Jude 5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.
 
DO you have an “Egypt” in your life? When you read the Bible, you’ll note that there are many references to God’s miraculous work described in Exodus. He freed his people from Egypt’s bondage to ultimately transform their lives into the land he had prepared for them. In Judges, for example, there are eight references to God moving the Israelites out of Egypt. Israel was to remember God’s mighty work as the point of their physical salvation and transformation into a free, self-determined people. The yoke of Egypt’s harsh rule was gone.
     Remembering Egypt was to stir the people to continue to possess the Promised Land. Knowing God’s gracious salvation, his people were to love the Lord their God, put his commands on their hearts and worship him. Egypt is the mark of God’s call in Exodus 6:7 “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.”
    What marks your faith? Do you remember Luke 22:14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
    Jude wanted the church to remember the Old Testament, so they could more readily stand secure in the New Testament. The gracious God, who called his people out of Egypt to himself, is the same gracious God, who calls you from sin’s bondage to himself.
 
Life Thought: Remember God’s power to save.

Jude 1-3 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  
 
THERE are three reasons for spending a few days in this very short letter. One is to learn a bit about Jude. In the Greek language his name is Judas. This was a very common name, and at least eight different New Testament men have that name, including two of Jesus’ disciples. As is true, then, of us today, when someone says our name, there must be additional ways to identify us. Jude does so with, “brother of James”. To make such a brief reference to one man means all who read this letter will know who James is. This would be the church leader James as referenced in Acts 12:17 who also authored the epistle James. Both men are identified as Jesus’ half-brothers in Matthew 13:55b “Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” Jude, then is Jesus’ half-brother.
    Who is Jude? He is a servant of Jesus. As we have seen how Jesus has changed John’s life, it’s vital to understand the ways God changes all of our lives. The Holy Spirit definitely changed James and Jude. None of Joseph and Mary’s sons believed their half-brother Jesus was the Son of God during his ministry. They, as so many, came to faith after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
    Who is Jude? Third, Jude is humble. He identifies himself with James – not directly as Jesus’ physical half-brother. He is humble to say he has been called. Jude knows God’s authority on his life. With “mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” Jude is a true disciple who loves God and his church. Jude is also a teacher. He is about to warn, as John did, a church to stand in faith.
    We read Jude to know and learn from a faithful disciple, so we can be that way, too.
 
Life Thought: Recognize whose you are.
 

3 John 13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
 
JOHN uses nearly the identical language of his close in his first letter. You may recall about one week ago, we considered God’s way is to extend beyond communicating with words to enter into a personal face to face relationship with us. This is the empowering effects of personal fellowship with Jesus leading to personal relationships with the saints – members of his church.
    Then see a common blessing, “Peace to you.” How do you receive this? Do you have it? Is peace an absence of conflict in you? Could it be even more?
    Peace is a benefit, a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence in you. (Galatians 5:22) In this way, peace relates to your salvation. For a Christian, peace is a tool to turn away worry and uncertainty. People who are focused on uncontrollable events or a future that “might” happen are anxious. Fear blocks them from setting goals and moving into the unknown. Sadly, fear keeps them from Jesus’ full life promises.
    John personally knew the difference between fear and peace. In his gospel he writes several times of Jesus’ peace confronting the disciples’ fear: John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. The disciples feared a future without Jesus. Who would protect them from the Jews? Were the previous three years a waste of time? Anxiously, they wondered, “What will happen next?” But Jesus assures them: John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. Jesus offered and supplied peace to his disciples.
    Then John and the others began to experience Jesus’ promise. They knew peace when the resurrected Lord said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19b) to quiet their fears of the authorities. He saw Jesus’ peace calm Thomas’ doubts in John 20:26.
    Also, John’s personality changed with the fruit of peace. The young John was an emotional reactionary man. Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them Jesus gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder). His disruptive personality was eager to destroy some Samaritans who rejected Jesus. Luke 9:54b “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”  
    But from his writings we know him as the “apostle of love” don’t we? John became a true disciple who imitated good. Jesus’ ministry and the Holy Spirit’s help transformed John into a teaching, loving, encouraging apostle. He became a man of peace to effectively minister the gospel to a warring world. John’s life is a witness to the Spirit’s fruit of peace.
    We have seen in John’s writings through the gospel, Revelation and now these letters the transforming reality of Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
    Receive and rejoice in these fruits for your life, too.
 
Life Thought: Is there really anything to disturb your peace when you know Jesus saves you?
 
This completes our lessons from John’s gospel, Revelation and 1-3 John begun on September 27, 2017. May the Spirit of truth be on us all.

