• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Therefore, if I come..."

Text: 3 John 10

FOLLOWING THE PATH OF TRUTH

The Apostle John had devoted his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. From the first day he met the Lord Jesus Christ, he had followed the Master whole-heartedly. The central thing that drew John was the Truth that the Lord proclaimed.

THE JOURNEY

John’s journey of his pursuit of truth may be summarized thus: –

1. As a Disciple

a) There was no way the deep lessons of truth could be learned by being part of the multitude.

b) John forsook all to follow the Lord Jesus so that he might learn deep truths.

2. The Path of learning deep truths

a) The learning curve was steep.

b) There were so many lessons to learn.

c) There were many occasions when the Lord Jesus had to rebuke the disciples.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

John witnessed first-hand the power of the Truth.

1. Preaching the truth saw the following results: –

a) Souls were won for the Lord.

b) The Church at Jerusalem was well-established.

c) Many grew in their faith because of the word of truth.

2. Defending the truth became part and parcel of the ministry of the Apostle John.

a) There were many false teachers.

b) The teachings of these people had to be resisted.

BATTLING BAD LEADERS

John wrote strenuously against false teachers in 1 John. In 3 John he had to combat a strong church leader called Diotrephes. He braced himself as he anticipated confrontation with him.

“Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does,
prating against us with malicious words.
And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren,
and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”
3 John 10

1. Problems can arise and affect the Church adversely.

2. Problems must be tackled, no matter how bruising the conflict may be.

3. Power and authority from the Lord must be employed to deal with errant leaders.