Title: WHAT GIVES US JOY?
Focus: Joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to doctrinal truth and neighborly love.
Function: To move the people to discover Christian joy through the practice of doctrinal truth and neighborly love.
Text: II John 1-13
When I was 18 years old I met Simon. Simon and I worked for the same wholesale produce company in Rotterdam. Simon was a religious person; he was never shy about witnessing. He thought of himself as a true Christian, and he insisted on being called a “Jehovah Witness.”
Simon was not very diligent when it came to his work throughout the week. Our employer, for example, sometimes threatened to fire him for poor performance. Simon, however, was far more intense and focused during the weekend because it was during the weekend that Simon would travel to all kinds of different areas in the Netherlands.
He, along with others, would knock on doors, distribute Jehovah Witnesses materials such as the “Watchtower,” and argue with and engage people into talking about the faith. On Mondays Simon would come back to work and talk with enthusiasm about the responses he had that weekend.
As I look back, I realize that I did not always treat Simon with love or respect. I would make fun of him and mock him for his views. In light of Scripture, I think I would want to treat Simon differently today. For joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to doctrinal truth as well as to neighborly love.
Today, one of the Republican candidates for president of the U.S is former governor Mittney Romney. He seems to be a strong candidate; there are, however, many Christian voices, who say that one should not vote for Mittney Romney because he is a Mormon.
In light of centuries of Christian teachings (summarized in the Creeds), it is fair to say that Mormons are sectarians. Even though they claim to be Christians, some of their main teachings about Christ are decidedly unorthodox and rejected by the Christian Church. Mormons reject the core teachings of the early Christian church as apostate, and consider that the true church has its origin with Joseph Smith, who was born in 1805.
Is there anything in John’s letter to the churches that suggests that you and I, as Christians, may not vote for a person like Mr. Romney? Or is there anything in John’s teaching that may guide our thinking and actions toward the Mittney Romneys or the Rudy Giulianies of the world?
John’s letter enables us to explore joy-filled Christian living, which includes a commitment to doctrinal truth and neighborly love. I would like to see us all discover that Christian joy by practicing doctrinal truth and neighborly love. And thus we need to consider the 13 verses of John’s second pastoral letter.
First of all, we observe that the writer of II John does not introduce himself as “John.” He introduces himself as “The elder.” Most biblical scholars, however, believe that the author of II John is the same person as the author of the first epistle of John. For one thing, the style of writing is very similar; also, phrases and themes that appear in this letter are similar to words and terms found in the first epistle of John.
From ancient references we know that the apostle John served as “presbytor” or elder of the church in Ephesus. The early churches met in homes and formed clusters of house churches. Elders (also called bishops or presbytors) would provide leadership and manage the affairs of such clusters of house churches in a particular region. John was such a bishop or elder.
Secondly, we notice the reference to the recipients of this letter. Listen (vs. 1b) “To the chosen lady and her children whom I love in the truth….” Some interpreters think that John is writing to a specific lady with status in the community somewhere in the province of Asia and with a household of children.
More likely, however, is the conviction of many that John is writing to the church. John uses the metaphor of a lady to speak of the church. The “chosen lady,” then, is a figure of speech designating a community of faith somewhere in Asia Minor. This observation finds support in the closing verse of this letter, where John writes, “The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.” Thus it appears that John writes from one faith community (most likely the church in Ephesus) to another church or cluster of house churches.
Thirdly, we note that the core of John’s letter is polemic. In vs. 7-11, John gets to his main concern for writing. He warns about false teachers in the church, and he urges members of the church to refrain from providing hospitality to false teachers. “Anyone who welcomes (a false teacher) shares in his wicked work,” says John (vs.11).
These false teachers corrupt the church’s teaching about the Lord Jesus. They deny that Jesus is both truly human and truly divine. Already in vs. 3 we get a flavor of John’s intent to set the church straight in this matter. John writes, “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” Note John’s emphasis on “the Father’s Son.” The Father and the Son are equal in divinity. Jesus, the Son, is God just as the Father is God.
As we take note of the writer, and the recipients, as well as the polemic nature of the letter, we begin to discover an underlying message: joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to doctrinal truth and neighborly love. This becomes clear when we explore the content of John’s letter.
