iv. They have touched.

d. It s proclamation: By the apostles for the purposes of:

i. Fellowship with the Father and with his Son.

ii. Fellowship with one another.

iii. Complete joy within and among the believers.

The apostle’s message is a message of fellowship with God and other believers. Fellowship means intimate relationship and sharing. It also means partnership. Philippians 1:5. In other words, believers are called to be partners with God and with other believers. Fellowship speaks about relationship, while partnership speaks about mutual goal and responsibility. A complete joy can only comes from fellowship with God as well as with other believers of the body of Christ. It must be stressed that fellowship between believers is vitally linked to individual fellowship with God the Father. One cannot claim he has fellowship with God while he does not have fellowship with other believers. The reverse is also not true.

II. Walking in the light is the test of true fellowship

with the Father. 1:5-2:2.

1.God is light – In him there is no darkness, because

of the physical properties of light. Light and darkness

are totally incompatible. Where there is light, there is no

darkness. Thus the functions of light are :

a.Illuminates and exposes darkness. Nothing can hide in the

light. John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the

darkness has not understood ( overcome ) it. Yes, darkness

may indeed overcome light when there is relatively little

light present. However, the light of God cannot be

overcome by darkness. It is sufficient to expose even the

deepest hidden darkness in our lives.

b.Enlightens our hearts from darkness. Light gives us

direction and understanding. It is a horrible thing to be

lost in darkness.

c.Gives out warmth and life.

2.Having fellowship with God is walking in the light.

Vs 6-7. To have fellowship with God is to walk with God.

To walk with God is to be side by side with Him going in

the same direction, not ahead or behind Him, but at equal

pace with God. Indeed it is our privilege to walk with

Him.

a.No one walks in the darkness has fellowship with God.

If any one claims the above, he lies and he is not living

in the truth.

b.Whoever walks in the light may be tested by the following:

i.Light illuminates our true needs before God. Vs 7.

- Need of fellowship with Him and other believers.

- Need of purification from all( every ) sins.

ii. Light enlightens our attitudes towards sin.1:8-2:2.

- Confession of our original sin. That is admission of our

sinful natures.

- Confession of our personal sins. That is admission of

our wrong doings, and wickedness.

- Confession of the faithfulness and justice of God. That

is admission of God’s righteousness.

- Confession of the need of forgiveness and purification.

That is admission of the futility of salvation by our

own selves.

- Acknowledges Jesus is the only provision of God for our

sins. Jesus Christ, the righteous one is our advocate

and atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

III. Light enriches our knowledge of God. 2:3-14.

1.Obedience is the only way to know God. Vs 3-4.

John 14:21 God reveals himself to those who

obey His commands. Obedience is not only the way to

know God but it is also the hallmark of those who

truly know God. To disobey His commands is indicative

of lack of truth in us. In other words, those who

disobey His commands do not know God, and is not living

in the truth.

2.Love is the perfect motive to know God. Vs 5.

Furthermore, love made our knowledge of God complete.

I Co 13:2. God’s love is truly made complete in us

when we are obedient to His words.

3.Jesus Christ is our example to know God. Vs 6. To know

God, we must come to Jesus Christ and humble ourselves

and imitate Him. That is to walk as Jesus did. Paul

often urged us to imitate him as he imitated Christ.

What did Jesus did ? He came to bear the cross and to

do the will of the Father. Therefore, believers are

also called to bear the cross and do the will of the

Father.

4.A new commandment to love our brothers is the test of

our walk in the light. Vs 7-11.

The commandment to love one another is a message that

they have heard in the beginning or in the past, when

the Lord Jesus was still with them. John 13:34,

John 15: 12,17. John called this the old commandment.

But, now he was writing a new commandment to them to

love their brothers. The commandment is new not because

the content is new and that they have not heard before.

It is new because it s truth or the reality of this

commandment can now be truly experienced in Him

( Christ ), as well as among you ( the believers ).Vs 8.

Christ loves us and He laid down His life for us. I John

3:16, 4:9. The death of Christ on the cross is the

assurance of His love, and also the reason behind

to compel us to love one another. The darkness is

passing and the true light is shining. Therefore, our

mutual love of one another should be evident among

us and should be shining as the true light ( Christ )

is. Hate and love are incompatible as if with light and

darkness. Thus if one walks in the light, he must love

and not hate his brothers. He who hates his brother

is still in darkness. He has deceived himself and is

lost in darkness, because darkness has blinded his

eyes.

