Reading through the New Testament in 2016 - November 29th, 2016 - 3 John Being First.

2 John and 3 John give us some back story to 1 John and what was going on at the time for this church.

There are characters in the story. Today we read about Gaius, who 3 John is written to. He was likely the person who’s house the church was meeting in, and was giving the most to see the church grow.

Then there’s Diotrophes.

He’s the anti-gaius. He’s not giving anything to see the church grow. He’s closing his doors on people. Why?

Because he loves to be first (vs 9).

Jesus had some interesting words for those who want to be first. You know what it was?

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

The problem with Diothophes was that he has forgotten how Jesus wants us to become first. We do it by becoming last.

By becoming the servant of all.

Gaius, not intentionally is becoming first. He’s the one the letter is written to, that we are reading today. Wow, what an honor. He didn’t get there by petitioning for people to write him letters… nope. He gets that honor because first he chose to serve. To give his house up, his time, his energy.

You truly want to be first?

Become last, and let God make you first.

You want to be glorified? You want fame? You want recognition?

Humble yourself, serve, give, and God will lift you up.

On the other hand, you want to be humbled? You want some shame, embarrassment, some correction? Try to make yourself first. Demand it.

May you today become the servant of all, and I pray someday someone writes a letter about you because of it.