Written Bible Studies

(Romans 6:19, Galatians 3:15)

Paul here is speaking to the church in Thessalonica and is exhorting them by saying

“ye know what manner of men we were,….” and I ask you today,

“What manner of men are ye?”

Text: 3 John 1.  In the third book of John, the Beloved Apostle, we find his writing concerning three men and the contrast of each mans character. 

V.1-8:  The man Gaius is spoken of, and John presents him as a dear friend and lover of truth.  There are ministers that fit this description but not all ministers do.  I will point out that Gaius is not saying this about himself but rather it is recognized by others.  His testimony of faith and righteousness is observed by John.  If a man must pronounce himself to be Gaius, than he surely is not, without exception. 

            Gaius is a GOOD leader and leads his people by example and not force.  A blessed man in ministry and life is he who is faithful to walk uprightly before the saved and unsaved and is reported well of by both.  He is a commended in that he has ensampled unto them the TRUTH, and John is brought great joy because his children also now “walk in truth.”  This is the greatest reward that any parent could ever ask of God that their children walk in truth.  The greatest honour any child may be to their parents is that they love truth and walk in it.  This may mean that either the children or the parents will part ways at some point down the road if one or both leave off following after truth, but none the less to honour your mother in father is to love truth.  The world can never produce a child that walks in the truth because there is no truth in the world. 

Hebrews 12:9 & 10:  We had fathers in this world that chastened us after their own pleasure but God chastens for our own profit.  Notice the contrast in these verses and it is clearly seen that it lies between who was being profited not the methods of discipline.  I have hard it preached the other way and used in defence that a father possesses the right to discipline his child any way he sees fit and God allows for it.  Clearly there are many stipulations to child rearing and very specific warnings given by the apostle Paul to  Fathers that they are not overbearing on their children (Ephesians 6:4,  Colossians 3:21) and the stern warning that Christ gave (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2).  It is pointed out in this passage that God chastens us for our own benefit and our earthly fathers chasten us for their benefit.  The greatest honour ever could be that children walk in the truth regardless of the division that it may bring (Matthew 10:34-38).

V.9-11:  Here is the second person, Diotrephes, and he is an evil man.  John lists here a few points of this mans doings and they ring a close bell to many of today. 

            a.)  Prating against us with malicious words (unfounded meanness and charges of attack and hatred with out reason.)  We have a direct warning against this (Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8, 1 Peter 2:1)  And if we don’t heed God’s warning, than we are grieving the spirit of God and will bring the judgment that is mete upon our own heads.  It is not a light thing to attack somebody but we know that only through pride cometh contention (Proverbs 13:10).  And once pride has the pre-eminence in a mans heart, he is doomed.

And not content therewith…(he wouldn’t stop there)

            b.)  But also he wouldn’t receive the brethren and forbade others to do so.  He wouldn’t permit them to befriend any body that he didn’t like.  You see this pattern of fear developing in his ministry and is fearful that he must enforce his beliefs on everybody else lest they draw away from him.  A secondary seperationist.  We see this mans problem in the very beginning of the text when John states that he “desires to have the pre-eminence among you.”  This man has been overcome by his own Pride.  He not only enjoys attention but he’s willing to chase out anybody who won’t give it to him and even those who would fellowship with them.  There are things that the Lord Hates, and this man is guilty of most. them.    V.11:  John contrasts him as being evil in his manner, message, and actions.

V.12:  The third man is presented, Demetrius, and is spoken of well by all men.  Not much is said about Demetrius, but what is said speaks volumes.  It is said that “he hath good report of all men and of the truth itself.” He has a testimony before the saved and the lost that he is a righteous man and a lover of truth.  Again we have Paul’s commands over and over to walk uprightly concerning them that are without Christ (1 Timothy 3:7, Philippians 2:15, 1 Timothy 5:7), and Peter (2 Peter 3:14).

            We pray that we are a good manner of men and that is only possible through Jesus Christ.  If man tries to be good on his own he will fall short.  

Point 1: Not obeying the command of the Lord.

Num 32:7   If this is the cause of your depression than you will be aware of the command that you are in violation of.  It is not something that you have to beg God to reveal to you.