5.The knowledge of God is relevant to all ages. Vs 12-14.

a. Believers are the dear children of God whose sins

have been forgiven on account of his name. Sins in

our lives are the main obstacle of knowing God.

God is light and holy. If we harbor unrepentant

sins in our lives, how can we approach our holy

Father. When Adam and Eve sinned, the first thing

they did was to hide from God. We are His children.

Thus, we should come to Him like children come to

their father.

b. John addressed some of them as fathers, implying that

they were the older and more mature Christians. Their

knowledge of God is experienced in their lives

because they have known Him. It is no longer a head-

knowledge but experiential knowledge. Knowledge of

God takes time and personal experience. How long have

you been Christian ? Should you be fathers now ?

c. John also addressed some of them as young men,

implying that they were younger in age and also

less experienced in the Lord. The young men are

characterized by their strength ( you are strong ),

their thirst of God’s word ( the word of God lives in

you ), and their ambition of victory over the evils.

When you first came to know Christ, were you like

that ? Have you been acting like the young men ?

IV. Light separates us from the world. 2:15-17.

- Definition of the world: Cravings of the sinful man;

lusts of his eyes, and boastings of what he has and

does. The world in other words is man-centered. The

world does not received the light. John 1:10-11.

- Warning not to love the world.

- Reasons not to love the world. If anyone loves the

world, the love of the Father is not in him. Thus, one

cannot have the Father and also the world

Simultaneously. After all, the world and its desires

will pass away.

- Love the Father; do his will and live forever.

V. Acknowledging Jesus as the Christ is the test of our

abiding in God.2:18-27.

1. Warning of the coming of anti-Christ in the last hour.

Vs 18. The coming of antichrists is indicative of the

last hour. John declared that many antichrists have come.

Therefore, the last hour is here. Hebrew 1:1 tells us

that in the last days, God spoke to us in His son. Thus,

we are living in the last days, and last hour. How do we

recognize the antichrists ?

a. They are counterfeit of the apostles. Vs 19. They have

left the apostles. Indeed, they did not belong to the

apostles.

b. They are liars. Vs 22. They opposed and slandered the

truth. Their intention is to deceive others.

c. They denies Jesus is the Christ. Vs 22. In other words,

they denies Jesus is the Anointed one, the Messiah.

d. They denies the Father and the Son. Since the Father and

the Son are co-equal and one, it is absurd to think

that denying the Son has the Father. Therefore, whoever

acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Vs 23.

e. They are deceivers – trying to lead you astray. Vs 26.

2. God has given the anointed one, the Holy Spirit to

teach and guide us. Vs 20-21,24-27.

a. Believers have received an anointing from the Holy one.

Vs 20.

b. Believers are the one who know the truth. Vs 21.

c. Believers are reminded to remain in or keep the truth

which is what they heard in the beginning. Vs 24.

d. Believers are urged to remain or abide in the Son and in

the Father. To remain or abide in the Son and in the

Father is to have eternal life. Remain in the Son and

Father and we will not be deceived and let astray. Vs 25.

e. Believers will be keep in the Father by the anointed one

who will remain in them and teach them all things. Vs 27.

3. Therefore, whoever abides in the Father must acknowledge

His Son Jesus as the Christ.

VI. Do what is right is the proof of being born of God. 2:28-3:10.

1. The confidence of being born of God.2:28-3:1

a. Confidence of the great love of the Father, knowing that

we are His children, Vs 28. 3:1, though the world does

not know us because it did not know God.

b. Continue to abide in him, knowing that we have continuous

fellowship with Him. Vs 28.

b. Awaiting his coming, knowing that we will be unashamed

before Him. Vs 28.

2. The proof of being born of God.

a. Moral awareness:

i. Does what is right. 2:29; 3:7. God is righteous. Everyone

who does what is right has been born of him.

ii. Will not continue to sin. 3:6;3:9.

-Jesus has appeared to take away our sins. 3:5 In him

there is no sin.

-Jesus has destroyed the work of the devil, which is

sinning from the beginning. 3:8.

