Reasons for Supporting God's Servants
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Reasons for Supporting God's Servants
3 John 5-8
5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.
6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.
7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.
8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
INTRODUCTION:
IT HONORS GOD
IT IS A WITNESS TO THE LOST
IT ENABLES ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK BEING DONE
I- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS HONORS GOD (3 John 5-6)
I- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS HONORS GOD (3 John 5-6)
A- Supporting God’s servants is an expression of faithfulness to God.
A- Supporting God’s servants is an expression of faithfulness to God.
(3 John 5)
5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.
“Ἀγαπητέ, πιστὸν ποιεῖς ὃ ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους,”
Gaius was “being faithful”
ἐργάσῃ = “ to engage in an activity involving considerable expenditure of effort—‘to work, to labor.” He worked or labored to provide care for God’s servants.
Gaius did so even though these “brothers” (ἀδελφοὺς) were (ξένους) “strangers, foreigners.)
1- Jesus said that the worker is worthy of support.
(Luke 10:7)
7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
2- When we support God’s workers, we are supporting Him.
(Matthew 10:40)
40 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me.
B- Supporting God’s servants generously is pleasing to God.
B- Supporting God’s servants generously is pleasing to God.
(3 John 6)
6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.
6 οἳ ἑμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας· οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις προπέμψας ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ·
1- We are to support God’s servants with “loving friendship.”
Obviously, support went beyond just being hospitable in providing the teachers with a place to stay.
God’s servants testified of his “ἀγάπη.” (to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard—‘to love, to regard with affection, loving concern, love.)
Gaius evidently sought to make sure that every need for their stay and upcoming journey were provided for.
(προπέμψας = to send someone on in the direction in which he has already been moving, with the probable implication of providing help—‘to send on one’s way, to help on one’s way.
(Titus 3:13)
13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need.
(Romans 15:24)
24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.
2- We are to support God’s servants “in a manner that pleases God.” (ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ)
(Romans 12:13)
13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
(Hebrews 13:2)
2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
(Romans 16:2)
2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.
II- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS IS A WITNESS TO THE LOST(3 John 7)
II- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS IS A WITNESS TO THE LOST(3 John 7)
7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.
7 ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθαν μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν.
A- It is a witness to the lost because of who they represent.
A- It is a witness to the lost because of who they represent.
“For they are traveling for the Lord,*” (ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθαν)
1- Lit. = They went out on behalf of the Name” (Jesus)
B- The way that we, as fellow believers, support them is a witness to the lost.
B- The way that we, as fellow believers, support them is a witness to the lost.
“...they accept nothing from people who are not believers.*”
(μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν.)
1- The world watches how God’s servants are treated by His churches.
a- If they are ill-treated, it is a negative witness to the lost world.
b- When God’s people adequately support God’s servants, it is a powerful testimony to the lost. But when ministers, churches, and other religious organizations go about soliciting from unsaved people and various businesses, it makes Christianity look cheap and commercial. This does not mean that God’s servants should refuse a voluntary gift from an unconverted person, as long as the person understands that the gift will not purchase salvation. Even then, we must be very cautious. The king of Sodom’s offer was voluntary, but Abraham rejected it! (Gen. 14:17–24)
III- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS ENABLES ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK BEING DONE (3 John 8)
III- SUPPORTING GPD’S SERVANTS ENABLES ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK BEING DONE (3 John 8)
8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
8 ἡμεῖς οὖν ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους, ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ.
A- Supporting God’s servants makes us partners in their ministries.
A- Supporting God’s servants makes us partners in their ministries.
“So we ourselves should support them”
1- This must be a willing, heat-felt support.
ὑπολαμβάνειν= to assist in supplying what may be needed—‘to help.)
Like Martha (Luke 10:38)
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
Like Lydia (Acts 16:15-16)
15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.
B- God also credits our eternal account with the fruit borne by those we support.
B- God also credits our eternal account with the fruit borne by those we support.
“so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. “
(συνεργοὶ = one who works together with someone else—‘fellow worker.)
1- Paul encouraged the Philippian believers about their support of His ministry by telling them that they would also be credited with the fruit.
(Philippians 4:15-20)
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.
16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.
17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
CONCLUSION:
IT HONORS GOD
IT IS A WITNESS TO THE LOST
IT ENABLES ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK BEING DONE