You Are A Companion of The Saints

DATE: JUNE 10, 2020

TOPIC: "You Are A Companion of The Saints" 3 John 1:13-15 John wrote to Brother Gaius and concludes by leaving a pause in the discussion to later have A FACE TO FACE MEETING! IF THERE IS COMPANIONSHIP you can arrive to the meeting face to face! When we are companions there is a friendly relationship of collaboration and solidarity, of support. IT IS TO ACCOMPANY, UNDERSTAND, SUPPORT AND HELP OTHERS WITHOUT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING IN EXCHANGE! The problem is how much some seek for themselves in exchange when approaching others. They accompany one for a purpose, but the least interest is to benefit or help another; they do it seeking their own favor.

I. The discussion is to exchange opinions and points of view.

A. As for John and Gaius, the discussion was between companions, not with enemies!

1. Soon, we believers will speak FACE TO FACE IN HEAVEN!

2. Because God's people transcend (extend) in time!

3. Over there in heaven we will comprehend more fully the occasional obscurities of the divine revelation.

4. The nature of your flesh cannot take you to heaven. But, if we are believers, if we are holy, we can and should have fellowship!

5. Our fellowship has an end and it is the kingdom of the Lord. Therefore, we should all have that same goal without looking for something else in return!

6. YOUR OWN INTEREST IS NOT THE GOAL OF A BELIEVER!

B. "I am a COMPANION of all who fear you and keep your commandments." (Psalm 119:63)

1. I am a companion! I associate (union of people with a determined purpose) with all those who fear Him.

2. The two loves go together, the love for God and the love for his saints! You cannot love God and not love the saints.

3. To love oneself reigns in most men; the rich are loved and the poor are despised, and thus shows partiality.

4. Beloved, avoid the company of those who avoid God! And frequent the company of those who seek Him and keep the company of God! Consider the society of the carnal and the profane as infectious, but consider the people who are serious and who pray as excellent on earth. These will serve to revive you when you are deadened and warm you when you are cold. Make the most vivified among God's people your intimates and see their love and likeness to Jesus as the great motive for your love for them, more than their love or affinity for you.

C. Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching AND TO THE FELLOWSHIP, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

1. The test of the reality of those who believe is perseverance. These converts demonstrated the genuineness of their profession (their belief) BY BEING OCCUPIED (ASSIDUOUSLY) IN:

a. The doctrine (teaching) of the apostles. It means the inspired teachings of the apostles, first given orally and now preserved in the New Testament.

b. Communion. Another evidence of the new life was the desire of new believers to be with "the people of God" and share things they had in common. There was a feeling in them of wanting to be separated from the world, for God, and to be in a community together with other Christians with the same interests of the kingdom of God.

c. The breaking of bread. This is the Lord's Supper. From the verse in Acts 20:7 we know that the practice of early Christians was to break bread together on the first day of the week.

d. Prayers. This was the fourth main practice of the early church which expressed total dependence on the Lord. Prayer is needed for entering worship, for conducting (leading the church), for preservation (caring for and conserving the state of the church by avoiding harm or danger) and for all service.

2. Be aware, brother, that the love and communion with other brothers is for your perfection! Philippians 1:5 "...because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now..."

3. Are you a companion of the saints? Are you like John and Gaius, who could speak face to face? Amen.