Point 2:  Provocation to anger

Col 3:21 (Proverbs 15:1 grievous words will provoke to anger) Proverbs 19:11 will help to overcome the offence.  See also; Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 21:14,

-don’t make friends with angry people Proverbs 22:24

-Ephesians 4:26

Point 3:  Disagreement with the way in which God directs

Num 21:4 

- The children of Israel had just seen some mighty acts of God on their behalf and they knew that God was leading them to the promised land where they would receive the greatest blessing they had awaited as a nation and they are much discouraged because of the way God leads them.

-Proverbs 14:29/Proverbs 21:5 :> “Haste makes waste.”  We need to guard against the, “I want it now,” mentality of America.  We must trust in the process that God is using Philippians 1:6 / Philippians 2:12 / Romans 5:3-5 / James1:4 / James 5:7-11

Hebrews 12:15- Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

DILIGENTLY, adv. With steady application and care; with industry or assiduity; not carelessly; not negligently.

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God. Deu 6.

Pro 14:10  The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

Act 8:23  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Rom 3:14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Love, Live, and Leave

Text II John:>Here is Johns third writing or second letter after the gospels and it is concerning the love we ought to display to one another and to the lost.

            John speaks more about love than any other writer in the Bible. He uses the word love 28 times in these three short letters alone and 49 times in his writings complete.

I John defines that true love is inseparable from true Christianity.   II John defines that true love is inseparable form the truth.   III John defines Christian love should be our bond of fellowship.

            Let's look at II John :

Point 1:  We are required to love one another V.5     "LOVE"

Jesus said in John 15:12 that we must love one another as he loved us -this is not optional. -John 13:35 says that this is the greatest testimony to the world -notice the primary focus is on those who have believed.

Point 2:  We must live in the commandments of God V.6&7      "LIVE"

-We are instructed to live after Biblical love and it is defined for us here. "That we walk after his (Christ’s) commandments."  -The world today confuses love and tolerance.  Truly defined these to are antonyms (opposites).  -The only way to love is to have absolutes.  -You must serve after a commandment or rely on yourself to never change. -Any commandment that is contrary to Christ's is anti-Christ.

Point 3:  We are commanded to leave from the fellowship of people that would not agree with these commandments.  V.8-10         "LEAVE"

-Don't be afraid to call a spade a spade.  -Look at yourself first (v.8) and you'll get a full reward.  -Then look at whom you fellowship with and their doctrine.  -This is where many fall short.  It is not easy to do but if neglected will only harm you, not win them.   -II Corinthians 6.14-17

Some Thoughts on this verse:

“Looking diligently”: Where are some places to look?  *Be concerned with yourself.

-this is referring to the previous verses.   Look diligently:

A.)  At yourself. If you don’t acknowledge the problem how can you find the solution?

B.)  To the Word of God.  -The only reliable source of truth

C.)  Those around you who have discernment. (Spouse, Pastor, Elders)

D.)  At the company you keep.  “Birds of a feather flock together.”

E.)  Where you camp (religiously, philosophically, morally, politically, entertainment)

“lest any man fail of the grace of God;”

-saying that you will come behind in the grace that God has given. In the sense of not grasping or knowing or ever understanding the fullness of the grace that God has extended.

-If you neglect to look diligently than you are short changing yourself and limiting the hand and blessing of God in your life.  It will cause you to never attain the full gift of God’s grace.

-Salvation is just the very beginning of the grace of God.

“lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,”

-implies that there are various and warns that something is likely to happen if gone unchecked.

-bitterness can arise out of many or any offence

-“Either you received a wrong that you feel you didn’t deserve or you didn’t receive appreciation that you felt you should have received.”  -Bro. Gipp

-Proverbs 14:10- if you look honestly and remove the excuses from yourself and quit the reasoning away of conviction or rebuke than you will be able to identify the bitterness you posses.

-roots are small but they are the foundation of large trees.

“and thereby many be defiled”

-bitterness is the taste that is left in the mouth of another.

-bitter herbs only require small amounts to season a whole pot. (a little goes a long way)

-your unwillingness to forgive and overcome this will cause those around you to never have the full benefit of relationship with you, and will cause you to be too reserved in the same area with next person.

