HOST WITH THE MOST

Mike Vogelaar

Central Truth

Your actions will reflect your true heart. Sometimes people don't care how much we know, until they know how much we care. It's time to show them.
As Christians, we should show hospitality and support to one another.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are." (3 John 1:4-5)

Greeting

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers^{1

1:3
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10} came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Support and Opposition

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greetings

13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

Footnotes

[1] 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10

As I read over this passage, I realized God was showing me His humor. Even though I've seen generous hospitality as a missionary kid, it was hard for me to extend that hospitality to others. In high school and college, I would invite friends over often to hang out and play games. However, I would neglect to offer anything to drink or eat and just assume my guests were fine. Thankfully, God provided me a spouse who has taught me so much on how to be a more considerate and loving host to those around me.

When we first purchased our home, we had a guest room that was rarely used. God spoke to Katy and me and put it on our hearts that, if He had entrusted this home to us, we needed to be good stewards. Just as Gaius was a Christlike host, we needed to help provide for those who had a need. God kept putting new opportunities in our life for us to take in young adults rent-free and let them get their "feet on the ground." It was a joyous experience to show hospitality and Christ's love to those in need. I couldn't have done it without my wife's and our community group's encouragement. I was a Demetrius who learned from my Gaius.

I pray that we may be more like Gaius and love our brothers and sisters. May we get out of our comfort zone to help those around us, display the fruits of the Spirit, and experience the blessing of hospitality. 2 John 1:10-11 showed us yesterday that providing financial aid and hospitable aid makes the giver a partner with the receiver in his work. And as we learned today through Gaius and Demetrius, our actions reveal the truth in our hearts. Let us follow Hebrews 13:2 (NASB) and "[n]ot neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

1. Which man do you identify with most?
A) Gaius -- generously giving?
B) Demetrius -- loving/learning the truth?
C) Diotrephes -- not willing to let go of what you have for others?

2. How can you get out of your comfort zone to provide for someone else in an extraordinary way?

3. How can you creatively show hospitality to God's workers?

4. How can you live more simply, so others can simply live?