How to Stand Strong in Truth and Grace (3 John)

In a world full of confusion and compromise, how do we live as faithful followers of Jesus who stand strong in both truth and grace? In this powerful message from 3 John, Pastor Chris Teien unpacks the stories of Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius to show how God calls us to walk in truth, support gospel work, and build Christ-centered relationships—even when facing opposition.

Key Points:

1. Live the Truth with Grace – (3 John 1–4; John 1:14)
 Truth matters—but so does how we share it. As Gaius demonstrated, living out the truth with a gracious spirit opens doors for influence and unity in the church.

2. Support Those Who Advance the Gospel – (3 John 5–8; Romans 10:15)
 We are called to partner with those who take the gospel to places we may never go. Whether financially, relationally, or through prayer, gospel partnership brings eternal rewards.

3. Don’t Let Power Seekers Derail the Mission – (3 John 9–10; Philippians 2:3)
 Diotrephes was a cautionary tale of self-centered leadership. We must guard the church from ego-driven disruption and stay focused on God's bigger mission.

4. Be a Christian Leader Worth Following – (3 John 11–12; 1 Timothy 4:12)
 Demetrius stands as a one-verse hero—his life and testimony were enough. We, too, are called to be trustworthy examples in speech, love, and integrity.

5. Invest in Relationships that Bring Peace and Joy – (3 John 13–15; Philippians 1:3–5)
 John’s final words remind us that personal, face-to-face encouragement in the body of Christ is irreplaceable. Pursue godly friendships that build up your faith.

Personal Stories:

Pastor Chris reflects on his past experiences preaching on 3 John, his unexpected involvement with a missionary in Chile, and humorous insights into friendship, ministry support, and back pain that tested his preaching stamina that week.

Quotes:

• “Don’t just talk about the truth—live it with grace.”
• “When you support those who go with the gospel, you become part of the mission.”
• “Guard the church from ego-driven leadership—it’s God’s church, not ours.”

Takeaways:

• Ask: Am I standing strong in both truth and grace?
• Invite a fellow believer into a gospel-partnering friendship.
• Pray for missionaries or gospel workers you support.
• Identify and resist any ego-driven influences in your spiritual circles.

Scripture:

• 3 John 1–15 – Living in truth, warning against prideful leaders, honoring faithful servants
• John 1:14 – Jesus, full of grace and truth
• 1 Timothy 4:12 – Set an example in speech and purity
• Romans 10:15 – Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
• Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition
• Matthew 24:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Romans 11 – End times reflections and Israel’s role

Keywords:

3 John, Truth, Grace, Gaius, Demetrius, Diotrephes, Christian leadership, Gospel support, Mission partners, Church unity

Challenge:

Who are you actively supporting, encouraging, or imitating in your walk with Jesus—and are they helping you stand strong in both truth and gra

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New messages released Sundays.
Replay messages from Pastor Chris’s earlier ministry (2021 and prior), marked with an asterisk (*), are posted midweek.