WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 I want to encourage you this morning with this text. 00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:06.879 And first of all, I want to say that there are no small Christians. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:09.640 There are no small Christians. 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:20.280 As a missionary and serving in missionary service for about almost 10 years, about nine years, I have heard many times people say things like this. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:25.559 If only I had the opportunity, if only I had the gifts to serve the Lord like you do. 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:33.479 You get to go out and you are serving the Lord and you're so clearly serving the Lord, I wish I could serve the Lord like that. 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:35.719 I wish I could have a life. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:41.159 In other words, I wish I could have a life that was as important for the kingdom of God as yours. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:44.920 But this has always saddened me. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:52.560 It's always given me a heavy heart to think about how people think of their role in the church, their role in the body of Christ. 00:00:52.560 --> 00:01:00.719 And the fact that they are placed there by God, brought into partnership with Him for His glory in the good of others. 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:07.040 So I want to encourage you with this passage that gives us a perspective on every individual in the church. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:14.760 And that the mission of the church does not start nor stop with the pastors and preachers and missionaries. 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:19.439 But it is a work in which every member of the body is included. 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:22.959 And in fact, I want to give you an even bigger perspective than that. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:32.239 Because we can start thinking about this, the mission of God, the work of God, the advance of His kingdom, we should start an eternity past. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:47.439 Before the foundation of the world, the Father, Son and Spirit planned a perfect plan of redemption, covenanted together in order to redeem a chosen people that the Father had given to His Son. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:59.439 And in time, the Father revealed this work, gave types and shadows and promises of the coming of His Son, who would secure this people and redeem them from sin and the curse. 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:24.000 And then in the fullness of time, He sent that Son, anointed by the Holy Spirit, conceived of the Holy Spirit, to come to live as men, to live in this body, to live among us, to suffer so that He might know our suffering, to die so that He might die our death, carry our sins and save our souls. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:28.639 And then He ascended and sat on the right hand of the Father. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:43.520 And He and the Father have sent to His church the Holy Spirit to fill His people, to sanctify and regenerate His people, to resurrect their souls and preserve them and seal them unto the end. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:56.800 And this work of the Holy Spirit, of saving souls, of expanding the church, of bringing souls to Christ, is a work that He has included the saints. 00:02:56.800 --> 00:03:07.120 He has included us, the people of God, in this incredible work, this incredible plan of redemption that began in the eternity past. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:20.800 We are not only the wonderful beneficiaries of this plan, but in God's infinite grace and mercy and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become co-laborers with Him. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:26.080 Co-laborers together and co-laborers with God. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:29.759 Wow. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:33.840 Maybe as a child, you enjoyed going out to work with your Father. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:45.280 I remember my dad, he used to work on cars and sometimes we would, maybe you don't know this about him, but sometimes we would go out on Saturdays and go to the racetrack and he'd race one of his cars that he had. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:58.240 And going out there and helping him, finding the tools, was always a special time to be with Dad, to work with him, to get to know him, to enjoy something that he enjoys and learn from what he knows. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:04.719 But what an incredible thing that we get to be the children who work alongside of our Heavenly Father. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:10.080 He has included us in this work and that's what I want to present to you from this text this morning. 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:17.839 That we are fellow laborers for the truth, fellow laborers with God and for God. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:26.000 In this passage, in this short little book, we have an incredible perspective that John gives us on the life of the body. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:47.439 This letter written by John is one of two that he is writing to a member of a local congregation, maybe a leader, a Gaius, we're not exactly sure what his role was, but we know that he was active in receiving men and others and Christians who had gone out from other churches and were serving Christ. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:05:00.160 There were type of itinerant missionary preachers who would go around and would maybe go to new cities like Paul did, to try to plant churches, ordain elders, to preach the gospel of the good news of Christ. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:03.199 And there were certain men who had come to Gaius. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:09.920 Maybe they'd come from John's church and they went to Gaius' church and Gaius received them in his home. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.879 He received them, he loved them, he helped them. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:17.759 And John here is giving him encouragement to continue doing that. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:23.680 And in fact, he's encouraging him and praising him because he's already heard that he has been doing it. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:51.360 He's received report from those brothers that had returned back maybe to their sending church to say,"Look how Gaius received us, how he attended us, how he cared for us, how he loved us." And so this is a wonderful passage here that shows us the glory of being supporters of missionaries, the requirements for missionaries and the nature of their partnership. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:59.199 So let's look at that first point that we see in verse 5 and 6, the encouragement for supporters. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:08.480 And I say this to you as our supporters to encourage you, to praise you in a similar way as what John is doing to Gaius. