FAITHFULNESS TO THE TRUTH

TOPIC: FAITHFULNESS TO THE TRUTH
TEXT: 2Jn.:1-11; 3Jn.:1-12.

MEMORY VERSE: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John :4.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Christians must resist error and follow the truth.

INTRODUCTION
In modern times, people tend to minimize the differences between religions. suggesting that many roads lead to God and that tolerance and inclusiveness are keys to being a progressive thinker. John did not see it that way. He used words like truth. love. commandments. deceivers, and antichrists. Believers must not fall into what amounted to the New Age enlightenment thinking of the first Century. Truth is incompatible with error. Evil is incompatible with good. Gaius and Demetrius were not of the same Spirit as Diotrephes. The Challenges to the Gospel are serious, demanding somber responses like being unwilling to host people who teach false doctrines.
On the other hand, great joy comes when people help each other succeed, walking by faith. Believers should be excited by the success stories of faith, the testimonies of faithfulness to the truth. These good news items provide reasons to rejoice! Let us be among those who follow the way of truth.

1. COMMENDATION -2John1-3.

From all indications, John wrote this letter to a Christian family, he respected and showed loved for their testimony. The bond among Christians is the truth. They are not bound together by personality type, Socioeconomic class, ethnic background, or any other community unifying trait. The special love that Christians have for each other is a direct result of knowing the truth (v.2). Instead of being “lone rangers", believers are joined by the special bond of truth and love.
The aged apostle took joy simply from knowing that the believers walk in truth (v.4). Sadly, many believers produce joy the same ways the world does. through bigger house, higher education, careers and financial success. Instead, believers are to help each other live by the truth and joy in those successes.
Very few things are harder to deal with than knowing that a child or close family member is not living for God. It can be a source of grief and discord within a home.

2. COMMANDMENTS -2Jn. 5:6.

There is a maxim in teaching that states “Repetition is the key to Iearning". Teachers must repeat the most important things often if people are to remember them. John's teaching is defined by his emphasis on love. His consistent approach on love remained focused on obeying God's Commandments (v.6).
Another major commandment is the command to walk in truth 2 Jn 7-11. in verse 7. John warned that many deceivers had gone out into the world. For those who were led astray, this resulted in the loss of their eternal reward (v.8). John described such teachers as antichrists. They opposed Jesus Christ by denying His humanity. Thinking they were leading the church to a higher form of spirituality, they actually had departed from the Church's teaching, espousing an alternate, heretical view of Jesus. Those who followed this false ' teaching lost everything. They think they do not need to hold unto “old” truths, but can ignore them since they are able to receive new knowledge from God. Those who teach such falsehood transgress and go beyond the teaching of the word (v.9). Believers are not to allow every itinerant preacher who has no spiritual soundness to have open access to their churches and homes. if we support them, we also incur the wrath of God as they.

3. EXHORTATIONS -3Jn.:1-8.

Christians are not only called unto holiness but also unto generosity.~ Even though not all believers will prosper in the same way and enjoy health in the same way, we are called to be generous. in vs. 2. John expressed desire for the recipient to receive physical and spiritual well-being.

Believers are also called to a pure testimony. V.9 introduces someone who had been a hindrance to John's ministry Diotrephes. John used ‘Diotrephes’ evil example to remind believers that they are to discern between those who know God and those who do not by looking at their behaviour (v.11). John men recommended Demetrius as a role model, citing his positive example. How does God see you in His Church?
What role are you playing? (see Mal. 3:18).

QUESTIONS. 
1 . Why does John repeat the commandment to love one another so often in his teachings? 
2. What limits does John place on Christians hospitality in 2 Jn. 10,11?
3. Explain 3 Jn. :2 . 
4. According to 3 Jn. :9,10, what was John's relationship with Diotrephes like?
5. Can you say by the grace of God that you are a role model in your church?

My name is Ubong Kingsley Nsini. I am a preacher in Bible Christian Evangelical Church Inc. I am called by God to preach His good news and to help other preachers spread the good news all over the world.

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