1:  Deut 1:26- unbelief- the blessing of the Promised Land and all attached to that

An unbelieving heart will cost us every time.  In Deut. 1:26 they are being rebuked because they didn’t believe that God could give them the victory.  As a result of their unbelief you’ll find that in Verse 35, God pronounces a judgment on them because they would not believe. Hebrews 3:12- it is wicked to not believe God, it will cost you some blessings.

2:  Deut 1:43- pride/presumption- the blessing of safety and deliverance of God

          Thinking your way is better than God’s way and in this case your time schedule.  Moses and the children of Israel thought that they could still go up now that they were convinced it was right, and God would still deliver the victory into their hands, they trusted their own might (Psalms 20:7), trusting your own strength to go do things when you want will cost you some blessings.

3: Jeremiah 29:20- willful ignorance- the blessing of Freedom and Liberty

          The children of Israel would not listen to the man of God.  They didn’t heed or desire what was truth; they wanted to hear nice things that “made them feel good.” 

2 Timothy 4:3- This is a prophecy concerning the last days. 

Romans 10:17- We must be willing to hear God’s word so our Faith is increased and we receive God’s full blessing.  God sent the prophet to preach so that corrections could be made. Don’t be slack to get things right.  This will cost you your blessings.

Malachi 3:1-15:  The stern rebuke to Israel that they return to the God of their Fathers.  This was the last warning they would receive from the Lord until John the Baptist would begin to preach four hundred years later.

            I fear this is the same warning every Christian needs today but most likely will not listen too.  The people of this day didn’t realize and couldn’t even see the condition in which they were in.  The same is true today of our church and all churches if they desire to be blind (Revelation 3:14-19).

Point 1:  We always are trying to prove to God that things aren’t as bad as he thinks.

-We think were all right the way we are so when we get our toes stepped on from either the preacher, our parents, spouse, etc., we get angry at God and harden our necks. 

-Then we seek out and join with someone else who believes like we do (psychology, medicines, worldly philosophy, ecumenicalism) and we become harder against God.

-Finally we become stubborn and un-approachable with truth.  We neglect our obligation, become harder and, then embrace and promote the one who is wrong and wicked.

Point 2:  We get offended at the grace in which he still approaches us.  Psalm 50:21

-We want God to fly off the handle the way we do so then we can accuse him. 

- He is always faithful and doesn’t so we just accuse him anyway just to excuse ourselves. 

-Many parents have taught their children how to curse God and call him un- faithful and a liar all the while we get harder because he remains gracious.

Pont 3:  We refuse to repent and follow what God says, to be counted worthy of him.

-God’s word is clear as to our duty but we cast it off.  God gives us a law so we know exactly what he expects of us and it becomes sin to us because we refuse to listen to him. 

V. 16-18:  Only few will be found there.  In Lot’s day 5, in Noah’s day 8, (Ezekiel 14:14-18); With Noah only 6 came through righteously and with Lot one made it. (2 Peter 2:1-9) you have to decide for yourself.

-They refused to return to God, to give God what was his, and to speak for him instead of accusing him.

I Samuel 25. 1-17:  Here we have a passage concerning a man named Nabal who it is recorded in V. 17 that he is a son of Belial (worthless and wicked) because he was unable to be talked too.  The Apostle Paul asked for prayer that he would be delivered from the "wicked and unreasonable men."  It is a sin not be reasonable.  It is a sin to be a "know-it-all."  Nabal was such a man.

Nabal was:

1.  V. 2-11:  Unconcerned for others.  He reserved his blessing for himself.  He took the kindness of others for granted but was not kind himself.  He had the modern Capitalist attitude of most Americans.  While it serves nice to achieve the "American Dream" it is sure to cause casualties in the spiritual.   Malachi 2:2: you better watch out.

2.  V. 9-11:  Ungrateful for others-.  He thought he was the most important thing in the world and had an "air of superiority" that he thought others were not as good as he was because the easy life of his prosperity had hardened his heart against those less fortunate than he.  Proverbs 3.9/Philipians 2:3

3.  V. 6:  Unaware of Others abilities.  David had sent his ten men up with blessings of peace and Nabal didn't receive the blessing because of his attitude.  He would have suffered total destruction if he didn't have a good wife.  Instead of a blessing he barely was allowed to live. 