Why You Learn
 
3 John 9-10 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
 
THIS is very different than our view into Gaius’ faithful life from the first eight verses of this letter. Here is Diotrephes, who is a barrier to faith. He seems to think the church is his church, forgetting the church is Jesus’ bride.
    Here are some character flaws Christians must avoid. He loves to be first. Pride reigns in Diotrephes’ life. How is it we think first place is the best place to be? It’s natural isn’t it? The Bible speaks much about pride as causing sin and separation. Heed the words of Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Pride brings distress. Humility brings blessing.
    How sad Diotrephes’ pride caused him to have nothing to do with John and the teachers who went to his church. Diotrephes rejected John’s authority to create a community under his own name and authority. He is a gossip. He keeps away those who want to hear God’s Word.  To dismiss Jesus’ anointed is to refuse Jesus’ Lordship.
    With this and the previous two lessons, you have read of a man who served Jesus and a man who served himself. This contrast is a means to examine our own lives. We might be prone to say, “I’m not as good as Gaius. I’m not as bad as Diotrephes.” That’s probably true. Then what do you do?
    Are you satisfied in-between? Or do you want to move further away from pride to more humbly live in the truth? Someone once asked me, “Why is it necessary to study the Bible? When we get to heaven, are we going to be given a quiz?” My answer, “You are tested every day. God gave you his Word, so you will know him to show him to the world. God wants you to learn of him, so you can speak to people in in truth about him. Otherwise, how will they know?”
    Diotrephes was speaking evil in his gossiping, self-serving pride. Gaius spoke goodness and grace with his servant’s heart and hospitable spirit. These are faith lessons to learn for the church’s good and the Lord’s glory.
 
Life Thought: Learn and live God’s truth, so more will know grace and mercy.

3 John 5-8 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
 
JOHN continues to affirm his dear friend Gaius and exalt Christ. When we praise people for their faith, we must remember to credit and praise Jesus above his servants. No one would serve the Lord God if Jesus had not come to serve his own. No servants would have a full, joyful life without obeying the Lord’s commands.
    John commends Gaius and his church for the hospitality to the brothers who had come to them. For the sake of the Name – for glory of God - they went out from their home church to teach of Jesus. They went in faith, receiving no funds from pagans – or unbelievers. God provides for his faithful servants.
    These teachers returned to John and their home church to testify of Gaius’ faithful life. It is good to testify to the church of God’s power to transform and fill lives to his glory.
    Yes, we are to be humble in our faith. And yet, we must be eager to testify of God’s remarkable work through our lives. Joyfully we must always credit the Name – Jesus, Lord and Savior – is the sovereign power to shape the world. The church must know the Holy Spirit is active and alive in the world. He continually forms his servants to his purposes in his Name. Jeremiah testifies of this: Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.
    John obeyed Jesus’ commands. For the sake of the Name, John and the other disciples witnessed the truth. They became living testimonies of the living God. Pagans have become faithful disciples as Jesus’ Name has been declared.
    Now listen. When I ask people, “How have you seen Jesus this week in you life?” too many people will smile and really have nothing to say. That can’t think of the ways the Name empowers their lives. Let’s be aware to know John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Testify, “I saw Jesus’ power to …. I saw Jesus when … I knew Jesus was with me on that day because …” Live in Christ’s glory. If you are saved in Jesus’ blood, then know the Name is your life. You are commanded to “be my witnesses”. (Matthew 28:20) A witness is not silent but testifies the truth.
    If you don’t know the Name as your saving power, then listen to Peter’s words: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-29)
     
Life Thought: How is your life a living testimony of the Lord God Almighty?

3 John 1-4 The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
 
JOHN’s third letter is to Gaius. You and I can learn much from Gaius, who seemed to live a full Christian life.
    A full life is one of Jesus’ promises for his followers. We learn of this blessing in John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. To have a full life is to be complete, occupied and even bursting to the maximum. Jesus promises you a maximum life, bursting with his love. His life occupies your heart, mind and soul. Full of Christ, a soul is, John’s words, getting along well.
    Jesus demonstrated his full life in physical and spiritual transformation. There are, for example, full fishing nets (John 21), full food bowls (John 6) and, of course, the full work of his mission on earth completed at the cross. (John 19)
    Jesus fills us spiritually. Jesus is full of grace (John 1). He is a full cup of living water to quench a dry soul (John 4). Jesus is the full truth to salvation (John 10). He shows us the full extent of his love to wash feet as a slave (John 13). Jesus is full of peace (John 14). The Bible is full of God’s love.
    What, then, does it look like to have a full life in Jesus? Learn from John’s friend Gaius. Gaius is in the truth. Gaius enjoys good health. Gaius’ soul is getting along well. He is apparently at peace in faith. Gaius is faithful to the truth. Gaius continues to walk in the truth. Gaius is walking in the truth. God’s truth fills Gaius’ life.  His life brings great, complete joy to his friend, elder and pastor John.
    What is a full life? It is Jesus-centered and Spirit-empowered. A full life is complete with spiritual and physical wellness. We reject temptations, so we can keep our minds, bodies and soul well in faith.  
    A full life is knowing deep in your soul all is well because you are heaven bound. It is complete joy in Jesus: John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” This scripture is worth repeating, memorizing and living.  
    Jesus empowers you to a full, complete life. Jesus filled John and his fellow disciples. Jesus occupied their lives. Overflowing with Jesus’ power, they poured Jesus into the world to fill lost and empty souls. John filled his disciples such as Gaius. Gaius then continued pouring Jesus into a world of empty souls.
    A full life overflows with Jesus and pours into others.
 