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:22.560 "I rejoice to hear that you are walking in truth." I love to hear the work of how God is working in your midst, how souls are being saved, new Christians are being baptized and new members are added to the church. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:27.759 "I rejoice to hear of men being trained for ministry, for a new church plant that is going on. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:37.360 I praise the Lord to hear that the gospel is prospering among you." And he praises Gaius in several ways. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:49.199 First he says, "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers." John praises Gaius saying that this is an evidence of faithfulness. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:58.240 This type of receiving, supporting, encouraging these men who have gone out for the sake of Christ is a witness to his faithfulness. 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:07.519 The fact that he is genuine, that he truly loves the Lord and he has truly believed the gospel because it is evidencing itself in his life. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:10.560 It is evidencing itself in the way that he is treating others. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:14.800 It is a faithful thing and that's important for the letters of John. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:20.959 Because if you've read 1 John, maybe you've read 2 and 3 John, but most of us have probably read 1 John. 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:32.160 But he has a clear emphasis on the fact that the truth that we believe, the gospel that we confess, should have fruit in our lives, should evidence itself. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:34.639 Because what does he say in 1 John 1? 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:41.279 "If we say that we know him, he who is light, in whom is no darkness whatsoever. 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:45.759 If we say that we know him, but yet we walk in darkness," what? 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:49.199 We're liars and the truth is not in us. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:56.399 Because it is that fruit, that evidence that manifests that it is genuine what we believe. 00:07:56.399 --> 00:08:05.279 And so here he's pointing out the fruit of his hospitality, of his love towards these brothers, and saying this is a faithful thing. 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:10.240 John in all three of his letters has two terms that summarize the Christian life. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.959 Truth and love. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.120 Truth and love. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:18.720 It's similar to what the apostle Paul says whenever he summarizes the Christian life. 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:25.360 In Ephesians chapter 4 verse 15, whenever he says that we should be speaking the truth to one another in love. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:27.360 Truth and love. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:31.839 And this is constant throughout the letter of John. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:36.320 You hear beloved, I love you in truth, he says in verse 1. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:46.879 And he says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Or in 2 John he says, "The elder to the elect lady and her children whom I love in truth. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:50.559 And not only I, but all those who know the truth. 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:54.159 Because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:09:11.519 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love." These are key ideas for John and they are here the evidence in the fact that guys is receiving these brothers who've gone out for the sake of Christ. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:16.960 Receiving these missionaries, receiving other believers into his home and loving them. 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:19.679 This is an evidence of faithfulness. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:25.120 And note one of the evidences or one of the realities that shows that even more. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:29.679 He says, "Strangers as they are." These were not friends of guys. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:39.039 These were not people that he knew, "Oh, these people are going to be able to offer me something, give me something in return." These were people that simply were sent by John. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:44.320 He heard the testimony that John had given of them and he rejoicingly received them into his home. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:46.159 He didn't know them. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:51.679 He had no prior relationship with them, but simply received them upon the word of John. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:55.600 Though they were strangers. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:04.000 This is a beautiful idea that the Bible tells us in many cases, the importance of receiving strangers such as this. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:09.120 People who have the testimony have a good testimony, but though we might not know them. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:11.600 Think about Hebrews chapter 13. 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:27.279 Whenever it says, "Do not neglect hospitality and showing love towards others because some doing so have entertained angels though they were unaware of." And I think there the author of Hebrews is referring to the story of Abraham. 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:35.519 And I'm going to return to this later, but Abraham in Genesis chapter 18, he's out in the field under sitting underneath the tree and the mountain tops one day. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:42.240 And then all of a sudden three men walk up and he, "Quick, let's kill a calf. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.840 Let's prepare some cakes. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.279 Let's make some food for them. 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:52.799 Let's receive them and love them." And the patriarchs left this indelible mark in the life of Israel of the importance of hospitality. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:11:00.799 The importance of receiving, even though these men at first were strangers, but later he found out that they were angels of God. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.440 And even one of them is identified as God himself. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:08.000 And I think keep that idea in your mind because it's going to come up here in a moment. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:18.879 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:37.360 So apparently these brothers who had been sent out by maybe John's local church, went to Gaius, maybe went to a few other places and then returned back to John and gave public report of how it went in the other churches, how the other churches had received them. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:41.840 And they gave testimony of his truth and of his love. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:44.639 Here in verse six, it says, who testified to your love. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:12:04.639 But in verse three, it says, "For I rejoice greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you're walking in truth." Verse six, "Who testified to your love." And verse three, "Who testified to your truth." So these brothers gave report, they gave testimony of Gaius and his love. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:07.200 And I want to do in a similar way for you. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:14.480 It is a faithful thing that you are doing, supporting missionaries. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:21.679 I say that on my own behalf to thank you, but also for the other work and the other mission ministries of the church here. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:23.279 It is a faithful thing. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:29.440 It is an evidence that the truth has had an impact in your hearts and lives. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:32.240 It's an evidence of faithfulness to Christ. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:36.399 And he is glorified in such things. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:49.120 But this goes beyond just mission support, but even loving the poor and needy, loving those other believers in the church, loving and showing hospitality to one another. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:51.120 It is a faithful thing. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:53.440 It shows love. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:56.320 It evidences a genuine conversion. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.399 And let's consider that reality now. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.960 It is a faithful thing. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:07.840 It shows glory to Christ because in a way, the gospel itself is a picture. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.960 Hospitality is a picture of the gospel itself. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.039 Think about the gospel. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:16.000 We were sinners. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.200 We are sinners. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:24.720 Astrange from God, alienated from the promises and the covenant and the family of God, rejected enemies of God even. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:33.840 But God in his infinite mercy sent his son so that enemies, sinners might be received into his home. 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:38.879 Of course, the gospel goes much beyond, far beyond mere hospitality. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:44.559 And even receiving not only into their home, but even into his family as one of his children. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:49.919 And that is what we get to exemplify in our life. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:58.320 Whenever we show such love and hospitality to a brother, whenever we support a missionary in a way, we're doing something similar. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:06.960 We're exemplifying the gospel, living in a tangible, physical way, the gospel, reenacting the gospel. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:16.720 Because as God has received us, as God has so loved us, even so we ought to love one another. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:21.840 Or as Christ said, love one another as I have loved you. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:27.440 Everything in the Christian life flows from the gospel. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:33.519 And that's one of the reasons I said that there is no small Christian because we believe in no small gospel. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:41.279 And the Christian life is a constant display of that gospel as we are seeking to live in truth and love. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:48.639 As truth and love evidence itself, the gospel, the glorious and eternal gospel of Christ is on display. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:51.440 That is not a small thing. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:15:00.639 We may be just vessels of clay, but there is a treasure inside of us. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:04.000 And it is God himself who has decided to put it there. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:14.559 It is God himself who has prepared us to be those who carry this glorious gospel and get to proclaim it, live it, display it, and show it to others. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:21.600 So as you think about your love towards others, as you think about your fellow church members, think of this reality. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:28.159 The gospel is here put on display as we receive someone else into our home. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.080 This is no small thing. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:39.679 I don't say that to discourage you to put pressure on you, but to show you the glorious privilege of loving someone else. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:50.480 The glorious privilege of participating with Christ, of being able to show the love of Christ that I have received and how he has received me and be able to express that to someone else. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.399 What a glorious privilege. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:57.360 I'm not saying that to put some high standard of you have to have the cleanest home. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:59.120 You have to have the best meals. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.000 That's not the point. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:07.279 But loving and receiving someone else, even with meager means, even in a small house. 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:17.840 One of the most glorious privileges that I've ever had was whenever I was in Cuba. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:27.440 I was invited on Sunday morning to go to one of the pastor's houses to eat breakfast. 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:33.759 And we ate crackers for breakfast. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.399 And coffee. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:43.039 And he and his wife loved me. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:55.679 Thanked me for coming, for showing love for the island of Cuba, for being there and being willing to serve in his church and preach that Sunday. 00:16:55.679 --> 00:17:02.559 And told me stories of how the Lord had worked in his life, worked in his wife, worked in their local church. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:04.960 Worked in his partner, Ariandiz. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:08.799 What a privilege. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:11.680 What an honor. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.960 He didn't have much to give, but the little that he had. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:18.720 He was able to share with me. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.720 And it was a glorious privilege. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:25.359 And a special, special opportunity to witness the love of Christ. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:36.000 So don't be discouraged by not having the biggest house, by not having the best things to offer, by not having much money to give to missions, not much time to dedicate. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:40.079 But with what Christ has given you, be faithful. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:42.640 With what Christ has given you, love. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:45.599 Love others. 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:49.920 Love covers the multitude of toys thrown around the house. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:55.359 Of maybe a meal that is slightly overcooked. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:02.319 Because the gospel is glorious. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:08.880 And the love that penetrates a heart and changes and transforms souls is glorious. 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:11.599 And let that be the glory of your home. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:16.000 So I want to encourage you with these things. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.079 He says, it is a faithful thing. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:20.640 It is a testimony to your love. 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:22.240 And then he says, you do well. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:27.359 You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:30.319 Here it says you will do well. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:32.960 And in other words, he's just saying, please, please do this. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:35.440 It's a good thing for you to do this. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:39.039 But he says to send them on their journey. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:42.880 This is a kind of a technical term to send them on their journey. 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:48.559 Sometimes in the book of Acts, it's someone who's giving resources so that they can carry their journey. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:53.440 Sometimes it's actually a literal accompanying them in their journey where they went out. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:59.519 They wanted to start them on their journey, but they went with them the first leg of the journey. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.119 They left their houses. 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:06.079 They went out with them up to the boat, to the harbor where they were getting on their boat to leave. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:17.759 This is a word where it is do whatever it is that you can to make sure that they can continue their mission, that they can get to where the Lord has called them. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:22.160 Do your best, Paul said, to Titus. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:26.000 Do your best to speed Zenith to law you in Apollos on their way. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.680 See that they lack nothing. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:33.039 And what he is, what Gaius did is what he is encouraging us to do. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:37.759 Gaius had already done this, but he's saying continue doing such things. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:40.720 You as well as a church have already done this. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:42.400 Stay faithful. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:44.960 Persevere in righteousness unto the end. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:54.960 Persevere in this manifestation of truth and love because it is evidence of the gospel that we have believed and the gospel that we preach. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:57.920 Let's consider this word here. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:01.599 And send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:03.920 Wow, that's a big calling. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:06.079 That's a big calling there. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.200 He said in a manner worthy of God. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:12.640 And I want to point out two ideas that I think are behind this text. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.400 In a manner worthy of God. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:21.279 First of all, I think we should do it in a manner that is fitting for those who have been called by God. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:23.599 That we represent God. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.119 We have been saved by God. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.400 We have been chosen by God. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:29.119 We are God's people and he has so loved us. 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.240 So it's fitting, right? 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.880 It's fitting. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.839 It's proper. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:35.519 It's to be expected that we would show that love to others. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:41.759 Because like 1 John 4 says, this is in a way, 3 John is kind of the practical application of the book of 1 John. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:47.599 When 1 John says that if God has so loved us, we should also love the brothers. 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:52.559 And he who says he loves God but hates his brother doesn't know God. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:55.759 This is kind of what that looks like in the real life. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:06.880 It looks like you might not know this person, but because you have been loved by God and because you love God in truth, truly, you want to love others. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:09.039 You want to love others. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:12.559 So evidence, the fact that you are God's people. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:19.039 Evidence live up to this calling that Christ has given you by being faithful in this calling. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:25.039 This is a glorious thing that the scripture is often used to describe the Christian life. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:40.799 For example, in Ephesians chapter 4 and Philippians chapter 1 and several other passages of the scripture in the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, you have this idea of walk in a manner worthy of your calling. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:44.640 Walk in a manner worthy of your calling. 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:47.519 What calling have we received? 