If you follow the spotlight of attention in John’s letter, you’ll notice that the focus shifts from Truth to Love to the Practice of Love. For example, in vs. 1-4 John emphasizes truth. Listen: “To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which live in us and will be with us forever.” Here John describes truth as dynamic, as a living entity, as something embodied. I think John is speaking here in essence of Jesus Christ, who is the truth.
Listen again: (vs.3 and 4) “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth.” Here, John refers to truth (and love) as a style of living. Christians may experience grace, mercy, and peace as we practice truthfulness and love. That’s why I say that joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to doctrinal truth and neighborly love.
In verses 5-6 John underscores the need for love. Earlier, John can speak of “walking in the truth” (vs.4). Now he speaks of “walking in love” (vs.6). Love is the air Christians must breathe. Love is the aroma that we must give off as we do our daily living. Love is the fulfillment of God’s commands—love for God and love for our neighbors. Love is fundamental to being a Christian. Thus John writes to the church saying, (vs. 5) “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to (the Father’s) commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
Such love calls for a spirit of hospitality among Christians. And many Christians in John’s days demonstrated that spirit of love by entertaining and providing housing, not only to strangers, but especially to people who claimed to be learned in the Scriptures and to be teachers of the good news or gospel of Christ.
It’s precisely at this point, when John has emphasized truth and love, that he wants to say something about our practice of loving hospitality and our commitment to truth. Thus John says;(vs. 7) “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world.” John thinks of these deceivers as a threat to the church and to the faith of the church. False teachers undermine the good news of salvation; and they lead people astray from the gospel. They break the bond between Christ and all believers; their false doctrine severs believers from God. Listen: (vs. 9 ff) “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.”
A commitment to doctrinal truth calls for discernment. A commitment to love, calls for the practice of hospitality. But there is a limit to the practice of hospitality. If my hospitality to a teacher of the church leads to the undermining of doctrinal truth and the Christian faith, then, says John, I must not entertain or show hospitality to such a teacher. Joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to doctrinal truth and neighborly love.
The sermon title is “What gives us joy?” I raised that question in light of John’s letter. John speaks of walking in the truth; he speaks of walking in love; and he also makes mention of living in fellowship with one another. In verse 14, for example, he says: “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper an dink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”
What gives us joy when it comes to walking in the truth? When we see our children and grandchildren practice the Christian faith, we rejoice. When we share our faith, and we notice that the lights go on, that people “get it,” that people turn to Christ as the “way, the truth, and the life,” then we find joy in our hearts. We take delight when new members, new converts grow in faith and discover the power of God’s truth. Then we know of a deep joy in our hearts.
So, pray for the truth of God, as found in the Scriptures, to take hold of your life, and the lives of all those in your circle of family, friends, and co-workers. Pray and practice the truth. Affirm and celebrate the truth in public worship and in preaching and Christian teaching. Insist that the truth be told—in public life, and especially in the life of the church.
What gives us joy? Joy comes our way when we meet and live in fellowship with other Christians. Do not pretend that you are like an island, floating on the ocean of life. Recognize that you are part of a community, that you need one another; therefore, seek fellowship, interaction, and cooperation with one another. Pray for each other; support each other with words of encouragement and affirmation. And in that way, discover the joy of Christian living.
What gives us joy when it comes to walking in love? I wish I had practiced the insight from John’s letter much earlier in life. Now I realize that there would have been a much better way to treat Simon. I should have given him respect; I should have been much more hospitable to him.
No, practicing hospitality to the Simons of our world does not mean that we give them a platform in church to preach the doctrines of Jehovah Witnesses. But the Simons are our neighbors; and we do owe them neighborly love.
So it is also with presidential candidates from different faith backgrounds. Mr. Romney, for example, does not pretend to be a teacher of the Christian faith or church. As a Christian, then, I can listen to (and even learn from) Mr. Romney, the politician and fellow citizen. I can show Christian love and thus hospitality to him. But I would not invite him to be a teacher of faith to my family or church family. For you see, joy-filled Christian living includes a commitment to neighborly love but also to doctrinal truth. So we need Christian discernment, practicing love and truth, holding them in balance.
Practice living with Christian truth and love! And discover the difference! In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.