-God’s seed remains in us, therefore we cannot go on

sinning. 3:9.

b. Social awareness:

i. Love his brother is what is right to do. Children of God

are those who do what is right and thus must love their

brothers. Vs 10. He who does what is sinful is of the

devil Vs 7.

3. The hope of being born of God. 3:2-3.

a. We shall be like Him. 3:2.

b. We shall see Him as He is. 3:2.

c. We shall purify ourselves just as He is pure. 3:3.

VII. Love your brothers with actions is the test that proves

we belongs to the truth. 3:11-24.

1. We have heard the message from the beginning: we should

love one another. 3:11. This is an imperative from the

Lord.

2. We have been warned by the past.3:12.

a. Cain murdered his brother because his own actions were

evil and his brother’s were righteous.

b. We should not be like Cain.

3. We have received the new life, and the world hates us

3:13-15.

a. We have passed from death to life which enables us to

love our brothers. A person who does not love is a dead

person. To hate someone is like to murder or kill him.

Thus, to love our brothers is a sign of the new life

that we received in Christ.

b. We have received the eternal life which is the Lord

Jesus Christ.

4. We have Jesus as our example: 3:16. God reveals His love

for us in His Son Jesus Christ.

a. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, so we may know

what is love.

b. We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

5. We should love with actions and in truth, and not with

words or tongue. Vs 17-18. We must share our material

possessions with brothers who are in need.

6. We should set our hearts at peace in His presence.

Vs 19-22.

a. We should be confident that we belong to the truth, if

indeed, we have loved our brothers.

b. Our hearts can rest in peace in God’s presence, even

when our hearts ( conscience ) condemn us, because indeed

we have loved our brothers. Love removes the condemnation

of our conscience which may be misjudging at times.

c. God knows everything and He is greater than our hearts.

Vs 20. Therefore, we are to seek God’s approval than

our hearts’ ( human’s ) approval.

7. We should remain in Him by being obedient to His commands

and doing what that pleases Him. Vs 22-24.

a. If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence

before God, knowing that He will answer our prayers and

requests.

b. Our confidence is based on the fact that our only motive

of our requests is to please Him and to obey His

commands. Vs 22.

c. God’s command to all believers:

i. To believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.

ii. To love one another.

d. We know we are in Him and He lives in us because:

i. We have obeyed His command.

ii. We have known by the Spirit He gave us.

VIII. Acknowledging Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is the

test of the spirit of the truth from the spirit of

falsehood. 4:1-6.

1.Warning against the casual belief of every spirits come

from God. Vs 1-3.

a. Not every spirit comes from God. Vs 1.

b. Many false prophets have gone out into the world.vs1

c. The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world.

vs3.

d. Test every spirits, do not believe every spirit :

i. The spirit of God acknowledges Jesus Christ comes in the

flesh. Vs 2. That is the incarnation of Christ.

ii. The spirit of antichrist does not acknowledge Jesus

Christ comes in the flesh. In other words, it denies

the true humanity of Christ.

2. Assurance that we are from God. Vs 4-6.

a. The spirit of God in us is greater than the spirit of

the world. We have overcome the world by the spirit

of God.

b. The word of God is our confidence of discernment.

We should not listen to the viewpoints of the world.

Instead, we should listen to the word of God which is

the truth. The spirit of God is also the spirit of

truth. Thus, it will not contradict or oppose the

word of God.

c. Therefore, the spirit of the world is the spirit of

falsehood.

IX. Experiencing the love of God among us is the proof

that God dwells among us. 4:7-21.

1. Love one another because: Vs 7-8.

a. Born of God.

b. Knowledge of God.

c. God is love.

d. God has shown His love to us.

i. He sent his one and only son into the world that

we might live through him. Vs 9.

ii. Jesus Christ came to be the atoning sacrifice for

our sins. Vs 10.

iii.He has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

Vs 14. The apostles were His testimony.

iv. He has given us His spirit. Vs 13.

2. Exhortation to live in love. Vs 12,15-20.

a. God’s love is revealed and made complete among

us, if we love one another. Vs 12. We testified

the presence of God by loving one another.

b. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.

