The Well Beloved Gaius

Temple Baptist Church - 12-2-2015

3 John 1-6

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have covered the first two epistles of John.  Tonight, I want to begin the third one.

 

1.  1 John was written to “my little children.”  It is what is called a “General Epistle” that is written to all of God’s children.  We that are saved take 1 John personal.

 

2.  2 John was written to a local church.  It is called a “Church Epistle” and we can make applications to our local church.

 

3.  3 John was written to a little known individual named Gaius.  The name “Gaius” means “A Christian.”  By application, it is a letter written to each of us individually.  Little known to the world but well known to the Lord and God’s man.

 

B.  Someone once said, “In the drama of life the scenery shifts and the draperies change, but the plot is the same and the characters the same.”  God is writing to one of His special people.  The times and circumstances have changed but each of us face the same problems today that Gaius faced in the 1^st Century.

 

C.  We will study three men in this little Epistle:

 

1.  Gaius: A Prosperous Man – Vs. 1-8

 

2.  Diotrephes: A Proud Man – Vs. 9-10

 

3.  Demetrius: A Praised Man – Vs. 11-12

 

D.  We know how much God loved this man as this 3^rd Epistle of John was written to him in particular to commend him on his faithfulness to God and love for the saints.  This epistle also shows the love that God’s people had for Gaius.  The word “beloved” is used 4 times in reference to Gaius.  Well beloved shows the love of not only John but also the love that the church people had for him.

 

E.  I want to take a short look at this man, Gaius, tonight.  Gaius is mentioned only 5 times in the Bible.  I personally believe that all of these mentions were of the same man.

 

1.  In the first mention of Gaius, Paul was in Ephesus, a country under Roman rule, when the people began to persecute them because of one Demetrius, a silver smith, who made idols for the people to worship.  Gaius was one who was taken captive and ushered into the theatre and, for the space of two hours, heard the praise their goddess, Diana.  Acts 19:29  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

 

2.  In the second mention of Gaius we find that, after the persecution in Ephesus, he continued with the Apostle Paul. 

 

3.  In the third mention of Gaius, we find him playing host to the Apostle Paul and the whole church. 

 

4.  In the fourth mention of Gaius, we find that he was a convert of the Apostle Paul. 

 

5.  In the fifth mention of Gaius, we find the Apostle John writing to him personally.  Here in 3 John, we find the fifth mention of Gaius which gives a vivid description of his Christian character that is expressed in his name.  3 John 1:1  The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

 

Proverbs 20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

 

F.  John mentioned that Gaius was a man whose soul prospered!  John’s desire for him was that he prosper in material things and also in health.  This should be our desire for people who love and live for the Lord.  No, this is not a “Prosperity Gospel” but the Lord does want us to be satisfied with good things as I preached this morning.

 

1.  Gaius was a man who was saved under the ministry of the Apostle Paul.  1 Corinthians 1:14  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

 

2.  Gaius was a man who was a companion to the Apostle Paul.  Acts 19:29  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

 

3.  Gaius was a man who suffered persecution for the cause of Christ.  Acts 19:29  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

 

4.  Gaius was a man who endured and continued to life for Christ. Acts 20:4  And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

 

5.  Gaius was a man who loved God’s men and the local church.  Romans 16:23  Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

 

6.  Gaius was a man loved by those who knew him well.  Vs 1 “the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”

 

7.  Gaius was a man who spiritually matured.  Vs 2 “as thy soul prospereth”

 

8.  Gaius was a man who was trustworthy enough to write an inspired epistle to. Vs 3 “the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”

 

9.  Gaius was a man who had a desire to follow Christ. Vs 3-4 “even as thou walkest in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

 

10.  Gaius was a man who was a blessing to his local church along with God’s men. 3 John 1:5-6  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;  (6)  Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: