#walkingintruth

Brothers and sisters, today we gather to reflect on a powerful lesson about control, manipulation, and the true nature of leadership and love. The story of John, a man who used kindness as a mask for manipulation, offers us a stark reminder of how easily we can fall into the trap of controlling others for our own benefit. John seemed like a helpful, caring individual. He was always there with…

I. INTRODUCTION

Jesus claimed in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It was a reply to Thomas’ question “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus ministering to his disciples to not let their hearts be troubled but instead believe in God. When it comes to believing in God, we need to believe that He is true. Jesus claimed that He is “the truth” if we say that we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we need to walk in truth. So in this time I will talk about walking in truth as we look into 3 John 1-8

PASSAGE

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

II. OVERVIEW

a. So we what we notice in this passage is that this letter is written to a member of the church. 

b.To state the obvious John wrote this epistle and it is the trilogy of his epistles and a continuation of 1 and 2 John. 

c. John addressed Himself as The Elder meaning that he has advanced in life. 

d. The Greek word for elder is presbyteros which we get our English word Presbyterian.

e.  As the Elder or head head overseer, He is addressing this letter to his friend Gaius.

III. WHO IS GAIUS?

a. Gaius was a common name in the Roman Empire (Acts 19:29, 20:4; 1 Corinthians 1:14; Romans 16:23). 

b. In here John is writing to a member of a church or someone that He is very close to in the ministry. 

c. What we see in this passage regarding to Gaius is that 

-John is praying for his future endeavors (v.2)

-John rejoicing the fact that he is walking in truth (vv.3-4)

-John encouraging Him  to be faithful and to be good example (vv.5-8)

d. The overall theme that John is trying to aim at is “walking in truth.” 

IV. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK IN TRUTH? 

a. Truth: To make one’s way of living a life that is unhidden

b. Greek: peripateō alētheia

c. PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE meaning that it involves doing. So basically its a verb and its something that you do on a continual basis. 

d. John wrote this letter during the time when apostasy was happening. Apostasy meaning those who fall away from the truth. 

-That was happening in the church to where people no longer talk about the truth of the gospel but instead talk about things that would tickle peoples ears.  We notice the decline of churches who had walked away from teaching the truth of God’s word. We even have some Calvary Chapel churches who longer teach the scriptures and bought into the teaching of how to live a purpose driven life. That is sad but true. As believers we need to be walking in truth.

V. HOW DO WE WALK IN TRUTH?

Point 1 - We need to EXEMPLIFY truth (vv.3-4) 

“For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” What I mean by that is that we need to have a good testimony of truth?

*2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” a. Gaius had a tremendous testimony of living a life that is true. 

b. Gaius was recognized as a man who obeyed the Word of God and “walked in truth”

*1 John 2:4 “I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father.”

c. Gaius was one of them. It is so amazing how John recognized him in this letter by saying “I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you.” (v.3) and “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (v.4). 

d. Some of the brethren had made several visits to John, and they had joyfully reported that Gaius was a glowing example of what a Christian ought to be. e. My encouragement for us as Bible College students is that we need to be like Gaius and walk in truth. 

VI. HOW DO WE DO THAT?

*John 17:17 Jesus praying for His disciples saying “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

a. The indication of walking in truth is the word of God, the Bible

-“The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E.” b. My question that I’m asking you guys is “are you REALLY walking in truth?” “are you exemplifying truth?” “Are you applying God’s word in your lives?” -As an off campus student I don’t really interact with any of the on campus students. I’m a very observant guy to where some people in this campus don’t really have a good testimony of truth. I see guys acting immature and guys who don’t bring their Bibles to chapel. At times I kind of question their devotional life. If we’re not applying that are we really walking truth? Does that exemplify truth if we’re practicing those things? To me that does not exemplify a good testimony of truth and that could describe what a carnal Christian looks like. So if you are one of them I encourage you guys to please walk in truth. You’re in the season to where the Lord is molding you and shaping you if He calls you out to plant a church, be a pastor, be a pastor’s wife, a ministry leader, so on and so forth. 

VII. Conclusion

a. Our journey through life as followers of Jesus is an active one. Jesus is not pulling us in a wagon! We have to walk.

b. It’s our choice and you decide will you just say you love Jesus, or will you get up and actually follow Him in truth and love by serving the people He puts in your life today?

c. If we’re not living in truth, we’re living a lie

d. “A lie can make it’s way halfway around the world while truth is still lacing up its boots.” Mark Twain

*2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”