Vs 15-16.

i. He must acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.

ii. He must rely on the love He has for us.

c. Love gives us confidence before God in the judgement

day.

i. We have been like him in the world, Vs 17. In other

words, we have been conformed to be Christ-like.

ii. Love has cast out fear.

iii. We have been made perfect in love.

iv. We love because He first loved us.

d. He who loves God must loves his brother, otherwise he

is a liar. Vs 20-21.

i. No one can love God who is not seen if he does not

love his brothers who have been seen.

ii. Do not be deceived.

X. Accepting God’s testimony of Jesus Christ is the

proof that we believe in Him. 5:1-12.

1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

a. He will love the Father as well as His child.

b. He will love the children of God, by obedience to his

commands.

c. He will find God’s commands not burdensome.

2. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes

the world. Vs 5. The Son had overcome the world on the

cross and we have been born of God.

3. Whoever accepts God’s testimony of Jesus Christ, believes

in the Son of God.

a. The testimony of God:

i. Jesus came by water and blood. Vs 6.

- Water may represent his baptism. Math 3:16-17.

- Blood may represent his crucifixion. Math 27:54.

ii. The Spirit, the water and the blood testify and are in

agreement. Vs 7-8.

iii.God’s testimony is greater than man’s. vs 9.

iv. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His

Son. Vs 11.

v. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the

Son of God does not have life.

XI. Final words of assurance and reminder. 5:13-21.

1. John’s motive of writing them: so that they may know

they have eternal life. Vs 13.

2. God’s assurance of hearing our prayers. Vs 14-17.

a. Pray according to his will.

b. Intercede for the brothers who sin. Vs 16-17.

i. There are many sins.

ii. Some sins do not lead to death, others may lead to

death.

iii. All wrongdoing is sin.

3. John reminded them of the believer’s knowledge. Vs 18-21.

a. Anyone who is born of God does not continue to sin.

Vs 18.

b. God will protect those who are born of Him from the evil.

c. We know we are the children of God. Vs 19.

e. We know the Son of God has come and gave us

understanding. Vs 20.

f. We know we abide in his Son Jesus Christ who is the

true God and eternal life.

4. John warned them to stay away from idols.

II JOHN – Outlines:

I. Salutation. 1:1-3.

1. Writer: The elder.

a. John, the Apostle of Christ is identified himself as elder

of the church. Peter, is another example of the importance

elders ministry in the early churches. I Pe.5:1-4.

b. Understanding the biblical perspective of some elders issues.

i. The issue of pleurality of leadership: To the elders I Pe 5:1, Acts 15:4,22, 20:17.

ii.The principle of Leader among leaders or First among

the few . Among all early church elders, only Peter and John

were mentioned by names. It is possible that the James

that was mentioned in Acts 15:4, was not only the same

James mentioned by Paul in Ga 1;19, as The Lord s

brother , but he was also one of the elders in the church of

Jerusalem. When Peter addressed the elders of the church in

his letter I Peter, he addressed them as fellow-elders. This

gives a model of equality among the elders. Because of

difference in gifting and experience, no doubt some will be

regarded as first among the leaders. James is an example of

leader among leaders. He was the spokesman for their elders

in the church of Jerusalem.

iii. The mandate of biblical qualification of elders.

I Ti 3:1-10 5:17, Ti 6-9, Pe 5:1-5.

iv. The scope of the elders ministry.

n Overseer of the ministry – Direct the affairs of the

church( I Ti 5:17 ); Defend the truth (Ti 1:9, Acts

20:29,( I&II&III John ).

n Shepherd of the ministry – Feed the flock, I Pe 5:1-5, Acts 20:28 through, teaching and preaching ( I Ti 5:17 );

encouraging ( Ti 1:9 ); protecting. ( Acts 20:29 ); and

caring ( hospitality Ti 1:8 ).

n Leader of the ministry – Live as an example. I Pe 5:3. An elder must lead by personal example. He is a servant of the Lord, and therefore must be held to the highest biblical standard which is Blameless or Above reproach .

v. The gifting of the elders. ( Administration, teaching and

preaching )

vi.The issue of appointing elders.

