Church With Three Men

The Third Letter of John was written to the Christian Churches under his care in the greater region of today's Turkey.

John had already survived being boiled in hot oil.
Then sent to the Island of Patmos, one of the Roman death camps.
The idea there was to die in the poor quality copper mines on the island.
Early Church fathers, wrote that John Wrote this letter about 85 to 90 AD.
Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans.
The Christian Church was besieged by Gnosticism.
And John was the lone Apostle still alive!

This letter, describes three kinds of men to be found in those churches, by name!
Ouch!
For someone!

Now all three men claimed to be Christian, or more properly, a part of "The Way".
The proper name of the early Christian Church.
 A politically incorrect religion - to the Romans and to the Jews.

Gaius, the gracious man.
A common first century name.
Walked in truth.
John was told of his:
Honor
Witness
Silent witness

Point is people see you, listen to you and all that you do!
Yo will be known by all, for what you do and say.

Diotrephes, the dictator:
No praise for this guy by John
"Don't be this guy!"
Selfish
Puts self before others
Does not acknowledge authorities!
Unloving

Demetius, the disciple.
Everyone loves Demetrius.
He tries to walk in Jesus' footsteps
He tries to do as Jesus would do

Looking back at John and his times with the early church, it becomes apparent that John is telling the Church then, as well as now:
What you for God,
And not yourself ....