Holy Scriptures and Israel

Gideon Levytam: Shalom. Holy Scriptures and Israel is a ministry designed to share with the Jewish people the good news of the Lord Jesus Yeshua the Messiah, and to instruct Christians on the Jewish roots of their faith. And now, teaching God's Word from a Hebrew Messianic perspective, here is Gideon Levytam.

Gideon Levytam: The study of 3 John. And this is important to see that Gaius was not only hospitable. He did not only love the brethren, but he also was aware of the need to minister to the servants of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. Now, I can read many verses. Yeshua said that a laborer is worthy of his higher. Even the Lord Himself in the Book of Deuteronomy said, “You shall not muzzle the ox that work in the field.”

Humanly speaking, can you imagine when a servant had an ox that is working on the field, and when he's coming to eat something as he worked, that he muzzle his mouth, and don't let him eat, and he says, “No, you can carry on to do your work”? Biblically speaking, we learn from here that the care of the servants of the people of God in those days, they had to learn that, just the same like in any days, to minister to the people of God, it's not done by force. It's done out of love and appreciation for the work of the Lord.

Let me just read you for a second a passage in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9. Paul wrote to the brothers and sisters in verse 7. He says, “Who go to warfare at any time at his own charge? Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? Or who feeds a flock and eats not of the milk of the flock?”

“I say these things as a man,” he said. “Or says not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moshe, Moses, ‘Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.’ Does God take care for oxen?” Well, if he does take care of the oxen, he would definitely take care of his servant. Verse 10. “Or says he, it is altogether for our sakes?”

“For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he that plows should plow in hope. And he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown in your spiritual things, is it a great thing that we shall reap of your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power, but suffered all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of the Messiah.”

Paul was writing this to the Corinthian, and he's saying to them, the very same thing that John is saying about Gaius, “Gaius, you were aware of the need of those itinerant preachers. You took care of them when they were passing by.” Now, notice that. Back to 3 John. And this time, verse 8. Look what he's saying about Gaius, “We rather therefore receive such that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.”

John is saying to Gaius, “You see, Gaius, this is a commendable thing to do because what happened with Gaius, even though Gaius was not an itinerant preacher, he remained at home. He did his work at home. But you know what he became? He became a fellow helper to the truth.” I read this morning in 1 Samuel, chapter 30, Samuel A. And there David went to fight against the Amalekites. He had 600 men. 400 of them went with him to fight. 200 of them remained behind.

And so, when he fight and he fight against the Amalekites, he brought back all what the Amalekite took from the people of David. He laid, and you know, those 400 men who went forward to fight with David, they said to him, “No, no, no, no,” not all of them. Some of them, “Don't give the 200 any of their portion because they didn't fight with us.” David says, “No.”

“No,” David says in 1 Samuel, chapter 30. Look what David says, “Very, very wise statement.” David says, “As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the staff. They shall part alike.” David says, “The one that went forward to fight and the one that remained behind, both are benefiting from the very same ministry because what happened here, Gaius became a fellow helper in the truth.”

And thank God for those servants of the Lord, missionaries, who have gone out to many countries and many places to serve the Lord, whether it is among our Jewish people or whether it is among the nations of the world. Praise God for those Bible teachers, missionaries, servants of the Lord, who go to many, many areas to spend their time and their energy, and it's so needful not only to pray for them, but also practically to support them so they can continue on in their ministry, so they can be faithfully doing the ministry that the Lord have called them to do. We become automatically fellow helpers in the truth.

And how important it is, beloved brothers and sisters, to hold on to this. So, Gaius, a faithful man. He was hospitable. He loved God's people. He was aware of the need of the servants of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, and he was commended because he received godly servants and had fellowship in their ministry by supporting them practically. What an amazing person that Yochanan is presenting before us in this passage.

But then again, notice that. He continue, and he speak about another man. In verse 9, 10, and 11, he shift away from Gaius to another man, he was also part of the local church where Gaius had been, local assembly, local congregation. And I want you to notice that he says here six or seven thing about this other individual. His name was Diotrephes. He's now ministering Diotrephes. Notice what he's saying about him in verse 9.

First of all, he says in verse 9, “I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence among them, received us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. And not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and forbideth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” Now, notice this, beloved brothers, what he says about another man by the name of Diotrephes. First of all, notice that he had a real problem that we have to say, we always have to guard against it. He says here in verse 9A, “Diotrephes who loveth to have the preeminence.”

The word for preeminence is really simply mean, “He wanted always to have the first place, number one.” Imagine a local assembly, local congregation, and one person says, “I'm going to have my way. I'm going to be number one. I'm in charge.” In other words, he placed himself as a person that was in charge. But notice this expression, it's found three times in the scripture. The word preeminence.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Kohelet in Hebrew, Solomon, Shlomo, the king of Israel says that a man does not have preeminence over a beast. A beast dies, a man dies. In this world, an animal will die, a human being will die. There is no preeminence, even though we do have, but really what Solomon is saying, “A man is not preeminent over the animal because he himself dies. He is finishing here in this scene.” That's it. That's the first time it used in scripture.