2. Receiver: The chosen lady and her children.

a. The chosen lady.

i. The personification of the church. Ep 5:31-32, II Co 11:2,

Re 21:9.

ii.The chosen status of the church. Ep 1:4, I Pe 2:9.

b. Her children: All the believers in the church. No one can

join the church. He must be born again and become the

children of God. Jn 1:12-13.

c. Whom I love in the truth as well as other believers who know

the truth.

i. Love and truth always go together. This is biblical

standard which gives us the proper balance. Love without

truth, is reckless, while truth without love is lifeless.

ii.Love and truth are divine. Man is privileged to received the

revelation and understanding of this divine attribute of

God. I Jn 4:16. Jn 14:6,16-17.

iii. Knowing the truth ( God ), must be expressed in our love

for Him, as well as for the church, His chosen lady. And

love must not be only lip-service, but with actions and in

truth. I Jn 3:18.

d. The truth in us will be with us forever.

i. The truth lives in us. In other words, the truth is a life-

form ( the word of life ). It not only gives life, but also

sustains life. Therefore, a believer must continually

interact or relate with the truth that lives in him. How do

one interact with the truth ?

n Listen, and seek to understand.

n Sharing of thoughts and burdens.

n Obedience of his counsels.

n Rejoicing in him – Walking in the truth, and seeing others doing the same.

ii.The truth will be with us forever.

n Truth is eternal and immutable. Matt 5:17.

n Truth does not betray or disown us. Jn 14:18.

3. Greeting: Grace, mercy and peace with us in truth and love.

a. Grace, mercy and peace come only from God the Father and

from Jesus Christ, the Father s Son.

i. John emphasized that Jesus Christ is the Father s Son. This

is different from Paul s writing. ( Ro 1:7; I Co 1:3;

II Co 1:2; Ga 1:3; Ep 1:2; Phil 1:2; Co 1:2; I Thes 1:1

II Thes 1:2; I Ti 1:2; II Ti 1:2; Ti 1:4 ).

ii. John also added mercy in his greeting which is again

different from Paul s writing.

iii. Grace, mercy and peace embrace the love, compassion and

divine purpose of God. Out of His great mercy and grace,

God reach out to man with peace. The gospel is God s

message of peace and reconciliation with man.

God s mercy is expressed through out the bible. Joel 2:13,

Mic 7:18, Tit 3:5, Ro 9:14-16, Ro 12:1, Ep 2:4.

iv. God s peace was made possible to man in His Son, Jesus

Christ who came to us in truth and love. Jn 1:14, 17.

II. John’s joy in knowing that they are walking in the

truth. Vs 3-6.

1. For John, it was a great joy to know that some of them were

walking in the truth. Be aware that not every one in the

church is walking in the truth. Leaders must have such

discernment, in order to protect the ministry. Furthermore,

walking in the truth is not an option, it is the Father s

command.

a. Believer who walks in the truth will have joy, but for those who not only walk in the truth but are concerned and helping

others walking in the truth will have their joy completed.

b. Walking implies the understanding:

i. Taking one step at a time.

ii. Planting one foot at all time. ( Rooted in God s word ).

iii. Being in step with the truth, who is the Holy Spirit, the

third Godhead, also known as the Spirit or wisdom and

revelation. Being in step means being neither ahead nor

behind the Holy Spirit. We allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

n Do not test or lie to the Spirit. Acts 5:3,9.

n Do not grieve or test the Holy Spirit. Ep 4:30.

n Do not put out the Spirit s fire. I Th 5:19.

n Live by the Spirit. Ga 5:16.

n Led by the Spirit Ga 5:18.

a. Walking in the truth means:

i. Walk in the light. I Jn 1:5-7.

ii. Walk in fellowship with God, and his people. I Jn 1:5-7.

iii. Walk in obedience. Vs 6. Being obedient to the truth.

iv. Walk in love. Vs 6.

v. Walk as Jesus did. I Jn 1:6.

b. What is Joy ? Joy is a deep sense of fulfillment or contentment. The word Joy was mentioned 218X in the

bible. Examples of joy:

i. Joy of God’s revelation. Ps 16:11, Je 15:16.

ii. Joy of our salvation and deliverance. Lk 17:7,

Is 61:10, Ez 6:22, Ps 126:2.

iii. The Joy of God s blessings. Dt 16:14-15.

iv. The joy of ” In Christ Jesus “. Phil

v. The joy of worship. Ps 66:1, 71:23, Ps 98:6,8.

vi. Joy of Christ’s love. I Pe 1:8. Phil 1:8.

c. Walking in the truth not only brings joy to those who obey,

Ps 1:2,Ps 119:14, but also joy to those who minister to

them. This is the joy of the ministry.

i. Joy is one of the rewards for those who serve Him

faithfully. In John s case, as an elder of the church, he

was blessed by joy, the fruit of his ministry. He 12:17-19.

n Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.

n Pray for them.

ii. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Ga 5:22.

iii. Every authentic ministry in the church is the work of the Holy Spirit. The mark of that authenticity is recognized by the fruit of the Spirit. Example of the joy of the ministry:

n The disciples returned with joy. Lk 10:17-21.

n Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Lk 10:17-21.

n Paul s joy in his ministry. II Co 1:24, 2:3, 7:4,7 8:3, Phil 1:4, 2:2.

iv. Beware our enemy s scheme to rob away the joy of the ministry. Jn 3:26-30,Phil 1:7-18, Nu 11:29.

Examples that may take away our joy in the ministry:

n Spirit of Competition. ( Win-lose mentality )

n Spirit of jealousy. ( Lose-lose mentality ).

n Spirit of revelry. ( Win mentality – win at all cost ).

d. Walking in the truth ultimately brings joy to our Lord Jesus

Christ. Jn 15:10-11.

2. John reminded them about God’s commandment:

a. In John 13:34, Jesus gave the disciples a new command to

to love one another. It is interesting that John equated

Jesus, the Son s command as the Father s command here. They

have had it from the beginning. Therefore John said it is

not a new command.

b. God s command is to ask us to love one another.

i. Love is expressed by walking in obedience to his commands.

God s commands are found in his words and truth in the

scriptures.

ii.To love one another is to walk in love.

III. John’s warning against false teachers. Vs 7-11.

1. Those who denied Jesus Christ came in the flesh are

the deceivers, and the antichrist. Vs 7.

a. The humanity of Jesus Christ is the center of deception for

the false teachers who called themselves the Agnostic .

b. Arguments to support the humanity of Christ:

i. The word become flesh, and lived for a while among us.

Jn 1:1-2, 14.

ii. His Son, who as to his human nature was a descendent of

David. Ro 1:2-4.

iii. Being made in human likeness and being found in the

appearance as a man. Phil 2:7-8.

iv. He has to be made like his brothers in every way. He 2:17.

c. Antichrist is a deceiver, who does not acknowledge the true

humanity of Christ. I Jn 4:1-3.

2. Hold firm to the teaching of Christ, and do not be

deceived. Vs 8.

a. Watch out personal deception:

i. Be on guard against false teachings and prophets.

Matt 24:4-13. Ep 4:14-15.

ii. Hold on to the teaching of Christ- Be a student of God s

words. I Ti 4:11-16.

iii.Watch and pray. Matt 26:41.

b. Watch out personal loss:

i. Loss of fruitfulness in the ministry.

ii. Loss of future rewards.

3. Whoever continues the teaching that Christ came in

the flesh has both the Father and the Son. Vs 9-11.

a. One cannot claim to have the Father but denies the humanity

the Son.

b. The Father and the Son are one. Every true believer has both the Father and the Son.

c. Warning against any participation and involvement of the false teachers: Ps 1.

i. Have no fellowship with them. Vs 10.

ii. Do not share their wicked work. Vs 11.

IV. John’s final words. Vs 12-13.

1. John’s desire to visit them and share the joy with

them.

a. John desires to be present physically among them. He hoped

to talk to them face to face. It is a joy for John to be

among those he loves.

b. Fellowship among the beloved allows believers to experience

the complete joy that Christ has promised us.

2. Final greetings from the local church.

a. Children refer to other believers.

b. Chosen sister refers to another local church.

