Hidden Heroes In The Bible: A Tale of Three Kids - Pastor Ben Hodges

3 John 1-8Gaius: FaithfulFaithfulness is not flashy, but in the Kingdom of God, faithfulness is fruitful.Seven Characteristics of Gaius1. He walks in the truth.2. He is beloved.3. He has a healthy soul.4. He is faithful in ordinary things.5. He practices costly hospitality.6. He partners with gospel mission.7. He serves without needing to be first.3 John 9-11Diotrephes: OverbearingDiotrephes “likes to put himself first.” That is the disease. Everything else is a symptom.Seven Characteristics of Diotrephes1. He loves preeminence.2. He rejects legitimate authority.3. He uses words as weapons.4. He refuses fellowship.5. He punishes those who do right.6. He confuses control with leadership.7. He is a negative example to be resisted, not imitated.3 John 11-12Demetrius: Good TestimonyDemetrius has what every Christian should want: not fame, not hype, not platform — testimony.Seven Characteristics of Demetrius1. He has a good reputation.2. He has been tested by community.3. He is aligned with the truth.4. He is affirmed by mature leaders.5. He does not need to self-promote.6. He is safe to commend.7. He embodies the good John says to imitate.The “We” Passages: Our Shared Responsibility3 John 8, 12  “We ought to support people like these.”- Mission is not optional. When faithful gospel workers go, faithful churches send.- You can be a fellow worker for the truth by supporting the work of truth.“That we may be fellow workers for the truth.”- The person preaching and the person supporting the preaching are both participating inthe work.- No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.“We also add our testimony.”- Healthy Christians do not only critique what is bad. They commend what is good.- A healthy church must have the courage to confront what is evil and the joy to celebratewhat is good.3 John 13-15“We will talk face to face.”- “Face to face” is the language of healthy relationship.- “By name” – they know and are known. Love and are loved, celebrate and are celebrated.