Many think that they can be cross and unreasonable without any concern but God hates that attitude.  The wicked and unreasonable are "birds of the same feather."

Point 1:  The Burdens of the Lost

Luk 10:34-36:) We are to be concerned for the needs of the lost and give of our own resources to help heal them. (Purchase Tracts, Bibles, Send Missionaries, Etc.)Mark 16.15:)        The Great Commission  "Seek the lost at any cost"

Point 2:  The Burdens of the Brethren

1 Corinthians 12:25:  We need to be concerned about the needs of our brethren so no splits will happen among us.  Galatians 6:2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.   *the law of Christ is Matthew 22.36-39;  -love the Lord thy God with all..... -love thy neighbor as thyself

Point 3:  Your own burdens

1Peter 5:7: Don’t try to do it alone, give it to God, that is why he is your God, to deliver you.   Psalm 46:1   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.   Psalm 60.11: Don't depend on others to effectively alleviate a problem.

Psalm 142.4: No man is going to care about your soul         Psalm 42.5: Don't get discouraged over your problems seek God

*Luke 21.34:  Don't be so consumed by worry that you forget God.

Suffering means to allow, or bear without anticipation of retribution.

Too many Christians want to put themselves under the bondage that they have to feel beat up or they are not spiritual.  I want to bring to light the Biblical perspective of the believers suffering.  Our text says that Jesus is the subject and we are to pattern our lives after him and I want to start out by saying “He wasn’t always under persecution so don’t go looking for the persecution.” 

Point 1:  There is the common suffering:  That which you must endure because you are human and sin has entered the world causing all types of havoc ever since.  Often we blame the Lord for this suffering and neglect to realize that this is the suffering he wanted us to never know.  We can find reason then to give him thanks in these situations by acknowledging his will and the transgression and fault of man.  The lost may endure some measure of this suffering through death and sickness etc. but the saved even more because we strive to live contrary to the workings of the Flesh!  Just stopping here will make you worth something to yourself.  Christ might get a little something out of you but largely it will only make you a better person.  While this is good and even necessary it is not sufficient.  If you remove yourself here the Lost will cause you to quit and turn back to the world.

I Peter 2:19-25:  If you live righteously you wont be beat up your whole life but when you are, you know how to bear it. (James 5:9-11, Heb 13:3,  II Timothy 3:12, etc.)

Point 2:  There is the willful suffering.  This is the next level and you have to be willing to go through it so that you are worth something to the Gospel Ministry.  This is when you will learn to have a testimony before that lost world that gives glory and honor to the cause of Christ.  Your Brethren will even be encouraged at your faithfulness and glimpses of zeal for the things of God.  Here you will be a faithful supporter and friend of the ministry.  You will consciously do right even after you have counted the costs.  You will be useful to the ministry.  If you remove yourself here than the Brethren will cause you to quit and turn back to the world.

I Peter 4:1-7:  The world won't understand you and you won't be offended about it, you are simply willing to carry this as a cross. (II Timothy 2:11&12, Heb. 11:25, etc.)

Point 3:  There is the necessary suffering. That suffering which the Lord uses to mold us into his image.  It is that which makes us learn obedience.   This suffering is only if you want it.  The Lord won't force this on you and you can quit at anytime but it is under this "pressure" that the lump of coal is transformed into the diamond in God's hands.  These are they who have come out of great tribulation and have overcome the devil through some certain rejoicing in the Grace and Glory of Jesus Christ.  With this suffering you will be directly useful to Jesus Christ and to his most precious possessions, the ones for which he died.  When you allow yourself to get here there isn't much danger that you'll quit or turn back.  The Lord Jesus Christ will be supremely visible and worthy in your sight.  Sure you'll encounter troubles but you won't be distressed, etc.

 I Peter 5:6-10:  It's where you can be formed into the very image of Jesus Christ and know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.  (Philippians 3:8-12)