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:51.920 He's not talking about being a mechanic or being even a doctor or any other type of thing. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:58.720 He's talking about being called as the children of God, being called as saints of God. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:04.720 Live in a manner worthy, in a manner consistent with that calling. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:15.200 Walk in such a way that whenever you preach, whenever you speak of Christ, of the gospel, of scripture, is not contradicted later by your life. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:26.000 Live in such a way, act in such a way that evidence is that truly you have experienced a love of God because that love is testified in your works. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.880 I think that's the first aspect. 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:37.359 But the second reality that is behind in a manner worthy of God, I think is something that we can see in Matthew chapter 25. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:45.759 Matthew chapter 25 is that wonderful parable of the Lord Jesus whenever he talks about the sheep and the goats. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.160 He talks about the righteous and the wicked. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:23:04.720 And whenever the righteous get to heaven, get to the day of judgment, he will say, "Welcome, come into the kingdom prepared for you by your father." Because whenever I, he says, then the righteous will answer him,"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:06.160 Or thirsty and give you drink? 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:10.240 And when did we see you as a stranger and welcome you? 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.240 Or naked and clothe you? 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:14.960 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:26.160 And the king will answer them, "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." What an incredible reality. 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:31.359 As I said at the beginning, there is no small Christian. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:34.640 And I want to affirm that in two ways. 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:47.039 One, there's no small Christian because even though we might have little, being faithful in what we have is a big thing to God. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:24:00.000 God sees our small contribution to his kingdom, to the good of others, as a glorious thing, as a glorious thing for which he stores up heavenly and eternal treasures for you. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:13.440 And there's no small Christians in that there is no small Christian that you can serve, that Christ himself does not see that act of service to the smallest of Christians as an act done to himself. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:41.039 There's no small Christian because though we think,"Oh, this is a small deed to a small person who can't really do anything for me, but because you've done it to one of the least of these brothers, you did it unto me." Christ so loves his people, so cares for his people, that whenever someone else does a small act of love to one of his children, it's as though they did it to him. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:56.480 So in a manner worthy of God, we could translate it maybe like this, in a manner worthy of as if it were God, as if it were Christ himself who came unto them. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:59.759 Because that's the way Christ is teaching us to view it. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:02.160 This person is Christ. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:16.079 This person has been chosen by Christ, redeemed by Christ, purged by Christ, loved by Christ, is being preserved by Christ for Christ, and to love him is to love Christ. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:27.759 To show a small act of love to this person, though it be a child who recently believed in the Lord, there'll be an elderly lady in the church. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:34.480 Christ himself gives you thanks. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:45.039 Christ himself receives it as done unto himself, and takes note of these small things that might be by many considered as insignificant. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:54.400 He views it as service performed to him, to the king, to the one who later receives you and rewards you. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:26:01.680 I believe that this is part of the idea because he later is going to describe these men as those who went out for the sake of the name. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:07.599 They went out bearing the banner of Christ, representing Christ. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:10.079 They should be received as Christ. 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:22.720 As I mentioned in Hebrews chapter 13 or in Genesis chapter 18, the whole hospitality in the Bible has been marked by that first example of whenever God himself came to Abraham's house. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:30.079 So it's not too far fetched to think that Christ might come to you. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:47.680 Christ might come to you and he comes to us in the form of his needy people who need to be loved, who need to be cared for, who need to be supported and encouraged and admonished. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:54.319 And then he goes on in the end of this verse in chapter, verse seven. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:27:06.720 And verse eight, he says, "For they have gone out for the sake of the name." It's good to do these things and here are the reasons because he gives some characteristics of what these people look like. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:11.680 They have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing of the Gentiles. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:14.640 Therefore, we ought to support people like these. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:23.279 Now, I'm talking about some requirements for missionaries for this type of love, but I'm not doing so to talk about myself. 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:29.359 I'm doing so, one, because the text does, and two, because there may be others. 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:32.160 And with the seminary, we hope that the Lord will raise up others. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:43.680 And so I want to give encouragement to those brothers who were considering missionary service, as well as to the church guidance on how to consider this, as the Lord continues to advance his kingdom through his local church. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:48.720 "For they have gone out for the sake of the name." Note this reality. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:54.720 These people who have gone out, have identified themselves, have taken on the name of Christ. 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:57.279 They bear his name. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:00.640 As in Antioch, they were called for the first time, Christians. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:05.759 Those who were, belong to this Christ, they bore his name. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:16.480 We think of the book of Acts, and many times how the apostles, for example, in chapter five, rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for his name. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:26.000 In other times, it talks about the Christians as those who suffer for, who serve, who have identified themselves with the name of Christ. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:35.759 And it is that name, that name that has been exalted above all others, that has been put above every name that is named in heaven or on earth. 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:38.640 It is that name that they bear. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:44.079 And so they should walk in a manner worthy of that name, in truth and in love. 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:46.160 In truth and in love. 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:51.119 In truth, first of all, by professing the truth, by proclaiming the truth of God. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:54.640 And they should be examined in accordance with their doctrine. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:29:04.480 As in first John, in verse chapter four, it talks about testing the spirits, because those who say that Christ has not come in the flesh, do not have the spirit of God. 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:12.640 And so he's not just saying, receive whoever you want, receive and love, everyone give money to all the different ministries that you see on TV. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:14.079 He's not doing that. 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:23.440 But he's saying, don't, in chapter in second John, he says, do not receive them if they do not profess that Christ has come in the flesh. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.759 Do not receive them into your house. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.759 Do not even greet them, he says. 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:31.200 So he has some requirements here. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:36.079 But of these brothers, he has full awareness of their doctrinal standing because they came out from him. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:39.440 But he says they've gone out for the sake of the name. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:45.599 And that profession of faith, that doctrine that they preach, is accompanied by a godly life. 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:48.480 They're not contradicting that in the way that they live. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:52.799 To do so would be to blaspheme that name that they bear, right? 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:56.319 They say that they are of Christ, but they don't look like him. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:59.759 They look more like an enemy of Christ than a Christ. 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:04.240 And so they should be examined with respect to their character. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:08.880 And third, this shows us their motivation. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:24.160 Their heart is not the glory and fame, so called, of being a missionary, or money, or recognition, or being first as deographies later in this book. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:31.920 Wanted to be preeminent, wanted to be chief, wanted to promote himself, was going out to seek a ministry for himself, for his own name. 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:35.920 But these wanted to exalt the name of Christ. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:41.519 They went out for love of Christ, in love of his people, in love of the lost who need him. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:45.519 They wanted to heed his call, fulfill his command. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:53.440 And then it says, accepting nothing of the Gentiles. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:56.720 Accepting nothing of the Gentiles. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:59.839 And this refers to their relationship with money. 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:05.920 As we've seen in many in our day, how money has become a deceiver. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:09.119 People seek ministry for money. 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:11.599 They use their ministry to obtain money. 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:16.880 Money is a deceiving thing and quickly can become a motivator. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:22.400 But no pastor, no missionary, no minister should be motivated by money. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:31.599 No pastor, missionary, preacher should do their ministry because someone has paid them, nor should they do it so that someone might pay them. 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:33.839 That is not our motivation. 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:37.039 Rather, it is because of Christ. 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:39.920 It is Christ and his glory that is at stake. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:43.039 It is Christ and his kingdom that we are seeking to advance. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:48.480 It is him and his glory, not our temporary glory. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:53.839 Because the reality is that all that we have soon will go away. 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.839 Our time will soon come to an end. 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:58.240 Our money will soon be burnt up. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:03.759 But there's a way that all of those things can obtain eternal value. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:08.079 That never ends, that never inflates, that never crashes. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:14.640 And it's by investing those things in the good of others and the glory of Christ's kingdom. 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:18.799 Otherwise, it is all at a loss. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:24.160 We are reminded of the instruction of Christ to his disciples here. 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:27.359 You received without paying, give without pay. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:31.359 The gospel you have received was free. 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:33.759 The grace you have received from God is free. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:36.880 So do not give an invoice after preaching the gospel. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.640 Do not write them an invoice so that they might pay you. 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:45.599 But do so freely as you've received. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:49.200 As you have received from others, you have received grace. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.480 You've received support. 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:53.519 You've received encouragement freely from others. 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:56.000 Do so as well. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:33:02.799 So we have seen these two realities. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:09.759 For the supporters, for those who are sending out and receiving, it is a glorious thing, a faithful thing that Christ sees as done unto himself. 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:19.359 For missionaries, a calling to truth and love, to sound doctrine, to godly living, and to faithfulness with respect to money. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:27.599 But then the very final words with which we want to end the sermon this morning are there at the end of verse eight. 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:38.079 "Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth." That we may be fellow workers for the truth. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:46.000 The work of Christ is not that of the preacher, pastor, or missionary. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:52.960 The mission that the Lord, to which the Lord has called my family, is not my mission. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:55.200 It's not mine. 00:33:55.200 --> 00:34:08.880 The church has been given a mission by Christ, a single mission, to expand his kingdom through making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:11.119 This is our mission. 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:13.360 There are various aspects of that mission, true. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:15.440 There is a vertical aspect of the glory of God. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:18.880 There is an external reality of seeking the lost. 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:21.519 And there's an internal reality of building up the saints. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:23.039 It's a complex mission. 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:26.159 And there's various giftings for each part of that. 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:29.599 But it is not mine. 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:32.400 We are seeking the same goal. 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:34.320 We're serving the same Christ. 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:37.920 And we're doing so in partnership together. 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:44.960 Those who support and those who go are going hand in hand, though some stay behind. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:47.920 Those some stay here at home. 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:53.360 Whenever someone is sent out, they go along with him. 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:56.880 They're carried in the heart and they are seen together. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:35:00.159 They serve Christ together. 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:13.679 James Boyce says, with respect to this text,"Here's a great word for those who would love to be engaged in frontline Christian work but who cannot be owing to ill health, circumstances, or other pressing obligations. 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:42.880 In God's sight, those are fellow workers who merely support others by their gifts, interests, and prayers." So as Christ sees a small work of service to one of his children as done unto himself, in a similar way, Christ here paints the picture for us that whenever you are supporting a missionary, whenever you're supporting a fellow preacher, pastor, person who's serving Christ, it's as though you yourself were doing that mission. 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:47.039 You are a fellow laborer in that mission. 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:50.079 That becomes your ministry. 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:56.000 And so you can imagine why 2 John is so clear on why you should not support false teachers, right? 00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:05.760 Because if you're supporting them, encouraging them, giving them money, and giving them resources, you can't say, "Well, at least I wasn't preaching heresy. 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:14.400 He was doing it, but I was just funding him." You can't do that because that becomes a partnership. 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:19.199 That becomes an alliance and you become co-laborers. 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:32.880 But for those who should be sent out, according to this text, to support them, to encourage them, to pray for them, you become fellow laborers on the front lines for the glory of Christ in the advance of his kingdom. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:43.599 Though you might not be a gifted preacher, though you might not be a seminary student, though you might not be a pastor, a deacon, or someone who has a lot of gifts, external gifts to offer. 00:36:45.199 --> 00:37:02.159 You can do an incredible work for the glory of God by being faithful to pray every day for your missionaries, to give regularly, even though small, to those who are serving Christ in your local church and beyond. 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:05.760 Christ sees that as a work done unto himself. 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:10.320 And though you yourself were there on the front lines with that missionary doing the work. 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:16.719 What an incredible privilege that we get to partner together. 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:23.199 And that as I go, I get to represent and serve on behalf of those who are supporting. 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:27.920 And that as though you stay here, you are active in Ecuador. 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:38.480 In a mystical and mysterious way, you are active on the other side of the world through your prayers, through your support, through your encouragement. 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:40.079 So think about this. 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:47.360 Whenever you think about us, whenever you think about other missionaries supported by the church, other missionaries not financially supported, but that we pray for regularly. 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:49.199 Think about these things. 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:51.920 To reach out to them, to encourage them. 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:56.880 Take stock in the missions that you pray for, that your church supports. 00:37:56.880 --> 00:38:00.559 As if you were to invest in stocks, what would you do? 00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:04.719 You would hope that that business goes well, right? 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:10.000 That it prospers, that it has new products, that their new innovations go well. 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:18.239 And so take personal interest in these missions, because you're investing in God's kingdom in these ways. 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:22.800 You're investing, and it is a personal work. 