Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
January 7, 2024

Imitate Good: The Third Epistle of John:
by Bryan Gibson
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God…” (3 John 1:11). This short epistle helps us do just that, because it describes three good men “from God,” three men we would all do well to imitate.
John
He loved his brethren—“to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth” (v. 1), the same thing he said to “the elect lady and her children” in the previous epistle (2 John 1:1).
He prayed for his brethren—“I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (v. 2).
Nothing gave him greater joy than to see his brethren walking in truth—“I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (vv. 3-4).
He was willing to withstand those opposed to the truth, people like Diotrephes—“if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does” (vv. 9-10).
Gaius
He didn’t just know the truth; he walked in it—“as indeed you are walking in the truth” (v. 3).
He gave support to those who taught the truth (vv. 5-8). In fact, he walked in both truth and love by showing hospitality to those who taught the truth (vv. 5-8). These men even testified of his “love before the church” (v. 6).
And when you walk in truth and love, others will say of you that “your soul prospers,” just as John did in his prayer for Gaius (v. 2).
Demetrius
He had a good testimony from all, including the apostles (v. 12).
More importantly, he had a good testimony from the truth itself. His life was in harmony with the truth (v. 12).

3 John, NAS
(1) The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. (2) Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (3) For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. (4) I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (5) Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; (6) and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. (7) For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. (8) Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. (9) I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. (10) For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. (11) Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. (12) Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. (13) I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; (14) but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. (15) Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.