On Being the Church
2 John 1-13
The Letters of John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Introduction: Throughout the
Pauline and Catholic Epistles of the New Covenant collection of Letters there
are many and varied problems faced by the emerging congregations. These problems are rarely discussed within
the political realm but almost always in the context of the superior love and
faith in and through Jesus Christ. While
theological errors are briefly mentioned, a better way or understanding of
Christ crucified is supplied as graciously as possible by the apostolic
writers. Even so, there are specific
admonishments (even as we read in verse ten of our brief letter today) to warn
the church to be careful with its doctrines and practices.
Now, the epistle before us today is written to “the elect lady and
her children”, which Alfred Plummer would identify as the Church and
not as a specific person. “Both Testaments”, as Peter Barnes notes, “personify God’s Covenant Community as a woman” or
the Bride of Christ as we understand her.
And we all know full well the sordid history of the
structures and organizations of the Church down through the ages. There is nothing about the church, its habits
and institutions that are perfect, and as we all know too well – even our own Book of Church Order’s position on the
counting of votes demonstrates that all too human frailty of the Church still
in the world. And I mention that
situation boldly because we, as a congregation are in danger of
intellectualizing, emotionalizing or factionalizing a decision made carefully
within the proper ordering of our Church documents.
I hope that I have conveyed to you all over the
years – how little I enjoy or use politics to accomplish any given
purpose. Certainly – in the handling,
discussion and bringing about the election in question – mistakes were made and
in the course of the last year there did not appear any easy way out of the
situation which has caused heartache, questions and misunderstanding – I assure
you we all would have taken that opportunity if it had presented itself.
Even as the Apostles were careful in the handling
of problems within the church, and we have to carefully consider the sometimes
vague controversies that the letters really truly address, so should my own
words in this matter be weighed carefully as well. One of the things we have to remember about
the letters of the New Covenant is that: the bodies of doctrine, as well as the
ongoing practices of the Church were being established bit by bit down through
the centuries as the church better understood the impact of the scriptures. For those of you who have profited by Tim’s
studies on the history of the church – you and we should all appreciate that
the work and witness of the church is and always has been slow in developing
confessions, creeds and constitutions.
Unfortunately an awful lot of the collective wisdom
of the church in those matters has been thrown out or forgotten in the last
seventy or more years, and newer younger churches and denominations are
emerging so that these things may be discovered and applied once again in our
day and time. In that process we can do
no better than to study the encouragement and admonishment contained in John’s
letters to the churches of his day and to us in these latter days as well.
Development: As we look over the
second letter today, we notice the introduction where John uses the word truth four
times in the first three verses. But, equally important John lays along side of
truth
the importance of obedience and love. You see truth and obedience and love are all
essential to the health of the body of Christ.
Not only are we to believe the truth, we are also to obey our Lord and
love the members of His fellowship.
Now, I have no doubt that every member here is
committed to believing the orthodox truth of the Gospel presented in Holy
Scriptures. I also know that we have studied holiness and obedience from time
to time. We also recognize that until the Lord returns, we will all have some
room to continue growing. Today, in light of John’s letter here, we have to ask
ourselves how are we doing in the area of loving one another?
Certainly when all of us could fit into one small
room, there was a greater intensity. Since
there were once fewer of us, I could know everyone better and spend more time
with each one of you. Now, we are close to sixty-some people, scattered all
across
The issue here in the second letter may very well
concern Christian hospitality as my commentators sense it. You see, in the
first century after Christ, there were no Motel 6's, Quality Inns or even
Hiltons. And so as Christians traveled they stayed in one another's homes. Now, this practice was open to abuse. Some thirteen years ago, we were having a
Trustee meeting and the phone rang. A traveling minister from another
denomination had just flown to
Certainly, if a sister congregation had called
ahead and told us someone in need would be passing through, I would have acted
differently. That happened a couple of years ago. A pastor in
If the elders and I do our jobs correctly and admit
to membership those who are willing to accept Christ, the doctrines and
government of the Church we have shown our dedication to holding the truth
dear. If all of those with teaching responsibilities in the Church are
diligently seeking to obey Christ and encourage all of us to do the same, than
obedience is being served. Well, what do you have to do besides believe the
truth and attempt to obey our Lord? Look at that third calling carefully.
Conclusion: Without giving away any deep dark secrets that you
have volunteered to me privately over the years we of the session sense your
concerns, your needs, hopes and fears.
And we are always open for questions and private discussion. I also know that you all love to visit one
another after Church. I know I have said this many, many times before, but I
have never been in any Church before where the fellowship after worship was so
intense.
But, today I would like to challenge you all to
love one another so that we can build one another up in the Lord. Where there is loneliness there is an
opportunity for friendship. Where there is sickness, there is opportunity for
healing. Where there is a desire to share mealtime, there is opportunity for
new friendships. To some extent, this is being done. But may I gently encourage
you to minister to one another through the fellowship of love so that we may all
fulfill the instruction of the Apostle here in this letter. And finally, let us each and every one
consider the personal implications of verse eight carefully. Amen.
Resources Used: Alexander, William. The
Expositor’s Bible: Epistles of St John.
Barnes, Peter. Welwyn Commentary
Series: Knowing Where We Stand.
Stott, John. Tyndale
New Testament Commentaries: Epistles of John.
Good News Publishers. The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
Copyright (C) 2002 Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian
Church in
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