The Truth That Transforms

River Valley Church • Pastor Kirk Graham •

Summary

Pastor Kirk Graham concludes the series on the books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John by teaching through the entire book of 3rd John, the shortest book in the New Testament. This letter from the apostle John (called 'the elder') addresses hospitality and the advancement of the gospel through four people: John himself, Gaius (a good church leader), Diotrephes (a bad church leader), and Demetrius (an itinerant minister). The central message emphasizes that disciples of Jesus are called not only to follow Christ but also to make disciples, investing spiritually into others. Using the metaphor of 'clearing the runways,' Pastor Kirk explains that the gospel is constantly taking off and landing—prayers are sent up, missionaries are deployed, and the message of Jesus spreads. Gaius exemplified hospitality by providing a 'clear runway' for itinerant ministers to land safely and take off again, supporting them even though they were strangers. John calls Gaius a 'fellow worker' in the gospel, showing that those who support gospel workers share equally in the spiritual rewards. True hospitality is not trivial—it's the practical outworking of the command to love one another, requiring energy, time, resources, and intentionality. In contrast, Diotrephes represents the opposite—he loved to put himself first, refused to welcome traveling ministers, and even expelled people from the church who wanted to help. His sin was pride, the same sin that led to Satan's fall. Pastor Kirk challenges believers to examine their own lives and remove any roadblocks in their personal 'runway' that hinder the advancement of the gospel. This might mean reprioritizing schedules, resources, and commitments to live hospitably and serve others. The sermon concludes with a powerful call to live 'for the sake of the Name' of Jesus Christ, believing that clearing the runway in our personal lives can change family trees for generations to come.

Key Takeaways

  • No greater joy than to see your children walk in the truth
  • Disciples of Jesus don't just follow—they make disciples
  • Hospitality is the practical outworking of loving one another
  • Those who support gospel workers are fellow workers sharing in the reward
  • Clearing the runway requires removing pride and surrendering control
  • Don't live your truth—live THE truth in congruence with God's Word
  • Living for the sake of Jesus' Name, not your own name
  • Removing roadblocks in your life can change your family tree forever
  • What's good for you IS living for the advancement of the gospel

Outline

Introduction and Series Recap

  • Final week in the series through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John
  • 3rd John is the shortest book in the New Testament
  • Previous weeks covered: fellowship through confession, abiding in Christ, authentic faith, discerning truth, casting out fear, victory in Christ, and guarding against false teaching
  • Context: written by 'the elder' (apostle John) during persecution, using common names for protection

The Call to Make Disciples (3 John verses 1-4)

  • John writes to 'beloved Gaius' whom he loves in truth
  • Greatest joy: seeing spiritual children walk in the truth
  • Example: 4-year-old Roger convicted by the Holy Spirit about lying
  • Walking in truth means congruence: Word of God + what you believe + how you live
  • Not just being a disciple, but making disciples who make disciples
  • Spiritual parenting: raising up followers of Jesus who raise up others
  • Plug for small groups and midweek ministries as opportunities to lead and disciple

The Metaphor of Clearing the Runways

  • The gospel is advancing—taking off and landing constantly
  • Prayers, prophecies, and missionaries taking off and landing
  • Reference to Sue Aikens from 'Life Below Zero' managing a remote Alaskan runway
  • No matter the weather or danger, she clears the runway for planes to land safely
  • Similarly, believers are called to clear the runway of their lives for gospel advancement
  • Hospitality elevated beyond dinners—it's practical love requiring sacrifice
  • Corporate church does well sending missionaries; personal application: how well am I doing?

Gaius: The Good Church Leader (3 John verses 5-8)

  • Gaius was hospitable to itinerant ministers, even strangers
  • They testified to his love before the church
  • John says to send them on in a manner worthy of God
  • Ministers went out 'for the sake of the Name,' accepting nothing from Gentiles
  • Gaius is called a 'fellow worker for the truth'
  • Like David dividing spoils equally between warriors and support staff (1 Samuel 30)
  • Those who support, pray, and resource share in the blessing and reward
  • Elevating hospitality: serving others as if serving Jesus Himself

Diotrephes: The Bad Church Leader (3 John verses 9-10)

  • Diotrephes loved to put himself first
  • He didn't acknowledge John's authority
  • Talked wicked nonsense against the apostles
  • Refused to welcome traveling ministers
  • Stopped others who wanted to help and expelled them from church
  • His sin was pride—the same sin as Satan
  • Setting up roadblocks instead of clearing runways
  • Warning against living in control and prioritizing self

Examining Our Own Runways

  • Pride leads to every other vice (C.S. Lewis)
  • Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18)
  • Judges 21:25: everyone did what was right in their own eyes
  • Culture says 'live your truth'—but we must live THE truth
  • Call to examine: calendar, resources, time, energy, thoughts, prayer life
  • Remove roadblocks attached to pride and need for control
  • Reprioritize life to serve others and advance the gospel
  • Belief that removing roadblocks can change family trees for generations

For the Sake of the Name

  • Gaius lived for the sake of Jesus' name
  • Diotrephes lived for the sake of his own name
  • Choice: living for comfort/convenience vs. living for gospel advancement
  • What's good for you IS living for the advancement of the gospel
  • Philippians 2:9-11: Jesus has the name above every name
  • Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord
  • Call to give your life to Christ for the first time
  • Vision for clear runways allowing prayers, prophecy, and miracles to land

Scripture References

3 John 1-4
The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 5-8
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
3 John 9-11
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
John 15:8
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 13:1-2
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Romans 16:17
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Judges 21:25
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Samuel 30:24
Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.