Walking In Truth
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Intro: This message has been on my heart ever since Thursday when Matt and Adaiah got married. What a joy it was to see two of young people get married the right way – with their parents’ blessings, their church’s blessings and God’s blessings!
John uses the word TRUTH no less than 7 times in this one chapter with 14 verses. (1, 3, 4, 8, and 12)
There are several aspects of truth that are a given, but I want to take a few minutes and address them.
A. There is the Exposure to Truth
There are two responses to truth.
1. Those that Receive it
· John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
· 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2. Those that Reject it
2 Thessalonians 2
· 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
· 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
· 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Paul prayed for those that were in error to receive the truth.
· 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
B. There is the Expectations of Truth
The expectation is simple; once you’ve been exposed to truth, walk in it.
· Luke 12:48 For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…
· Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
There is the Expectation of a LOVE – vs. 1
There is the Expectation of a LIFESTYLE – vs. 3
There is an Expectation of a LABOR – vs. 8
C. There is the Exploration of Truth
More truth requires more digging.
Not all truth is on the surface.
Those that hunger and thirst after it must search it out.
Rightly dividing the word of TRUTH.
· 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Now to the main part of the message:
· 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Let’s work backwards on this verse.
We will start at the end and work toward the beginning.
I. The Repetition – “…walk in truth.”
Walking is step by step by step.
A journey is made up of steps.
The Christian life is a walk.
· 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
There are so many people get derailed trying to live the Christian life 10 years from now.
That is not only unwise, but it is impossible.
The Christian’s walk with God is obeying truth today. All of it. All day long.
Then get up in the morning and do it again.
Making one right choice after another.
Making one biblical decision after another.
When you are faced with a decision, refer to the Word of God and then obey it.
That is what “walking in truth” is all about.
II. The Relation – “…to hear that my children…”
This reference to “my children” was an old preacher referring to his children in the faith.
Paul the Apostle said it like this:
· 1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
To understand this verse, you’ve either got to have physical children, or spiritual children.
How many spiritual children do you have?
How many souls have you snatched from the burning flames of Hell?
How many people do you have that special connection with because you cared enough about them to win them?
Are you a barren Christian? Are you a sterile Christian?
How important is it to you to have children in the faith?
To have begotten people through the Gospel?
III. The Reputation – “…to hear that…”
SEE verse 3 and 12:
· 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
· 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Make no mistake; people are going to talk about you.
People will be people. They will talk.
You cannot control people talking.
What you can control is what they are saying about you that is true.
John the Beloved heard about Gaius’ and Demetrius’ walk with God.
This was before the internet, before social media, email, and phones.
Their reputation and their testimony found its way into his ears.
IV. The Rejuvenation – “I have no greater joy…”
John said something very similar in 2 John:
· 2 John 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
Hearing that your children are walking in truth rejuvenates you to:
· Keep teaching!
· Keep preaching!
· Keep standing!
· Keep training!
· Keep discipling!
· Keep serving!
· Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Nothing fires up a parent more than seeing their children walking in truth!
Nothing inspires a pastor more than seeing his church members walking in truth!
Nothing rejuvenates a youth pastor like seeing the youth group walking in truth!
Nothing rejuvenates a Sunday School teacher like seeing their class members walking in truth!
Nothing inspires a soulwinner more than to see their new converts growing in the Lord!
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