The second time it's used in the scripture is in connection with our blessed Lord Yeshua the Messiah in the Book of Colossians, chapter 1 and verse 18. This is a beautiful verse in connection with Yeshua, Jesus, our Messiah. We read, “He is the head,” namely Yeshua, “of the body, the church, the ecclesia, the called out ones, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

You see, beloved brothers and sisters, God want that we all recognize among the people of God, He must have the preeminence. He is number one. He's the one that's supposed to receive the glory and the honor and the praise from among the people of God. He is the head of the body and to the body. He must have the position of number one, of the first one.

But you see, the problem is with us. And apparently, Diotrephes had this problem, and we at time have this if we are not watching ourselves, we always seems to want to be the first one. And you see, when we seek that place and force it, we are actually seeking to take the place of the Lord. He has to be the preeminence among the people of God. He has to be the one that is first.

And God desire to see that among the people of God, but here was Diotrephes. And he said, “Look, we wrote unto the local church, the local assembly, but there is a problem, Gaius. There is a certain man in this local assembly that you are attending or you are part of, his name is Diotrephes, he loves to have the preeminence among them.”

You see, Diotrephes was a believer. I understand from the text because he was part of the local assembly, unless he was not a child of God. But it seems to be from the context that he was a believer that did not walk in accordance with the will of God and sought always to have the preeminence. You know, brothers and sisters, how many church groups have splitted over people who wants always to take the preeminence?

How many groups of believers have been scattered because instead of being humbling ourselves before the Lord, we wanted to force our own way? “I'm going to have my way, my will, it is me, it is I, I'm number one.” And you know, instead of bridging gaps and putting the people together, they are scattering the flocks. And it's not only 2,000 years ago that it happened, it happens today. Many groups of believers are splitting because people instead of humbling themselves before the Lord and seeking to submit to the Lord and to each other, they are forcing their way.

As Diotrephes, who love to have the preeminence. So, look what Yochanan is saying. He shows what Diotrephes did to show that he love to have the preeminence. The first thing that we find out in verse 9B, Diotrephes would not receive John. It says in verse 9, at the end, “He received us not.” This is Yochanan, the apostle. And Diotrephes said, “Yochanan, you cannot come here. Those that follow you, those that belong to you, those that are you are working with, you cannot come.”

He does not receive John. Now, you can just imagine what kind of a condition it is that the apostle, that had an apostolic authority, was not received by Diotrephes. Secondly, notice four things about Diotrephes. It says in verse 10A, “Diotrephes spoke falsely against Yochanan, against John because it says in verse 10A, wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth.”

“Prating,” this is bringing false accusation or false charges. He bring false charges against us. Diotrephes was charging John. Now, can you imagine, beloved brothers and sisters, Yochanan, according to what we know from the Word of God, have suffered tremendously for the name of Yeshua the Messiah. The Book of Revelation that he received in the island of Patmos was for the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah.

He was banished to the island of Patmos by the Caesar because he was speaking for Yeshua the Messiah and testifying for Yeshua the Messiah. But Diotrephes spoke wrongfully against the apostle John and those that have been serving with him. Thirdly, in verse 10B, Diotrephes rejected traveling ministering brethren. It says, “And not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren.”

You see, Gaius received the brethren. But Diotrephes did not receive the brethren. Here's two men, same local assembly, local church. One of them is commendable as a faithful man, the other one is a domineering man. He want to be the first one. He want to have the preeminence. Look at the next thing that we find about Diotrephes. Not only that he rejected those traveling serving brethren.

In verse 10C, it says that Diotrephes, he forbade believers to receive those traveling brothers. It says at the end, “And he forbade them that would.” In other words, if somebody come to a local church, a local assembly, and Diotrephes says, “No, we're not going to receive you.” But some of the brethren say, “You know what, brother, you come to my home. I want to receive you into my home. I will open the door for you,” knowing, of course, that they are truly servants of the Lord.

So, Diotrephes was upset with those who were graciously willing to receive those brethren. And then finally, in verse 10, it says Diotrephes cast out of the assembly those brethren who did receive them. He says here, verse 10, at the end, “And he cast them out of the church, out of the assembly, out from among the believers.” See what happened? A traveling brother coming, he doesn't take them home, so Jacob take him home.

And then he takes Jacob and he throw him outside, and he says, “Because you have hosted this individual, you're going to be chasing out of here.” And he throw him out. Can you imagine? In other words, he was in charge. He'll tell you who to allow to bring in and who not. You see, it's one thing when you seek to do it with godly care because of false teachers coming and one protecting the believers.

It is another thing when one would love to have the preeminence, taking the place that belongs to Yeshua the Messiah for himself and saying, “I am in charge and therefore, I'm not going to allow the traveling brothers to come in. I'm not going to allow Yochanan, the apostle, come in. And I don't want you, brethren, to allow to receive them. And if you will receive them, I will throw you out of the local assembly.” Imagine, this is a dictator, right? That's not right. It's one thing to have godly care, it's another thing to have one who seek to have the preeminence.