III JOHN -Outlines:

I. Salutation: 1:1.

1. Writer: The elder.

2. Receiver: Gaius, dear friend whom he loves in the truth.

a. Who is Gaius ?

i. Gaius of Corinth whom Paul baptized. I Co 1:14, Ro 16:23. According to Origen, he was traditionally thought to have been the first Bishop of Thessalonica.

ii. Gaius of Macedonia, one of Paul s traveling companions who suffered in the riot at Ephesus. Acts 19:29.

iii. Gaius of Derbe, who traveled with Paul on his last journey from Greece through Macedonia. Acts 20:4.

iv. The true identity of Gaius remained unclear. However, he appeared to be a significant leader of the church, or else, John would not have spoken so severely against another church leader Diotrephes with him. According to John s description, he seemed to be a mature well-respected Christian in his community. He was faithful, walking in the truth, and hospitable to the Lord s traveling servants.

b. Gaius was a good dear friend of John. Perhaps, that was why

John did not mention his name. Furthermore, John was

speaking as an elder to Gaius, dealing with certain church

issues involving the leaders in the local church where Gaius

served. In spite of that, it is still regarded as a personal

letter from John, the elder.

John reminded Gaius that he loved him dearly. A personal

affirmation is always welcomed, but be aware that the

affirmation must be in the truth, or truly.

II. John’s prayer and praises for Gaius. Vs 2-8.

1. John prayed for Gaius that he will enjoy good

health, physically and spiritually. Vs 2.

a. All may go well with you.

b. His soul may get along well.

1. John rejoiced that fact that Gaius has remained

faithful and continued walking in the truth. Vs 3.

a. Other brothers had spoken well of Gaius before John.

i. His faithfulness.

ii. His commitment and actions to continue to walk in the truth.

b. John experienced no greater joy than to hear that his

children are walking in the truth.

3. John praised Gaius for his love and hospitality for

other Christian workers. Vs 3-8.

a. Gaius was faithful in receiving Christian brothers though

they are stranger to him. Why?

i. Showing hospitality to fellow believers is one of the

hallmarks of one s genuine faith. Ro 12:3, I Ti 5:10, I Pe 4:9.

ii. Showing hospitality and kindness to strange Christian

brothers is an indication of our love and faithfulness to

walk in the truth. Ga 6:10, Jm 2:14-17.

iii. Receiving strange Christian brothers into one s home is an

indication of love for God and his people. Acts 16:14-15.

iv. Serving strange Christian brothers is an indication of our

total trust and reliance on God s provision and

faithfulness. He 13:2.

v. Willingness to serve strange Christian brothers is an

indication of our humility and servanthood. Jn 13:12-17.

vi. Hospitality is a pre-requisite for recognized leadership in

the church. I Ti 3:2, Ti 1:8.

b. The church had recognized Gaius who had showed hospitality to many. Vs 6. This is in fact, a corporate recognition of

Gaius s leadership in the church.

c. John s further affirmation and encouragement to Gaius to

continue the good work of hospitality. Vs 6-8.

i. Send them away in the manner worthy of God. In other words,

honor God s servants as if honoring God. Matt 25:40.

ii. Judge wisely, discerning the authenticity of the servant of

God.

n Do they have the right motive – Serving for the sake of

the Name.

n Do they depend on the Lord s provision or help from the

pagan ?

iii. Understanding our partnership in the ministry of God.

n We all work together for the truth.

n We ought to show hospitality to the servants of God.

III. John exposed the worldly ambition of Diotrephes. Vs 9-10.

1. It appeared that Diotrephes was one of the leaders in the

church.

2. John exposed the evil deeds of Diotrephes.

a. He loves to be first. Pride, and selfish ambition are often

the fatal blow to godly leadership.

b. He refused to have fellowship with John and others.

c. He slandered John maliciously.

d. He has driven some brothers out of the church, because they

refused to listen to him, and continued to welcome other

traveling brothers.

IV. John’s encouraged Gaius to continue to do good. Vs 11-12.

1. Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.

a. No one is good except God alone. Lk 18:19. God is our

benchmark.

b. Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

Matt 5:48.

c. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

Ep 5:1, I Th 1:6.

d. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me. I Co 4:16.

e. Imitate those who are faithful. He 6:12, 13:7.

2. Do what is good, because we are from God.

a. Good and evil are not compatible.

b. Our claim of coming from God must be authenticated by the good that we do.

c. Doing evil discredits one s claim that he has seen God.

2. Follow the good example of Demetrius who has been validated by many.

a. He was well spoken of by everyone.

b. His life was consistent with the truth.

c. We testified that he was credible.

V. Final words. Vs 13-14.

1. John’s desire to see Gaius soon. He wanted to talk to him

face to face.

2. Greetings from other believers – Peace to you.