Show Hospitality to Believers

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Show Hospitality to Believers

Date: Aug. 29, 2023

Passage

3 John 1:1-15 (ESV)

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

2 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. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:8

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

In this letter, the elder John is writing to Gaius and his house church. He praises him for his faithfulness and for raising his children as true believers. When we see the life of faith passing down to the next generation, this gives us real joy. This is a reason to be proud of our children.

Next, he thanks Gaius for welcoming disciples who came from John to share his message and to encourage the church. He encourages Gaius to keep on serving them in a manner worthy of their faith and godly character. When missionaries or coworkers come from other chapters and nations, we should whole-heartedly welcome them, serve them with hospitality, and learn from them.

John the elder cautions him against a leader in the church, Diotrephes, who is being political, and discouraging them from welcoming anyone from John. He even goes so far as to exclude from their fellowship anyone who does so, blocking John’s influence over the church from superseding his. Gaius must be alert and not be pressured by him. When we see such behavior, we have to make our own decision to do what is good and right, even if we become unpopular or on the “wrong” side of politics. God will help us and bless us.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, please help me to welcome your servants and show genuine hospitality to them. Protect our church from political struggles.

One Word: One Word: Show hospitality to God’s servants

God Judges Each Person According to His Own Sins

Ezekiel 18:1-18

Key Verse: 18:9

walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD.

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment require?

See answer and references