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:28.800 There is a personal relationship, a personal involvement of the people of God in the missions supported. 00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:32.159 This word is the same word used of Paul's companions. 00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:36.639 Paul's companions who went with him, encouraged him, and helped him. 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:39.519 They were fellow laborers with him. 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:42.000 They even wrote some of the Bible. 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:48.320 Many of the books of the Bible were written not just by Paul, but it says Paul and Timothy. 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:53.599 Paul and Timothy and Sylvanas, and sometimes others. 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:59.039 What a glorious privilege to be the companions of the Apostle Paul. 00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:03.440 Now, I'm no Apostle Paul by any means. 00:39:05.199 --> 00:39:16.320 But think of, I want you to have this reality, that the work that we are doing in Ecuador is not,"Wow, Taylor's doing such a great work." We are doing a great work. 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:19.440 We, us, and you, together. 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:25.360 This is a fellowship, a partnership, because you support us. 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.199 You pray for us. 00:39:27.199 --> 00:39:38.719 And as I mentioned at the beginning of my presentation this morning, the fruit that you might have seen in my presentation, is a direct result of God answering your prayers. 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:43.679 You are missionaries in a way. 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:49.599 Though you have not been the ones that have gone out, and that requires certain things, certain requirements here. 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:52.639 But you can be active. 00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:53.920 You can be involved. 00:39:53.920 --> 00:40:00.159 And you can do great things for the glory of God in your closet at home. 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:04.320 In a way where nobody else might see it. 00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:09.039 But Christ takes note of every small deed. 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:12.320 He does not neglect the day of small things. 00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:17.760 He does not look over these tiny services of giving a cup of cold water to one of his people. 00:40:17.760 --> 00:40:24.320 Imagine something so small, as giving a cup of water to one of his children. 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:26.960 Even that, he takes note of. 00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:31.440 And he receives it as though it were done to himself. 00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:38.159 So my dear brothers and sisters, I pray that you would be encouraged with this truth. 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:45.280 That you would see us and see the relationship that we have, that you have with other missionaries that the church supports. 00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:48.960 And that of this new mission that's being sent out to Choctaw. 00:40:48.960 --> 00:40:50.800 That is the same thing. 00:40:50.800 --> 00:40:51.920 Think of it in the same way. 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:54.400 We are fellow laborers. 00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:58.239 This is not an amputation, but rather an extension. 00:40:58.239 --> 00:41:05.360 An extension of the same work, the same mission that we're seeking to accomplish here for the glory of Christ. 00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:12.960 We are able to extend that work through our support, through our prayers, through our encouragement, through sending some of our people. 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:16.480 We are serving Christ and his kingdom. 00:41:16.480 --> 00:41:23.679 And this is the same work that God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit planned from before the foundation of the world. 00:41:23.679 --> 00:41:33.760 And with your small contribution, with your small, your faithful prayers, your texts of encouragement, your calls to see how they're doing. 00:41:33.760 --> 00:41:53.280 With your financial support, with your faithfulness in receiving other Christians, you are participating, being fellow laborers with God, with the triune God and an eternal work of the establishment of his kingdom and the proclamation of his glory. 00:41:53.280 --> 00:41:56.400 What a privilege. 00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:57.280 What a calling. 00:41:57.840 --> 00:42:04.400 My dear brothers, let us walk in a manner worthy of the calling that Christ has given us so that he might be glorified. 00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:06.079 His church might be expanded. 00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:07.599 His kingdom advanced. 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:11.199 The souls of the needy, the souls of the lost, reached. 00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:14.800 Saints built up in love and in truth. 00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:21.920 And the glory of our triune God proclaimed in every inch of this globe. 00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:23.920 Let us pray. 00:42:23.920 --> 00:42:27.280 Oh, Lord, we thank you for your grace. 00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:34.800 That has included such weak, frail sinners such as us in such a glorious and magnificent work. 00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:38.400 Truly, oh, Lord, we are not sufficient of these things. 00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.599 None of us. 00:42:39.599 --> 00:42:44.639 But Christ, the exalted King, has given gifts unto his church. 00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:51.280 Christ, the exalted King, has sent his spirit to us so that the power might not be of us, but of you. 00:42:51.280 --> 00:42:55.440 Work, oh, Lord, through your people. 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.960 Encourage their hearts. 00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:59.920 May they be faithful in what you have called them to. 00:42:59.920 --> 00:43:06.400 Though it might be small in the eyes of others, may they see that your glory is never a small thing. 00:43:06.400 --> 00:43:10.239 Faithfulness to you, living the gospel is never a small thing. 00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:13.519 And may you use it, oh, Lord. 00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:21.280 Use our small means, our small efforts, our small time, our small strength to do things that are glorious for your namesake. 00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:26.480 We pray these things in the name of Christ, which we gladly bear. 00:43:26.960 --> 00:43:29.519 And we rejoice to know and call our own. 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:31.039 Amen. 00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:41.039 [BLANK_AUDIO]