Life Thought: Be full; fill others with Jesus.

1 John 12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.
 
HERE is a very good lesson for us: Relationships become complete and joyful when you commit to be face to face with one another. “Face to face” in the Greek means “mouth to mouth”. It is talking with each other, learning, encouraging, forgiving, understanding and loving. This was John’s desire. His letters were important, but his personal words to the church were the way to true fellowship, so that our joy may be complete.
    This is God’s way, isn’t it? Consider all the words of the law and the prophets. The LORD God wrote reams of material for his people to know him. But the words did not complete his relationship with us! He came to meet his broken creation face to face. The Son walked the earth to show us the Father (John 14:9). He met with us, ate with us, taught us, suffered for us and saved us. In Christ our joy is complete because God came face to face to be with us. And even more, he promises his personal presence in our eternal lives.
    “Of course,” you might say, “you have to be present with others to truly know them and share life together.” So then, are you taking time to be face to face with people in your church and neighborhood? Do you invite them into your home? Are you willing to talk with them, pray with them, encourage them and speak of Jesus? Are your ears open to hear their words for you?
     This fellowship relationship begins when you are face to face with God. You can be now as his Spirit dwells within you. Talk with him. Hear his voice from Scripture and be in prayer. When you are personally with God, it is easier to be with his people. Know you will stand before him one day and be with hm forever.
    Such a relationship with God and with others will lead you to complete joy. We’ll consider complete joy in the next lesson.
 
Life Thought: Face to face is life to life.
     

2 John 9-11 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
 
JOHN continues to warn about rejecting Jesus’ teachings. One way that unbelievers minimize and mock Christians – and Jesus Christ – is to say, “Christians don’t think for themselves. They are told what to believe. We know better. Our thinking is more advanced. Listen to our deeper thoughts.”
    But John dismisses such unbelief with a warning to anyone who runs ahead. People who claim to be advanced in their thinking are, in truth, out of step with the gospel. They devise their own theologies to explain Jesus. Their philosophies seem to sprint ahead of the faithful walking with Jesus.
    But we all know what happens to the runner who runs fast early in the race. Soon his breath is gone; his legs grow week, and he falls behind. He finishes out of touch with the top runners.
    John warns the church to stay in step with the true gospel and to reject such people. Do not take him into your house. These are strong words for a culture that holds hospitality as necessary to all. John could be speaking of a family home or a church meeting in a home. In either case, welcoming the liar is becoming part of the lie. Yes, hospitality is a Christian spiritual gift. But it is not for the false teachers. You cannot host the Truth when the Lie is comfortable in your home. You must be frim to keep watch on your mind. Reject Satan, the Liar, from causing you to run out of step from Jesus.
    Yes, we must listen to people with love and gentleness. Our words to speak the gospel must be helpful and encouraging. Yet, we must also be firm to stop the deceivers. Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”  
    You have been gifted with the truth. Protect it. Keep it. Watch over it. Run with it.
   
Life Thought: Do you keep dirty clothes with the clean?
 
 

2 John 7-8 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
 
FALSE teachers must have been a constant threat to the early church. Think about how new to the ears it would be for th world to hear: Son of God became man; he was crucified, dead and buried. The third day he rose from the dead. Believe in Jesus, and you will have eternal life in glorious heaven!
    This is an amazing truth – not easy for man’s limited mind to grasp. In response, many tried to fit the gospel into human terms. This is always false teaching. It is antichrist.
    John’s and the apostles’ response was firm against the antichrists. There was no such language as, “You can believe as you desire.” or “When you’re ready to believe, I’ll be here.” God does not wait for you. He acts in his will and time. Thus, John warns to “Watch out!” so you do not lose what you have worked for, and you will not be rewarded fully. Protect, keep what you have.
    Does this say we will lose our salvation if we believe some of the lies? The Bible’s evidence is the Spirit keeps your salvation. One truly born again into faith in the Spirit’s power is saved forever.
    However, the Bible is also very clear that there are people who speak of faith; yet, they deny some truth of Jesus. Some do not accept his forgiveness. Some deny his authority. Many deny his resurrection. They may even say they believe in these things but deny Jesus in their lifestyle. Matthew 7:22-24 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” True believers are firm in Truth. They have “worked” to listen and respond to live “life to the full” (John 10:10) as the Good Shepherd promises. They recognize deceit because they know the truth.
    Is this you? Rejoice, then, in your salvation! The perfect Son of God has formed you to watch and keep your faith full of truth.
 
Life Thought: Luke 10:23-24 “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”