And that's why concerning Diotrephes, he said, “Listen, when I come,” verse 10, “I will remember his deeds which he doeth.” You see, John intended to come to Gaius, to come to this local church, local assembly, and he was going to speak to this Diotrephes, and he's going to deal with this issue. John was not afraid of Diotrephes. He says, “I'm going to come, I'm going to deal with this, but I want you to be aware of this,” he's saying to Gaius about the man that is called Diotrephes.

And brothers and sisters, listen to this, this is extremely important because we need to be careful in a time such as this that we will not allow this to happen in our midst. So any local church going to be ultimately losers if they are not going to be careful that such an attitude ought not to be in the midst of the people of God. Could you please go to Romans, chapter 16, verse 17?

Paul, Shaul, speaking to the Roman believers and he says, “Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

In other words, Paul says, “Listen, I want you to mark those kind of individual, this kind of behavior. Not only to mark them, but also to avoid them at the end of verse 17.” You see, these things are not new. It began at the time of the apostles, 2,000 years ago. And it's still going on among the people of God, even those days in which we live in today. And we all have to be careful ourselves that we will not become like that.

If we are acting in the flesh, we are capable to do just the very same thing as Diotrephes have done. And so, back to 3 John. And now in verse 11, he is really saying, “Diotrephes was doing that which is evil, but you will seek to do that which is good.” And that's why he says in verse 11, he says, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

And by the way, that's why some individuals say that perhaps he was not a believer because he says here, “He that have done evil like this, he has not even seen God.” That's why sometime it's been used to apply to the fact that Diotrephes was not a child of God. But I just want to say, he was among the people of God. He was apparently in leadership position, and apparently he was acting in the flesh.

And if he's a believer, he hasn't experientially enjoy fellowship with God by such a behavior. And John says, “Follow not that which is evil, but follow that which is good.” And may the Lord help us with this, beloved brothers and sisters. So, the first man, Gaius, was a faithful man. Verses 1-8 of 3 John. The second man was Diotrephes, he was a domineering man. Verses 9, 10, and 11.

And thirdly, to conclude with this ministry meeting, his name was Demetrius. Verses 12, 13, and 14. And look what we read about him specifically in verse 12. Demetrius was a man that had a good report. It says here in verse 12, “Demetrius has a good report of all men, and of the truth itself. Yea, and we also bear record. And ye know that our record is true.”

Now, here's a third man that is found here. He had a good report. So wonderful to have a good report when people hear about us and say, “Hey, this particular brother, he has a good report. He is seek to be faithful. He has a good testimony.” A good testimony. Sometime, you know, it's not easy to have a good testimony. We need to always check ourselves. But what a wonderful thing to say about Demetrius, a man of good report, good testimony.

And then he conclude, after he mentioned Demetrius, he mentioned Diotrephes, he's now closing this letter to Gaius. And he's saying to Gaius in verses 13 and 14, he said to him, “I have many things to write. But I will not with ink and pen write unto thee. And but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto you,” shalom, “our friends salute thee, greet the friends by name.”

He says, “Gaius, listen, I have a lot more things to tell you, but I'm not going to write you anymore. I'm going to make a visit. I'm going to come to see you, Gaius. I'm going to see you face to face. I'm going to speak with you. I'm going to communicate with you what I have more to say. But until then,” he's saying to him, “shalom, peace be unto you. And please say shalom to all the friends. And our friends here greet you. And greet the friends by name,” one by one.

Say to all of them, shalom, “I'm going to come soon, and I'm going to make that visit with you.” Well, brothers and sisters, let me conclude here with this remarks, as we end here in the Epistle of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John. Every one of these letters were written by this elderly man by the name of Yochanan, who loved the family of God. What do we learn from what John had said?

How important for us to have care for the family of God, to minister to the people of God, and definitely, not to seek to have preeminence, but to give the preeminence to our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. He is the one that need to have the place of glory and honor among the people of God. And I can tell you, beloved brothers and sisters, that the time that we give the Lord His rightful place, you and I are going to be blessed.

There will be joy in our hearts. There will be ministry to our brothers and sisters. There will be encouragement for the people of God. But if we give Him the preeminence, He is the head of the body. He's the head of the church, and to the church. And may the Lord just help us in all this. Not to be Diotrephes, but to be a faithful man like Gaius, or a faithful woman like Gaius, and a man or woman of good report like Demetrius. May the Lord help us in all this.

Gideon Levytam: You have been listening to the Holy Scriptures and Israel with Gideon Levytam. Gideon teaches God's word from a Hebrew Messianic perspective. For more information about this ministry, write to Holy Scriptures and Israel, Box 1411, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0, or visit our website at holyscripturesandisrael.com.

You are also invited to Gideon's weekly Bible teaching on Fridays at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and Saturdays at 1:00 PM, at Willowdale Christian Assembly Hall, 28 Martin Ross Avenue in Toronto. Holy Scriptures and Israel is made possible by your prayers and financial support. If you would like to support the program, visit holyscripturesandisrael.com. God bless you. Shalom, shalom.